' ' Jll't, ,l' ill W^F^^ CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY ^. %.'■■-'> J ^^.'i' <^j"^ \_ V- ,2?^Mmm Cornell University Library F 457C55 P45 Counties of Christian and Trigg. Kentuck olin 3 1924 028 845 762 Cornell University Library The original of tinis book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924028845762 COUNTIES OF AND TRIGG KEISJ^TUCKY. Historical and Biographical. EDITED BY WILLIAM HENEY PEKEIN. ILLUSTRATED. F. A. BATTEY rUBLlSIIlNG CO- CHICAGO AND LOUISVILLE. 1884. JOHN MORRIS SUCCESSOR TO PKEFACE. THIS volume goes forth to our patrons the result of months of arduous, unremitting and conscientious labor. None bo well know as those who have been associated with us the almost insurmountable difficulties to be met with in the preparation of a work of this character. Since the inaug- uration of the enterprise a large force has been employed in gathering material. During this time most of the citizens of each county have been called upon to contribute from their recollections, carefully preserved let- ters, scraps of manuscript, printed fragments, memoranda, etc. Public records and semi-official documents have been searched, the newspaper files of both counties have been overhauled, and former citizens, now living out of the counties, have been corresponded with, for the verification of the infor- mation by a conference with many. In gathering from these numerous sources, both for the historical and biographical departments, the confiict- ing statements, the discrepancies and the fallible and incomplete nature of public documents were almost appalling to our historians and biographers, who were expected to weave therefrom with some degree of accuracy, in panoramic review, a record of events. Members of the same families disa- gree as to the spelling of the family name, contradict each other's statements as to the dates of birth, of settlement in the counties, nativity, and other matters of fact. In this entangled condition, we have given preference to the preponderance of authority, and while we acknowledge the existence of errors and our inability to furnish a perfect history, we claim to have come up to the standard of our promises, and given as accurate a work as the nature of the surroundings would permit. The facts incorporated in the biographical sketches have in most cases been secured from the persons whom they represent, hence the publishers disclaim any responsibility as to their general tenor. Whatever may be the verdict of those who do not and vnll not comprehend the difficulties to be met with, we feel assured that all just and thoughtful people will appreciate our efforts, and recognize the importance of the undertaking and the great public benefit that has been accomplished in preserving the valuable historical matters of the counties, and biographies of many of the citizens, that perhaps would other wise have passed into oblivion. To those who have given us their support and encouragement we acknowledge our gratitude, and can assure them that as years go by the book will grow in value as a repository not only of pleasing reading matter, but of treasured information of the past that will become an enduring monument. October, 1884. THE PUBLISHERS. CONTENTS. PAET I.-HISTORT OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. PAGE. CHAPTER I.— Geology— Why the Farmers Should Understand It— The Riches of Brazil — Effects of the Soil on the Animal and Human Races — The Oayernous Limestone of Southern Kentucky — Local Geology— 'Timber and Streams — Pilot Rock — Climatology — The Prehistoric Period — Mound Builders — Their Antiq- uity — Mounds in Kentucky, and in Christian County — The Indians — Conjectures as to Their Origin — Their Attempts to Destroy the Whites — Extermination of the Red Man — Struggles upon the Dark and Bloody Ground — Indians in Hop- kinsville, etc., etc 19 CHAPTER II.— Early Settlement— The First Pioneers— Whence They Came— Davis and Montgomery — Death of the Latter — Incident of Davis — Other White Set- tlers — James Robinson — Hardships and Privations — Organization of the County — Act of the Legislature — Name of the County — Col. William Christian — County Court — Locating the Seat of Justice — The Tax Levy — A Unique Bill — Court of Quarter Sessions — The Circuit Court — County Officers — Abraham Stites — Court Houses and . Jails — Census — Election Precincts — The Poor Farm, etc., etc 39 CHAPTER III. — Follovring the Footsteps of the Pioneers — Additional Facts Con- cerning Them — Later Settlers — Jerald Jackson — Galbraiths and McFaddens — The Bradshaws — Crabtree, Morris, Cushman and Others — Joshua Gates — James H. MoLaughlan — Pioneer Pastimes — The Old Militia Musters — Land Speculations and Troubles — Crime and Lawlessness — The Pennington Family — Alonzo, and His Sharp Practices — The Crime that Brought Him to the Gallows — His Trial and Execution — The Way of the Transgressor — Regulators and Their Work — Sum- mary, etc., etc CHAPTER IV. — The Early Court and Bar — Ninian Edwards — Rezin Davidge — Will- iam B. Blackburn — Judges Wallace and Shackelford — Charles S. Morehead — Joseph B. Crockett — James Breathitt — Fidelio Sharp — Daniel S. Hays— Edward Rumsey— The Pattons — Robert Coleman— The Henrys— McLarning, Grey, Ewing, Dozierand Others— Political History— "Wild Cat" Banks and Worthless Money— "Relief" and "Anti-Relief "—Exciting Times— Daniel Mayes— Young String Organizing Parties — Wliigs and Democrats — ^The Republican Party — County Patronage — Winston J. Davie — Beiyamin H. Bristow — Senators and Representatives — Gen. John M. Palmer — Joseph Duncan — Jefferson Davis, etc... CHAPTER v.— Internal Improvements — Trails and Paths Through the Forest — Legislative Enactments for Building Highways— Bridges— Some of the Rude Structures of the Past— Stone Bridges and Their Cost— Turnpikes— Efforts to Build Them in the County— The Hopkinsville and Clarksville Pike— Bailroada —Estimated Advantages of Them— Bvansville, Henderson & Nashville— Other Railroads— Agriculture— Ito Rise and Progress— Influence of Negro Slavery- Grain, MUls and Stock— Tobacco the Great Staple— FaoU and Figures— AgrioidU ural Aasooiations— List of Officers- The Fair Grounds, BuUdings, etc., eto 119 68 83 ,j CONTENTS. PAGE. CHAPTER VI.-Beligious History of the County-Early State of Society-The Bap- tists, the Pioneers of ReUgion in Kentucky, and in Christian County-First Churches and Preachers-Education -The Present School System— State Patronage-Origin of Our School Fund-Early Schools and Schoolhouses— Statistios-niiteracy-Compulsory Bduoation-The Newspaper Press-Its Advantages to a Community-The First Paper in the County-Editors and Printers— Improvements and Newspapers— The Present Christian County Press, . 146 etc., etc CHAPTER VII.— War History— Revolutionary Soldiers in the County— Pensions AUowed Them by the Government— Tories and Their Settlement Here— The War of 1812— Hull's Surrender— Perry's Victory, and Christian County Men in It— The Battle of New Orleans— Incident of the Dutch Captain— A Black Hawk Soldier and His Death— Our "Discussion" with Mexico— The War Between the States— Christian County Assisted Both Sides— Col. Woodward —Other Heroes, Federal and Confederate— Col. Sypertr— The Third Kentucky Cavalry- Col. Starling— His Assaflsination— Gen. Jackson, the Hero-Martyr of Perry- ville, et45., etc 167 CHAPTER VIII.— Hopkinsville City and Precinct— The Town Site— Bartholomew Wood— Other Early Settlers— James Pursley, Dr. Steele, Major Long, Peter Cartwright, Capt. Wood, etc.— Topography of Hopkinsville Precinct — Its Bound- aries and Extent — Western Lunatic Asylum — Laying Out the Town of Elizabeth Name Changed to Hopkinsville — Gen. Hopkins — Early Merchants and Mechanics — Gaut, the Hatter — Twyman, the Bricklayer — Taverns — Growth and Development — The Post Office — City Press — Communication of Judge Lindsay — Manufacturing Industries — Banking — The Butter Company — General Business Fine Blocks and Residences — Loan Association — Fires, etc., etc 191 CHAPTER IX. — Hopkinsville — The Churches — Methodism and Its Introduction Into the County — First Methodist Organization in Hopkinsville — The Baptists — Formation of a Baptist Church — Its Present Strength and Glory — The Presbyte- rians — Northern and Southern Divisions — Their Church Societies and Build- ings — Christian Church — Its Organization, Growth and Prosperity — Cumberland Presbyterians — Episcopalians — Their New Church Building — Catholic Church — Colored Churches — Their Organization — Cemeteries, and Their Silent Inhabit- ants, etc., etc 217 CHAPTER X. — Hopkinsville — Educational — Some of the Early Schools and Teachers — James Rumsey's Academy — Prof. Ferrell's Select School — The Hopkinsville Public Schools— Prof. Dietrich's Sketch of Them— The Colored Schools — South Kentucky College — Maj. S. B. Crumbaugh — Bethel Female College — Benevo- lent ^Institutions — Freemasonry, Odd Fellowship, etc. — The Horticultural Gar- dens — Drs. Montgomery and Glass, etc., etc 243 CHAPTER XI. — Casky, Pembroke and Longview Precincts — General Description — Early Settlement — Some North Carolina Tories — Block-houses in the Old Davis Settlement — Going to ■ Russellville to Mill — Rumsey's and Coleman's Mills — Other Settlers — Moralizing on'the Negro's Future — Educational — Early Schools and Teachers — Religious — Old Bethel Church — Other Congregations — Villages — The Business of Pembroke — Summary — Casky Grange, etc., etc 261 CHAPTER XII. — Union Schoolhouse Precinct — Description, Topography, Bounda- ries, etc. — Early Settlement — The Meanses, Cravenses, and Other White People — Incidents and Anecdotes of Pioneer Times — Mills and Early Improvements — Schools and Teachers — The Churches — When and by Whom Organized — Old Shiloh — Sketches of the Different Congregations — Villages — The Colored Peo- ple, etc., et« 277 CONTENTS. vii CHAPTER XIII. — Lafayette and Garrettsburg Precincts — Topography and Descrip- tion—Settlement by White People— Hon. James A. MoKenzie's Sketch of La- fayette — Churches — McEenzie's Chapel or "Kirk"— Other Church Organiza- tions — The Villages of Garrettsburg and Lafayette -Anecdotes, Accidents, Incidents, etc., etc 289 CHAPTER XIV.— Mount Vernon, Wilson, Fruit Hill and Stewart Precincts- Early Settlers in Mount Vernon — ^Topography of Northeast Christian — Settlements in Fruit Hill— The Robinsons— Wilson Precinct Pioneers— The Settling of Stewart — Early Trials and Tribulations — Churches — Their Good Works in this Part of Christian County— The Hardshells and Universalists- Educational Facilities- Coal, etc., etc 299 CHAPTER XV. — Bainbridge, Hamby and Scates' Mill Precincts — Description and Topography — Coal — Early Settlement — The Pioneers of fiainbridge — Some Incidents — First Comers to Hamby and Scates' Mill — ^The " Butt-out " of Democ- racy — How Clark Killed the Bear — Churches and Schools — Pioneer Life and Frontier Weddings — The Village of Crofton — Its Growth, etc., etc 309 PART n.-HISTORY OF TRIGG OOUIN'TY. CHAPTER I. — Introductory — Topography and Geology — Iron Ore — The Iron Indus- try — Furnaces Erected in Trigg County — Richness of the Mineral Deposits — Streams and their Value as Water Highways — Soils and Productions — Tobacco and Other Crops — Farming Highly Reputable — Mounds — ^The Prehistoric Peo- ple — Settlement of the Whites — Who They Were and Where They Came From — The Settlement at Cerulean Springs — Between the Rivers Settled — On Dyer's Creek — Other Settlements in the County — How the People Lived in the Pioneer Days — Their Family Supplies — Mills, Meal and Flour — Game and Hunting — Fishing, etc., etc 6 CHAPTER II. — Organization of the County — Act of the Legislature for its Formation — Justices of the Peace for the New County — The First Officers — Name of the County — Col. Stephen Trigg — Location of the Seat of Justice — Report of the Commissioners — Cadiz — County Court — The First Civil Divisions — Tavern Rates — Orders for Mills and Roads — The First Circuit Court — Early Judiciary and Bar — ^The Grand Jury — Extracts from the Quaint Old Records — Laying Out the County Seat — First Trustees — Court Proceedings — Hon. Linn Boyd — Vote on Re-location of County Seat — Changes of Boundary — Marriage Licenses — The Census — Statistics — County Officers, etc., etc 17 CHAPTER III. — Material Prosperity of the County — Erection of Public'Buildings — The First Court House — Other Temples of Justice — Jails — Attorneys, Past and Present — Matthew Mayes — Judge Bradley — Political History — How the County Has Voted From Its Organization to the Present Time — Aspirants Who Were Elected and Defeated — Roads and Highways — Turnpikes — Some that Have Been Built and Some That Will Not Be— Railroad History, Which is Short and Sweet — Summary, etc., etc 35 CHAPTER IV.— Religious— Synopsis of the Church History of Trigg County— Some of the Pioneer Preachers of Southern Kentucky — Their Peculiar Characteristics — Dudley Williams — Reuben Ross and Others — Number of Churches in the County — Schools — Past and Present Institutions of Learning — Teachers — Statis- tics — The Press — Canton Observer — Yeoman — Cadiz Organ — The Telephone and Old Guard — Standing Upon a Solid Foundation — Crime and Lawlessness — Con- victions and Executions — Obey the Laws — Trigg County Medical Society, etc.. 53 ^i CONTENTS. PAGE. CHAPTER V— War History— The Revolutionary • Patriots— Some Who Settled in Trigg County-Our Second Misunderstanding With England-Battle of New Orleans-War With Mexico-Trigg County's Part in It-The Late Civil War- Company G, of the Fourth Infantry-A Sketch of Their Service-The Handful Who Survived the War-Companies B and D, of the Eighth-Their Exploits and Achievements-Company B, of the Second Cavalry-Company D, of the Same Regiment— The Federal Side— It is Rather Brief— The Forty-eighth— Other Vol- unteers— Burning the Cadiz Court House— Murder of a Negro Soldier— A Few Incidents — Peace, etc., etc CHAPTER VI.— Cadiz Precinct— Descriptive and Topographical— The First Settlers — Wadlington and the Indiana— Isaac McCullom— Other Early Settlers— A Fam- ily Drowned— Mills— Distilleries— Organization of Churches-" Old Wolf Pen " —Mount Pleasant Church— Building of Church Edifices— Town of Cadiz- Laid Out as the Seat of Justice- Report of the Commissioners— Some of the First InhabitanU and Business Men of Cadiz— Early Boards of Trustees— Pioneer Merchants— Hotels— Professional Men— Tobacco Interest— Business Houses- Religious History — Methodists, Disciples, Baptists, etc. — Colored Churches — Schools — Free Masonry— K. of H., Chosen Friends, etc. etc 85 CHAPTER VII. — Canton and Linton Precincts — Topography of Canton — Its Agri- cultural Resources — Early Settlement — Abraham Boyd — Settlement on Donald- son Creek — The Wilson Family — Other Pioneers — Mills and Distilleries — Births, Deaths and Marriages — Religious, etc. — Town of Canton — Its Birth as a Town Growth and Development — The Methodists and Baptists — Secret Societies — Physical Features of Linton Precinct — Its Early Occupation by White People — Sketch of its Settlers — Masonic — Church History, etc., etc 107 CHAPTER VIII. — Cerulean Springs and Wallonia Precincts — Description and Topog- raphy of Cerulean Springs — Timber — Agriculture, etc. — The First Settlers — Incidents of the Pioneer Days — Church History — The Village of Cerulean Springs — Its Growth, etc. — Medicinal Water of the Springs — Topography of Wallonia — Its Settlement by White People — Maj. Wall — Other Pioneers — Mills and Distilleries — Village of Wallonia — Its Churches, Schools, Lodges, etc 121 CHAPTER IX. — Caledonia and Montgomery Precincts — Physical Features — Boun- daries, etc. — Early Settlers — Mills — Educational and Religious — Caledonia Vil- lage — Description and Topography of Montgomery Precinct — Its Agricultural Resources — The First Pioneers — Early Industries and Improvements — Mont- gomery Village — Churches, Societies, etc 133 CHAPTER X. — Roaring Springs Precinct — Topographical and Physical Features — Caves and Caverns — Coming of the Pioneers — Their Settlements — Early Indus- tries and Improvements — Educational Facilities — Churches — Sketches of the Different Organizations — Village of Roaring Springs — Growth, Development, etc., etc 141 CHAPTER XI. — Rock Castle and Bethesda Precincts — General Description, Bound- aries and Topography — Settlement — A Prolific Family — Other Pioneers — Fron- tier Hardships — Rock Castle Village — Hurricane Baptist Church — Bethesda Methodist Church, etc., etc 149 CHAPTER XII. — Between the Rivers — A District that Comprises Laura Furnace, Golden Pond and Ferguson Springs Precincts — Description of the Land — Its Oooupation by White People — Some of the Peculiarities of the Pioneers — Where They Located — A Band of Freebooters — Religious History — Sketches of the Numerous Churches — Village of Golden Pond, etc., etc 166 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 177 PART I. HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, History of Christian County, CHAPTER I. Geology— "Why the Paemek Should Undeestand It— The Riches of Brazil— Effects of the Soil on the Animal and Human Races— The Cavernous Limestone of Southern Kentucky— Local Geology —Timber and Streams— Pilot Rock— Climatology- The Pbe-His- TORic Period— Mound-Builders— Their Antiquity— Mounds in Ken- tucky AND IN Christian County— The Indians— Conjectures as to Their Origin— Their Attempts to Destroy the Whites— Exter- mination OF THE Red Man^Struggles upon the Dark and Bloody Ground— Indians in Hopkinsville, etc., etc. rr^O the trained eye of the geologist, the soil and its underlying rocks -L forecast unerringly the character of the people who will in coming time occupy it. This law is so plain and fixed, it has become a maxim in geology that a new country may have its outlines of history written when looked upon for the first time. The geological structure of a coun- try fixes the pursuits of its inhabitants, and shapes the genius of its civ- ilization. It induces phases of life and modes of thought, which give to different communities and States characters as various as the diverse rocks that rest beneath them. In like manner may it be shown that our moral and intellectual qualities depend on material conditions. Where the soil and subjacent rocks are profuse in the bestowal of wealth, man is indolent and effeminate ; where effort is required to live, he becomes en- lightened and virtuous. A continuously mild climate throughout the year, and an abundance of food springing spontaneously from the earth, has always in the world's history held back civilization, and produced a listless and inferior people. An able writer upon this subject says : " The tropics and the arctics — the one oppressed with the profusion of nature's bounties that appal mankind and produce enervation, is the antipodes and yoke-fellow of the bleak north and its long winter nights and storms and desolation. The richest country in the world in soil, perhaps, is Brazil, both in vegetable and animal life. So profusely are nature's bounties here spread, so immense the forests, so dense the undergrowth, 20 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. all decked with the rarest flowers of sweetest perfume, they so teem with animal life, from the swarming parasite up to the striped tiger, the yel- low lion, and snakes spotted with deadly beauty, and the woods vocal with the myriad notes of feathered songsters, with the bird of paradise perched like a crowning jewel upon the very tops of the majestic trees, and yet this wonderful country, capable of supporting, if only it could be subjugated to the domination of man, ten times all people that now inhabit the globe, is an unexplored waste, defying the puny arm of man to subju- gate or even penetrate to the heart of its forbidden secrets. For hun- dreds of years civilized man has sailed in his ships along its shores, and in rapture beheld its natural wealth and profuse beauties, and colonies and nations and peoples have determined to reap its treasures and unlock its inexhaustible stores. How futile are these efforts of man, how feeble the few scattering habitations has he been enabled to hold upon the outer confines of all this great country ! Brazil will, in all probability, remain as it is forever, and it is well that it is so. For, if by some powerful wand all that country could be conquered, and 50,000,000 of the same kind of people placed upon its surface that now constitutes this nation, with all our present advantages of civilization, it is highly probable that in less than 200 years they would lapse into the meanest type of ignorant barbarians, and degenerate to that extent that in time they would become extinct. Thus an over-abundance of nature's bounties, in food, dress and climate, brings its calamities upon man more swiftly than do the rigid severities of the arctics of Northern Greenland or Siberia." From the above weighty extract, the two subjects of supreme import- ance in all countries are those of soil and climate. The corner-stone upon which all of life rests is the farmer. Who, then, should be so versed as he in the knowledge of the soil ? What other information can be so valuable to him as the mastery of the science of geology, or at least that much of it as applies to the part of the earth where he casts his fortunes and cultivates the soil ? He grows to be an old man, and he will tell you that he has learned to be a good farmer only by a long life of laborious experiments. Should he be told that these experiments had made him a scientific farmer, he would look with unbounded contempt upon the sup- posed effort to poke ridicule at him He has taught himself to regard the word " science " as the property only of book-worms. He does not real- ize that every step in farming is a purely scientific operation, because science is made by experiments and investigations. An old farmer may examine a soil, and tell you it is adapted to wheat or corn or tobacco, that it is warm or cold and heavy, or a few other facts that his long experiments have taught him, and to that extent he is a scientific farmer. He will tell you that his knowledge has cost him much HISTORY OP CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 21 labor, and many sore disappointments. But how much more of money value would it have proved to him if in his youth he had studied the geo- logical history, which would have told him all about the land he was to cultivate. We talk of educating the farmer, and ordinarily this means to send the boys to college, to acquire what is termed a classical education, and they come back, perhaps, as graduates, as incapable of telling the geo- logical story of their father's farms as is the veriest boor who can neither read nor write. It would have been of far more practical value to them had they never looked into the classics, and instead had taken a few prac- tical lessons in the local geology, that would have told them the simple story of the soil around them, and enabled them to comprehend how it was formed, its different qualities, and from whence it came, and its con- stituent elements. Parents often spend much money in the education of their children, and from this they build great hopes upon their future — hopes that are often blasted, not through the fault always of the child, but through the error of the parents in not being able to know in what real, practical education consists. Any ordinarily bright child between the years of twelve and twenty could be taught the invaluable lessons of practical wisdom in a few weeks' rambling over the country and examin- ing the banks of streams and the exposures of the earth's surface along the highways. A few weeks of such education would be more valuable than years now worse than wasted in the getting of an education from the wretched text-books and the ding-dong repetition of the schoolroom. How eagerly the young mind seizes upon such real education ! How easy to show children (and such education they will never forget) that the civilization of States or nations is but the reflection of physical conditions, and that it is of importance that these subjects should be understood by all people, and that they should also understand the geological history of their country. Mffecta of the Soil, etc. — The permanent effects of the soil on the peo- ple and on animals are as strong and certain as upon the vegetation that springs from its depths. As we have already stated, where the soil and subjacent rocks are profuse in the bestowal of wealth, and the air is deprived of that invigorating tonic that comes of the winters of the tem- perate climates, man is indolent and effeminate; that where effort is required to live, he becomes enlightened and virtuous ; but, when on the sands of the desert, or in the jungles of Africa, or Brazil, or Greenland's icy mountains, where he is unable to procure the necessities or comforts of life, he lives a savage. It is told that at one time Prof. Agassiz was appealed to by some horse-breeders of New England, in reference to developing a certain strain of horses. He told them it was not a question of equestrianism, but one of rocks. To the most of men this reply would have 22 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. been almost meaningless, yet it was full of wisdom. It signified that certain rock formations that underlie the soil would insure a certain growth of grasses and water, and the secret of the perfect horse lay here. Mr. Ben Bruce, the editor of The Live Stock Record at Lexington, Ky., and one of the ablest writers of the age upon blooded horses, says : " The influence of climate on the animal and vegetable kingdom has not escaped the notice of philosophers, and many learned treatises have been written to show the operations of this cause. Another cause not less powerful in its effects on men, animals and plants, has been co-operating with climate to modify all living things, which certainly has not attracted proper attention— the geological formations of the different portions of the earth. The attention of geologists and natural philosophers has been confined to the dead and buried, to the age of the earth, to mining, the formation of coal beds, and the nature of soils in their relations to production. We know of no one who has written in regard to the effects that are produced by geological formations on living things. * * * There is a remarkable differ- ence observable in horses raised from different breeds and on different soils. The horses bred, for instance, in Pennsylvania, differ as much from the Kentucky thoroughbred horse, as the oak or hickory of the same species in those States. If you take horses or cattle from Kentucky to Pennsylvania and the Eastern States, their posterity begins to undergo a change in the first generation ; and in the second it is still greater ; and in the tenth or twelfth remove, they are not the same breed of animals. This change is produced by difference in climate and food. The latitude is nearly the same, and the great change must be caused by difference in soil, and consequently in the vegetation. Animal formation is modified by the vegetable formations of which it is the result, and the vegetable formations are modified by the elements of the soil from which they derive their nourishment. Not only the forms of animals, but their physical systems, their secretions and excretions, are affected by the difference of geological formations from which they derive, through its vegetation, the elements of their organization." The importance of this subject, and our desire to impress its value upon the rising generation, must be our excuse for the space we devote to it in this work. A painful realization of the defects in the education of our young farmers and of their great losses, disappointments and even dis- asters in their pursuit of tilling the soil, that come of this neglect in their early education and training, prompts this forcing of a subject upon our readers, which at first glance they may consider dry or uninteresting. The most important subject to all mankind at this time is how to get for the young people the best education ; how to fit our youths for the life struggle that is before them. For 2,000 years, the schools have believed HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 23 that Latin and Greek were the highest type of information and knowledge, and next to these dead languages were metaphysical mathematics and theories of so-called philosophy. It is time these long drawn out mistakes were rectified, and the truths that are revealed in the investigation— the experimental facts of the natural laws that govern us— be made known and taught to those who will soon bear along the world's highway its splendid civilization. Here and there are to be found an intelligent machinist, or a farmer, who understand the simple scientific principles that govern their work or occupation. Theu knowledge is power. In every turn of life they stand upon the vantage ground, and their lives are successful in the broad sense of the term. They understand the soir they till, or the implements of industry they are called upon to make or use. They know where ignorance guesses, doubts and fears, and by not know- ing, so often fails and falls by the wayside. The farmer will take his place among the earth's noblest and best, only when he forces his way there, by the superior intelligence, culture and elegance with which his mode of life is capable of surrounding itself. Understand your soil, your climate, and master the art of care and cultivation of those things for which it is best adapted, and at once your business will take rank with the most exalted of the professions. The Cavernous Limestone. — Christian County lies in what is termed, geologically, the " Fifth Formation," and is underlaid mostly by the cavernous limestone. Prof. Peter, Chemist to the State Geological Survey, says: This formation is made up of alternating layers of white, gray, reddish, bufiF, and sometimes dark-gray colored rocks, varying in quality from the most argillaceous claystone to the purest limestone. Limestone predominates, however, which, in the southern part of the State, contains numerous caves, of which the celebrated Mammoth Cave, of Edmonson County, is one, and causing many "sinks," in which the drainage water of the county sinks to form underground streams. Clear and copious springs mark the junction of this limestone with the underlying knobstone ; and its lower strata contain in many places the dark, flinty pebbles which furnished the material for the arrow heads, etc., of the aborigines. Some of its layers are so compact and close-textured as to be fit for the lithog- rapher; others are beautifully white, with an oolitic structure. In it are found valuable beds of iron ore, some zinc and lead ore, and large veins of fluor-spar. The so-called barrens of Kentucky are located on this forma- tion ; so called, not because the soil is not fertile, but because of the former absence of timber and the numerous sinks. This region, which, when Kentucky was first settled, was said to be an open prairie, is now covered with forests of trees, of medium growth, which have since sprung up. Its land is found to be quite productive. 24 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. This formation is geologically important, being the basis of the true coal measures— no workable beds of that mineral having ever been found below this formation in any part of the world. It surrounds the coal fields on all sides, and, like the other lower formations, is believed to extend continuously under them ; appearing always in its relative position, in the beds of streams or bottoms of valleys which are cut down sufficiently deeply in the coal measures. In Kentucky, its principal surface exposure is in the central portion of the State. The counties of Adair, Allen, Barren, Green, Warren, Logan, Simpson ; and much of Hart, Edmonson, Logan, Caldwell, Crittenden, Monroe, Butler, Grayson, Ohio, Taylor, Larue, Todd, Trigg and Christian are mainly based upon it. It comes to the Ohio River in Breckinridge and Meade counties in its lower sweep and in Greenup County in its upper ; skirting the western edges of our great Eastern coal field, around through Carter, Morgan and Rowan, Bath, Powell, Estill and Madison, Jackson, Laurel, Rockcastle, Pulaski, and down through Wayne, Clinton, and Monroe Counties to the Cumberland River. Local Geology.