MASSAC COUNTY, situated on the southerly boundary of Illinois, with Ohio river on the south. Area square miles. Seat of justice, Metropolis. Pop. in 1850, 4,092. (Fanning's, 1853)
MASSAC, a county in the S. part of Illinois, bordering on the Ohio river, which separates it from Kentucky, has an area of about 140 square miles. The surface is uneven and heavily timbered. Indian corn, oats, cattle, and pork are the staples. In 1850 this county produced 146,700 bushels of corn; 12,607 of oats, and 30,650 pounds of butter. It contained 2 newspaper offices, and 143 pupils attending public schools. Stone coal and lead are found in the county, but not worked. Capital, Metropolis. Population, 4092. (Baldwin's New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States..., 1854)
MASSAC COUNTY One of the smallest counties of the state, is situated on the extreme south-eastern part, and has an area of about 240 square miles. The Ohio river forms the southern boundary, and it is drained by several small creeks which take their rise in the county and flow southward inter the Ohio. The surface is partly covered with forests; the soil of the river bottoms is fertile. Corn, oats, cattle and pork are the staples. The county contains several churches and has a liberal number of pupils attending public schools. Several railroads are proposed to intersect the county, among which are the Vincennes and Paducah, Belleville and Murphreysboro, and Massac and Sangamon lines. Capital, Metropolitan City. Population, 7,800. (Hawes' Illinois State Gazetteer..., 1859)