HOUCK WAS AN IMPORTANT CITY FOREFATHER

CAPE GIRARDEAU - February is a month when special tribute is given to leaders in our community, state and nation. Because 1992 is the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' discovery of the New World, the government is encouraging Americans to research the early history of individual home areas and learn interesting stories about forefathers who established and developed the locality.

In Cape Girardeau, one of these forefathers was Louis Houck.

Longtime residents of the city know about this famous local city father, but many newcomers may know the name but little if anything about his contributions to Cape Girardeau. Houck died on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 1925. Houck was a big supporter of the area and wrote two sets of books on the local history.

A native of St. Claire County, Ill. he was born April 1, 1840. He became a member of the legal profession in St. Louis, in 1868, after practicing for several years in Illinois. In St. Louis, he served as counsel for Eli Crandell, Phillip Van Frank, and James McKaye, officials in the projected State Line Railroad of Cape Girardeau started after the Civil War. At that time, he became acquainted with Cape Girardeau and the following year changed his residence and law office to the river city.

During Houck's lifetime he was a printer, publisher, writer, editor, teacher, lawyer, assistant district attorney in St. Louis and educator. He was the prime influence in securing Missouri's third State Normal Teacher's College for Cape Girardeau, Oct. 28, 1873, where he served on the Board of Regents for 40-years. He was also the builder of the first railroads that extended from Cape Girardeau across the swamplands and backwoods country of Southeast Missouri.

Houck would have been a leader in any age of civilization, and Cape Girardeau was fortunate to have shared 55-years of his life.

Like all prominent men of the past, the present and those of the future, he had enemies who were jealous of his stature in society, but Houck's friends far outnumbered those who did not appreciate him. Today, he occupies a place of importance in the city, the state of Missouri, and also the nation.

Although his accomplishments were many, the histories he wrote: The Spa nish Regime, a two-volume set, and History of Missouri, a three volume set, and the establishment of the Normal, now Southeast Missouri State University, are the most noteworthy and of lasting importance.

Houck was an interesting, kindly, compelling man. His sincere devotion to Southeast Missouri was surpassed only by his reverence for his family and his appreciation of the pioneers who opened the country for settlement.

In his diary he wrote: "I desire to construct railroads from Cape Girardeau which will branch fan shape across swamps and through the backwoods country in order to make valuable land and resources available, and give to persons living in the hinderlands easy access to the outside world.'"

Houck moved to Cape Girardeau in 1869, and married Mary Hunter Giboney in December of 1872. She was the only daughter of Andrew Giboney, a pioneer landowner in Missouri Territory at Cape Girardeau during the Spanish Regime. Houck had a large home erected on this land which still stands known as, "Elmwood."

Like many present day residents Houck became intrigued with the fascinating history of Missouri, especially Southeast Missouri. He realized that since there was no adequate written record available, the average person who wanted information about the colonial territorial and colonization periods of the state would be unable to acquire information that was then available to him (Houck) unless it was written before it was lost.

With the assistance of individuals in Washington D.C., Spain, and other European countries, he complied the valuable Houck histories and published them at his own expense. He did extensive research himself, and all material had explanatory footnotes, and credit was given to the proper persons. As reliable source material these histories are invaluable today, and they are used by students and professional writers.

Allan H. Hinchey published two articles in tribute to his friend, Louis Houck, when informed of Houck's death. Part of one is quoted and it shows the feeling that reveled in Cape Girardeau at the time: "Louis Houck died Tuesday, Feb. 17, at his home, Elmwood, near Cape Girardeau, and was buried Saturday, Feb. 21, in old Lorimier Cemetery.

"`The man who has done one thing of great importance for his generation stands out a conspicuous figure. Mr. Houck achieved fame that will grow as time passes for three important achievements: his histories, his railroads through the swamplands, and the college at Cape Girardeau.

"`As a man Louis Houck is dead ... as an inspiration Louis Houck will never die!"

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EDITOR's NOTE: This writer appreciates the fact her Uncle Allan introduced her to Mr. Houck when she was a child.