* — Christian County is about equally divided between the sub-carboniferous limestone formation, which is the basis of the south- ern, and the carboniferous lime and sandstones, which are the base of the northern half of the county. The line of the demarkation between the two formations passes nearly centrally through the county from east to west, with occasional deflections to the right or left. The northern part of the county is hilly and broken, and abounds in the finest of timber, coal and iron ores. The southern part is level or gently rolling, with the frequent sinks or basins which distinguish the " barrens " of Southern Kentucky. Near the line of demarkation between the two geological formations, from east to west, is a continuous escarpment inclining north- ward or northwestwardly, showing most conclusively that in the early geological eras there must have been an up-throw or upheaval of the lithostrotion or sub-carboniferous limestone, or a down-throw of the coal formations, most probably the latter, since the strata of the cavernous limestones are nearly horizontal, while those of the coal measures are dis- jointed, and under diflerent angles of inclination. Along this line of demarkation also are frequently found specimens of lead ore (sulphurets or galena) and fluor-spar, particularly in the counties of Caldwell, Liv- ingston and Crittenden, wJiere the same disturbance exists as in Christian. In fact, this disturbance is found around the entire rim of the carbonifer- ous formation of the Western Kentucky coal field. On the road from Hopkinsville to Greenville, one and a half to two miles northeast of the former place, this down-throw is quite plainly visible just before reaching "Compiled from th« State Geological Survey. HISTORY OF CHKISTIAN COUNTY. 25 the banks of Little River. The coal beds of North Christian are practi- cally inexhaustible, while the iron, either limonite, brown hematite or pot ores exist in large quantities. In the State cabinet is a sample of these ores from a tract of land of 2,600 acres belonging to Maj. John P. Campbell, which show over sixty per cent of metal. The ores are scat- tered all over this tract as well as over the adjacent country. Coal. — The coal on McFarland's branch of Pond River, in the north- east part of the county, was a soft bituminous coal, of a pitch-black color, with some fibrous coal, exhibiting vegetable impressions between the layers. The coal near Pond River, also in the northeast part of the county, was a soft, friable coal, scarcely soiling the fingers ; was of a dull pitch-black appearance, and quite free from pyrites and earthy impurities. Its com- position, dried at 212°, was — Volatile combustible matters 42.284 Carbon in the coke 50.309 Ashes 7.407 100.000 Many of the banks opened in the county produce a coal of very supe- rior quality, and in places veins have been struck four and five feet thick, which demonstrates what we have already said, that the coal beds of the county are inexhaustible. The developments of the last few years prove this very conclusively. Our space will not admit of more extended descriptions of the mineral wealth of the county, and has been but briefly alluded to by way of a hint to the people, of the unexplored riches lying beneath them. Nature has hidden away in those barren hills wealth almost beyond computation, and far exceeding that which she has spread upon the surface. Time, money and labor are only needed to bring it to light. Soils. — The soil in the northern part of the county is poor on the hills and ridges, often quite rocky, but exceedingly fertile in the bottoms. The hills are well adapted to the growth of a fine quality of tobacco and all kinds of fruit. Here orchards and vineyards never fail of a good crop. In the southern part of the county the lands are level and very rich, with a sub-soil of red or chocolate-colored clay, which itself con- tains all the elements of plant food needed by the prevailing crops of the country. It is on these cavernous limestone or "barren " lands that the far-famed " Hopkinsville Shipping Tobacco " is grown in such perfec- tion, making this section as noted for the production of " the weed " as Central Kentucky for the blooded horse. There are no minerals in this formation in the southern part of the county worth working. The following analysis of soil from between the Quarles place and Oak Grove is given in the geological survey by Prof. Peter : One thou- 26 HISTORY OF CHEISTIA.N COUUTY. sand grains, treated with water containing carbonic acid, yielded 3.822 grains of solid extract, dried at 212°, which,- when treated with pure water, left of imoluble matter, which had been dissolved by the carbonic acid, 2.457 grains, of the following composition, viz. : 130 Sihoa Carbonate of lime °^" 1 1 K Carbonate of magnesia '■'■'' Carbonate of manganese "'■^ Alumina, oxide of iron, and trace of phosphates 740 Sulphate of lime, atrace The soluble matter dissolved by the water, weighed, when dried at 212°, 1.365 grains, out of which was burnt, with the smell of burnt horn, organic and volatile matters 960 The residue contained — Carbonate of lime 067 Carbonate of magnesia 196 Potash 096 Soda 046 With traces of alumina and phosphates. The Timber. — The northern part of the county is heavily timbered, and though much of it has been cut away, there still remains suflScient for all practical purposes. The timber of the barrens consists of red oak, hickory, white oak, and such other kinds of hard woods as have grown up since the fires have been kept off by the settlement of the white race. These barrens were originally devoid of timber, and when first seen by the whites, presented all the " barrenness," without the monotony — which is broken by their rolling surface — of the prairies of the West. Along the streams, even in the "barrens," grow forests of the very best quality of timber. Dr. Owen, the State Geologist, related- the following, which he learned in the northern part of the county, amon g the heavily timbered hills : "At Mr. Williams' I listened to one of the legends of the county, which appears to be fully accredited by the people. This story, as related to me, details with much apparent accuracy the direction, size and condi- tion of certain great lodes of lead, not yet worked in this part of the country ; also, of certain mines of silver said to exist near the margin of the coal field. The relator of this information informed me that nothing but his great age and ill-health prevented him from opening and operating the mines, whose existence he had communicated to me. Nothing, how- ever, that I was able to observe at these localities, would warrant me in giving any encouragement to these fancies, but rather to discourage any hope of these visions of wealth being realized. There may be all that the mineral witches declare there is, of lead and silver, but the miner- HISTORY OF CHKISTIAN COUNTY. 27 alogical and geological signs do not accompany them here, as they do at localities where lead and silver are found elsewhere." Streams. — The principal streams of the county are Little River, Pond River and Red River, the latter merely passing through the south- east corner, and a number of smaller streams. West Fork and Pond River, with their tributaries, flow north into Green River ; Little West Fork flows east and south into Red River ; Little River and its tributaries flow south and west into the Cumberland, and Treadwater and its branches flow west and northwest into the Ohio. Each of these streams affords fine sites for mills, furnaces and factories, and have since the first settle- ment of the country supplied the power to a number of grist and saw mills. They are all skirted with fine timber. In the southern part of the county are numerous and extensive caves, and many subterranean water-courses issue from them ; occasionally, in bold streams, sufficient to turn a large mill. Dr. Owen mentions the following in the Greological Survey, to which we shall refer more at length in a subsequent chapter. He says: "Near the Davis Station, by John Bell's, there are several ex- tensive caves, which have been excavated and weathered out of the cherty and earthy limestone of the sub-carboniferous group. In the early settle- m nt of the country, James Davis lived for some time in one of these caves, which has much the appearance of having been once the channel of a subterranean stream ; its entrance opens toward Cave Creek, which flows near by." This is but adding to the evidence we have, that in all the cavernous region of Kentucky subterranean streams flow, which, like Prentice's river in the Mammoth Cave, may have "A hundred mighty cataracts thundering down, Toward earth's eternal center; but their sound la not for ear of man." Filot Bock. — This is one of the natural curiosities common in Ken- tucky. It is about twelve miles from Hopkinsville, in a northeast direc- tion, on the line between Christian and Todd Counties. Collins thus describes it: "The rock rests upon elevated ground, and is about 200 feet in height. Its summit is level, and covers about half an acice of ground, which affords some small growth and wild shrubbery. This rock attracts great attention, and is visited by large numbers of persons and sight-seers, particularly in the summer months. Its elevated summit, which is reached without much difficulty, affords a fine view of the sur- rounding country for many miles, presenting a prospect at once pictur- esque, magnificent and beautiful." James Weir, in a novel entitled " Lonz Powers," written some years ago, makes the Pilot Rock the scene of a thrilling incident. He has the band of outlaws capture a pic-nic party of young girls of the surrounding neighborhood and from Hopkins- 28 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. VI .ille, and carry them away to their cavernous retreat in the hills adjacent. The people, however, say that the incident is M^rhoWy fiction, and contains no word of truth. A natural bridge is also described by Mr. Collins, in his History of Kentucky, as being in this county, some twenty miles from Hopkinsville, near "Harrison's tanyard." This bridge, he says, is somewhat similar, but on a reduced scale, to the celebrated rock bridge in Virginia, which has been considered one of the greatest natural curiosities in the world. Many people living in Christian County say they have never heard of any such natural structure in this part of the country ; but, notwithstanding their ignorance on the subject, there is such a natural curiosity in the ex- treme north part of the county, though, perhaps, less wonderful than Collins describes it. Climatology. — A few statistics from the Weather Bureau may be of interest to the general reader. Mr. Collins says that there is one feature in our climate upon which the weather prophets all agree with great unanimity, and that is in describing it as "fickle." Everyone who has paid any attention to this subject, as well as the fraternity of "weather prophets," will subscribe to this fact. Those versed in the science of climatology attribute this changeableness in a great degree to the fact that most of the storms approach this section in the winter from the west; and, as Kentucky is an inland district, swept over by winds ranging many hundred miles, its temperature is affected very considerably when the temper of those winds is intensely cold. Since th e beginning of the present century, the mercury has twice been made to sink sixty degrees in twelve hours by these cold winds. The first of these was on the evening of February 6, 1807. Just after night- fall, rain set in, but it soon turned to snow ; the wind blew a hurricane blast, and the next morning it was so intensely cold that it passed into history as "cold Friday." The mercury in the afternoon of December 31, 1863, stood at an average in Kentucky of about forty-five degrees above zero. A light rain fell in the afternoon, succeeded by snow and a strong wind, and on the morning of January 1, 1864, the mercury had fallen from forty-five degrees above zero to twenty below. There are sev- eral other periods in the history of Kentucky when the mercury stood as low as on "cold Friday." February 10, 1818, it registered twenty-two degrees below zero; February 14, 1823, twenty degrees below; again in January, 1835; on January 19, 1852; on .January 10, 1856, and on January 19, 1857. On the 3d and 4th days of January of the past winter (1884) it was intensely cold. In the oflBce of the Signal Service at Louisville, the mercury went down a fraction over nineteen degrees below zero. HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 29 The coldest winter ever known in this latitude was that of 1779-80, and is known in the annals of Kentucky as the "cold winter." The ground was covered with ice and snow from November to March, without thaw, and many of the wild animals either starved or froze to death. The sufferings of the few pioneer families then in the wilderness of Ken- tucky were terrible, and they were often on the very verge of starvation. The Mound- Builders. — The Anglo-Saxons were not the first people to occupy this country, neither were their precursors the red Indians. There are throughout a large portion of the Ohio and Mississippi Valleys, as well as other sections of the country, remains of a former race of in- habitants found, of whose origin and history we have no record, and who are only known to us by the relics discovered in the tumuli which they have left. The Mound-Builders were a numerous people, entirely distinct from the North American Indians. Their footprints may be traced wher- ever the Mississippi and its tributaries flow. Says a writer upon the sub- ject : " Traces of them are found in the fertile valleys of the West, and along the rich savannas of the South ; upon the Ohio, the Kentucky, the Cumberland, the Licking, upon the streams of the far South, and as far north as the Genesee and the head waters of the Susquehanna ; but rare- ly upon mountainous or sterile tracts, and almost invariably upon the fer- tile margins of navigable streams." These ancient people were industri- ous and domestic in their habits, and enjoyed a wide range of communi- cation. From the same mound, antiquarian research has gathered the mica of the Alleghenies, obsidian from Mexico, native copper from the Northern Lakes, and shells from the Southern Gulf. The most interesting fact, perhaps, connected with the Mound-Builders is that they had a written language. This has been proven by some in- scribed tablets found in the mounds, the most important of which belong to the Davenport Acadetny of Sciences. These tablets have attracted con- siderable attention from archaeologists, and it is thought they will some- time prove of great value as records of the people who wrote them. It is still by no means certain whether this written language was understood by the Mound-Builders, or whether it was confined to a few persons of high rank. In the mound where two of these tablets were discovered, the bones of a child were found, partially preserved by 'contact with a large number of copper beads, and as copper was a rare and precious metal with them, it would seem that the mound in question was used for burial of persons of high rank. The inscriptions have not been deciphered, for no key to them has yet been found ; we are totally ignorant of the deriva- tion of the language— of its affinities with other written languages. Their Antiquity .—The Mound-Builders lived while the mammoth and mastodon were upon the earth, as is clearly proved by the carvings 30 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. upon their stone pipes, but our knosf ledge of them is very incomplete and mostly conjectural. It is sufficient, however, to show that at least a por- tion of this country was once inhabited by a people who have passed away without leaving so much as a tradition of their existence, and who are only known to us through the silent relics which have been buried for centuries in the mounds heaped above them. Thorough excavation, care- ful survey, accurate measurement, exact delineation and faithful descrip- tion may assist materially in the formation of sound and definite conclu- sions concerning these peculiar elevations. Were they sepulchres, tem- ples or fortresses ? Beneath this sloping area, the Mound-Builder might have buried his dead ; from it flung defiance to a foe ; upon it made sac- rifice to the gods. These conjectures suggest many knotty questions, questions that have never been satisfactorily answered, and perhaps never will be, but they form at least a sound basis for extended and systematic investigation.* The number of mounds in Kentucky has never been accurately estimated. It has been suggested that these elevations of earth were natural formations — the results of diluvial action, "but the theory was scarcely reconcilable with the facts, and has long since passed into the limbo of exploded hypothesis." The form, position, structure and contents of the mounds aiford convincing proof of their artificial origin. The Altar Mounds, which are supposed to have been places of sacrifice, are found either within, or near an enclosure, are stratified, and contain altars of stone or burned clay, whereas the mounds of sepulture or the burial places are isolated, unstratified and contain human remains. The Temple Mounds, which are "high places " for ceremonial worship, difier from the preceding in containing neither altars nor human remains. In addition to these there are certain anomalous mounds — mounds of observation, signal mounds, etc., which defy all precise or satisfactory classification. The Temple, or terraced. Mounds are said to be more numerous in Ken- tucky than in the States north of the Ohio River, a circumstance which implies an early origin and application of the familiar phrase ' sacred soil.' The striking resemblance which these Temple Mounds bear to the teooallis of Mexico has suggested the purposes to which they were devoted, and the name by which they are known. Some remarkable works of this class have been found in the counties of Adair, Trigg, Montgomery, Hick- man, McCracken, Whitley, Christian, Woodford, Greenup and Mason. f Mounds in Kentucky. — One of the most perfect specimens of the Temple Mound, and one of the best preserved, even as late as 1820, was near Lovedale, in Woodford County. In shape it was an octagon, and measured 150 feet on each side. It was about six feet high, and had three *Dr. Pickett, t Collins. HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 31 graded ascents, one at each of the northern angles, and one at the middle of the western side. Another very interesting mound of this character, and one that has excited a great deal of interest, is in Greenup County. It is described as *' a circular work of exquisite symmetry and proportion, consisting of an embankment of earth 5 feet high by 30 feet base, with an interior ditch .25 feet across by 6 feet deep, enclosing an area of 90 feet in diameter, in the center of which rises a mound 8 feet high by 40 feet base ; a narrow gateway through the parapet and a causeway over the ditch lead to the enclosed mound." Near this mound is what appears to be the remains of a fortification, and is thus described by Prof. Pickett : " It forms part of a connected series of works, communicating by means of parallel embankments, and embracing the chief structural elements pe- culiar to this class of works. On a commanding river terrace stands one of the groups of this series — an exact rectangle, 800 feet square, with gateway, bastion, ditch and hollow-way, with outworks consisting of parallel walls leading to the northeast and the southwest, from opposite sides of the rectangular inclosure. The work has many of the salient features of an extensive fortification, and appears to have been designed for purposes of military defense ; and yet there is nothing to forbid the supposition that its sloping areas were also devoted to the imposing rites of a cere- monial worship." These works, described by Dr. Pickett, seem to be but a corresponding part of a similar group on the opposite side of the river at Portsmouth, Ohio. Whether these works were of a religious or military origin, the architectural skill of construction, the artistic symmetry of proportion, and the geometrical exactness of design certainly suggest the idea that the originators, or builders, were not un- acquainted with a standard of measurement and a means of determining angles. Local Works. — In Christian County there are a number of mounds and earthworks that are supposed to be relics of the Mouud-Bailders, and several of which are still plainly discernible. A list of all the ancient monuments, mounds and earthworks in Kentucky, was made in 1824, by C. S. Rafinesque, at one time Professor of Natural Sciences, etc., in old Transylvania University at Lexington, and published in the second edi- tion of Marshall's History of Kentucky. In this list Prof. Rafinesque puts the number of works in Christian County at 17 : 5 " sites," and 12 " monuments." Some of these have been examined by citizens of the county, and a number of bones, and even perfect or almost perfect skele- tons discovered. The writer has conversed with several persons who have been present at the opening of mounds in the county, in which skeletons were found, and their descriptions agree with archaeologists, that these bones and skeletons must have belonged to the pre-historic people. In subse- quent chapters further reference will be made to these local works. 32 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. The Indians. — After the Mound-Builders came the red Indians. The means by which the latter came into possession of the country have been discussed at length by archaeologists, but with no satisfactory results. Whether the Mound-Builders lived their time upon the earth, and then passed away entirely, to be, in the long course of ages, succeeded by another race of human beings, or whether they were exterminated by the Indians whom the Europeans found in possession of the soil, we do not, and probab- ly never will know. The Delaware Indians had a tradition, that many cen- turies ago, the Lenni-Lenape, a powerful race which swept in a flood of migration from the far West, found a barrier to its eastern progress in a mighty civilization, which was intrenched in the river valleys east of the Mississippi. The Lenni-Lenape formed a military league with the Iroquois, proclaimed a war of extermination against these people, and drove them southward in disastrous retreat. There is another tradition that the primitive inhabitants of Kentucky perished in a war of extermination waged against them by the Indians. Upon such traditions as these is based the theory that the Indians conquered the Mound-Builders, and drove them from the country or exterminated them altogether. The origin, also, of the Indian race is a question at once puzzling to those who have given it their study, and many theories have been advanced, all alike more or less unsatisfactory. One hypothesis is that they were an original race indigenous to the Western Hemisphere ; another, that they are an oifshoot of Semitic parentage, while some imagine, from their tribal organizations and faint coincidences of language and religion, that they were the descendants of the ancient Hebrews. Others still, with as much propriety, contend that their progenitors were the ancient Hindoos, and the Brahmin idea, which uses the sun to symbolize the Creator of the universe, has its counterpart in the sun-worship of the Indians. An able writer of the period says : " Although the exact place of origin may never be known, yet the striking coincidences of physical organization be- tween the oriental types of mankind and the Indians, point unmistakably to some part of Asia as the place whence they emigrated. But the time of their roving in the wilds of America is probably thrice the period which has been assigned to them. Scarcely 3,000 years would suffice to blot out almost every trace of the language they brought with them from the Asiatic cradle of the race, and introduce the present diversity of abor- iginal tongues. At the time of their supposed departure eastward (3,000 years ago), a great current of emigration flowed westward to Europe, and thence proceeding farther westward, it met, in America, the midway station in the circuit of the globe, the opposing current direct from Asia. The shock of the first contact was the beginning of the great conflict, which has since been waged by the rival sons of Shem and Japheth." HISTOKY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 33 These are some of the many theories and conclusions arrived at by arch- aeologists and ■writers upon the subject. But in the absence of all authen- tic history, and even when tradition is wanting, any attempt to point out definitely the particular theater of their origin must, as we have said, prove unsatisfactory. Their origin is involved in quite as much obscurity as that of the Mound-Builders who preceded them. The Indians beheld, with alarm, the growing strength and increasing numbers of the Anglo-Saxons on the Atlantic border. King Philip well understood the nature of things and the ultimate result, when he struck the blow which he hoped would forever crush the power of the whites. Pontiac foresaw the coming storm when he beheld the French flag and French supremacy stricken down on the Plains of Abraham. To the assembled chiefs of the nations in council, he unfolded his schemes of opposition and depicted the disasters which would attend the coming rush of the pale-faced invaders. Fifty years after the defeat of Pontiac, Tecumseh organized the tribes of the West for a desperate effort to hold their own against the advancing tide of civilization. He fell a martyr to his cause, and his attempt to check the " star of empire " was a failure. The next great effort in the red man's " irrepressible conflict," was when the southern tribes arrayed themselves under the leadership of Tuscaloosa, and challenged their white foes to mortal combat. It required the genius of a Jackson, and soldiers worthy of such a chief, to avert a direful calam- ity, and the victories of Talladega, Emuckfau and Tohopeka, tell the story of this, the last grand attempt of the Indians to exterminate the whites. Since the battle of Tohopeka, March 27, 1814, there has been no Indian war of any considerable magnitude, none certainly which threatened the supremacy of the whites upon the continent, or even seriously jeopardized the safety of the States or Territories where they occurred. The Black Hawk war in Illinois, about the last organized effort, required but a few weeks' service of raw militia to quell. Since then campaigns have dwindled into mere raids, battles into mere skirmishes, and the massacre of Dade's Command in Florida and Custer's in Montana were properly regarded as accidents of no permanent importance, except the sad story they carry with them of men cut off in the prime and vigor of life, and a dozen such would not in the least alarm the country. Extermination of the Indians. — As a race, the Indians are doomed by the inexorable laws of humanity to speedy and everlasting extinguish- ment. But 200 years ago, the white man lived in America only by the red man's consent, and less than 100 years ago the combined strength of the red man might have driven the white into the sea. Along our At- lantic coast are still to be seen the remains of the rude fortifications which the early settlers built to protect themselves from the host of enemies 34 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. around ; but to find the need of such protection now, one must go beyond the Mississippi, bevond the Rocky Mountains, to a few widely scattered points in Arizona, New Mexico and Oregon. The enemy that once en- camped in sight of the Atlantic, has retreated almost to the shores of the Pacific, and from that long retreat there can be no returning advance. East of the stream which he called the " Father of Waters," nothing is left of the Indian except the names he gave and the graves of his dead, with here and there the degraded remnants of a once powerful tribe drag- ging out a miserable life by the sufi"erance of their conquerors. Fifty years hence, if not in a much shorter period, he will live only in the pages of history and the brighter immortality of romantic song and story. He will leave nothing behind him but a memory, for he has done nothing and been nothing ; he has resisted and will continue to resist every at- tempt to civilize him — every attempt to inject the white man's ideas into the red man's brain ; he does not want and will not have our manners, our morals or our religion, clinging to his own and perishing with them. The greatest redeeming feature in his career, so far as that career is known to us, is that he has always preferred the worst sort of freedom to the best sort of slavery. Had he consented to become a hewer of wood and drawer of water for the "superior race," he might, like our americanized Afri- cans, be enjoying the blessings of Bible and breeches, sharing the honors of citizenship and the delights of office, seeking and receiving the bids of rival political parties. Whether his choice was a wise one we leave the reader to determine ; but it is impossible not to feel some admiration for the indomitable spirit that has never bowed its neck to the yoke, never called any man " master." The Indian is a savage, but he never was, never will be a slave. On this subject of Indian decay and extermination, an eminent writer says : " If the treatment of the Indian by the Anglo-Saxon had been uniformly, or even generally honest ■ and honorable, the superior race might contemplate the decay and disappearance of the inferior without re- morse, if not without regret. But unfortunately that treatment has been, on the whole, dishonest and dishonorable. He has been deceived, he has been cheated, he has been robbed ; and the deception, cheating and rob- bery has taught him that the red man has no rights which the white man feels bound to respect. We have treated the Indian like a dog, and are surprised that he has developed into a dog and not into a Christian citi- zen. There is no reason to suppose that the Indian is capable of a high degree of civilization, but that he is what he is, may be largely ascribed to white influence and examples, and to what he has suffered from the whites since the first European landed on American soil. Every spark of genuine manhood has been literally ground out of him by the heel of HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 35 relentless oppression and outrage ; he was always a barbarian, but we have made him a brute ; we have made him a nuisance and a curse whose extermination the interests of society imperatively demand and are rapid- ly accomplishing. The crimes of the Indian have been blazoned in a hundred histories ; his wrongs are written only in the records of that court of final appeal, before which oppressors and oppressed must stand for judgment." This is all true. We have robbed and cheated the In- dian, and then chastised him for resenting it. In a speech in New York City, not long before his death. Gen. S»m Houston, an indisputable authority in such matters, declared with solemn emphasis that " there never was an Indian war in which the white man was not the aggressor." The facts sustain an assertion which carries its own comment. But few people, however, and particularly the pioneers of the country, will agree with any defense, be it ever so feeble, of the Indian. Their hatred of him, often on general principles, is intense, and always was so, and the greatest wrongs have been heaped upon him merely because he was an Indian. When resenting the encroachments of the whites upon his hunting grounds, he has been characterized as a fiend, a savage and a barbarian, whom we might rob, mistreat, and even murder at will. This whole broad land was the Indian's. How it became his is no business of ours, nor is it material to this subject. It is ours now, and whether we obtained it in a more honorable way than did the Indians before us, is a question that may be discussed at great length. The Bark and Bloody Ground. — To the Indian, " Ean-tuck-ee " was a land of blood. The very name by which he knew it signifies dark and bloody ground, and the long and hard struggles for its possession by the white and red races, well sustained the crimson title. Some of the most sangui nary battles known in Indian warfare, occurred in Kentucky. The battle of Blue Licks, the siege of old