Beech Tree News Network

How many votes were cast for Abraham Lincoln in Butler County during the 1860 presidential election? Who talked General Simon Buckner out of blowing up the Rochester Dam? What was the other name for Tanyard in northern Butler?

These and other questions were posed to panelists during the 2011 Festival of trees dinner,  held at the Educational Complex Friday night. The festival of trees is the biggest fund raiser for the Butler County Education Preservation Society according to its President, Geoffrey Henderson.

Their main objective is to collect, preserve and interpret the educational material, culture and social histories of the county. These will be housed in a museum to be located in the Butler County Educational Complex.  

In her comments to the group, Jane Eaton-Henderson, chairperson of the Festival of Trees stated, “We started at the last festival (of trees) to retrieve a pictorial history of Butler County as seen through the wonderful lenses of Mr. George Dabbs and the dedication to preserving this work by Joe Forsythe. As a tribute to Alma Jean Hocker she continued, “Some asked for a book and here it is.” The book’s title is, “Ms. Alma Jean’s scrapbook of bits and pieces of Butler County history.” Henderson continued, “We thought it only fitting, as our birthday gift, that Miss Jean receive the first copy.”  

Following the event, guests viewed this year’s display of trees. The trees are lit courtesy of the work of Ron Felty.

From their brochure viewing times are:

December 4 During the BCNSDAR home tour12-5
December 5 Welcome to Butler County Schools
December 9 Gifted Pines Drawing Winner of this year’s Festival
December 10 Festival of Trees closes

Answers learned from panelists Mayor Linda Keown, historian and former newspaperman Roger Givens and David “Sonny” Howard?

Abraham Lincoln received five votes in Butler County in 1860.
Mill operator Silas Brewer saved the Rochester dam
Tanyard was also known as Tilfor