 |
BACK TO INDEX PAGE
Legend of St. Francois County
SAM HILDEBRAND’S CONFESSION
Reprinted from the County Advertiser by Farmington News Printing Company
September 26, 1979
|
CONFESSIONS OF SAM HILDEBRAND
Following many requests, the Farmington News Printing Co. is
undertaking to again publish “Sam HILDEBRAND’s Confession”. The book
was written and edited in 1870 by Dr. A. Wendell KEITH and James W. EVANS. The
book contained the “confession” of one of Missouri and St. Francois
County’s most colorful characters: Sam HILDEBRAND.
HILDEBRAND - more commonly referred to as “the Missouri Bushwhacker” - was
killed at the age of 36. In those short years he lived a full life that took
him through the Civil War and into skirmish after skirmish with many of his own people.
The publishers obtained the book “Life of HILDEBRAND” from Mrs. Clay MULLINS.
It is generally felt the book has been out of publication for nearly 65 years.
Henry THOMPSON, a St. Francois County historian, wrote a book “Sam
HILDEBRAND Rides Again” several years ago. It is good reading, but likewise is
out of print.*
[TYPIST’S NOTE: I have not altered the manuscript at all, including all spelling and
punctuation. The ONLY change I have made is to capitalize all surnames. - BethK]