Fort Jefferson (in the present county of Ballard), the struggles around Harrodsburg, Boonesborough, Lexing- ton, "Logan's fort," and Bryant's, Ruddell's and other stations, were severe and bitter, and in more instances than one fatal to the whites. There is no account of Indians ever having lived permanently in Ken- tucky, indeed their traditions warrant the fact that they did not. Says Dr. Pickett : " The old battle fields of Bourbon, Pendleton and Bracken Counties, clearly indicating occurrences beyond the pale of the historic period, confirm in some measure the traditional theory or belief of a pro- tracted struggle for the possession of this border land. Doubtless the familiar appellation of the ' Bark and Bloody Ground,' originated in the gloom and horror with which the Indian imagination naturally invested the traditional scenes and events of that strange and troubled period. * * * * To the Indian, this land was aland of ill repute, and wherever 36 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. a lodge fire blazed, ' strange and unholy rumors ' were busy with the name of ' Kan-tuck-ee.' An old Indian expressed to Col. Moore great astonishment that white people could live in a country which had been the scene of such conflicts. An old Sac warrior, whom Col. Joseph Ham- ilton Daviess met in St. Louis in 1800, gave utterance to similar expres- sions of surprise. Kentucky, he said, was filled with the ghosts of its slaughtered inhabitants; how could the white man make it his home?" These superstitions doubtless kept them from ever locating and building villages in the State, as in other portions of the country. They came here to hunt, but the ghosts of the " unknown people " deterred them from making it a permanent residence. When first known to the whites, Kentucky was a favorite hunting- ground of different tribes of Indians. Annually, during the hunting sea- son, the Delawares, Wyandots, Shawnees, and other tribes from beyond the Ohio, and the Catawbas, Cherokees and Creeks from the southern coun- try, came to hunt the deer, elk and buffalo, which, in great numbers roamed the forests, grazed upon the natural pastures and frequented the salt-impregnated springs so common in the State. Their visits were periodical, and, when the hunt ended, they returned with the trophies of the chase to their own towns. But intensely infuriated at the encroach- ments of the whites, and the formation of settlements in the midst of their old hunting-grounds, expedition after expedition was hurled against them, and every means the savages could devise, aided by renegade white men, was employed to utterly destroy them. From the first exploration of the country by Daniel Boone up to the year 1795 (the time of the treaty at Greenville, Ohio), it was an almost continuous straggle between the In- dian and the pale-face for supremacy in Kentucky. But the contest ended as it always had before, and has always ended since, in the defeat of the inferior race. " The anointed children of education have been too powerful for the tribes of the ignorant." Their council fires paled in the opening dawn of the nineteenth century, and then went out forever in the dark and bloody ground. There is no record, or even tradition, of any Indian atrocities or out- rages having been committed within the present limits of Christian Coun- ty. The nearest approach to it is an incident given in connection with the settlement of Davis and Montgomery. But within the memory of many persons still living, there have been Indians in this county tempo- rarily. A communication, the facts of which are vouched for by many citizens living here, and said to have been written by Hon. James F. Buckner, of Louisville, appeared recently in the Courier-Journal, It is as follows : " In the fall of 1838, I resided at Hopkinsville, Ky. The Cherokees HISTORY OP CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 37 residing in Georgia, Tennessee and the Carolinas. through their head chiefs, at a place called New Achota, entered into a treaty with the United States Commissioners, by which they ceded to the United States all their lands east of the Mississippi and agreed to move west of that river. This treaty caused much dissatisfaction among the Indians. Many of them were far advanced in civilization and the arts, many were planters and &rmers, had slaves and stock of various kinds, schools had been es- tablished among them, and churches of various denominations had been or- ganized, and many young men prepared for the ministry at Eastern col- leges. There was great dissatisfaction with the treaty. There were not wanting persons who encouraged it. The authority of many of the chiefs who signed the treaty was called in question. It had been ratified by the United States Senate by a close vote after a heated debate. Hos- tility to the treaty was spreading. The people of the contiguous States were anxious and impatient for the fulfillment of its provisions. Military companies in the States were being organized to execute the treaty by force of arms. President Jackson had issued his proclamation before re- retiring from office, setting forth the treaty and demanding its enforce- ment. The Indians, 30,000 in number, seemed unwilling to move. The influence of John Ross, the distinguished head chief of the nation, was not sufficient to induce them to assemble at the points designated prepara- tory to leaving for their new homes in the West. They were unwilling to leave their old homes and the graves of their kindred. At this time, a collision between the State authorities and the Cherokees seemed im- minent, but wise counsels prevailed. Gen. Scott, in command of the United States cavalry, was sent into the nations to collect the scattered tribes, to inform them of the conditions of the treaty, the wishes of the Government, and to arrange for their removal. They were divided into detachments of about 1,200 souls, together with their stock, all going by land through Tennessee to Hopk'nsville ; thence west, crossing the Ohio at Golconda ; thence west to the Mississippi. The old and infirm were carried in wagons and on horseback. The able-bodied, with their slaves, of which there were many hundreds, were on foot. Each detach- ment was controlled by one or more of these chiefs or head men. An oc- casional detachment of United States dragoons brought up the rear to prevent straggling and to preserve order. Stations were established about fifteen miles apart along the road, where provisions were supplied by con- tractors, where detachments passed about every forty-eight hours. The Indians occupied the camp on the east bank of Little River, where the road from Nashville crossed near Gibson's Mill, less than one mile from Hopkinsville. The Indians were a source of great curiosity and interest to the^jitizens. The prominent ones, particularly the ministers and their 38 HISTOKY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. families, were invited to the houses of citizens. The churches were thrown open to them and nearly every night when a detachment had encamped, services were held in some one of the churches in town. " At the head of one of these detachments was Fly Smith, an old man, late a member of the Cherokee Council. He was accompanied by Stephen Forman, a Presbyterian Minister, who had been educated at And- over, Mass. On the morning, when the detachment was paraded to start on its journey, it was found that the old chief, Fly Smith, was sick and unable to resume his journey. His friends were compelled to pro- ceed without him. Forman and his wife remained to take care of him. He was very old, broken in spirit and travel-worn ; he died on that day. The next detachment came up in charge of Whitepath. His fame had preceded him, and there was great curiosity on the part of the citizens to see him. He was accompanied by Jesse Bushy- head and his family. He was a Baptist Minister, well educated, a celebrated orator, and one of the most influential men in tbe nation. When the detachment halted at the camping-ground in the grove, the fires lighted, and the provisions issued, many citizens, myself among the number, sought out the tent of Whitepath. We were met by Bushy- head, and told the Chief was ill, and, as he believed, would die. He was old, feeble and much exhausted by travel. Physicians of the town offered to administer to him, but he declined. Kindness offered was of no avail. He had run his course. He died the next morning. He had lately been President of the Cherokee Council, of which Fly Smith was a member. They were buried (He and Fly Smith) in the evening on the east bank of Little River, near the camp in a clump of cedars, and a sim- ple monument placed over each grave. Addresses were delivered in the church by both Bushyhead and Forman to crowded audiences, in which sketches were given of the lives of these distinguished chiefs, with occa- sional allusions to the history and trials of the Cherokees ; and while I have since heard many eloquent funeral sermons, yet none more impressive or eloquent than those spoken by these two Indian ministers over the graves of Fly Smith and Whitepath." Many persons, as we have said, remember the circumstance above noted, and many can point out the spot where these noble red men sleep their last, long sleep. It is not very far from the city cemetery, and it is not far out of the way to say that side by side the white and red man sleep, while " six feet of earth make them all of one size." Maj. John P. Campbell furnished provisions to the Indians at their Hopkinsville camp under Government contract. Money had been struck by the Government for this special purpose, and to prevent any imposi- tion, it had all been made payable to John Ross, the head chief mentioned. HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 39 It was a considerable undertaking in those days to supply from 1,000 to 1,500 people with provisions at one time, but Maj. Campbell filled his contract to the letter. Many of the Indians were wealthy, and these traveled in their carriages, attended by their servanti. At the stopping places, they would take up their quarters at the taverns or at private res- idences. — W. H. Perrin. CHAPTER II. Eably Settlement— The First Pioneers— Whence They Came— Davis AND Montgomery— Death of the Latter— Incidents of Davis- Other White Settlers— James Robinson— Hardships and Priva- tions — Organization of the County— Act of the Legislature— N'ame of the County— Col. William Christian— County Court- Locating the Seat of Justice— The Tax Levy— A Unique Bill- Court OF Quarter Sessions— The Circuit Court— County Officers —Abraham Stitbs— Court Houses and Jails— The Census— Elec- tion Precincts— The Poor Farm, etc., etc. CIVILIZATION, it has been said, is a forced condition of existence to which man is stimulated by a desire to gratify artificial wants. Again, it has been written, by a gifted but gloomy misanthrope, that, "As soon as you thrust the plowshare under the earth, it teems with worms and useless weeds. It increases population to an unnatural extent ; it creates the necessity of penal enactments, builds the jails, erects the gal- lows, spreads over the human face a mask of deception and selfishness, and substitutes villainy, love of wealth and power, in the face of single- minded honesty, the hospitality and th6 honor of the natural state." These arguments are alike erroneous, and substantiated neither by history or observation. Oirilization tends to the advancement and elevation of man ; lifts him from savagery and barbarism to refinement and intelli- gence. It inspires him with higher and holier thoughts — loftier ambi- tions, and its ultimate objects are his moral and physical happiness. The pioneer, the rude, rough, dauntless pioneer, is civilization's forlorn hope. He it is who forsakes all the comforts and surroundings of civilized life — all that makes existence enjoyable ; he abandons hia early home, bids adieu to loved ones, and, like Daniel Boone, turns his face toward the vast, illimitable wilderness. With iron nerves, these unsung heroes plunge into the gloomy forests, often with no companion but their gun, and ex- posed to danger in a thousand different forms ; after years of incredible toil and privations they subdue the wilderness and prepare the way for the countless hosts who are to follow them. 40 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. The First Pioneers. — Who were the first settlers of Christian Coun- ty ? This is now a question not easily answered. According to the historian, Collins, James Davis and John Montgomery were the first white men to settle in the county. They came here, he says, in 1785, and built a block-house, but beyond this simple statement little is known of them except through fast-fading traditions. It is said, however, they were from Augusta County, Va., and there are many persons still living who remember to have often heard their voyage to this county described ; how they traversed the wilderness to Pittsburgh, and there embarked on board of boats or canoes, and, surrounded by innumerable perils, passed down the Ohio, up the Cumberland to the mouth of Red River, and up that stream to what afterward became Christian County. They settled in the northeast corner of the present Precinct of Longview, near the Todd County line, and there, as stated by Collins, built a block-house. Montgomery, who was a brother-in-law to Davis (having married Davis' sister) was a surveyor, and after remaining a short time at the original block-house, moved further north, and settled on the creek which still bears his name. Even less is known of him than of Davis. He was a surveyor — that much is known — and surveyed a great deal of lands in this part of the country. Little else is known beyond the fact of his tragic death. He was engaged in surveying when he was killed by Indians at the mouth of Eddy Creek, or in the immediate vicinity (now the town of Eddyville), in Lyon County. Davis settled permanently on the place where they had built the block- house, and which is the place now owned by Mr. John H. Bell, whose father. Dr. J. F. Bell, himself quite an early settler of the county, pur- chased direct from Davis. The place is noted on the map of Christian County as having been settled in 1762, but this is either a typographical error, or a mistake on the part of the compiler of the map. Daniel Boone, to whom history accords the honor of being the first permanent settler in Kentucky, did not make his first visit to the State until 1769 ; hence, Montgomery, and Davis could not have been here as early as the county map indicates, and then, too, Collins says they came in 1785. But Capt. Darwin Bell, a son of Dr. Bell, states that his father learned from Davis direct, that he came here in 1782, which is probably correct. Davis and Montgomery, as we have said, built a block-house as a protection for their families against the Indians, who were then plenty, and on more than one occasion it afterward became a "House of Refuge " to the few scattered settlers, as the following incident will show : A man named Carpenter had settled near where Trenton, in Todd County, now stands. He had a small sugar camp, and was one day engaged in making sugar when he was surprised by a band of Indians. They had stealthily ap- HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 41 preached and got between him and his cabin, where his family was at the time. Carpenter was sitting by the fire smoking his pipe and attending the boiling of sugar water, when he discovered the Indians, and, springing to his feet, he started for Davis' block-house, with the savages in hot pur- suit. They followed him to Montgomery Creek and then gave up the chase. During the entire race. Carpenter is said to have kept his pipe in his mouth. He made his way to the block-house and told his story. Davis, who, like most of the early frontiersmen, was skilled in Indian- fighting, gathered the few men from the littlo station and returned with Carpenter, fully expecting to find his cabin burned and his family mur- dered. But, contrary to their dismal forebodings, the Indians had not molested them, having, as it seems, become alarmed and retreated. The men now proposed to follow and chastise the savages, but Davis advised otherwise, stating that he knew the Indian character better than they : that he felt sure they expected, and even desired to be followed, and would set a trap for their pursuers ; and, as a last argument against what he deemed a risky adventure, refused to accompany them. They branded him with cowardice, and disregarding his wholesome counsel, started off in pursuit of the "red skins." Davis' son, to atone for his father's ap- parent lack of courage, joined, and accompanied the party. True to the predictions of Davis, they fell into an ambuscade at Jesup's Grove, then called Croghan's Grove, and young Davis was killed and others wounded. Davis was a fatalist, and believed that " what is to be will be " whether or no, and that it was one of the irrevocable decrees that his son should perish as he did. While he mourned for him, and deplored his untimely fate, it seemed a consoling reflection to him that it was to he, and there was no help for it. Although he built a block-house and a cabin, and, it is said, entered land, yet he paid little attention, if any, to the opening or cultivating of a farm, but spent most of his time in hunt- ing and trapping. It is told of him, that when on his way to Kentucky, he bought a dozen apples in Pittsburgh, the seeds of which he preserved, and planted on the place where he located. Mr. Bell informs us that one of these trees is still standing, and bearing fruit. A strange tradition prevails among the early settlers, that when Davis came here, he found a stone chimney standing alone on the place where he located, and evi- dences of a house having once stood by it ; also a pear tree, in bearing, stood near by. The pear tree is still standing and bearing fruit, although, according to that tradition, it must be over 100 years old. The question is, who was here prior to 1782, to build houses with stone chimneys and plant pear trees? This would indicate that Davis and Montgomery were not the first white men in Christian County. In some respects Davis is said to have been a remarkable man. II- 42 HISTOEY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. literate he was, but less ignorant than many of the early frontiersmen. He was a pioneer in the full sense of the word, and sought the solitudes of the pathless woods, the dreariness of the desert wastes, in exchange for the trammels of civilized society. Of the latter, he could not endure its restraints, and he despised its comforts and pleasures. He yearned for freedom — the wild freedom of the great wilderness — and exiled him- self from his native place that he might fully enjoy it. He came West, crossed the mountains, and he did not burn the bridges behind him, be- cause there were none to bu-n. He hunted and fished, and fought the Indians in their own way and fashion, and altogether he had a lively time of it. Like Daniel Boone, he came to the wilderness, not to settle and subdue it, but to hunt the deer and bear, to roam at large and to en- joy the lonely pastimes of a hunter's life, remote from society and civili- zation. He was fond of recounting the perils and excitements of the chase to his friends and boon companions. His stories were wonderful and bordered on the marvelous, and many of them would, it is said, have done justice to Joe Mulhatton. A sample is the following : He once shot a bear, and it fell backward into a cavern twenty feet deep. In order to get it he backed up his old horse to the mouth of the cavern, fastened a grapevine around the bear's neck and the horse's tail, and though the bear weighed 400 pounds, his old horse drew it out. Such was one of the first settlers — one of the first white men who ever came to Christian County. Such as he was he had to be to blaze out the way for those who were to come after him, and to pave the way for that higher and nobler civilization that has followed the era in which he lived. As game grew scarcer and scarcer, and population increased, he became disgusted at the encroachments of civilization, and emigrated to Missouri, then an unbroken wilderness, save by a few pioneer hunters like himself. There he lived out the remainder of his life and died at a good old age. A grandson of his — Jo Davis — is said to have attained to considerable prominence in that State, and in Northwestern Illinois ; so much so that a county of the latter State bears his name, though the spelling of it has been changed to Daviess. The above sketch would perhaps be an extravagant drawing of the early pioneer generally; yet there is much in it that recalls a type and character of that day. Most of the first white men came here as hunters and trappers, and as such filled their mission in life and passed away. And should they now revisit the land where they flourished, and behold their "degenerate suc>;essors," with no hunting-grounds, no moccasins, no leather breeches and hunting-shirts, nor flint-lock guns, their great hearts would wither and decay like plucked flowers. There is much of romance in the story of the first settlers of Ken- HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 43 tucky. The spirit of adventure allured these pioneer hunters to come into this vast wilderness. The beauty of the country gratified the eye, its abundance of wild animals the passion for hunting. They were sur- rounded by an enemy, subtle and wary, and ever ready to spring upon them. But these wild borderers flinched not from the contest ; even their women and children often performed deeds of heroism in the land where "the sound of the war-whoop oft woke the sleep of the cradle," from which stern manhood might have shrunk in fear. Other Settlers. — A century has passed since the settlement of Davis and Montgomery, and the first influx of whites is dead and gone. In all probability, there is not an individual living in Christian County who was here at the time of its formation ; if so, they could have been little more than infants then. With the long lapse of time between then and now, and no source to draw from except the county records, it is not pos- sible to give a correct list of the settlers prior to 1800. The oldest citi- zens now living can only give the names of those whom they have heard their elders speak ■ of, for many of the very first settlers either died or went away before they were born, or before the period back to which their recollection extends. From the records of the county, and from all other sources at command, we find that among the earliest settlers, and the peo- ple living here when the county was formed, were the following : Jacob Barnett, Moses Shelby, Jonathan and Charles Logan, James Robinson and his sons Abner, James and Green, Brewer Reeves, Hugh Knox, Jon- athan Ramsey, Benjamin Lacy, Matthew Wilson, Bartholomew Wood, Samuel Hardin, Abraham Stuart, Adam Lynn, Alexander Lewis, John Dennis, John Campbell, Samuel Means, William Armstrong, John Wil- son, John Maberry, James Thompson, Young Ewing, John Clark, Oba- diah Roberts, James Shaw, James Richey, James Henderson, John Cau- dry, Charles Hogan, Isaac Fitsworth, Michael Pirtle, Isaac Shoat, Will- iam Prince, Willis Hicks, Samuel Bradly, James Reeves, Michael Dill- ingham, George Robinson, Sr., Samuel Kinkeade, Julius Saunders, James Decon, Charles Staton, James Kerr, James Waddleton, Joseph Kuyken- dall, Robert Cravens, Capt. Harry Wood, George Bell, Peter Carpenter, Henry Wortman, James Kuykendall, Abraham Hicks, Henry Clark, James Lewis, David Smith, James Elliott, John Roberts, George, Benja- min and Joab Hardin, Francis Leoff'tus, Peter and John Shafier, Benja- min Campbell, Thomas Vaughn, James Lockard, William Stroud, Sr., Edward Taylor, Henry Wolf, William Means, Levi Cornelius, John Mc- Daniel, Neil and Sandy Blue, " Hal " Brewer, Justinian Cartwright, Azariah Davis, William and Benjamin Dupuy, Joseph Cavender, Robert Warner, Edward Davis, John Wilcoxon, etc., etc. Little is known of the great majority of these people : of many of them absolutely nothing is 44 HISTORY OP CHRISTIAN COUNTY. known, except, as shown by the records, they were here prior to 1800, and where most of them lived no one knows. Some may have lived in the present County of Henderson, and some beyond the Cumberland River, for Christian County originally was large, and its boundaries far beyond what they are now. They have all passed away, and of the many no trace exists except their names inscribed in the old faded, musty rec- ords. James iZoiwsow.— But little is known, as we have said, of the ma- jority of those whose names we have mentioned, and of many of them nothing. But of the few of whom we have gathered some facts is James Robinson. It is not improbable that he was here next after Davis and Montgomery. If not, there could have been but few here between them, as it is a family tradition that he came as early as 1788. He was from North Carolina, and was a revolutionary soldier ; entered the army at the beginning of the struggle, and carried his musket — and used it, too — until the sons of liberty conquered a peace before the walls of Yorktown. He returned home to find his wife dead, and his family scattered, and ever after may be termed a wanderer in the wilderness. The dark and bloody ground, as Kentucky was even then known, was attracting attention, and he wandered hither. He spent some time in the fort at Boonesboro, but, ever restless, he resumed his wanderings, and came to what is now Chris- tian County, and built a cabin in the present Precinct of Wilson. Here he remained about a year, and returned to North Carolina, gathered up the scattered members of his family, and brought them to Kentucky. His sons who came here were Abner, James and Green. The first died in Wilson Precinct, where he settled ; James commanded a regiment undei; Gen. Jackson in the battle of New Orleans, was the Captain of the Regulators spoken of elsewhere in this volume, and also died in Wilson Precinct. Green, the youngest of the brothers, was killed in the Black Hawk war. No braver and more valiant soldiers ever fought for their country than the old revolutionary hero, James Robinson, and his sons. Some years after he brought his family here, he went to Tennessee, and eventually died at Port Royal. In the chapter on Wilson Precinct, much more will be said of the Robinsons. They were men of note, and their footprints may still be seen in the community where they lived, and where descendants still perpetuate a name that should not be forgotten. Many of the people mentioned above will be further noticed in subse- quent chapters of this work, together with the names of other settlers. This brief glance at the pioneers is merely to show the occupation of the country prior to the organization of the county, and as we proceed we shall refer more fully to them. A few words of their life in the wilder- ness, and we will turn our attention to the formation of the county and its legal life. HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 45 Eardahips and Privations.— Prior to 1800, Christian County was a vast waste, with only here and there meager settlements of hardy pion- eers. Much of the county was an unbroken stretch of barrens or prairie land, inhabited by wild animals, the settlements being confined to the timber. These pioneers came here, they knew not why, and at once seemed to realize that to look behind them with regret was useless. Fig- uratively, they had put their hand to the plow, and looked not back. The rifle and the fish-hook antedated the grater and the rude hand- mill in supplying food. The question of bread, after the first, coming of a family, until they could clear ground to raise their home supply, was often a serious one indeed. Corn was the staple production, but even after it was raised there were no mills to grind it, and this made the grater a useful article in every household. Wheat was not grown for a number of years, as there were neither mills nor markets for it. Many of the earliest settlers squatted in the north part of the county, among the hills and the springs and the timber. The ground was light and fresh, and, while not so rich as in the barrens, yet, when the undergrowth of the forests was removed, and the large trees deadened, the cultivation of the ground was an easy matter. Believing the barrens would never be worth anything, except for pasturage, the good old pioneers from North Carolina sought the hills of the North, as we have said, where flowed per- ennial springs, and grew towering forest trees, " in whose tops The century-living crow grew old and died." The difficulties encountered here by the first settlers were very great. They were in a wilderness remote from any cultivated region, and ammu- nition, food, clothing and implements of industry were obtained with great difficulty. Then the merciless savage was not very far distant, and although, as a general thing, peaceable and friendly, it was in their nature to accept the slightest pretext for putting on the war-paint, the tomahawk and the scalping-knife. These threatened difficulties only increased danger, toil and suff'ering'for the few and widely separated fami- lies. The accumulated dangers drew the people nearer together, and they lived in a state of comparative social equality. Aristocratic distinctions were left beyond the mountains, and the first society lines drawn were to separate the very bad from the general mass. No punctilious formalities marred their gatherings for "raisings" and "log-rollings," but all were happy and enjoyed themselves in seeing others happy. The rich and the poor dressed alike, the men wearing mostly hunting shirts and pants of buckskin, while the ladies attired themselves in coarse fabrics produced by their own hands. But in this primitive state, and with all these difficulties surrounding 46 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. them, and the hardships incident to a new country, the propriety of form- ing a new county began to be debated among the people. Toward the close of the year 1796, the contemplated project became a reality. Organization of the Qounty. — It seems almost incredible to us now that little more than a hundred years ago Kentucky, with her 37,680 square miles and her 117 counties, formed but a part of an individual county ; yet such is a fact of history. In 1775, when the original thir- teen colonies revolted, and cast off the yoke of the mother country, the territory now embraced in the State of Kentucky constituted a part of Fincastle County, Va., which, on the Slst of December, 1776, was divided into three counties, and of which Kentucky formed one county of the Old Dominion. In 1781, Kentucky County was divided by an act of the General Assembly of Virginia into three counties, viz. : Jefferson, Fayette and Lincoln. Jefferson embraced " that part on the south side of Kentucky River which lies west and north of a line beginning at the mouth of Benson's Big Creek, and running up the same and its main fork to the head ; thence south to the nearest waters of Hammond's Creek and down the same to its junction with the Town Fork of Salt River ; thence south to Green River, and down the same to its junction with the Ohio." Fayette embraced " that part which lies north of the line beginning at the mouth of Kentucky River, and up the same to its middle fork to the head; and thence southeast to the Washington line." (The present State of Tennessee was then known as the "District of Washington," and was represented by deputies chosen by the Colonial Assembly of North Caro- lina.) " Lincoln embraced the residue of the original county of Ken- tucky." By an act of the General Assembly of Virginia, passed in October, 1784, Jefferson County was divided, and that portion south of Salt River was formed into an independent county, and called Nelson. An act passed May 1, 1785, divided Fayette, calling the northern part Bour- bon, and another act passed August 1, of the same year sub-divided Lin- coln, creating Mercer and Madison Counties. May 1, 1788, Maaon County was formed out of a part of Bourbon, and Woodford out of a part of Fayette, thereby making four counties out of the original Fayette, two out of Jefferson and three out of Lincoln. These nine counties com- prised the Commonwealth of Kentucky at the time of its admission into the Union as a State, June 1, 1792. Washington was the first-born of the new State, and