1905 Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois "Pulaski County, an extreme
southern county and one of the smallest in the State, bordering on the Ohio
River and having an area of 190 square miles and a population (1900), of
14,554. It was cut off from Alexander County in 1843, and named in honor of
a Polish patriot who had aided the Americans during the Revolution. The soil
is generally rich, and the surface varied with much low land along the Cache
and the Ohio Rivers. Wheat, corn and fruit are the principal crops, while
considerable timber is cut upon the bottom lands. Mound City is the
county-seat and was conceded a population, by the census of 1890, of 2,550.
Only the lowest, barren portion of the carboniferous formation extends under
the soil, the coal measures being absent. Traces of iron have been found and
sulphur and copperas springs abound." page 435
