Mine Au Breton on the south side of Breton Creek was discovered by Francis Azor, aka "The Breton" a retired soldier from Ft. DeChartres, Illinois.  He was called "The Breton" because of his birthplace in Brittany, France. He served as a soldier in both France & the United States.  After leaving the army he came to Missouri & was a hunter & miner.  According to an old legend while Azor & his guide, Peter Boyer, were tracking a bear along a creek in what would later become Washington County, Missouri Azor stumbled over an outcropping of lead. (The street along Breton Creek, Jefferson Street, is called "Bearfoot" by the locals because of this legend.)  Another version of the story says that he built his campfire next to what he thought was a tree root.  When the tree root melted he realized it was lead.   

There is much controversy over the year of Breton's discovery.  Numerous dates are given by various sources:  1760, 1763, 1765, 1773, 1774, 1775, 1779, & 1780.  In 1763 France surrendered Illinois, along with most of its North American possessions to Great Britain.  Many settlers who did not want to live under British rule migrated across the river to Spanish-ruled Missouri.  Azor could have been in this migration.  However, the British did not take possession of Ft. de Chartres until October 10, 1765.  At this time an official transfer ceremony was held.  Afterwards some of the soldiers & other inhabitants withdrew to St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve & other settlements.  It is possible that Azor, being a dedicated life-long soldier who participated in the construction of the third Ft. de Chartres in 1753, would have stayed until the fort was officially surrendered.  If so this would place the discovery of Mine Au Breton at 1765 or sometime thereafter.   In a testimony of Azor's guide, Peter Boyer, stated that he & Azor discovered the future Mine Au Breton while out on a hunt in 1780 & that the place immediately began to be settled & that he was one of the first settlers.  According to Walter A. Schroeder in his book "Opening the Ozarks" Francois Azor along with his guide, Pierre Boyer, discovered Mine A Breton in 1774.  Schroeder states that he deduced this date from a note signed in 1775 that indicates Azor discovered the mine a year earlier.  He gives the source for this document as MN 34.

Azor, "the Breton" received a grant for four arpents of land.  Crude stone furnaces were built & a  primitive mining village quickly sprang up which was called Mine Au Breton or Mine of the Breton.  Mine Au Breton became the most intensely worked lead mine & some French miners used black slave labor.

The Osage Indians began to harass Mine Au Breton as early as 1799 and raided the village several times. In 1802 thirty Indians attacked the village and Durham Hall with intentions of killing the Americans and plundering Austin's home and store. The French greatly resented Austin and gave no assistance to him in the battle. The attack on the mining settlement resulted in one person killed and one woman kidnapped.  

In 1807 the village of Mine Au Breton had about 40 houses.  From the time of the discovery of lead a continuous settlement has existed here.

POTOSI

Washington County was organized 21 August 1813.  The influential Moses Austin donated 40 acres of land on the north side of Breton Creek for establishment of a county seat.  Lots and a public square were laid out and a new town evolved around Durham Hall.  The town was named "Potosi" in honor of a silver mining town in Bolivia.  Potosi acquired a post-office & since the distillation of whiskey from rye and corn was a large industry the town eventually accommodated two distilleries.  In 1814-15 the first courthouse was constructed & in 1815 a one room 13x13 ft. hewed log jail was built near the public square.     For all of his improvements of the area & his donation of the land for the county seat Moses Austin is credited with being the founding father of Potosi. Mine Au Breton on the south side of the creek & Potosi on the north side consolidated in 1826 under the sole name of "Potosi".  The name "Potosi" comes from a south American Indian word which means "place of much noise."

Moses Austin is not only credited with being the founding father of Potosi but also "The Grandfather of Texas."   In 1821 Moses Austin traveled to San Antonio where he received the first American grant for a colony in Texas.  Upon his return he was exposed to severe hardships & became ill.  He died 10 June 1821 in St. Francois County & was originally buried at Hazel Run.  In 1828 his body was disinterred & reburied in the Potosi City Cemetery.  A very unusual occurrence was discovered at this time as John S. Brickey tells the story:

"There is one other circumstance which may be thought worthy of remark.   A gentleman with whom I was well acquainted died in 1821, & was buried in the usual way at Hazel Run Mines, in St. Genevieve County, on Big River.  In 1828, his friends thought proper to disinter his remains at Hazel Run & bury him at Potosi.   When the coffin was taken up it was found to be rotten, but to the utter astonishment of all present the body of the deceased was in a state of perfect soundness, except the nose & some of the fingers, all the features, except as above, remaining perfect & entire & having every appearance of petrification.  Though not one present did anything more to the body than press it with their hands, several who saw it have affirmed that it was as hard as wood, if not stone.  I simply mention the fact as being out of the ordinary course of nature.  The body was accordingly brought to Potosi & buried.  There are several persons now living here who were eye-witnesses to the fact above related.  The body appeared of a dark or black color.   The gentleman I knew well.  He had lived an abstemious life, & was inclined to corpulence & died suddenly.  I could give you his name necessary.   The gentleman with whom I was well acquainted was Moses Austin. What is more the petrification story got abroad after the reinterment, & the grave .............   was opened by parties who were curious to learn if it was true, & the coffin found open, as if the vandals had been interrupted in their work.  The body, however, was not disturbed, & the grave has not been molested again to this date."  From: Wetmore's Gazeteer of Missouri

After Moses' death his son Stephen took over the project of moving 300 families from Potosi to Texas thereby making Stephen "The Father of Texas."  Austin, the capitol of Texas, is named for Stephen Austin.