was formed out of a part of Nelson the same year (1792) the State was admitted. Also during the same year Scott was formed from a part of Woodford ; Shelby from a part of Jefferson ; Logan from a part of Lincoln ; Clark from portions of Lincoln and Nelson ; Harrison was formed in 1793 from HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 47 portions of Bourbon and Scott; Franklin in 1794 from portions of Woodford, Mercer and Shelby, and Campbell from portions of Harrison, Scott and Mason. Bullitt was formed in 1796 from portions of JeflFerson and Nelson, and the same year Christian was formed from a part of Logan, and was, therefore, the twenty-first county organized in the State. Christian traces her origin, ancestrally speaking, back to Lincoln, one of the three original counties, being a daughter of Logan, and a grand- daughter of Lincoln. The act of the Legislature for the formation of Christian County, en- titled, "An act for the division of Logan County," is as follows: Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Atsembly, That from and after the lat da; of March next, the county of Logan shall be divided into two distinct oountiea, that is to say, all that part of the said county included in the following boundaries, to wit : Be- ginning on Green River, eight miles below the mouth of Muddy River ; thence a straight line to one mile west of Benjamin Hardin's ; thence a straight line to the Tennessee State line, where it crosses the Elk Fork ; thence along the said line to the Mississippi River ; thence up the same to the mouth of the Ohio, and up the same to the mouth of Oreen River ; thence up the same to the beginning, shall be one distinct county, and called and known by the name of Christian, and all the residue of the said county shall retain the name of Logan. Sec. 2. Be it further enacted. That the courts of Quarter Sessions for said county shall be held on the third Monday in February, April, June and September in every year, and the County Courts of said county shall be held on the third Monday of every month in which the Court of Quarter Sessions is not hereby directed to be held. Sec. 3. Be it further enacted. That the Justices to be named in the commission of the peace for said county of Christian, shall meet at the house of Brewer Reeves, in said county, upon the first court day after the said division shall have taken place ; and hav- ing taken the oaths prescribed by law, and the Sheriff being legally qualified, shall then proceed to fix upon a place to hold courts in the said county, in such place as shall be deemed the most central and convenient for the people ; and thereafter the County Court shall proceed to erect public buildings at such place ; and until such buildings are com- pleted, the Court of Quarter Sessions and County Court may adjourn to such place or places as they may severally think proper. Sec. 4. Be it further enacted. That the Justices of the Court of Quarter Sessions at their first session, and the Justices of the County Court at their first court, shall proceed to appoint and qualify their clerks : Provided, however, that the appointment of a pl.ice to erect the public buildings shall not be made unless a majority of the Justices of the county concur ; nor of a clerk unless a majority of the Justices of the court for which he is to be appointed concur; but such appointment shall be postponed until sucli majority can be had ; but each may appoint a clerk pro tempore. Sec. 5. Be it further enacted. That it shall be lawful for the Sheriff of said county of Logan to collect or make distress for any public dues and officers' fees, which shall re- main unpaid by the inhabitants thereof at the time such division shall take place, and shall be accountable for the same in like manner as if this act had not been made, and the court of the said county of Logan shall have jurisdiction in all actions which shall be depending before them at the time of such division ; and they shall try and determine the same, issue process, and award execution thereon. Sec. 6. Be it further enacted. That the said county of Christian shall not be entitled to a Representative until an enumeration is hereafter taken, and ratio established by law, 48 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. but the said county shall be considered as a part of Logan County, and the inhabitants thereof shall be entitled to vote in the same for Representative. Sec. 7. Be it further enacted, That this act shall commence and be in force from and after the passage thereof. Edw. BdllocK, Speaker House of Representatives. John Campbell, Speiker Senate, pro tern. James Garrard, Governor. Approved December IS, 1796. By reference to the map it will be seen that the County of Christian at the time of its formation was almost as large as the present State of Massachusetts, and from its original territory have been carved wholly or in part Muhlenburg, Todd, McLean, Hopkins, "Webster, Henderson, Union, Crittenden, Caldwell, Trigg, Livingston, Lyon, Marshall, Callo- way, Graves, Ballard, McCracken, Hickman and Fulton Counties. The first inroad upon Christian was in 1798, when Henderson, Livingston and Muhlenburg were created; the last' in 1819, when Todd, and in 1820, when Trigg were formed. Since then the boundaries of Christian have remained the same, unless it has been some petty change to accommodate a particular neighborhood. Even with all the drafts upon her territory, Christian by the last census was the fourth county in the State in point of population, and the thirteenth in wealth. The County's Name. — Christian County was named in honor of Col. William Christian, a noted soldier and Indian fighter. Collins gives the following sketch of him : He was a native of Augusta County, Va., and was educated at Staunton. When very young he commanded a company attached to Col. Bird's regiment, which was ordered to the frontier during Braddock's war. In this service he obtained the reputation of a brave, active and eflBcient ofiBcer. Upon the termination of Indian hostilities, he married the sister of.Patrick Henry, and settled in the county of Bote- tourt. In 1774, having received the appointment of Colonel of militia, he raised about three hundred volunteers, and by forced marches made a distance of 200 miles, with the view of joining the forces under Gen. Lewis, at the mouth of the Great Kanawha. He did not arrive, however, in time to participate in the battle of Point Plgasant, which occurred on the preceding day, the 10th of October, 1774. In 1775 he was a member of the General State Convention of Virginia. In the succeeding year, when hostilities had commenced between Great Britain and the American colonies, he received the appointment of Colonel in the Virgin- ia line of the regular army, and took command of an expedition composed of 1,200 men, against the Cherokee Indians. No event of moment oc- curred in this expedition, the Indians having sued for peace, which was concluded with them. After his return from this expedition, Col. Christian resigned his command in the regular service, and accepted one HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 49 in the militia, at the head of which he kept down the Tory spirit in his quarter of Virginia throughout the Revolutionary struggle. Upon the conclusion of the war, he represented his county in the Virginia Legisla- ture for several years, sustaining a high reputation for his civil as well as his military talents. Col. Christian emigrated to Kentucky in 1785, and settled on Bear- grass. The death of Col. Floyd, who was killed by an Indian in 1783, rendered his location peculiarily acceptable to that section of the State, where a man of his intelligence, energy and knowledge of the Indian character, was much needed. In April of the succeeding year, 1786, a body of Indians crossed the Ohio and stole a number of horses on Bear- grass, and with their usual celerity of movement re-crossed the river, and presuming they were in no further danger of pursuit, leisurely made their way to their towns. Col. Christian immediately raised a party of men, and crossed the Ohio in pursuit of the marauders. Having found their trail, by a rapid movement he overtook them about twenty milea from the river and gave them battle. A bloody conflict ensued, in which Col. Christian and one man of his party were killed, and the Indian force totally destroyed. His death created a strong sensation in Kentucky, for he was brave, intelligent and remarkably popular. Qounty Court. — The first court held in the new county convened on the 21st day of March, 1797. Present — Jacob Barnett, Moses Shelby, Hugh Knox, Jonathan Logan and Brewer Reeves, gents, Presiding Justi- ces of the county. They organized for business, and appointed John Clark Clerk, and Charles Logan SherifiF. The first business that came before court was the presentation of a deed by Young Ewing from Peter Tard- win and brother, which was ordered "to be certified." The next item disposed of was, " that James Henderson be appointed Commissioner of Tax for the present year, 1797." The third act of the court was the issuing of a writ to James Shaw to view and condemn a mill site on Big Eddy, and the fourth, one to Robert Cravens for the same purpose, on the Barren Fork of Little River. The monotony of the proceedings was then broken, by granting a license to Obadiah Roberts " to keep a public house." The next entry upon the records is as follows : "Ordered that Moses Shelby, Jonathan Logan, Brewer Reeves, Young Ewing and Joseph Kuykendall, gents, or a majority of -them, meet at the house of Capt. Wood, where Col. Starling now lives, on the first Friday in April next, and proceed to view the most suitable and convenient place for the seat of justice for Christian County, and .make a return to our next court." After another writ or two regarding mill sites, the court adjourned. The next term convened July 18, 1797, and the first business was 50 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COaNTY. the reports on the mill sites ordered " viewed and condemned," at the last term, which were ordered to be recorded ; also the issuing of writs to view and condemn other mill sites in various parts of the county, which, though very thinly populated, as we have seen, covered a large extent of territory. The last will and testament of James Davis was presented and " ordered to be certified." Mrs. Deborah Davis was appointed " to the safe keeping of the estate of the said James Davis, deceased," and it was ordered " that Moses Shelby, Jonathan Logan, Brewer Reeves, George Bell and James Davis appraise the estate of James Davis, deceased." A deed from Peter Tardwin and brother to James Davis was sworn to and ordered " to be certified." Several other deeds were disposed of in the same manner. The next entry is as follows : " Ordered that James Richey, George Robinson, Sr., Samuel Kinkeade, Julius Saunders, James Decon, Charles Staton and James Kerr be appointed to view the moat nearest and best way from James Waddleton's, on the Bigg Eddy to the Ugg spring on Lewiston, from there to the Clay-lick settlement, and report the same to our next court." The next " order " is for the Surveyor of this county to meet the Surveyor of Logan County on the 8th day of August, in order to run the boundary line between the said counties agreeable to law, etc . Young Ewing then presented his commission from the Governor as head Surveyor for Christian County, and entered into bond, with Joseph Kuykendall as security. The next business was an order to the SheriflF, to "summon Jacob Barnett and Hugh Knox to attend at our next court to proceed to view the most suitable place for the seat of justice, in order to erect the public buildings," and then court adjourned. The third term of the court was held Aug. 15, 1797, and, after dis- posing of some unimportant business, the following were established as " tavern rates :" Dinner, Is. 6d.; supper. Is.; breakfast, Is.; hedd, '^\A..; grain per gallon, 9d ; pasturage for 12 hours, 6d; horse to hay 12 hourS) Is.; whisky per gallon, 12s. The latter commodity seems to have been about as high then as now, but it is probable that the purity of the arti- cle made in those primitive days would offset the Government tax of the present day. Locating the Seat of Justice. — Following the establishment of uniform prices for tavern-keepers, comes the entry regarding the location of the county-seat, as follows: " Ordered, that the seat of justice be first at the Sinking Fork of Lit- tle River ; and that Young Ewing, Jonathan Logan and Samuel Hardin, gents, or a majority of them, do meet at the place fixed upon as the seat of justice, and proceed to view the most suitable place in order to erect public buildings as follows, to-wit: To let the public buildings, one HISTORY OP CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 51 cabbin 20 feet square, one jail 14 feet square, and the logs hughed 1 foot square, and one pair of stocks, and make report to our next court." From the above entry it will be seen that the first officers of the county were not perfect in their orthography, but considering their educational facilities, they no doubt deserved as much credit for their learning as we do, with our greatly increased advantages. At the next term of court, held November 21, 1797, it proceeded "to appoint a place to affix the seat of justice, and, after deliberating thereon, do appoint and determine on the land whereon Bartholomew Wood now lives; therefore ordered, that the seat of justice be fixed at the said Wood's, he having agreed to give five acres of land for public buildings, timber for building the same, and half of the spring." Thus was the seat of justice located, and to the credit and good business sense of the people be it said, it still remains upon the original site — the handsome and enterprising little city of Hopkinsville. Though effi)rts were at first made to remove it to other points, they failed, the majority always stand- ing up for the old location. An interesting item, culled from the old records of the court, is the following " statement of the county levy for the year 1797 :" £ a. d. To the Clerk for the expense of fees 6 To the Sheriff for the expense of fees..... 7 10 To the State's Attorney ~ 15 To Young Ewing for surveying County line 14 12 To persons for building a court house and jail.. 30 Ti^John Clark for the expense of the Commissioners' book and one minute book furnished 3 18 To Peter Carpenter, 1 old and 1 young wolf scalp 11 To Henry Wortman, 1 old wolf scalp i 8 To Benjamin Couns, 1 old wolf scalp 8 To Abraham Hicks, 1 old wolf scalp ■. 8 To Henry Clark, 1 old wolf scalp 8 To James Lewis, 1 old and 1 young wolf scalp 11 To David Smith, 1 old wolf soalp 8 To John Clark, 1 young wolf scalp 3 To Abraham Stewart, 3 old wolf scalps 14 To W. Wallace, 3 old wolf scalps 14 To Joseph Kuykendall, 2 old wolf scalps 16 To James Elliott, 1 old wolf scalp « 8 To Benj Garris, 9 old wolf scalps 8 12 To John Roberts, 1 old wolf scalp 8 To George Hardin, 1 old wolf scalp 8 To Benj Hardin, 1 old wolf scalp 8 To Joab Hardin, 1 old wolf scalp 8 To Bat Wood, 2 old wolf scalps 16 To Peter and John Shaffer, 3 old wolf scalps 14 Total 90 1 3 52 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. It was ordered "that the Sheriff pay the above amounts to the several individuals, and that he have credit for 388 Tiths at 4s. 6d. each." In the year 1800, the tithables had increased to 592, and "the county levy for the same year was fixed at 62 J cents." For faithfully and truly assessing the property of the people, the Com- missioner of Tax, as he was called, was bound up in the following iron- clad manner: " Know all men by these presents that we Benj. Campbell and Young Ewing are held and firmly bound unto James Garrard Esquire, Governor of Kentucky and his suc- cessors in office for the time being in the penal sum of Two thousand, dollars, the pay- ment whereof well and Truly to be made to the said Governor or his successors in Office. We bind ourselves our heirs executors Administrators &C Jointly and Severally firmly by these Presents Sealed with our Seals and Dated this 20th day of January 1801. "The Conditions of the above Obligation is Such that Benj. Campbell hath this day been appointed Commissioner of the Tax for the district of the County of Christian by the Justices thereof. Now if he shall well and Truly execute the Office of Commissioner in Taking in a correct List of Taxable property from each person Subject to Taxation in his said District, and make out the Several Alphabetical books as is required by Law & Transmit them to the several persons as is IntitUd to them by Law. and agreeable to Law. and shall in Other Cases well and Truly execute the said Office of Cojimissioner agreeable to Law. and in the Time Prescribed by Law. then this Obligation to be Void Else to re- main in full force and Virtue. Signed sealed Delivered in the Presents of the Court." Attest " Benj a Campbell [Seal] "John Clark." Young Ewing" [Seal] At the term of court held December 14, 1801, we find the following on record : " Ordered that John Clark be allowed for boarding and find- ing and attending upon Francis Leofftus when sick 27 days the sum of. $10SOO For Keeping a stead horse, drenching and doctoring of him when foundered 69 days 12.00 For wriding 3 days on Leofftus' business 3.00 For paying the doctor 10s. for wriding 1.67 For finding for the doctor 60 For all my trouble in burying of him, finding plank, getting the coffin made and for liquors and victuals furnished at the burying, the sum of. 17,00 Such is the character of some of the business which came before the County Court for the first few years after the organization of the county. Qourt of Quarter Sessions. — At the period when the county was formed, the Court of Quarter Sessions answered in the place of our Cir- cuit Court of the present day, and was held by two or three Justices, who were men perhaps more "learned in the law" than the Justices of the County Court. The first term of the court of Quarter Sessions for Christian County was held " at the court house in the town of Elizabeth " on the 17th day of February, 1801, the Hon. Adam Lynn and Hon. Samuel Hardin, Justices presiding. Solomon Brunts or Brents (the records are HISTORY OF OHBISTIAN COUNTY. 63 indistinct) was admitted as an attorney. A "Grand Jury of Inquest" was impaneled and sworn. The record is a little torn and worn, and some of the names are gone. Those remaining and distinguishable are as follows : James Thompson, Foreman; Thomas Vaughn, James Lookard, William Stroud, Sr., William Cravens, Edward Taylor, Henry Wolf, etc. The records are so imperfect and faded, that but little could be gleaned from them of any interest. The Circuit Court. — The Court of Quarter Sessions was succeeded, in 1803, by the Circuit Court, in accordance with an act of the Legisla- ture. The first term was held in Christian County March 28, 1803. Hon. Samuel Hardin and Hon. James Wilson presented their commissions from James Garrard, Governor, as Assistant Judges, and were sworn in by John Campbell, Justice of the Peace. The records inform us that " they took their seats, and the Sheriff opened court." Young Ewing was appointed Clerk pro tempore, and entered into bond, with Samuel Cald- well and Rezin Davidge, as securities, and took the required oath. Rezin Davidge, Samuel Caldwell, Matthew Lodge, James H. Mc- Laughlan, John A. Cape, Robert Coleman and James H. Russell pro- duced their licenses, and were sworn in as attorneys at law in this court. It was then " ordered that Rezin Davidge be appointed Attorney for the Commonwealth to this court." The first case was, " The Common- wealth, plaintiff, vertus Matthew Lodge, defendant, for profane swearing." The result of the suit was, the defendant was fined five shillings and costs. The second case was, John Tadlock versus William Daniel and James Dillingham for debt. The Grand Jury for this court was as follows : Samuel Bradley, Fore- man ; Isaac Stroud, William Husk, Hugh Johnson, John Wilson, William Cravens, Benjamin McClendon, Bartholomew Wood, John Weldon, Peter Thompson, Daniel Bristow, William Stroud, James Barnett, Thomas Martin, Thomas Vaughn, Isaac Hayes, John Caruthers and Joseph Stark- ley, " who being impanneled and sworn, and having received their charge withdrew from the bar to make up their presentments." Several unimportant cases were then disposed of, and the " records of the late Court of Quarter Sessions, was received into the Circuit Court from John Clark, late Clerk of said Quarter Sessions Court." The Grand Jury returned a number of indictments against different individuals, mostly for " profane swearing by God," and were then dis- missed. The court then proceeded to try the same, and in most of the cases fined the delinquents five shillings and costs. Young Ewing was appointed Ti-easurer of the court, and after a few more unimportant cases for debt and other trivial offenses, court adjourned. The next term was held June 27, 1808, the Hon. Ninian Edwards 54 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. (afterward Governor of Illinois) Judge and Hon. Samuel Hardin and James Wilson, Assistant Judges. The first entry in the records at this term is, " The Hon. Ninian Edwards voting for John Gray, by the votes of the two assistant Judges, ordered that James H. McLaughlan be ap- pointed Clerk of this court until next term." He was then sworn in, entered into bond with Rezin Davidge and Young Swing as his securities in the sum of $3,000. Young Ewing was sworn in as Deputy Clerk. The court continued for three days and then adjourned. The next term was held, beginning September 26, 1803, and continued four days. The next term commenced March 12, 1804, Hon. Ninian Edwards, Judge, and Hon. Samuel Hardin and James Wilson, Assistant Judges. James McLaughlan presented a certificate of qualification from the Court of Ap- peals, and was appointed permanently Clerk of this court. He entered into bond of £1,000 with Rezin Davidge, Young Ewing and John Campbell as securities. March 29, 1808, Matthew M. Gooch was admitted as an attorney, and at the June term, 1803, Rezin Davidge was again appointed Attorney for the Commonwealth. At the March term, 1804, Henry Davidge and John Campbell were admitted as attorneys. At the same term William Wallace was admitted. The next term commenced June 11, 1804, and for the first time the name of Hopkinsville appears in the records. Hitherto it had appeared as the " Town of Elizabeth," " Eliza- beth Town " and " Elizabeth," being entered in the records in these three difiierent ways. At this term William Featherston, Christopher Thompson and John Gray were admitted as attorneys, and after a four days' term court adjourned. The next term began September 10, 1804, Ninian Ed- wards Judge. At this term Joshua Crow, Henry Toulman and Samuel Work, were admitted as attorneys. Court adjourned after sitting four days. The next term commenced March 11, 1805, and lasted five days. Alney McLean was admitted as an attorney, and John Campbell was ap- pointed Attorney for the Commonwealth. But if the reader has had enough of these early court proceedings the writer has, and the subject will be dropped. These extracts have been made in contrast to the voluminous proceedings of the present courts, and to illustrate the growth and progress of the county. The greater part of the business then and a large majority of the cases were trivial, and consist- ed mostly of profane swearing, cases of debt, drunkenness, riot, trespass, assault and battery, etc., etc. Even back at that date the records are kept in a neat and excellent style. The writing is plain, smooth and almost as easily read as print. Christian is to be congratulated upon the perfect, complete and unbroken records in both the County and Circuit Clerk's offices, and for her kind and accommodating clerks, who are the very perfection of gentlemanly courtesy. HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 55 County Officers. — It may not be uninteresting in this connection to.give a list of the county officers in the order in which they have served. Be- ginning with the Circuit Clerks they are as follows : Young Ewing was the first Circuit Clerk, appointed at the first term of the court in March, 1803. He was succeeded by James H. McLaughlan, he by Nathan S. Dallam, and he by John H. Phelps, who filled the place acceptably until 1842, when Richard Shack- elford succeeded him. In 1853, R.. R. Lausden was appointed, but the next year (1854) was the first election under the new Constitution and John C. Latham was elected to the office, which he filled until 1862, when Joab Clark was elected. Mr. Clark served one term, giving way in 1868 to Nathan Gaither, who was then elected and re-elected in 1874. In 1880, B. T. Underwood, the present Circuit Clerk, was elected. John Clark was the first County Clerk, and also Clerk of the Court of Quarter Sessions. He was appointed Clerk at the first County Court, March 21, 1797, and was succeeded by Justinian Cart- wright, May 15, 1798, who resigned in July following. Clark was then re-appointed and served until succeeded by Abraham Stites about the year 1824, who served until 1853. John S. Bryan was then elected, and in 1862 was succeeded by George H. Lawson, who served one term. In 1866, E. M. Buckner was elected; in 1870, B. M. Harrison; in 1874, John W. Breathitt, who is now serving his third term, which will expire in 1886. Abraham Stites. — A brief sketch of Mr. Stites is appropriate in this connection. He was a son of Dr. John Stites, and was born in Eliz- abeth, N. J., during the Revolutionary war, and with his mother was re- moved into a cellar to avoid danger resulting from a sharp engagement then going on between the British soldiers and the rebels of that day. A singular coincidence in the life of Mr. Stites is that he died in February, 1864, in Hopkinsville, during a skirmish here between the Confederate and Federal troops. He, with a large family connection of the Ganos and Stiteses, removed from New Jersey to the Ohio Valley in 1808, carrying their goods on horseback across the mountains to Pittsburgh, and thence by flat-boats to Cincinnati; his father's family settled near Georgetown, Ky. Mr. Stites had been educated for a lawyer, and licensed as such by Chan- cellor Kent. He commenced practice at Georgetown, and soon after mar- ried Miss Ann Johnson, daughter of Col. Henry Johnson, a Revolution- ary soldier. In 1818 he removed to Hopkinsville, where he resided un- til his death. Mr. Stites was a man of fine education,- and devoted to belles lettres and literary pursuits. He was a good lawyer — an excellent counselor — but seldom, after becoming a county official, made any charge for legal 56 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. advice. He wa3 the confidant of many of the wealthiest men of the county, but was so opposed to litigation, that on all occasions, when he could do so consistently, he would use his efforts to conciliate rather than draw his friends into the meshes of the law. He was brought up, as it were, in the office of Johnson, the compiler of "Johnson's New York Re- ports," and aided in their preparation. He was public-spirited, and gave liberally to aid all public enterprises, and especially such as were de- signed to promote the cause of education. In 1824 Mr. Stites was appointed Clerk of the Christian County Court, an office he held until 1851, when the present constitution went into effect, making all county offices elective. In that year he was elected by the people to the same place, and was the only one of the old officers of the county under the appointive system elected. He was defeated for the office in 1854, and retired to private life. For over thirty years he was Master in Chancery, and his reports in complicated cases furnish evi- dence of his capacity as a lawyer. As a clerk, he was accurate and atten- tive in the discharge of his official duties, and earned and retained the confidence of all who had business relations with him. As an evidence of the estimation in which he was held as a public officer, the following res- olution was adopted by the court September 5, 1854, and on motion of Robert McKee was ordered to be spread upon the records : " Resolved, That Abraham Stites, former Clerk of this court, is en- titled to the respectful regards of all the citizens of this county for his faithful discharge of the duties of Clerk of the county for over thirty years past — duties with which he was familiarly acquainted, and which he discharged with promptitude to himself and to the satisfaction of all hav- ing business in his office." Mr. Stites raised a large family of children, some of whom have be- come prominent in public life, and all of whom sought to follow his in- junction to render themselves useful members of society. Judge Henry J. Stites, his son, is Judge of the Common Pleas Court at Louisville, and one of the eminent jurists of the State. A sketch of him appears in the biographical part of this volume. Sheriffs. — Charles Logan was the first Sheriff of the county, and was appointed at the same term of court that Clark was appointed Clerk. He served from March 21, 1797, to May 15, 1798, when James Wilson was appointed and served until 1800. Matthew Wilson served 1801, 1802 ; Samuel Means, 1803, 1804, 1805; William Armstrong, 1806, 1807; James M. Johnson, 1808, 1809; James Thompson, 1810, 1811; John Maberry, 1812, 1813; John Wilson, 1814; Samuel Bradley, 1815, 1816, 1817; James Bradley, 1818, 1819; James Moore, 1820; Benja- min Lacy, 1821 ; James Bradley, 1822, 1823 ; Matthew Wilson, 1824, HISTORY Of CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 57 1825 ; Joseph Clark, 1826, 1827 ; Jonathan Clark, 1828 ; F. P. Pen- nington, 1829 ; James Bradley, 1830, 1831 ; Samuel Younglove, 1832, 1838; John Buckner, 1834, 1835; Cons Oglesby, 1836; Alfred L. Hargis, 1837; Powhatan Wooldridge, 1838, 1839; Edward Payne, 1840 ; R. D. Bradley, 1841 ; Thomas Barnett, 1842 ; William Henry, 1843; John Buckner, 1844, 1845; Lemuel Clark, 1846; Daniel S. Hays, 1847, 1848, 1849 ; Larkin T. Brasher, 1850 ; Benjamin Br^d- shaw, 1851 ; Thomas S. Bryan, 1852, 1853 ; Richard D. Bradley, 1864, 1855 ; John B. Gowen, 1857, 1858, 1859, 1860 ; Richard T. McDaniel, 1861, 1862, 1863; Joseph McCarroll, 1864, 1865, 1866; James D. Steel, 1867 ; James 0. Ellis, 1868 ; James Wallace, 1869, 1870, 1871, 1872; W. L. Garth, 1873, 1874; Polk Cansler, 1875, 1876; Peter F. Rogers, 1877, 1878, 1879, 1880 ; C. B. Brown, 1881, 1882, 1883, 1884, and the present incumbent. Assessors. — The first Assessor, or Commissioner of Tax, as formerly called, was James Henderson, but without following them through the old appointive system, we take the list from the adoption of the new consti- tution. John W. Wiley filled the office until 1857, when 0. S. and J. W. Brown performed the duties up to 1862 ; then J. Milton Clark, 1862- 1866 ; F. P. Stuart, 1866-1870 ; J. Milton Clark, 1870-1874 ; F. S. Long, 1874-1878; Young J. Means, 1878-1882; R. T. McDaniel, 1882-1886, the present incumbent. County Judges.* — Alexander D. Rodgers, to 1862 ; H. R. Little, 1862-1866; A. G. Wooldridge, 1866-1870; James 0. Ellis, 1870- 1874; A. V. Long, 1874-1882 (two terms); W. P. Winfree, 1882- 1886, and still in office. Ooronerg.t— Alfred Younglove, 1854-1860 ; Thomas Wiley, 1860- 1862; William A. Sasseen, 1862, 1863; C. W. Mills, 1863, 1864; Thomas C. Truitt, 1870-1874 ; J. T. Meacham, 1874-1878 ; J. C. Courtney, 1878-1882; Beverly Kelly (colored), 1882, and the present incumbent. Additional to these are the Jailer and Surveyor ; and the more recently established officers, School Commissioner and Master Com- missioner, but of these we failed to obtain a list, even since the elective system went into efiect. Court Souses. — We have already in this chapter alluded to the order of the court for the erection of public buildings. Some time after the order was made the court appointed William Blackburn, Bartholomew Wood and William Padfield "to let the court house and jail." The specifications for the court house were as follows: To be twenty feet square, a story and a half high, with a partition of logs above the loft " skutched " inside and out, with puncheon fl oor, two doors anil one win- *From the adoption of the new Constitulion. ilbid. 68 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. dow, with a seat for the justices, a table for the Clerk and Barr for the attorneys, and benches for the jury. We are not responsible for the reader understanding or misunderstanding the above specifications; we give them as we find them in the records, and leave the intelligent reader to picture in his imagination the imposing structure that doubtless arose from so lucid architectural designs. Rude as it must have been, it served the infant county until the increase of population and the accumulation of wealth engendered sufiBcient local pride to demand a more pretentious temple of justice. And so, at the August term, 1802, we find the fol- lowing entry : " The Court proceeded to erect new public buildings, to- wit : A court house of brick twenty-six feet square, two story high, thir- teen feet to the first story from the floor, and the upper story eight feet and six inches, covered with good poplar or walnut shingles eighteen inches in length, one chimney with two fire-places above convenient for a clerk's ofiSce and jury room, one door below, and that in the end (the end of what ?) six windows below and four above, of the size of fifteen lights below and nine above," etc., etc. There is no record of this house having been built, and no reference is again made to public buildings until the May term of court, 1806, when it is ordered that John Clark, James H. McLaughlan, Rezin Davidge, Edward Bradshaw and Nehemiah Cravens are appointed Commissioners to " let the building of the brick court house on the public square accord- ing to a model exhibited by Dr. Edward Rumsey and others." It was further ordered " that one-fourth of the expense was to be laid in the next county levy, and one-fourth every year thereafter until the whole allow- ance be made." The undertakers of the contract were to be bound up in the sum of $10,000 for the faithful performance of their work, and were to have the walls up and the house covered by the first of November, 1808, and the entire building completed by the first day of September, 1810. This building was finally erected and finished off according to the plans originally made. It served the people of the county as a temple of jus- tice, and often as a tabernacle of worship for a quarter of a century or more? when it gave place to a larger, more modern and more pretentious edifice. About 1836-38 the third court house was built. Like its prede- cessor it was a two-story brick, but a more spacious building. It stood un- til during the late civil war, when it was burned, as noted in the chapter on the military history of the county. In the year 1869 the present court house was completed. It is a superb model of architectural beauty, and an ornament to the city and county. It is a large two-story brick build- ing with stone finish, metaJ roof, cupola and bell, clock faces, but minus the clock. Upon the first floor are located the difierent county offices, viz.: County and Circuit Clerks, Sherifi", County Judge, Surveyor, Assessor, HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 69 School Commissioner, Coroner, etc., while the second story comprises the court room, jury rooms and attorneys' consultation rooms, all handsomely furnished, well lighted and thoroughly ventilated. The original appro- priation for the building was, in round numbers, about $75,000. But changes in plans, additions made to the original designs, furnishings, and all extras combined, have left the cost not far short of $100,000. It was erected under the supervision of J. K. Frick, architect and builder, and does credit to his energy and genius. Jails. — The first jail was built of hewed logs, and was twelve feet square. The logs were twelve inches square, and the floor was of the same material, as well as the loft. This was a rather formidable prison in those primitive days, but in this age of " criminal perfection," when burglary and house-breaking have become a science, it would exercise but a very slight restraint upon the class for whose benefit such buildings are erected. A new jail was decided upon at the time the first brick court house was ordered, which was to be built according to " a plan drawn by John Clark, and now in his possession, and that John Clark, William Padfield, Bartholomew Wood and John Campbell be appointed Commis- ioners to superintend the building, by letting it to the lowest bidder, tak- ing bond and suflScient security for the faithful performance, and to do other acts and things relative to building at any time they think it proper." This jail when completed was a log pen, the logs hewed and fitted very close together, and outside of the pen a solid brick wall was built, with only small "air holes." This was called the dungeon, and was the re- pository of criminals. The upper story was more airy, and was called the debtors' prison, for such a law (imprisonment for debt) was in existence here in early days. A brick jail was built about the time of the second brick court house, and stood in front of where the present one now is. It was torn down some years ago, and the present jail erected. It is a substantial structure, built of brick, with a jailer's residence in connection. It is finished off with all the modern arrangements for rendering prisons safe, having iron cages and stone fioors, and is otherwise secure and substantial. When prisoners enter within its gloomy walls, it is expected they will stay there until wanted by the proper authorities. The Census. — The growth and development of the county is better shown by a comparison of the census reports than in almost any other way. Although the county has been reduced in area from time to time, almost from the date of its formation it has steadily increased in popula- tion, with the exception of one decade, when both Todd and Trigg were taken off. The census reports show the following figures : In 1800, the first report after the formation of the county, the population was 2,318 ; in 60 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 1810, 11,020 ; in 1820, 10,459; in 1830, 12,684; in 1840, 15,587; in 1850, 19,580; in 1860, 21,687; in 1870, 23,227; in 1880, 31,683; males, 16,145, and females, 15,538. The distribution over the county in 1880 was as follows: Hopkinsville, city and election district, 7,- 150; Bainbridge election district, 2,302; Casky, 1,122 ; 'Fruit Hill, 1,218 ; Garrettsburg, 1,418 ; Hamby, 1,617 ; Lafayette, 2,555 ; Long- view, 3,182 ; Mt. Vernon, 1,573 ; Pembroke, 2, 606 ; Scates' Mill, 1,803 ; Stewart, 1,381 ; Union Schoolhouse, 2,827 ; Wilson, 867. Their nativ- ity is as follows : Born in the State, 25,874 ; 5 in British America ; 35 in England and Wales ; 110 in Ireland; 6 in Scotland; 69 in the Ger- man Empire, and 9 in France. Mection Precincts. — For the better execution of the laws in the dif- ferent departments, and the more convenient dispatch of business, the county was laid off into districts. At a term of the County Court held June 14, 1802, we find the following entry : " Ordered, that Christian County be laid off into four districts, agreeable to the following bounds, to wit : The road from Logan court house by Christian court house to William Prince's — the old road separate the four districts by the first line, and the other line to run from the mouth of Little River along the wagon road to Christian Court House, from that along the new road this day es- tablished to Henderson County line on a direction to Robinson's Salt Works, make the other division; and that that part of the lines including the Pyle settlement be called the ' Northeast District ;' and that part in- cluding the Hardin settlement be called the ' Northwest District ; ' and that part including the Means settlement to be called the ' Southeast Dis- trict ; ' and that part including the Gillehan settlement to be called the ' Southwest District.' " These districts contained voting precincts, but, under the old Constitution of the State, the voters were not confined to any particular precinct as now, but could cast their ballots any where, or at any voting precinct in the county. And as the election was then con- tinued for three days successively, the large majority combined " business with pleasure," and repaired to the county seat for the purpose of exer- cising their right of franchise. But under the new Constitution, adopted in 1850, all this was changed. Each voter, by its provisions, is required to vote in the election district in which he lives, and elections are held but for a single day at a time. When the new Constitution went into effect, the county was laid off into a certain number of election districts with a voting precinct in the most central part, and in some of the larger districts, for the greater conven- ience of the people, there are two voting precincts. These election dis- tricts correspond with the townships of the more newly organized States, and have two Magistrates and one Constable to each, who transact the legal HISTOKY OF CHRISTIAK COUNTY. 61 business of the district not of suflBcient importance to go into the higher courts. With numerous changes in boundaries, and the establishing of a new district or two, the county is at present divided into fifteen election districts — including the new district of Crofton — as follows: No. 1, Hopkinsville District, including the city and precinct ; No. 2, Mount Vernon District ; No. 3, Pembroke ; No. 4, Longview ; No. 5, Lafayette 5 No. 6, Union Schoolhouse; No. 7, Hamby; No. 8, Fruit Hill; No. 9, Scates' Mill ; No. 10, Garrettsburg ; No. 11, Bainbridge ; No. 12, Casky ; No. 13, Stewart; No. 14, Wilson; No. 15, Crofton. The latter has been created since the county map was published, and embraces the coun- try around Crofton Village, being taken from Scates' Mill, Stewart, Ham- by and Fruit Hill Districts. The Poor-Farm. — " The poor ye have with ye alway," said the Mas- ter, and to care for them is a duty incumbent upon us as civilized beings. Kindness costs but little, and to the child of misfortune it sometimes goes almost as far as dollars and cents. The writer recently visited one of these institutions called poor-houses, and was pointed out a man, who, it was said, could once "ride ten miles on his own land," but a series of misfor- tunes brought him to the poor-house. None of us know how soon we may go " over the hills to the poor-house." Then be kind to the poor, for in so doing you may " entertain angels unawares." We find allusions quite often in the early records of the county to the poor and appropria- tions for their benefit, but it was not for many years after the organization of the county, that steps were taken to provide a county farm and poor- house. Some fifty years ago a poor-farm was purchased, and it is a. poor- farm in more senses than one. The land is poor and almost worthless, and for many years after its purchase the buildings were scarcely fit to shelter human beings. Under the administration of Judge Long as Coun- ty Judge, the old buildings were torn down and new ones erected, which, although they are not what they should be, are substantial and comfort- able. Judge Long also laid out a cemetery on the place, and planted an orchard, as well as making many other needed improvements. The poor-farm is in Hopkinsville Precinct, four miles north of the city, and comprises about two hundred acres of land. The buildings are log and frame, and have been built within the last few years. The cost to the county of each pauper will average nearly $100, and the number of paupers varies from fifteen to thirty. It seems just a little strange that the County Board are not better financiers. Were they to purchase a good farm and erect comfortable buildings, it would be economical in more ways than one. Many paupers go there who are able to do consid- erable work, and the farm, was it good land, could make the institution almost self-sustaining. Then the idea of having to work when able, would 62 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. keep many from going to it who now apply' for admission in order to live without work. This plan is followed by many of the Western States, and has been found to work well. It seems to have been the original idea here to conduct the poor-house in a manner that no one would care to enter It except as a last resort to prevent starvation. This was neither wise, economical nor humane. That improvements have been made in the insti- tution of late years is vastly to the credit of the reformers and to the county. — Perrin. CHAPTER III. Following the rooTSTEPS of the Pioneers— Additional Pacts Con- cerning Them-^Later Settlers— Jerald Jackson— Galbeaiths and MoPaddens- The Bradshaws— Crabtree, Morris, Cushman and Others— Joshua Gates- James H. MoLaughlan— Pioneer Pastimes —The Old Militia Musters- Land Speculations and Troubles- Crime AND Lawlessness— The Pennington Family — Alonzo Pen- nington— His Sharp Practices— The Crime that Brought Him to the Gallows —His Trial and Execution — The Way of the Trans- gressor—Regulators AND Their Work— Summary, etc., etc. THE early inhabitants of Kentucky and of the Great West were men and women of that hardy race of pioneeers to whom the perils of the wilderness are as nothing, if only that wilderness be free. Some of them had not reached life's meridian, but they were hopeful, courageous and determined. They were poor in actual worth, but rich in possibilities, and were ready to face danger and endure cold and hunger if a home stood at the end of their journey. For the grand simplicity of their lives, they achieved recognition and fame, as Enoch Arden did, after death. It was their lot to plant civilization here, and sneer at them as we may, yet, in their little space of time, they made greater progress than ten centuries had witnessed before. The work thirty generations had not done they did, and the abyss between us of to-day and the pioneers of Kentucky is wider and more profound than the chasm between 1815 and the battle of Hastings. Of them, Dr. Redford in his " Methodism in Kentucky" says : " They were rough, independent and simple in their habits, careless and improvident in their dealings, frank of speech and unguarded in their intercourse with each other, and with strangers friendly, hospitable and generous. Deprived of educational advantages, they were generally their own schoolmasters, and their book the volume of nature. *********** " The settlement of Kentucky by the Anglo-American pioneer was no easy task. The fierce and merciless savage stubbornly disputed the right HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 63 to the soil. The attempt to locate upon these rich and fertile lands was a proclamation of war, of war whose conflict should be more cruel than had been known in all the bloody pages of the past. On his captive the Indian inflicted the most relentless torture. Neither the innocence of infancy, the tears of beauty nor the decrepitude of age could awaken his sympathy or touch his heart. The tomahawk and the stake were the instruments of his cruelty. But notwithstanding the danger which con- stantly imperiled the settlers, attracted by the glowing accounts of the country and the fertility of its soil, brave hearts were found that were willing to leave their patrimonial homes in Carolina and Virginia, and hazard their lives amid the frowning forests and dismal prairies of the West. Thus valuable accessions were continually received by the first emigrants." It is no easy task to picture in the imagination a more lonesome and dreary waste than this immediate section of the country presented at the time of its settlement by the whites. The vast stretches of barrens, cov- ered with rank grass, were almost as cheerless as the.prairies of the West. In the autumn, when the grass of the barrens or "prairie seas" became sear, it was burned, and the smoke from these fires filled the atmosphere for hundreds of miles, darkening the face of day, and hanging like mourning drapery upon the horizon. Recalling the days when monot- onous solitude was all that was here is to modern people but ringing the changes on the story of the " Lost Mariner," when the poet tells us he was " Alone, alone, all, all alone, Upon the wide, wide sea." We have attempted, in a preceding chapter, to give some account of the earliest settlers of Christian County, together with sketches which were intended to illustrate what manner of men they were. These pen- sketches are all that can be given of a people that have passed away, and of whom the artist and painter had left no recorded signs. Of necessity, such sketches are drawn by those who never saw the originals, and who can know of them only by much talking and communications with those who did know them long and well while they were here and playing their part in life. Such sketches, we say, are drawn by those who per- sonally knew nothing of the originals. It is best that this is so, for then there is less apt to be prejudice, either for or against the subjects that constitute the picture. There is less incentive (there should be none) to suppress here and overdraw there; in short, less of prejudice and conse- quently more of truth. If the statistics of a people, together with these character sketches that are the statistics of that inner life of men, are both truly given, they constitute the true history of that people. 64 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. To say that in this chapter it is purposed to write the history of every family in the order in which they came into the county would be promis- ing more than lies in the power of any man to accomplish. But to sketch some of the leading pioneers and representative men of the times is our aim, and to gather of them such facts, incidents and statistics as we may, and present them in a tangible form must suffice. In subsequent chapters, devoted to the various election districts, each family laying claim to the title of early settler will be fully noticed, so far as it is possible to learn their history. We have already given the names of a large number who were here prior to 1800, and will now proceed to chronicle additional facts concerning some of them, as well as mentioning others who have been overlooked. Many of these early settlers, as elsewhere stated, are dead and gone, and no one now living in the county remembers them, the only evidence of their existence even being the county records. Additional of the Settlers. — Among the early settlers already briefly alluded to is Bartholomew Wood, who originally owned the land upon which the city of Hopkinsville stands. He was prominent in its early history, and in the chapter devoted to that subject a sketch of Mr. Wood will be given. Jacob Barnett, Moses Shelby, Hugh Knox, Jonathan Logan and Brewer Reeves, were the first Justices of the Peace of the new county, but beyond the early service in that capacity, nothing is known of them. Charles Logan was the first Sheriff, and John Clark the first County Clerk. Obadiah Roberts was a son-in-law of Bartholomew Wood, and was the first man licensed to keep a tavern in Elizabeth, as Hopkinsville was then called. Benjamin Lacy settled near Pilot Rock, in 1796, and was from North Carolina. John Campbell was a surveyor, one of the first in the county. Young Ewing was one of the early politicians ; was the first Clerk of the Circuit Court, the first regular Surveyor of the county, and is extensively noticed in the political history. James Kuykendall was the first Representative in the Legislature from Christian County — nothing further is known of him. The Hardins, a numerous family, were early settlers in what was then the northwest part of the county, and beyond the limits of the present boundaries. Adam Lynn was an early Justice of the Peace, and James Henderson was the first Assessor of the county. The Meanses were early settlers in what is now Union Schoolhouse Precinct. Michael Dillingham was indicted by the first Grand Jury for profane swearing, and afterward fined five shillings by the court for the offense. The county would soon have an inexhaustible treasury if it was to fine every one of its citizens five shillings 'now for profane swearing. The Cravenses settled very early in the west part of the county ; John Mc- Daniel was an early settler in the same neighborhood, and is said to have been the ugliest man ever born into the world. Levi Cornelius was a son- HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 65 in-law of Bartholomew Wood, and settled near Hopkinsville. Justinian Cartwright was the next County Clerk after John Clark. William Dupuy, Joseph Cavender and Robert Warner were Revolutionary soldiers. Ed- ward Davis was a son of James Davis, the pioneer. Of the others men- tioned we have learned nothing definite. Later Settlers. — The names of settlers who came in later than those mentioned were as follows : James Crabtree, the Dulins, the Bradshaws, James Clark, Joseph Kelley, the Galbraiths, the McFaddens, the Blues, Samuel Davis, the Ezells, James H. McLaughlan, the Meachams, Joshua Cates. Rezin Davidge, James McKenzie, Dr. Edward Rumsey, Jacob Walker, Laban Shipp, William Padfield, Alpheus Palmer, Matthew Patton, Maj. Thomas Long, Josiah Anderson, Thomas AUsbury, Judge Benjamin Shackelford, Larkin Akers, William Daniel, Richard Faulkner, Samuel Finley, Hawkins Goode, John Gray, Morgan Hopkins, George Cushman, Colden Williams, the Metcalfs, James Gilkey, John Johnson, Samuel Underwood, the Sheltons, John Wallace, Joseph Clark, James McKnight, Jacob Morris, Jerald Jackson, and a great many others who came in prior, perhaps, to 1810, and who will receive mention in the precinct chapters, and in the war history, under the head of Revolutionary soldiers. This chapter, we repeat, is not intended to give the complete settlement of the county, but merely a brief notice of some of the pioneers who were among its early citizens. Jerald Jackson, one of the pioneers mentioned above, was an eccen- tric character. Whence he came no one knows, but he was here when there were but few settlements within the present bounds of Christian County. He was tall and ungainly, and the skin on his hands and face, through long exposure to the sunshine and storms, was almost as rough as the outter coat of a shell-bark hickory. He lived in camps and spent his time in hunting and trapping. His favorite retreat is said to have been on Brushy Fork of Treadwater, and he used to range over the great wilderness as far distant as Boone's Fort(Boonesboro), in pursuit of game. He was peculiar and shrewd ; he knew nothing of a Government of rigid laws and stern police regulations, and subjected to such could neither have thrived nor lived. He sought no acquaintances, but on the contrary avoided his kind so far as possible. When settlers began to come in, he sought the wilds of Missouri, and wandering" through its forests became a voluntary subject of the King of Spain. But eventually he dragged his wearied limbs back to his old hunting-ground to die. He died in the north part of the county about 1812-13, and in death his pecularities did not leave him. At his urgent request, it is said, he was buried on a high hill in the southwest part of Scates' Mill Precinct, in a grave made of rocks on top of the ground, and to be covered with a large slab of rock which 66 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. he had himself prepared for the purpose. He siso requested his gun and tomahawk to be put into the grave with his body. His grave, we learn, is still to be seen, and is on or near the farm now owned by the heirs of Jacob Morris. Jackson was childish in his simplicity, but his requests as to his burial denote a superstition equal to the savages of the wilderness. Jacob Morris came from South Carolina about the beginning of the present century, and settled in the northwest part of the present county as bounded. He made the journey on foot, carrying his ax on his shoul- der, his wife riding a small pony and carrying a few articles of clothing. He died but a few years ago, upon the place of his settlement. Joseph Clark came here about the year 1803, from South Carolina, and settled first in what is now Fruit Hill Precinct. He was an early Justice of the Peace, and afterward became Sheriff of the county. James McKnight was an early settler in the same neighborhood. The Metcalfs, three brothers, also came from South Carolina, and settled in what is now Hamby Precinct. Another South Carolinan was George Cushman. He settled on the headwaters of the Sinking Fork, on the farm belonging to the estate of Allen Williams, as is supposed, previous to 1800. He built the first " horse mill " in that part of the county. Golden Williams was a Baptist preacher, and came about the time of Cushman. About the year 1815 he removed to Missouri. As early as 1805, there was a Hardshell Baptist Church on his place, where that peculiar sect were wont to wor- ship. Judge Benjamin Shackelford and Maj. Long are mentioned in other chapters of this work. Alpheus Palmer settled in the south part of the county, and was a relative of Gen. John M. Palmer, of Illinois. William Padfield was a commissioner to build the first brick court house in the county. James McKenzie has recently died in the northeast part of the county, at over a hundred years old. The Ezells settled down in the southwest part of the county. Samuel Davis settled in the eastern part of the county, but now just across the line in Todd County. He was the father of Hon. Jefferson Davis, the President of the ex-Confederacy, and the great soldier and statesman was born in a little unpretentious house, still standing in the eastern part of the village of Fairview. James H. McLaughlan was the second Clerk of the Circuit Court — really the first regularly qualified clerk. Young Swing had served a year or so as clerk pro tempore, but had never been commissioned as such. Mr. McLaughlan was regularly appointed by the Court, examined by the Court of Appeals, and duly commissioned by the Governor, in March, 1804. He was a faithful and efficient officer, and his records, still to be seen in the Clerk's office, are models of neatness and elegance, and may be read with as much ease as print. He was a regularly licensed lawyer HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 67 but never practiced in the courts of Christian County. No disparage- ment of the efficient Clerks, who have held the office from time to time, is meant by the remark, that the county has never had a better one than James H. McLaughlan. He was an uncle of Joseph Duncan, who was, for a time, a Deputy Clerk under him, and who afterward was Governor of Illinois, and a famous soldier and politician. The Galbraiths, McFaddens and Blues were from North Carolina and settled in the southeast part of the county in the immediate neighborhood where Davis and Montgomery built the block-house. Of the Galbraiths there were four brothers— John, Angus, Daniel and Duncan. As denot- ed by their names, they were of Scotch extraction, and it is said were North Carolina Tories, who had to leave that State after the close of the Revolutionary war. As settlements increased they sold out and removed to Missouri. The McFadden family comprised two brothers — Jacob and John ; and the Blue family, three brothers — Neil, Sandy and John. They were all of Scotch descent, came here with the Galbraiths, and removed to Missouri with them. James Clark came from Pennsylvania in 1802, and first settled, with his parents, in Frankfort. The Bradshaws were from Virginia. There were Edward, Benjamin and William, and they came here early in the present century. They settled in the southeast part of the county. James Crabtree was from North Carolina, and set- tled in what is now Mount Vernon Precinct. He came soon after 1800, and brought some fifty slaves with him; also considerable fine fur- niture and silver plate, things hitherto quite scarce in the county. He was a prominent man, active and energetic, and farmed largely. He still has descendants living in the county. The Dulins settled in the north part of the county, and will be further noticed in the precinct history, as will be many others, whose names have already been given. The Cateses were early settlers in the county and were prominent citizens. Joshua Cates. — A remarkable character and an energetic business man was Joshua Catos. Few now living remember him personally, or that he was once an influential citizen of the county. He was no common man in anything, not even in his eccentricities and peculiarities, for these were his most charming characteristics. It is said that he bore a strong resemblance to Napoleon Bonaparte, and that he was as great a man in his way as the little Corsican Lieutenant. He was not learned in the books, but he was rich and original in intellect, and rough sometimes in his speech, but still noble in a rugged way. He was as indifferent to fine dress as he was to the opinions of the world at large. He moved every- thing by his own promptings, and was as busy and energetic as the day was long. He did not eat or sleep like other people, but only indulged in these necessities (or luxuries) when nature compelled it, and whenever 4 68 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. and wherever the feeling overtook him. He rarely sat down to his own table (or for that matter to any one else's) but took a lunch in his fingers and went about his business, and when sleep overcame him, like Sancho Panza blessing its inventor, he lay down and slept, whether in his own house, on his own grounds, or by the roadside, and when exhausted nat- ure was restored, he arose and resumed his work. Joshua Gates was a native of South Carolina, and came to Christian County when its capital was the puniest of villages. One of his pecul- iarities was, and in this he differed from most of his contemporaries, he " touched not, tasted not, handled not," intoxicating drinks, and thus kept his head clear. Another peculiarity was an almost uncontrollable desire for land. He bought all the land he could get hold of, and it is said, did not always adhere strictly to the golden rule in his real estate transactions. An instance is related to the point: A man named Pursley, also a great land trader, was contemplating the purchase of a certain tract, when Gates went to him and said : " Pursley, the title to the land is not good ; not worth a cent, sir !" Thus warned, Pursley set about in- vestigating the matter, and while so doing Gates bought the land and se- cured a deed to it. A favorite expression of Gates' was : " You obsarve sir," and he used it on most all occasions. Meeting Pursley soon after the occurrence just noted, Pursley took him to task for what he consid- ered his injustice toward him. Gates replied ; " Mr. Pursley, you obsarve sir — " "Yes, Gapt. Gates," said Pursley, "I obsarve it all now." Aside from his land speculations he was a great horse dealer and negro trader. He bought horses and drove them to the southern markets, and would buy up the vicious negroes and take them " down South " and thus rid the coun- ty of them. He was once shot by one of his own negroes and badly wounded, but eventually recovered, and ever after he carried holsters and pistols at his saddle-bow, like an army officer. He went to Judge Shackelford's one day, and while there, the Judge took his pistols out of the holsters to look at them, when he found that not only were neither of them loaded, but the bores were nearly closed up with rust. The Judge laughed at him for the neglected state of his arsenal, and told him that in the event of an attack they would not be of much service to him ; but said Gates, " Judge Shackelford, you obsarve sir, everybody don't know that." Mr. Gates has been dead many years, and is forgotten by most of the citizens of the county. His last days were peculiarly sad, and called forth the warmest sympathy of his relatives and friends. Too great an activity and too much mental strain, excited by his various business enter- prises, impaired and unsettled his mind to a great degree, and for some time before his death he was incapable of attending to any business. Few HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 69 more stirring and active men ever figured in the county. His great forte was trading, and he exercised his talents in that direction to the full measure of his ability. He reared a large family of sons and daughters, and the latter are said to have been among the most beautiful women in the county. His wife is remembered by some of the old people as one of the best and noblest of women, and one whom everybody that knew loved and honored. Many representatives and descendants of the busy old man are still living in the county. With the foregoing pages devoted to the early settlers, and a few words of their wilderness life, we will take leave of them until we meet with them again in the chapters on the election districts. These pioneers were a hardy, fearless, and a self-reliant people ; they were rude and sim- ple in their habits and accomplishments, and devoid of all reckless extrav- agance. Fresh from the scenes — many of them — of the Revolutionary struggle, a free people, their manhood elevated, they shrank from no dif- ficulty ; but, with a stern, unflinching purpose, they went forth to subdue the wilderness, and subject it to the use of man. The women, too, bore their part in the great work, and did as much, in their way, as the men did themselves. They were the companions of the sterner sex, and their helpmeets, and quailed not before the hardships of the frontier. They believed it their highest duty — as it was their noblest aim — to contribute their part in the great work of life. In cases of illness, some young woman would leave her home for .a few days to care for the afflicted house- hold, and her services were rendered without money and without price. The discharge of the sacred duty to care for the sick was the motive, and it was never neglected. The accepted life of a woman was to marry, bear and rear children, prepare the household food, spin, weave and make the garments for the family. Her whole life was the grand, simple poem of rugged, toilsome duty, bravely and uncomplainingly done. She lived history, and her descendants write and read it with a proud thrill, such as visits the pilgrim when at Arlington he stands at the base of the mon- ument which covers the bones of 4,000 nameless men who gave their blood to preserve their country. Her work lives, and her name should only be whispered in humble reverence. Holy in death, it is too sacred for open speech. Pioneer Paatimes. — If the pioneers lived in a time of rude civiliza- tion, they enjoyed their scenes of fun and frolic quite as well as their descendants enjoy their more refined amusements. Their house-raisings, their log-rollings and corn-shuckings, were times enjoyed by every com- munity, particularly by the young people, when, as was often the case, a "quilting" was a part of the programme, and that followed by a dance when the work was done. Sambo, with an old, cracked, wheezy fiddle. 70 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. but three strings on it as like as not, furnished music far more highly prized by these simple, rude people than would have been the sublime notes of Paganini or Ole Bull. Ah, those were enjoyable times ! But of all the gala days in the whole year, the great, glorious holiday was the day of "big muster," when the "cornstalk" militia turned out in force for annual training. What a glorious time that was for the boys and darkies ! The writer remembers well how he used to think he had lived a whole life-time in a single day, and how he would give — well, a half of his kingdom, only to be man enough to wear one of those long red plumes. They were gorgeous ! When the generals and colonels and majors mounted their war horses, who "snuffed the battle afar," with plumes in their hats as long as stove-pipes — the men, not the horses — and swords equal to the broadswords of Koderick Dhu and his clan, belted around them, ah, how they excited our boyish envy ! James Weir, in his novel of "Lonz Powers," gives a most excellent description of those old muster days of the long ago — a description we have never seen equaled except in a speech made by Hon. Tom Corwin in the United States Senate years ago. Both of the descriptions referred to are as vivid as life, and no doubt many old gray-headed men, when they read these lines, will recall the picture, and the excitement of the militia mus- ter ; the rolling of the drum, the shrill screeching of the fife, the nodding plumes and gleaming swords; the prancing steeds (old plow horses), the words of command and the martial bearing of the Napoleons and Wel- lingtons, the Washingtons and Marions, the La Fayettes and Greenes and Jacksons as they marshaled their forces for the fray. They were dis- plays that had to be witnessed to be appreciated. The muster-day served a multitude of purposes. It brought the peo- ple together from all parts of the county, and kept them acquainted, if nothing more. The day was an epoch in the county's chronology, from which all important events dated. National questions were discussed, State issues debated, neighborhood gossip ventilated, petty differences set- tled, often with "knock-down" arguments, and when the muster was over, it was usually found that all the cases had been cleared from the docket, and a new era had dawned. But the institution of the old militia muster, with its pomp and glory, its fun and frolic and its fights and excitements, has passed away with other relics of our earlier civilization. With the close of the Mexican war it began to wane in popularity, and soon passed out of existence. Land Speculations and Troubles. — In the early history of Kentucky there was much trouble arising out of defective land titles, and settlers in every portion of the State suffered more or less from this cause. The old records of Christian County show more land litigation than any other HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 71 kind. Collins says : " The radical and incurable defect of the law was the neglect of Virginia to provide for the general survey of the country, at the expense of the Government, and its subdivision into whole, half and quarter sections, as is now done by the United States. Instead of this, each possessor of a warrant was allowed to locate the same where he pleased, and was required to survey it at his own cost, but his entry was required to be so special and precise, that each subsequent locator might recognize the land already taken up, and make his entry elsewhere. To make a good entry, therefore, required a precision and accuracy of de- scription which such men as Boone and Kenton could not be expected to possess; and all vague entries were declared null and void. Unnum- bered sorrows, law suits and heart-rending vexations were the conse- quences of this unhappy law. In the unskillful hands of the pioneers and hunters of Kentucky, entries, surveys and patents were piled upon each other, overlapping and crossing in endless perplexity. In the meantime the immediate consequence of the law was a flood of immigration. The hunters of the elk and buffalo were succeeded by the more ravenous hunters of land; in the pursuit they fearlessly braved the hatchet of the Indian and the privations of the forest. The surveyor's chain and compass were seen in the woods as frequently as the rifle ; and during the years 1779—80-81, the great and all-absorbing object in Kentucky was to enter, survey and obtain a patent for the richest sections of land. Indian hos- tilities were rife during the whole of this period, but these only formed episodes in the great drama." "We have a sample of this in Christian County. John Montgomery, one of the first white men in the county, was a surveyor, and was killed by the Indians, as detailed in a preceding chapter, while surveying land. The troubles about land titles and litigation prevailed here as elsewhere, and many men lost their lands which they thought secured to them. Some of the early lawyers paid little attention to any other branch of the practice except land claims, and the litigation over such claims for years incumbered the dockets of the courts of the county. The pioneers were mostly simple and honest, and some have characterized them as stupid. They knew how to endure privations with constant and necessary activity, they lived in the free wilderness, where action was unfettered by law, and where property was not controlled by form and technicality, but rested on the natural and broader foundation of justice and convenience. They knew how to repel the aggression of the private wrong-doer, but they knew not how to swindle a neighbor out of his acres, by declaration, demurrer, plea and replication, and all the scientific pomp of chicanery. Hence, in the broad and glorious light of civilization, they were stupid. Their con- fidence in men, their simplicity, their stupidity, by whatever name proper 72 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. to call it, rendered them an easy prey to selfish and unprincipled specu- lators. There are many still living in Christian County who remember the trouble and ill-feeling caused by these defective land-titles. Crime and Lawlessness. — As the rough and turbulent spirits of the pioneer period drifted away before the benign influence of civilization, society improved materially in the county. It is quite true that it was never worse here than it is in all new countries. But the history of our republic, from its earliest colonization, has shown bad men mingled among the first comers to a particular section, and that, as law and order are established, these characters are weeded out. So it was here. Shortly after the county was formed, and the different branches of the courts were organized and put in operation, Christian became as law-abiding a com- munity as any in the State. And with the great mass of the population this has ever been the case. But there was a period, dating back perhaps to 1835-40, when not only this, but some of the surrounding counties were afflicted with a spe- cies of lawlessness, that to the better class of citizens was extremely annoy- ing. Horse-stealing became rather common, likewise barn-burning, and occasionally burglarious attacks, of an alarming nature, varied the monot- ony of the times, and led to the general belief that there was an organ- ized band of men who made robbery their chief occupation. The whole Mississippi Valley seemed to be troubled in pretty much the same way. Depredations were committed in rapid succession at points widely sepa- rated, and yet with such characteristic skill as to create the belief that they were done by the same inspiration, if not by the same persons. Such a conclusion involved a belief in a wide-spread conspiracy, which so cov- ered the territory with abettors and sympathizers that the ordinary offi- cials felt powerless to thwart its plans, or arrest the offenders against the law. At first this was worse in other counties than it was here, but it gradually became too common in this county to be longer borne, without efibrts being made to check the evil. The achievements of this confeder- ated band of outlaws culminated, in 1845, in the murder of a man named Simon Davis, of which more will be said hereafter. The Pennington Family. — In the north part of the county lived a family named Pennington, who were quite early settlers. The father, Col. Francis P. Pennington, was a man of considerable wealth, and intelli- gent beyond the majority of his neighbors. He owned a large farm, and some fifteen or twenty slaves ; was long a Justice of the Peace, and as such under the old Constitution of the State, succeeded in regular rotation to the office of High Sherifi" of the county, in 1829. In this capacity, so far as is now known, he discharged his duties well and faithfully. In those days he was looked upon as a man of undoubted integrity, and of un- HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 73 sullied honor. No shadow of suspicion touched him, until in later years, when the denouement which sent his son to the gallows directed attention to facts hitherto deemed of no significance, hut now magnified into mat- ters of serious consequence. There was nothing absolutely wrong known of him, or traceable to him, yet when troubles came upon his house, then it was that many little things were remembered against him ; how stran- gers often came through the country, mounted on fine horses, and inquired for Col. Pennington, sought out his home, remained no one knew how long, and left no one knew when, as they traveled over by-paths, little used by anybody else, and held no communications with others in the neighborhood. These semi-occasional visits of unknown men excited dis- trust of Pennington, and aroused suspicions, and caused threats to be indulged in against him, but no violence was ever offered, and the old man was allowed to die in peace. Col. Pennington had two sons, Alonzo and Morton, and possessing considerable wealth, as he did, he gave them good educations for that early day. They grew to manhood respected throughout the neighbor- hood, and were considered fine young men. " Lonz," as he was famil- iarly called, was the younger of the two boys, and in many respects a very remarkable man. He was intelligent, shrewd, of fine appearance, well educated, and with his natural faculties trained almost to the perfec- tion of the scent of the Siberian bloodhound. He was a good judge of men, and energetic enough to carry out any undertaking with money at the end of it. Had his talents been directed into the right channel, and his qual- ifications and accomplishments turned to the accomplishment of good, he might have become an ornament to society and a benefactor to his race, instead of a victim to the insulted laws of his country. Many crimes were attributed to him of which he was, perhaps, innocent, while no doubt he committed many the public generally knew nothing of. But his nefa- rious acts were found out, and his crimes brought home to him with vengeance. Alonzo Pennington married when quite a young man, and settled down upon a farm in the northeastern part of the county, in what is now Wilson Precinct. He was a great lover of horses, passionately fond of racing, and soon became a large dealer in fast horses; he constructed a " track " on his farm, which became a general headquarters for that kind of sport, and of a class of men whose morals were not of the highest or- der. Pennington would make frequent trips, sometimes remaining absent from home for weeks, under the pretext of buying horses, and as he al- ways returned with a number, no one doubted the honesty of his trans- actions then. He managed to get hold of many fine racers, and, as they accumulated on his hands, he drove them South, where they were sold to 74 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. planters and traders. He would then make another trip over into Illinois for a fresh supply, and thus he kept the business up for several years. But eventually rumors began to arise of questionable transactions in which "Lonz" Pennington bore a prominent part. He often had a number of strange men about him, shrewd and unscrupulous as he him- self proved to be, who looked after his horses and took them South for him. None knew who they were or whence they came, for they held aloof from the people. It was not unfrequently the case that about the time a drove of horses was taken South, a few likely negro boys would be missed from different sections of the country, and who were never heard of afterward. Southern Illinois was known to be infested with the most lawless characters, with a rendezvous about Cave-in-Rock, who operated in defiance of the Government and the courts to dislodge them. They counterfeited, stole horses^ robbed and murdered with impunity, and the whole Western frontier was flooded with their spurious gold and silver coins and bank bills, until it became known far and wide as " Cave-in- Rock money." It was soon noticeable that every time Pennington returned from Illinois with horses, a shower of counterfeit money fol- lowed. Though suspicion was rife, it was not easy to find a man sufii- ciently reckless to publish his convictions, and Pennington was shrewd enough to cover his trail. He was very quiet, a man of much dignity, held no communication publicly with the men in his employ, and acted as though he scarcely knew them. He was a great trader, and borrowed money largely from the farmers, who regarded him as a safe speculator and thriving business man, but who were not smart enough to discover any irregularity in his transactions. He was often involved in litigation, but his keen ability and knowledge of the law, in furnishing the " right kind of evidence," usually won him an easy victory. It was his ques- tionable dealings, and his numerous entanglements in the courts, that attracted the attention of those already on the alert. Then, too, there was the palpable fact that with every drove of horses from beyond the Ohio, counterfeit money increased, and that as the horses went South, negroes mysteriously disappeared. Of these negro disappearances the following incident is related : There was a man named Brown living in Hopkins County, three or four miles from Madisonville, who lost a negro man, and whom he supposed had "run away." Some time after the negro had disappeared. Brown was told by a man, suspected of being a tool of Pennington's, that for $100 he would show him his negro, but that he (Brown) would have to take him, as he could only show him where he was to be seen. Brown consented, and one night was conducted by the fellow to a certain place, a shrill whistle was given, and presently some one was heard approaching. A few moments, and the negro ap- HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 75 peared sure enough, but when he saw them he leaped back exclaiming, "Massa Brown ! " At the same time Brown discovered three men with guns in their hands, and, divining his danger, sprang away into the darkness and made his escape. He believed, and no doubt he was cor- rect, that he had been lured there for the purpose of being murdered. The man claimed the $100, on the ground that he had performed his part of the contract in showing him the negro, and Brown paid it. Not very long afterward, his tobacco barn was burned, and still a little later he was assassinated on his own premises, by the gang, as was supposed. These negroes that mysteriously disappeared were lured away from their masters under the promise of being sent across the Ohio to freedom, but were kept concealed by the gang until a drove of horses was ready for market, when they, too, were taken South and sold on the cotton and sugar plantations ; a fate looked upon by the negroes here with as much horror as the Russian criminal contemplates the mines of Siberia. Sharp Practicet. — To illustrate Lonz Pennington's crooked transac- tions, the following incident is related as one out of many of which he was said to have been guilty : An old farmer, Williams by name, one day thoughtlessly, in the presence of Lonz, or one of his satellites, mentioned the fact of having a thousand dollars in money, and Lonz determined he would have it. So he went to his brother-in-law (named Oates), gave him a note which he had drawn, payable to Williams, bearing ten per cent interest, and signed by Oates, who was worth nothing, and himself as security. This note Oates was instructed to take to Williams and get the money. Williams, on seeing the name of Lonz Pennington on the note, made no hesitation in letting Oates have the money. When the note became due, Oates had nothing to pay with, and Williams went to Pen- nington, who coolly informed him that he had warned him long before that Oates was wasting his property, becoming bankrupt, and he had notified him to attach and make his debt ; if he had not done so it was his own fault, etc. Williams denied ever having been notified to make his debt out of Oates, and brought suit against Pennington. The latter notified Williams' lawyer that on a certain day he would take the deposi- tion of one T. Black at a town in Illinois. Williams and his attorney were on hand at the time and place, but Black could not be found, and Pennington said he had moved to Tennessee, and as soon as he could find where he was he would give notice again. Soon they were notified that the deposition would be taken at a certain town in Tennessee, but when they arrived he was not there. Williams was worn out in the fruitless hunt, and finally consented to let the deposition be taken before a Com- missioner whenever Black was found, whether he was present, or not. This was just what Pennington wanted, and shortly after he filed Black's 76 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. deposition duly taken and authenticated. To those who mistrusted Pen- nington already it was evident that Black was a myth, and that it was but another of Pennington's sharp practices, which were now becoming notorious. The transactions of Lonz and his gang were getting bolder and more frequent, and every day the people getting their eyes opened more and more to the true state of affairs in the community. Mysterious whispers as to the organization of a new court, a court hitherto unknown to the legal luminaries of the county, were heard, and Judge Lynch was momentarily expected to take his seat upon the bench, and mete out to these offenders stern justice. Pennington s Last Game. — But we will give the remainder of Pen- nington's career in the words of Hon. James F. Buckner, now of Louis- ville, but long a resident of Hopkinsville, and the attorney who defended Pennington when tried for his life. His description of the crime, the trial and execution, was detailed to a reporter of the Courier- Journal, who wrote and published it in that paper January 13, 1884. No one should be more familiar with the circumstances than Col. Buckner, and his ver- sion of the affair, or the greater part of it, is vouched for, in all of its essential features, by old citizens of the county. It is as follows : There was a man living in the upper part of the county named Simon Davis, a stonemason of good character. He married a young lady who was one of three orphans raised by a Baptist Minister in the neighbor- hood. She inherited a farm and five negroes. Davis stocked the farm, and was just getting started in life, when she died, leaving no children. Of course her inheritance returned to the other two children, leaving Davis none of his wife's property. Pennington saw the situation at a glance, and resolved to play a bold hand. He told Davis that his wife's word would not permit him to keep the farm and negroes, because by law they belonged to the other children, but if he could turn the negroes into money and sell him the farm he would undertake to law the old minister out of it. He said he was not afraid of lawsuits, and could beat them every time, but he did not like to see a man compelled to give up property that had rightfully belonged to him because his wife died. His plausible argument had its effect on Davis, and he agreed to take the friendly advice. He sold four of the negroes, and collected the money for them, $1,500, at the May muster at Fruit Hill in 1845. It was under the old constitution that the regimental musters were held, and I was Muster Colonel. I had been Pennington's lawyer in a few cases, and he had been to see me several times just before the muster to inquire about the writing and acknowledgment of a deed. I supposed he was making a trade in another county, and told him how the document should be drawn up, signed and acknowledged, or witnessed. After the muster was over HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 77 Davis was seen leaving the grounds with Pennington to go to the latter's father's to get the money to pay for the farm. A part of the programme was for Davis to leave the county as soon as the trade was made, so as to be out of the way in case suit was brought against Pennington to recover the farm, and that he must tell some of his friends that he was going away. Davis was never seen alive after he left the muster grounds with Pennington. They started to take a near cut through the country, and the first thing the neighbors knew Pennnigton was working the Davis farm and Davis was gone. Everybody was anxious to know what became of him, and the suspicions of the entire county were aroused, and in a few weeks some one mustered courage enough to ask Pennington where Davis was. He replied that Davis was in Illinois building a saw-mill, and that he saw him the last trip he made after horses. His explanation lulled suspicion for a while, but there was a strong belief prevalent that there had been foul play. Pennington bought all of Davis' stock except a bald-faced horse with a glass-eye, which he said Davis took with him. At this point in the afi"air, the best authenticated accounts in the county disagree with the statement of Col. Buckner, though in no very important particulars. In several conversations held with those who participated in all the proceedings, in fact, who belonged to the regulators, organized for the purpose of ridding the county of the robber gang, and who should be thoroughly conversant with the matter, it appears that the " bald-faced, glass-eyed horse " of Davis' was never found at all, instead of being discovered in a pen in Fruit Hill, as Col. Buckner gives it, but that he was " heard of," or a horse suiting his description, at the house of one Sheffield, some twenty miles or more distant from Fruit Hill, and in Muhlenburg County. The depredations of the lawless gang had become so frequent, that the people were at last aroused to action. Regulators had already been organized in some of the adjoining counties, and expelled from their midst many suspected characters. After the disappearance of Davis, a suspi- cion took deep root in the minds of many that he had been murdered, and notwithstanding Pennington's assertion that he was in Illinois " building a saw-mill," some of the best men in the county, under the leader- ship of Col. James Robinson, one of the most respected citizens in the north part of the county, had formed themselves into a band of Regulators for the purpose of searching for the body of Davis, whom they did not doubt had been foully murdered by Pennington or some of his tools, and of punishing the perpetrators of the deed. When they heard of the horse at Sheffield's, up in Muhlenburg County, two of their number were dis- patched to the place to see if it was Davis' horse. A man named Cessna, a tool of Pennington's, was already in the hands of the 78 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. Regulators. ShefiSeld was captured, but the horse was gone, and from descriptions received of it, they became convinced it was the horse they were in search of. Neither Cessna nor Sheffield was whipped by the Regulators, but every preparation had been made for such a performance; the rope had been produced, the hickories cut and trimmed and brought forward, when Cessna, who had not been tied, but was closely guarded, stepped back a pace, opened his shirt front, and without the tremor of a muscle exclaimed, " Shoot me, but for God's sake don't disgrace my back by whipping." Col. Robinson told him that nothing but a full confession would save him from that disgrace, that they were satisfied Davis had been murdered and that he (Cessna) knew it, and knew where the body was concealed, and if he would lead them to it, they would then put him into the hands of the law, otherwise they would whip him until he did tell. He called a parley with three or four of them — there were some two hundred present — and agreed to take them to the spot. He saw none but determined faces about him, and decided that he had no alternative but to tell the whole story or take the threatened pun- ishment. We now resume the statement of Col. Buckner as published in the Courier-Journal : He (Cessna) said that Pennington had killed Davis and thrown his body into a sink-hole. He was told to conduct them to the sink-hole, and they started. He led them through the woods to a long hill-side in heavy timber, where was a deep cavern almost, or apparently, bottomless, as a rock dropped into it could not be heard to strike any impediment. The bottom could not be seen, but one of the Regulators went down, and sure enough there lay Davis' body, where it had lodged on a shelf of rock. Had it missed that, it would have gone no telling where. Cessna said that Pennington and Davis had stopped by the opening and sat down on a log to talk about the deed, and that they had a dispute and Pennington hit Davis on the side of the head with a hickory club, killing him, and had thrown the body where it was found. Cessna was taken to jail and the excitement spread over the whole country. Pennington's house was visited, but he was not there. His wife said he had gone to Paducah to get some horses and a party started after him, but they missed him. He came back by way of Princeton and Hopkins ville and thus avoided them. As he was riding along the road before reaching Hopkinsville, he met a man he was acquainted with who was more communicative than wiso. Pennington asked him the news and he replied: " Haven't you heard it ? they have found Davis' body and they say you killed him, and they are hunting for you." This was a tip for Pennington and he rode on avoid- ing the town and thence home. He told me afterward that he would not have gone home ai all, had it not been that the animal he was riding was HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 79 jaded and he wanted a fresh horse. He said he had a blooded horse at home named " Walnut Cracker," and he wanted to get on him to get away. It was in the night when he got home, and he discovered that there were some horses hitched to the fence, and he made up his mind not to go in. He was thirsty, and started to the spring to get a drink of water, and just before he reached it he heard some one talking and hid himself to listen. Three men passed him with guns and he knew there was no time to lose. Old Walnut Cracker was in the pasture and he went back and got on his horse and rode around the barn to the pasture. He soon found his favorite horse, and after transferring the saddle and bridle to him, mounted and left the country. The search for him was kept up several days, but as no trace of him could be found it was finally abandoned. The deed from Davis to Pennington had been lodged for record in the County Court, duly drawn, signed and witnessed, in one of Penning- ton's peculiarly disguised styles of handwriting. He had robbed Davis of the $1,500 the latter received for the four negroes, killed him and forged his signature to the deed and made Shefiield and Cessna witness it under assumed names. Old man Williams forced his suit to a trial about that time, and as he had no trouble in throwing out the deposition of T. Black, he collected his money. This was in June, 1845, and during the following winter, Col. James Bowland, who had removed from Christian County to Texas several years before, returned home. He had been a candidate for the Texas Congress and was defeated just before his return, and one day he mentioned to his brother, Dr. Reece Bowland, that dur- ing his canvass he spoke at a little town in Texas, and during his speech he noticed in the crowd a familiar face. He studied it closely, and then recognized the man as Lonz Pennington, whom he had known in Ken- tucky. After he got through speaking, he hunted the man up, and, call- ing him by name, extended his hand, but the man declined it and told him he was entirely mistaken in the man. The Colonel was greatly sur- prised, but apologized for his mistake and he was forgiven. He had not heard of Pennington's work in Kentucky, and when his brother narrated the circumstances to him, he was satisfied that he was not mistaken in the man he offered to shake hands with in Texas. A large reward had been of- fered by Christian County for Pennington, and after the brothers talked the matter over. Col. Bowland said Pennington was still in Texas and could be caught without any trouble, and they determined to undertake his capture. They started the next day on horseback, but when they reached the place Pennington was not there, but had gone up into the Indian Ter- ritory. They followed him and found him playing the fiddle at a camp dance. He was captured and brought back to Kentucky, just a year 80 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. after the murder of Davis, and his return in the hands of the law ofiBcers was a great surprise to the people, who never expected to hear of him again. When the news came that the Bowlands had him at a point on the Cumberland River and wanted a guard to escort him to Hopkins- villa, nearly every man in the county volunteered for the service. It was the intention to re-organize the Regulators, and, after escorting Lonz to Hopkinsville, take him to the place where Davis was killed and hang him. This plan did not meet with general approval, however, and the law was given full scope. I was attending court at Cadiz when they passed through, and everybody made a rush to see the prisoner. The escort stopped, and as I was standing on the court house steps, Penning- ton beckoned me to him. I responded, and he asked me to defend him, and I accepted the offer and told him I would call at the jail to see him when I reached home. When I got home, his wife was waiting for me, and I started with her to the jail. The greatest excitement prevailed, and the town was full of armed men who were really anxious for an oppor- tunity to take Pennington out and hang him, but their wrath was divided against me for offering to defend him. They had boldly announced that no lawyer should take his case, but that the testimony should be given in brief, so the jury could return a verdict in order that the form of law might be carried out. As I walked down the street with Pennington's wife, who was a lady above reproach and knew nothing of her husband's free-booting proclivities, I was halted on every side and warned to keep out of the case. I paid no attention to the warning, but proceeded to the jail, where I found an excited crowd, who boldly informed me that if I had anything to do with Pennington's defense, they would take both of us out and hang us. My family and relatives were frightened, and be- seeched me to keep out of it, but I felt that I could not stand to be ter- rorized in that way, and turned my attention to the mad crowd. I told them that any criminal was entitled to a trial, and if Pennington did not employ counsel, the court would appoint some one to defend him, and that I was not going to ask the public for permission to defend a man in a court of justice. I saw in a few moments that I had adopted the only plan to sustain myself, and in a short time Un.cle Jimmy Robinson, who had made the first move in all this work, came to me and said : " I reckon we are wrong ; it is best to let the law take its course, but we can't have any acquittal or hung jury in this case. If the evidence is not strong enough for a jury, the Regulators will administer justice." After a great deal of persuasion he got the men to consent, and I went into the jail and had a conference with Pennington. I told him to tell me the truth, and I believe he did in many points, but when he would get to the killing, he would only say that he did not touch Davis. I reached the con- HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 81 elusion that he made Cessna or Sheffield do the killing and hiding, and that he took the money and gave them some of it. I demanded a con- tinuance of a few days when the case was called, which aroused the people again, and I was accused of trying to give Pennington a chance to escape. I was warned that I need not expect any support in my next race for the Legislature, but I told them that I owed a duty to my client, and was going to perform it. Of course there was no defense to be made, and the jury were not long in deciding to inflict the death penalty, and in May, 1846, Edward Alonzo Pennington, the successor of the robber chief, John A. Murrell, was hanged before the largest gathering of people ever seen in Southwestern Kentucky. Cessna had made his escape be- fore the arrest of Pennington, and a great many men left that section of country quietly but permanently. The Regulator. — It is still believed by many people of the county, that Cessna was taken from the jail by the Regulators and hanged. But from all information collected concerning the affair, it does not seem at all probable that he was. From the nature of his escape, he was no doubt assisted from without by friends. This, however, has been con- strued into arguments to show that it was the work of the Regulators ; that they purposely left such signs to divert suspicion from them, and make it appear that his friends bad assisted him to escape. The truth, pure and unadulterated, may never be known, but there seems really no just grounds to charge his execution to the Regulators. The man Shef- field, though held for several days, was not imprisoned, nor was he whipped, but was finally liberated on condition that he leave the State and never return. He was glad to escape and the county was troubled with him no more. The Regulators, though not a lawful organization, did the county good, and succeeded in doing what the law had failed to accomplish — the breaking up of a desperate band of outlaws, and banishing them from the country. They submitted to the depredations of the gang until " forbear- ance had ceased to be a virtue," and the law had failed to protect them; then they took it into their own hands and protected themselves. Mob violence should be condemned, and it is condemned by all good law-abid- ing citizens, but there are cases where it may be exercised with beneficial results to a community. The Regulators of Christian County, who com- prised many of the very best citizens, did nothing rashly, nor did they punish any man without a trial ; though it may have been but a drum- head court-martial. Sometimes they whipped a man, but that was as a last resort. Suspected characters were warned to leave the country, and if they did not go, when sufficient evidence was accumulated against them, they had to submit to their fate. After the execution of Alonzo Pennington, and the expulsion from 82 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. the country of some of his known followers, the county was troubled no more with the species of lawlessness that had for years prevailed to a greater or lesser extent. Counterfeit money passed out of circulation, likely young negroes ceased to disappear with systematic regularity, horses were seldom stolen and society generally changed for the better. This was not wholly due to the Regulators, but no one can deny that they con- tributed their mite toward it, and, together with the law, accomplished the grand result. There are a great many persons who still believe that Pennington and his gang had conceived the bold project of robbing the bank in Hopkinsville, and of murdering Mr. Rowland, the Cashier. Others scout the idea, and believe it to have originated through the fears and timidity of some of the more weak-kneed citizens. There is a tradi- tion that some one to whom the Regulators administered a liberal dose of " hickory oil " had "confessed " that there was a move on foot to rob the bank ; how it was to be accomplished, and when, and where some of the tools with which the deed was to be performed might be found. The tradi- tion goes on to say, that search was made, and the implements found accord- ing to the man's story. The skeptical, however, deny the whole matter, and say the man's confession was made merely to save his back from fur- ther torture. Morton Pennington, who escaped from the county when the " hue and cry " was raised against Alonzo, returned some years after the latter's exe- cution. The Regulators told him he might visit his father's family, and stay for a reasonable length of time, but he would not be permitted to remain permanently. But he loitered around the neighborhood, princi- pally at the house of Alonzo's widow, until at last she went to the Reg- ulators and requested them to drive him from the country, as she did not want his influence upon her children. They arrested him and tried him according to their rules and regulations, sentenced him to be whipped, executed the sentence, and ordered him to leave the country and never return, an order he promptly obeyed. — Perrin. HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 83 CHAPTER IV. The Early Court and Bar— Ninian Edwards— Kbzin Davidge— Will- iam B. Blackburn— Judges Wallace and Shackelford— Charles S. MoREHEAD— Joseph B. Crockett— James Breathitt— Eidelio Sharp —Daniel S. Hays— Edward Rumsey— The Pattons— Kobert Cole- man — The Henrys— McLakning, Grey, Ewing, Dozier and Others — Political History—" Wild Cat " Banks and Worthless Money— "Relief" and " Anti-Relief "—Exciting Times— Daniel Mayes- Young Ewing— Organizing Parties— Whigs and Democrats— The Republican Party— County Patronage— Winston J. Davie— Ben- jamin H. Bristow— Senators and Representatives— Gen. John M. Palmer— Joseph Duncan— Jefferson Davis, etc., etc. AT the time of the organization of the county there were no resident lawyers here. The legal machinery had all been put in working order and fully set in motion, before even the legal " circuit riders " came to gladden the hearts of the people with their plug hats and store clothes. But courts were a necessary evil, justice had to be administered, quarrels adjudicated, rows settled, men punished for swearing " by God " (as the quaint old records have it), and many other little things that could only be performed by this august body, and the judiciary, therefore, was an early institution. The first branch of the court organized was the Coun- ty Court, held by the Justices of the Peace, instead of by a County Judge as now. As noted in a preceding chapter, the first term was held in March, 1797, and we have no record of any other than this county, or Justices of the Peace's Court until in February, 1801, when was organ- ized the Court of Quarter Sessions. It was held by Hon. Samuel Hardin and Adam Lynn, Justices presiding. Two years later, by legislative en- actment, a Circuit Court was formed which superseded the Court of Quarter Sessions, and March 28, 1803, the first Circuit Court convened in Christian County, Samuel Hardin and James Wilson presiding Justices present. At this term of the court, Samuel Caldwell, Rezin Davidge, James H. McLaughlan, Matthew Lodge, John A. Cape, Robert Coleman and James H. Russell,* appear as attorneys, and Rezin Davidge is ap- pointed attorney for the commonwealth. At the second term of the Cir- cuit Court which was held in June, 1803, the Hon. Ninian Edwards was present as Judge, and Samuel Hardin and James Wilson, Assistant Judges. Ninian Mwards.—The eminent character o f this gentleman requires * The larger number of these attorneys were from abroad. 84 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. more than a passing mention, in fact, a sketch of the early courts and bar of Christian County would be imperfect without an extended notice of him and his many public services. He has left a record in two States that time cannot efface. As a lawyer, jurist and statesman he was pre- eminently great. For nearly forty years he devoted his best energies to the service of his country, wielding an influence exceeded by few of his day and time. At the period when Judge Edwards lived his most active life, the surroundings were such as we know little or nothing of now ex- cept by tradition. The pioneer people were rough, rude, simple, sincere, honest, warm-hearted and hospitable. In the young State were the two extremes, the rude simplicity, and the gifted, brilliant children of genius, and amid these surroundings Judge Edwards trod his pathway of life, the pure politician, lawyer and statesman. He was born in 1775, in Montgomery County, Md. His father, Benjamin Edwards, was a native of Virginia, and a man of considerable prominence, having served in the Maryland Legislature, in the State Con- vention which ratified the Federal Constitution, and also represented his Stiite in Congress from 1793 to 1795. Ninian Edwards graduated in Dickinson College, Pennsylvania. He studied law and medicine, and practiced the former with great success. He came to Kentucky in 1794, and devoted some time to the improvement of a farm in Nelson County, located by his father, and on which his father's family settled in 1800. He was elected to the Kentucky Legislature in 1796, and was re-elected at the expiration of his term. He removed to Russellville in 1798, where he soon became distinguished in his profession, and was successfal in the accumulation of property. Soon after the enactment of the law author- izing the formation of the Circuit Court he was appointed to the Circuit Bench, and as such presided over the second term of the Circuit Court held in Christian County ; in 1806 was elevated to the Court of Appeals, and in 1808 became Chief Justice of Kentucky, all before he had at- tained his thirty-second year. In 1804 he was Presidential Elector on the Jefferson ticket for the Second Congressional District. In 1809 Judge Edwards was appointed by President Madison Gov- ernor of the Illinois Territory, a position he occupied until 1816, and the duties of which he discharged with marked ability. In 1816 he was commissioned to treat with the Indians, and in 1818, when the State was admitted into the Union, he was elected to the United States Senate, serving until 1824, and soon after was elected Governor of the State. After the expiration of his gubernatorial term he retired to private life. Few men accomplished more, and filled more important stations in a life- time than did Gov. Edwards. As a criminal lawyer he had few equals. He was a man of commanding appearance, and fine address, and wielded HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 85 great power. He died July 20, 1833, at Belleville, St. Clair Co., 111., in the fifty eighth year of his age. Bezin Bavidge. — Among the early practitioners at the bar of Chris- tian County, none surpassed in profound legal attainments Rezin Dav- idge. He was a brilliant and forcible speaker, an excellent judge of law, and a faithful and conscientious attorney. Strength of mind and purity of purpose were his leading traits. In his profession of the law, these made him a great chancery lawyer, no doubt one of the ablest the county knew in the early period of its history. In that branch of the law prac- tice, that sometimes requires scheming and cunning diplomacy, he was neither great nor very successful, a proof that his nature was faithful and just, and that his integrity of mind was better adapted to the equity courts. Judge Davidge was a native of Maryland, born in Baltimore County about the year 1770, and came to Kentucky soon after its admission into the Union as a State. He died in Hopkinsville, at ninety-seven years of age, and sleeps in the beautiful cemetery adjacent to the city. He came of a noted and wealthy family, and received all the educational advantages afforded by the infant Republic, with a finishing course in Europe. Thus his mental cultivation had been extensive, and his reading of a wider range than the average young man was able to obtain. In early life he served as midshipman in the United States Navy, and distinguished him- self as a gallant young officer. He had read law before his visit to the old country, and after a stay there of a year or two, enjoying the advant- ages of wisdom derived from such men as Pitt and Fox, had returned home with a mind well trained in legal lore. When he came to Ken- tucky, he first located in Russellville, but shortly after the organization of Christian County he established himself in Hopkinsville, and was the first Commonwealth's Attorney, and appointed at the first term of the Circuit Court, March 28, 1803. He at once took rank at the very head of the profession, a position he ever maintained. In the stormiest period of Kentucky politics ever known, perhaps, when the minds of men were inflamed by threatened bankruptcy, conse- quent upon the financial pressure following the war of 1812, which had paralyzed the whole country. Judge Davidge was appointed by the Legis- lature a Judge of the Court of Appeals on the "New Court " question, as it was called. This was one of the mistakes of his life, and a blow to his popularity from which it never fully recovered. Although the popular wave of " relief," or " New Court," wafted him to high judicial position, and for a brief time swept everything before it, yet in receding it drew with it the strong condemnations of the large majority of the bar and the judiciary of the State. The stormy and tempestuous scenes of this period 86 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. are more fully described in the political history of the county, and are merely alluded to as an episode in the life of Judge Davidge. He, and his colleagues, William T. Barry, James Haggin and John Trimble, were never recognized, except by the New Court faction, as the Court of Ap- peals, and after a fitful and brief career as such, a new Legislature, hos- tile to the party that placed them in power, removed them, and the " Old Court" resumed sway. Upon the organization of a judicial district in "the Purchase," Judge Davidge was appointed to the Circuit bench, and moved to that section of the State about 1830-31. He removed from there to Livingston County, and afterward to Princeton, but finally re- turned to Hopkinsville, where the remainder of his life was spent. Judge Davidge was twice married. His first wife was a daughter of William Bell, of Bell's Tavern, who bore him two sons — Rezin and James — and who died about 1824 or 1825. He next married, in 1880, Martha C. Dallam, who still survives him. The result of his second marriage was two sons, Robert A. and Henry, and three daugh- ters, Mrs. Emma Brown, living in Hopkinsville ; Mrs. Martha Patton, of Mississippi; and Mrs. Judge Campbell, of Paducah. William B. Blackburn. — One of the first resident lawyers of Hop- kinsville, and one of the able men of the State, was William B. Black- burn. He came from Woodford County about 1799, a young lawyer just admitted to the bar. He remained four or five years, and during his stay made his home in the family of Bartholomew Wood, the pioneer of Hopkinsville. What his success was while practicing law here is not known, as there is no one here now who knew him then, and it is only through Col. Buckner, of Louisville, who served in-the Legislature with him many years later that any facts of him have been obtained. He final- ly returned to Woodford County probably about 1803, and for years was a prominent lawyer and politician there. He served in the Lower House of the Legislature from 1804 to 1816 inclusive, with the exception of 1808-09-10 ; and from 1825 to 1828 inclusive. He served in the Sen- ate in 1818-20, 1822-24, and 1832-34, and was an active member throughout his long term of service. He was a brother to Dr. Churchill Blackburn, of Covington, Ky., and a cousin of Edward M. Blackburn — the father of ex-Governor, and of Senator Joe Blackburn. He died about 1842 at bis home in Woodford County. William Wallace succeeded Judge Ninian Edwards upon the circuit bench, and held his first term of court for Christian County in March, 1807. Judge Wallace lived in Russellville, and was the Presiding Judge of the Circuit until 1815, when he was succeeded by Judge Benjamin Shackelford. But little is now remembered of his judicial service here, as he never lived in Christian County. One item, that may be of interest HISTORY OP CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 87 to many readers, is that the eldest brother of Hon. Jefferson Davis read law with Judge Wallace at Russellville. Benjamin Shackelford. — But few men of his day and time, a period when judges held office during good behavior, occupied the circuit bench longer than Judge Shackelford. For thirty-six years — more than the average of human life — he presided over the Circuit Court of this judi- cial district. And during that time fewer of hia decisions were reversed by the higher courts than of any judge, perhaps, in the State. Although making no parade of it. Judge Shackelford possessed in a full measure that absolute incorruptibility that insures purity in the administration of the law. His judgments were always distinctly marked with impartiali- ty and even-handed justice. He believed in those fundamental principles embodied in our organic law — that every person ought " to obtain right and justice freely, and without being obliged to purchase it," and that he ought " to find a certain remedy in the laws for all injuries and wrongs which he may receive in his person, property or reputation." More endur- ing than a monument of granite are the impartial acts of such a man. The questions discussed in the thirty-six years he was upon the bench are of the utmost importance, and are such as would naturally be expected to arise in that formative period of a rapidly growing State, and especially in one that has risen to the proportions of an empire in itself. He rests from his labors, but his name still lives, and is a synonym of official in- tegrity, purity and honesty. Judge Shackelford remained upon the circuit bench until the adop- tion of the new Constitution of the State, which made the office elective. He was a candidate at the first election for the position, but was defeated. His opponents were Hon. Henry J. Stites (now of Louisville), a Demo- crat, and Hon. Ninian E. Grey, a Whig. Judge Shackelford, also being a Whig, so divided the Whig vote between him and Mr. Grey that Mr. Stites was elected by a small majority. An article from the columns of the Kentucky Rifle (Hopkinsville)of May 24, 1851, shows the estimation in which Judge Shackelford was held by the people among whom he had lived so many years. It is as follows : Resolutions highly complimentary to Hon. Benjamin Shackelford, Presiding Judge of this circuit, were adopted by the Bar and Grand Jury, and presented to the Court yesterday evening. Judge Shackelford re- plied in an eloquent and impressive speech, which deeply moved his audi- tors, and during the delivery of which he was himself visibly affected. The Judge now leaves a bench upon which he has administered justice for about thirty-six years ; his hair has grown gray in the discharge of the dignified and delicate trust conferred upon him by the pat riot Shelby * * Isaac Shelby, then Governor of Kentucky for the second time. 88 HISTORY OF CHEISTIAN COUNTY. —yet to-day, the last of his official career, he can hand an unstained ermine to his successor, and proudly point to a long record whose purity is unblemished by a single blot of judicial corruption. He goes out of office with the regret and esteem of all who know him, and with a reputa- tion for honesty and integrity which is the true and crowning glory of all worthy and manly ambition in any department of public life, but espe- cially in the peculiarly important and trying duties of the judicial service. The following are the resolutions adopted by the Grand Jury : The Grand Jurors impaneled for the May term, 1851, of the Chris- tian Circuit Court, being the last term of said court under the judicial administration of Hon. B. Shackelford, who has so long presided over said court, deeming it proper to testify our regard for the Judge, have adopted the following resolutions : Resolved, That we hereby tender our sincere regard for the Hon. B. Shackelford, who is now about to retire from the judicial bench, and, in common with his friends and fellow-citizens generally, hereby testify our appreciation for the ability and impartiality which have characterized his long judicial career. Resolved, That we tender to his Honor our best wishes for his happi- ness and prosperity in his retiracy, hoping that his days' may still be long and characterized, as heretofore, by the esteem and high regard of the community in which he has filled a conspicuous and useful place. Resolved, That these resolutions be published in the papers of this Judicial District. Zach. Glass, John Anderson, Joseph P. Graves, B. B. Jones, Amos Gillum, Thomas Brown, Walker Carneal, Thomas P. Campbell, J. B. Gowen, Thomas C. Graves, David Anderson, Evan Hopson, David B. Boyd, George W. Newman, Neil McLean, Isaac Landes. Subjoined are the resolutions of the bar : Whereas, In the mutations incident to free government, it has fallen to the lot of the Hon. Benjamin Shackelford, Judge of the Seventh Judi- cial District of Kentucky, to vacate the station which he has occupied with honor to himself for thirty-six years, therefore, as this is a proper occasion to express our appreciation of his character and services : Re it Resolved, That the Hon. B. Shackelford, throughout his whole ofiBcial life, has manifested his opposition to tyranny and intolerance, his detestation of oppression and fraud ; has proven himself the friend of humanity, and has impartially and firmly discharged the duties of his office. Resolved, That, in retiring from the bench, he carries with him the respect and esteem of the profession, whose privilege it has been not only to know him on the bench, but to meet with him daily in the private HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 89 ntercourse of life— and their best wishes for his future health, prosperity and happiness. Resolved, That N. E. Gray, the present Representative of the Com- monwealth in this district, by his able discharge of the duties of his sta- tion, is entitled to the respect of the community. Resolved, That Richard Shackelford, former Clerk of this Court, by his courteous and accommodating deportment has won for himself the regard and esteem of all persons, as well lawyers as litigants having busi- ness in his office. Resolved, That these resolutions be presented by the Secretary in open court, with a request that they be entered on the record, and that he cause them to be published in the newspapers of this Judicial District. F. C. SHARP, Okairman. R. R. Lansden, Secretary. Judge Shackelford was born in King and Qweens Co., Va., April 24, 1780, and was a son of Benjamin Shackelford. He read law with his elder brother, Capt. John Shackelford, of Culpeper C. H., and was admitted to the bar in September, 1802 ; came to Kentucky the same fall, and located at Lexington, distinguished at that early day for its able bar. He practiced law in Fayette and the adjoining counties until 1806- 07, when he came to Christian County. Here he continued practice until appointed to the bench in 1815 by Gov. Shelby. Judge Shackelford was a fine looking man, six feet and two inches in height, and erect in figure. He married Frances P. Dallam, a daughter of Maj. Francis Dal- lam, of a prominent old Maryland family. Five children were born to them, three daughters and two sons. Of the latter, Richard Shackelford, at one time Circuit Clerk of Christian County, but for the past thirty years a practicing lawyer of N^w Orleans, and Dr. Charles Shackelford of Hopkinsville. Martha, the eldest daughter, married Samuel Shryock, Elizabeth married George Morris, who soon died, and she afterward married R. L. Waddill ; the other daughter died in infancy. Judge Shackelford died April 29, 1858, and is buried in Hopkinsville Cemetery. Charles S. Morehead. — As a lawyer, legislator and Governor of the Commonwealth Mr. Morehead was alike popular. He was born in Nelson County (this State) July 7, 1802. His education was begun in the schools of his county, but completed at Transylvania University, Lexing- ton, Ky., from which he graduated with honors. Upon the completion of his education, he located in Christian County, and commenced the practice of law in Hopkinsville. He was elected to the Legislature in 1828, and re-elected in 1829, In his first election, he received the almost unanimous support of the county, although his youth rendered him scarcely eligible to the office. When his second term expired, he removed 90 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. to Frankfort, which he deemed a more ample field for the practice of his profession. He was appointed Attorney General of Kentucky in 1832, and held the oflBce for five years. He was elected to the Legislature in 1838-39-40 in Franklin County, and at the last session was Speaker of the House. He was re-elected in 1841, and made Speaker, again in 1842 and in 1844, and for the third time elected Speaker. He was elected to Congress, serving from 1847 to 1851 ; was again sent to the Legislature, and in 1855 elected Governor of the State on the American or Know- Nothing ticket by a majority of 4,403 over his opponent, Beverly L. Clark. In 1859, at the expiration of his term as Governor, he removed to Louisville, and formed a law partnership with his nephew, C. M. Briggs, Esq. Such in brief is the record of Gov. Morehead. The foundation of his active life was laid, as it were, in Hopkinsville, and the people, both of the city and county, will ever entertain for him the highest regard and admiration as a man, a lawyer and a statesman. In every position of life to which he was elevated he gained distinguished honors. Firm and conscientious in all his views, and bold and fearless in their enuncia- tion, he always commanded the respect of those who honestly differed from him in his political faith. His personal experience, his education and his reason taught him the fallibility of human judgment, and the liability of honest and wise men to disagree upon almost every question of political philosophy in a government constituted as ours is ; and he claimed no charity for himself that he did not cordially extend to others. In all his public acts a sense of duty accompanied him, and disregarding selfish and personal considerations he unflinchingly obeyed its behests. In the spring of 1861, when dark clouds obscured our political horizon, he stood prominent among the conservatives of the State in laboring to avert war, and was a delegate from Kentucky to the " Peace Conference " at Washington in February, 1861. But notwithstanding his conservative course he was arrested and imprisoned in Fort Lafayette and Fort War- ren for several months, exposed to privation that materially hastened his death. He returned to his home in Louisville in January, 1862, but being assured that he would be again arrested he fled to Canada, and sub- sequently went to Europe. After the close of the war he was allowed to return to his plantation, near Greenville, Miss., where he died suddenly, December 23, 1868. He possessed vast wealth before the war, a con- siderable amount of which was in slaves. But this, as well as much of his other property, was lost through the fortunes or the misfortunes of war, and at his death he was comparatively poor. Joseph B. Croehett. — The following sketch was written by Hon. James F. Buckner, of Louisville, for the Kentucky New Era. Col. Buck- ner was a student of Mr. Crockett, and for several years his law partner. HISTORY OF CHRISriAN COUNTY. 91 hence no one is better qualified to write an impartial sketch of the man, and he pays a noble tribute to his old friend, partner and preceptor. He Joseph B. Crockett, the son of Col. Robert Crockett, was born in 1808, at Union Mills, in Jessamine County, Ky., and settled on a farm near Russellville. It was while Col. Crockett was pursuing the vocation of a farmer in Logan County that the son enjoyed the advantages of the tuition of Daniel Comfort, a gentleman who for many years taught a classical school in that vicinity, and to whom many of the most distin- guished men of that section were indebted for instruction. In the spring of 1827 he entered the University of Tennessee at Nashville, but in con- sequence of the straitened pecuniary condition of his father he was compelled to leave Nashville after having enjoyed the benefit of the Uni- versity for less than one year. When only nineteen years of age he came to Hopkinsville and entered upon the study of law in the office of Hon. Charles S. Morehead, who was then one of the most promising young attorneys of the State, and who was rapidly rising to distinction in his profession. Young Crockett was a close student, and displayed great energy and spared no labor to make himself useful to his preceptor, who was enjoying a large practice. His deportment was such as secured the esteem of the older members, of the profession, and soon the good opinion of the business community generally. In due time he was licensed and admitted to the bar. About 1830 he formed a partnership with Gustavus A. Henry, a brilliant association which continued for about two years, and until Mr. Henry removed to Tennessee, where he became very distinguished as an advocate and lawyer. Mr. Crockett succeeded to the entire business of the late firm of Henry & Crockett, and from close attention and his grow- ing reputation his business rapidly increased. He married the daughter of John Bryan, a respectable and influential citizen of Hopkinsville, and in the spring of 1833 he became a candidate for the Legislature, and in August was elected the Representative from the County of Christian. His general intelligence and business habits established him in the esti- mation of his fellow members as one of the leading members of the body. He became very popular in the House of Representatives, and his course was approved by his constituents at home. He declined a re-election, as the growing demands of his professional business forbade it. It was about this time that the writer, upon his invitation, entered his office as a student, and continued in that capacity until August, 1836, when they formed a partnership in the practice, which continued until 1840, when Mr. Crock- ett removed to the city of St. Louis. While the partnership existed the writer confined himself principally to the office, and to business in Chris- 92 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. tian County. Mr. Crockett's labors extended to all the counties of the district. The firm was successful in securing a fair share of business. In September, 1836, at a special election, he was chosen a Represent- ative for Christian County to fill the- vacancy caused by the death of Hon. George Morris, who died a few days after the regular election in August. The ability with which he discharged his duties as a Represent- ative left its impress upon the legislators of the State. On the termin- ation of the session, avowing his fixed determination not to be a candidate for re-election, and declining a nomination for Congress, he was induced by Gov. Clark to accept the appointment of Commonwealth's Attorney for the district. The position was laborious and brought him in contact with a bar distinguished for ability. But the interest of the Common- wealth lost nothing by being entrusted to his hands. His career as a prosecutor was brilliant and able. But the duties of a prosecutor were uncongenial to his tastes. He preferred being enlisted for the defense. Besides, the emoluments of the position were far short of what could be realized in the defense. After a period of two years he resigned, when he was thrown immediately into a larger and more profitable business, giving him more leisure to enjoy the comforts of home with his family. He immediately embarked in a lucrative practice, and was employed for the defense in the most important commercial cases arising in Southern and Western Kentucky. A man of high personal integrity, of engaging manners, well versed in the laws and discipline of the courts, and with a rich, chaste flow of language, I have always regarded Mr. Crockett one of the very ablest criminal lawyers I have ever known. On his removal to St. Louis, his reputation had preceded him, and his practice in the courts at St. Louis soon became large. Against the advice of many friends, he was induced to take charge of the political department of a prominent newspaper, the Intelligencer, in that city. He continued his connection with the paper for several years, and contributed much to es- tablish its influence. The labors of an editor in addition to the duties of his profession were too much for him, and very seriously affected his health. He was compelled to sever his connection with the newspaper. About this time, 1852, the Pacific coast attracted his attention. He brought his family back to Hopkinsville, among their relations, placing his children at school, and set out on a tour of exploration for business and recreation to the golden coast by way of Vera Cruz and the city of Mexico, San Diego to San Francisco. The effect of the trip was very beneficial to him. He was re-invigorated and his health was fully re- established. He opened an ofiice in that city, and his family soon followed him. He engaged actively in business, and soon found himself in the front rank of his profession. The bar of California was distin- HISTORY OP CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 93 guished for its learning and great ability. The rare advantages of the golden State had drawn to its chief city many of the most brilliant, learned and ambitious men of the East. No one ever made the acquaintance of Mr. Crockett, cither profession- ally or in private life, who did not become deeply attached to him. His kindness of heart and generous courtesy compelled all to love him. These traits of character made him universally popular, and his learning and talent gave him high standing with his professional brethren. Gwin Page, of Louisville, (who had been his fellow-student at Hopkinsville, in the of- fice of Gov. Morehead) upon his invitation went to California and formed a partnership with him. They continued for some time in a pleasant and lucrative practice, but it was dissolved in consequence of the failing health and death of Mr. Page. Upon the death of Judge Shapter, of the Su- preme Court, Mr. Crockett was appointed by the Governor to fill his un- expired term. At the succeeding election the people elevated him to the position which he had previously held by appointment. This office he filled for twelve years, having reached the Chief Justiceship, and re- tired in 1880, owing to general infirmity. His life gradually wasted away, when he died in the winter of 1883-84, surrounded by his family, within sound of the surf of the Pacific. The high character for personal and professional integrity which distinguished his early life in Kentucky followed him to Missouri and California, and marked his career as an ele- gant gentleman, a brilliant lawyer, an able, just and upright judge. The following incident from another source, and illustrative of his career while living in Hopkinsville, is related of Judge Crockett : In the year 1838, the celebrated case of the Commonwealth against Barkley for killing Cuvilier, was tried in the Christian Circuit Court, in which case Elijah Hise, of Russellville, and J. B. Crockett, through sympathy for a poor and (as they believed) greatly wronged man, volunteered their serv- ices to defend Barkley without fee. The reputation of Elijah Hise as an able lawyer is such that I need only say of him, he entered heartily into the defense, and perhaps never showed his great powers as an advo- cate to better advantage than then. And gifted as Joseph B. Crockett had previously shown himself to be, he on that occasion astonished his friends and the court and led the jury captive by argument and eloquence, and not only contributed materially to the acquittal of the accused, but by his great effort, young as he then was, placed himself in the front rank of the able lawyers then practicing at the bar. John W. Crockett studied law ih the office of Crockett & Buckner, in Hopkinsville, and left here in 1839. He went to Hickman, Ky., and remained there for a time, but returned to Hopkinsville and spent several years, and then removed to Henderson, Ky., where he died some ten 94 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. years ago. He was an able lawyer, but scarcely the equal of his brother, Judge Crockett. James Breathitt.— Ur. Breathitt was born in Virginia and came to Kentucky when very young. His father, William Breathitt, settled in Logan County in 1800, when southern Kentucky was little else than a wilderness. He was a highly respected citizen, though of limited wealth, and hence was unable to give his children collegiate educations. His eld- est son, John Breathitt, became a prominent man, and served his State in many high and important positions. He was elected Lieutenant-Governor in .1828, and in 1832 Governor of the Commonwealth, but died before the expiration of his term. James read law, either with his brother or with Judge Wallace, of Logan County, and soon after his admission to the bar came to Hopkinsville and entered upon the practice of his chosen profes- sion. He was twice married — first to Miss Elizabeth Short, a daughter of Peyton Short. She died, and he afterward married Gabrielle Harvie, daughter of Hon. John Harvie, of Frankfort, and a native of Virginia. Mr. Breathitt diedin 1839, before he had passed the meridian of life, and his only surviving child is Maj. Breathitt, the present County Clerk. Mr. Breathitt was a member of the Hopkinsville bar at a time when it was considered one of the ablest in Southern Kentucky, and comprised such men as Crittenden, Davidge, Solomon P. and Fidelio Sharp, More- head, Mayes, Crockett, Henry, and a host of other lesser luminaries. For many years he was Commonwealth's Attorney, under that pattern of old fidelity. Judge Shackelford, and in the discharge of his ofiicial duties was often pitted against some of the ablest lawyers of the period. That he proved himself a "foeman worthy of their steel" is evidenced by his long term of service as public prosecutor. Mr. Breathitt was an excellent lawyer in all branches of the profession, but excelled perhaps as a crim- inal lawyer. He was elected to the Legislature and served in the sessions of 1818-19, with considerable distinction, though at the time rather young. He was originally a Democrat, but afterward became a Henry Clay Whig. He made a race for Congress on that platform, but was defeated. His death, before he was fifty years of age, was a severe loss to his county and to the State. FideKo C. Sharp. — Perhaps no member of the early bar of Hopkins- ville became more distinguished in a certain branch of the practice than Fidelio Sharp. He came here from Logan County, the cradle of the Southern Kentucky bar, as Greece was the cradle of art and civilization. Although a man of limited education, he was one of the most profound lawyers, in his specialty, of all his cotemporaries. While legal docu- ments that emanated from his pen were scarcely models of literary execu- tion and accuracy, yet they possessed the rare merit of saying just what HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 95 was meant. His speeches were dry, but his pronunciation and emphasis had a peculiarity that rendered them amusing as well as interesting to his hearers. As a " land lawyer " he was probably without an equal in the Christian County bar. In those days there was considerable trouble re- garding land titles, involving much litigation, and to this branch of the legal profession he gave the closest attention, familiarizing himself with its every detail. In land suits, the side upon which Fidelio Sharp ap- peared was usually the winner. Many incidents and anecdotes of his life and practice might be given which would be read with interest, but space will scarcely permit. He married Miss Evalina Johnson, and has a soii still living in Hopkinsville. He died here years ago. Daniel S. Hays. — In many respects Gen. Hays was a remarkable man. He was a landmark in the times in which he lived. Few men possessed more noble and generous qualities, but with these were mingled some not altogether free of criticism. He was the friend and the attorney for widows and all poor people, and defended their cases without the " hope of fee or reward " with as much zeal as if large sums of gold depended upon his success. He was kind, just, accommodating, generous, whole- souled, but withal egotistical, ostentatious and vain. A small man, scarce- ly weighing a hundred pounds, yet in his own estimation he towered a giant in size and strength. His sympathies were aroused by the distress of the poor and helpless, and the woes of suffering humanity touched his pity, and awoke all the tenderness of his great heart. Col. Buckner, in a communication to the writer, pays him an elegant tribute when he say s he was the " attorney for widows and all poor people." It is a sentence that speaks more than the mere words imply, and if his vanity and ego- tism were wont to crop out at times, they never overshadowed his better acts and deeds. Gen. Hays was born in Virginia about the year 1796, and was a sol- dier under Gen. Jackson at New Orleans. He located in Hopkinsville in 1816, and became a permanent citizen of the place, and died here in 1868. He studied law, was appointed a Justice of the Peace under the old Constitution, and in the regular course of succession became High Sheriff of the County. He was at one time City Judge, Surveyor, Insur- ance Agent, General Agent for Pensions, and a public-spirited citizen. He was elected Major-General in the Kentucky militia, and the State presented him a handsome and valuable sword. A gentleman relates the following incident which will illustrate the General's vanity: Once, upon the occasion of a public display and " turn out " in Hopkinsville, ia which the gentleman above referred to bore a prominent part, and who, by the way, is a man full six feet high and over 200 pounds in weightj^went to the General to borrow his fine sword for the parade. The General readi- 96 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. ly let him have it, and agreed to bring it to him when he came from his dinner. True to his promise he brought it to the gentleman, who taking it remarked, " General, |;hi8 belt will be rather small for me, won't it?" " Oh, no," replied the General, with a Napoleonic air, "it is full large for me," thus comparing himself to the two-hundred-pounder, by the side of whom he appeared but a pigmy. But the really kind old General lived out the measure of his days, did a great deal of good in the world and but little harm, and died at a ripe old age. James Cravens was a lawyer here in the early history of the times, but is now forgotten by almost every living man. Where, how or when he obtained his legal education no one knows — perhaps no one cares. He was really not recognized by other attorneys, who considered him but a shy- ster and pettifogger, and his practice consisted more in advice to the rough characters than in the courts. He was not related to the large family of Cravenses then living in the county, and of whom there are still many descendants. He finally left here and went to Western Tennessee, and several years later Judge Long met with him, and learned that he had be- come a. respected and highly esteemed man, and a preacher or exhorter. He was afterward elected City Judge of Memphis, a position he filled sat- isfactorily and with credit. Edward Rumgey. — A master spirit of the early bar of Chris- tian County, whose reputation for candor and honesty, coupled with a clear sense of justice, won for him a name and fame untarnished by a single unworthy act — this was Edward Rumsey. He was born in 1800, in Botetourt County, Va., and was a son of Dr. Edward Rumsey, who came to Christian County when young Edward was but a child. He was educated under Barry, one of the famous classicists of Kentucky, and af- terward studied law with Hon. John J. Crittenden, who became his life- long friend. He settled in Greenville, Ky., and practiced his profession in all the adjoining counties with eminent success. Mr. Rumsey was no less a statesman than a lawyer. His natural qualifications to shine in public life were much impaired by his excessive diffidence and timidity, which at times rendered him almost morbidly sensitive. To this fact may doubtless be attributed the loss to the public service of one of the most refined and brilliant men of the times. At the earnest solicitation of his friends, he became a candidate for the Legislature in 1822, and though but twenty- two years of age was elected. During the session, which was a stormy one, involving the " relief" and " anti-relief" measures, he be- came a leader, and made a most favorable impression by his earnestness, modesty, and uncommon ability. He was elected to Congress, in 1837, by the almost unanimous vote of his district. While in Congress he made the famous speech on the resolution recognizing his uncle's claim HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, 97 (James Rumsey's) to the invention of the steamboat, and bestowing on his blind and only surviving son a gold medal, as a mark of such recognition. His two children died of scarlet fever while he was in Congress, and no argument of his friends and constituents could ever induce him to again enter public life. From this stroke to his domestic happiness he never fully recovered. The breaking out of the civil war brought with it new calamities. He loved his country next to his children, but he believed that the General Government had no right to coerce a State. He sur- vived the war, but grief and apprehension aided greatly in breaking the thread of his life, and he died in April, 1868, deeply regretted. No more gentle and fine strung nature than Mr. Rumsey's ever existed. He was brave and manly, but feminine in gentleness. He led a singu- larly pure and honorable life, and died universally esteemed and beloved by all who knew him. He was married, in 1832, to Miss Jane M. Wing, a lady of rare culture and refinement, and of the most gentle and unselfish nature. Benjamin W. Patton. — Mr. Patton came to Hopkinsville from Clark County, this State, and was a son of Matthew Patton, an early settler, who emigrated from Maryland. Benjamin had received a liberal educa- tion, and graduated in the law before he came to Christian, but with whom he studied his profession is not known. He was a brilliant man and an able lawyer, and in his brief professional life he acquired a repu- tation second to no practitioner at the Hopkinsville bar. He was a fine orator, thoroughly versed in the law, and but for his early death would have made his mark in the profession he had chosen. He died in 1825, at the age of thirty-seven years, and, as was said of another, " He died ere he reached his prime." Col. Buckner, of Louisville, is authority for the fact that he was appointed a Judge of the " New Court " of Appeals, and upon his death was succeeded by Rezin Davidge, but of this we have no official information. David S. Patton was a brother to Benjamin, and read law with him after they came to Hopkinsville. He was a good lawyer and a good man, but scarcely the equal of his brother in native talent. He possessed courage to act as duty prompted and as his reason guided, and this sometimes made him unpopular with a certain class. He served in the Legislature from 1830 to 1831, and afterward moved to Paducah, where he died in 1837, in the prime of life. Mr. Patton edited the first newspaper — the Kentucky Repuhlican — ever published in Christian County, and was an able and forcible writer. Robert Coleman. — One of the pioneer lawyers of the Christian bar — and he was a pioneer in the full sense of the word — was Robert Coleman, " old Bob Coleman," as his friends called him. He was licensed toprac- 98 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. tice law at the first term of the Circuit Court held in Hopkinsville. He lived in the eastern part of the county, in what is now Todd County, and when he came " to court " at Hopkinsville, he always brought his dinner of " corn-dodgers " and bacon in his saddle-bags, to save the expense of a meal at the tavern. He is said to have been penurious and grasping, and was what was called in those days a "land shark." He never had much reputation as a lawyer, and his practice was confined chiefly to pettifogging in small cases. Many incidents and anecdotes are told of him. He died thirty years or more ago. Robert P. Henry. — The son of a Revolutionary soldier and the rep- resentative of a distinguished family was Robert P. Henry. He was born in 1788 in Scott County, Ky., where his father. Gen. William Henry, had settled among the first in that region. He graduated in Transylvania University at Lexington, and studied law with Henry Clay. In 1809 he was admitted to the bar, and the same year was appointed Commonwealth's Attorney for the district. He served in the war of 1812 as aid to his father, with the rank of Major. In 1811 he married Miss Gabriella F. Pitts, of Georgetown, Ky., and some years after the close of the war of 1812 he removed to Christian County, where he continued to reside to the end of his life. Soon after he came to Hopkinsville he was appointed Commonwealth's Attorney, a position he filled with ability. He was elected to Congress from this district in 1823, and re-elected in 1825. As a member of the Committee on " Roads and Canals " was instrumental in obtaining the first appropriation ever granted for the improvement of the Mississippi River. While in Con- gress he was appointed a Judge of the Court of Appeals, an honor he declined. He died suddenly before the close of his second congressional term, and before he had hardly reached the prime of life. As a lawyer, Mr. Henry was positive in his positions when taken. He rapidly gained a practice, which steadily increased until he entered the political field. He was a good pleader, and his address to a jury was always clear, logical and often eloquent. His mental organization was of a fine texture, and eminently fitted him for a high rank in the legal pro- fession. Though he died young, he lived long enough to win reputation as a lawyer and fame as a statesman. Gustavus A. Henry, a younger brother of Robert P, Henry, a native of Scott County, was born in 1803. His education was completed in Transylvania University, and after graduating in the law he removed to Hopkinsville, where he soon rose to distinction in the profession. He was married, in 1833, to Miss Marian McClure, and shortly afterward re- moved to Clarksville, Tenn., where he attained high rank as a lawyer. Ninian E. Grey was a well-known lawyer and politician. He came HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 99 from Elkton, Ky., and died in Hopkinsville in 1861. He was a member of the Legislature in 1837, and of the State Senate in 1843 ; was a member of the Constitutional Convention that framed the present State Constitution in 1849, and it is said was always ready and willing for office of any kind and at any time. He was for a time Commonwealth's Attorney, and was a good lawyer and a successful one. He was an earnest and zealous advocate. His literary and legal education were both liberal, and when fully aroused he was a formidable adversary in a lawsuit. He enjoyed a large practice, and was justly esteemed by those who knew him. JoTin McLaming. — About the year 1889-40 John McLarning came to Hopkinsville from Barren County, Ky., and entered upon the practice of law, having been admitted to the bar before he came here. He attained great popularity as a lawyer, and the fact of his having been Commonwealth's Attorney in the famous Alonzo Pennington trial, and succeeding in securing the conviction of that noted criminal, but added to his fame. He was a fine special pleader, and very quick to detect faults in the pleadings of his opponents, and his perfect familiarity with legal technicalities won for him an extensive practice. He was an excellent stump speaker, a Whig in politics, and is said to have been the only man ever able to worry Judge Hise in a political debate ; Hise used to call him that d Irishman. He was elected to the Legislature and served in the Lower House from 1843 to 1848, and proved himself as good a legis- lator as a lawyer. Mr. McLarning was of Irish descent, a bachelor, and at times drank to excess. He died very suddenly, being found one morn- ing dead in his bed. Robert L. Waddill read law with Hon. Matthew Mayes, of Cadiz, Ky., and after his admission to the bar he located in Hopkinsville. He was a fine looking man, and made a favorable impression upon all with whom he came in contact by his gentlemanly bearing and command- ing appearance. He was a good lawyer, and soon acquired a lucrative practice. With the Kentuckian's love of excitement, he entered the political field, and was elected a representative in the Legis- lature in 1839. Was again elected in 1843, and again re-elected in 1844. A few years later he made the race for Congress, but was defeated. This cooled his ardor somewhat, and he retired from poli- tics and returned to his law practice. About 1852-53, he removed to Texas, and became a Circuit Judge in that State. He married Mrs. Mor- ris, widow of Hon. George Morris, and a daughter of Judge Shackelford, of Hopkinsville, a very estimable lady. Judge Waddill died in Texas some ybars ago. W. W. Fry was a fine lawyer, not especially brilliant, but distin- guished more as a good judge of law than for fine oratorical ability. He 100 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. was wholly devoted to his profession, and mingled but little among the people. He was a candidate once for the Legislature, and was defeated, it is said, because nobody knew him. His repugnance to mixing with " the boys " and dispensing liquid hospitality among the voters rendered him an unpopular candidate and accomplished his defeat. He married Miss Maria Davidge, a daughter of Judge Davidge, and removed to Lou- isville, where he died, respected by a large circle of friends. John G. Page read law with Gov. Morehead, in Hopkinsville, and was a fellow student with Judge Crockett. He was a genial, whole-souled man, fine looking, being over six feet high and straight as an Indian. He was successful as a lawyer, and rising rapidly in his profession, when he removed to Louisville. He then formed a partnership with W. W. Fry, who had also removed to Louisville from Hopkinsville. The friend- ship engendered between him and Judge Crockett when fellow law students, continued through life, and when Judge Crockett removed to California, at his earnest solicitation Mr. Page joined him there. They formed a law partnership in San Francisco, which continued until the death of the latter. James I. Dozier came to Hopkinsville from Muhlenburg County, a licensed lawyer, but it is not known now where he was originally from. He was a sprightly, active man intellectually, and a good criminal lawyer, but of no great reputation m other branches of the profession ; indeed, many pronounced him rather hypocritical, at times disposed to overlook acquaintances. His corporeal rotundity was such as to render him quite noted, and like all fat men he was social, genial, lazy and good natured ; he is still remembered by most of the older citizens as a man who delighted in having a few companionable spirits about him, whom he could regale by the hour with "romances " that would have totally obscured Joe Mulhatton, had he lived in that day. He was a great admirer of Judge Davidge, though upon what psychological principle it is diflBcult to say, unless it be that attraction that often springs up between characters diametrically opposite. The following incident is related of an occurrence that took place in an adjoining county : Mr. Dozier and Judge Davidge were engaged in a rather important case, and were opposed by Joe Hise, of Russellville. When Mr. Hise arose to speak, he paid a very handsome tribute to Judge Davidge, spoke of him as the " father of the law," as a man of the most " exalted wisdom," etc., and continuing said : " And there is my friend Dozier ; he too, is a great man, a very great man ! but, gentlemen of the jury, I leave it for you to say whether it is in body or mind." He was the father-in-law of Gen. Lovell H. Rousseau, a brave and gallant oflScer in the United States Army in the late war. James W. Ewing was a nephew of the noted pioneer politician — Young HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 101 Ewing. His mother was a sister of James and Gov. Breathitt. He was born and reared in Logan County, and studied law there, and was admit- ted to the bar before he came to this county. He was a brilliant and able speaker, and, had he lived, would have made a fine criminal lawyer. He was Commonwealth's Attorney at the time of his death, which occurred in 1834, in the prime and vigor of manhood. Robert McKee was a native of Garrard County. He spent a consider- able time in the ofiSce of his brother, who was Circuit Clerk of that county, and hence, is what might be called a clerk's office lawyer, as upon the strength of the experience thus obtained principally, he was admitted to the bar. He did not enter into practice immediately after locating here, and it was said that Miss Eliza, daughter of Fidelio C. Sharp, was the attraction that originally brought him here, and whom he-afterward married. He was a nephew of Gov. Letcher, and a man of sound practical sense, but a little disposed at times to recklessness. In the late war he took sides with the Confederacy, and set out to recruit a regiment, but the Federal forces interfered, and dispersed the recruits. McKee and others fled South, and he was finally captured in Western Tennessee, sent North and died there, in one of the military prisons. Thomas Chilton, lawyer, politician and preacher, was at one time a practicing lawyer in Hopkinsville. He lived here from 1836 to about 1840, and preached often, as well as following the law. He was an able man and a polished gentleman, and was successful as a lawyer, having great power over a jury. Tall, spare, lank, with light hair, and a fine, well-poised head, he carried everything before him. He went to Alabama about 1840, and died there. George W. Barbour engaged in the practice of law late in life. He had been a merchant and failed in business, and afterward took up the law; he is represented as a good lawyer, and successful both as a defender and a prosecutor, vehement and earnest in his address to a jury. He married a Miss Todd, and had several children, but none of them are now living in the county. This comprises a sketch of the early bar of Christian County — of those old lawyers and judges who have passed to that final court, whose ver- dicts are never set aside, and from whose decisions there is no appeal — so far as we have been able to learn its history. We have sketched no mem- bers of the court and bar who are yet living, but have given our attention to those who are dead. There are a number of men, bright and shining lights, who have in the past been members of the Hopkinsville bar, but have left for other fields of labor, in which they have made their mark. Notably among these are Hon. Benjamin H. Bristow, ex-Secretary of the United States Treasury, Col. James F. Buckner, formerly Collector of 102 HISTOET OF CHEISTIAN COUNTY. Internal Revenue, Fifth District of Kentucky, Hon. Henry J. Stites, Judge of the Common Pleas Court at Louisville, Richard Shackelford, of New Orleans, Livingston Lindsey, ex-Chief Justice of Texas,- now a resi- dent of La Grange, Texas, Asher G. Caruth, Commonwealth's Attorney at Louisville, and perhaps many others whose names do not now occur. To Col. Buckner and Judge Stites we are indebted for many facts pertaining to some of those whose names appear in this chapter, and to. them we tender thanks for their courtesy. To write the history of the bar from the organization of the county to the present time and sketch all its mem- bers, living as well as dead, would occupy more spacei than can be given to the subject in a work of this character. It was necessary to draw a line somewhere, and we draw it between the living and the dead. A val- uable and interesting work for some literary genius to undertake, would be a history of the Christian County bar, from its beginning,, with char- acter sketches of all its members. The present bar of Hopkinsville has lost nothing of the high character that distinguished it in the earlier history of the county. But the limits of this chapter, as we have stated, will allow of no more than this brief al- lusion. Sketches of its present members, however, will be found in the biographical department of this volume, and anything here would be but repetition. Political History. — For a decade or two after the birth of the county there was but little party strife to disturb the equanimity of the people. The old Federal party, which had bitterly opposed President Jefferson and his official acts, had become extinct through the exciting events of the war of 1812. The war measures of President Madison were generally and even earnestly supported by the people throughout the country, and nowhere more zealously than in Kentucky, as evidenced by the great number of her best men sent into the army. But the close of the war found the country in a deplorable condition financially, and from the de- pressing circumstances incident thereto, arose the first political storms seriously felt in Christian County. A newspaper recently said of us, in derision, perhaps, that " Kentuckians are too fond of talking politics to kill off anybody who can talk on the other side — they would rather keep him to argue with. Give a Kentuckian a plug of tobacco and a political antagonist, and he will spend a comfortable day wherever he is." But during the ten years from 1816 to 1826, it required a little more than a plug of tobacco to maintain peace and harmony in Kentucky, and no cor- rect political history of the county can be written without some notice of the excitement of that stormy period, when " relief" and "anti-relief," and " old court " and "new court " werethe watchwords, and the " battle- cry " from one end of the State to the other. No greater political excite- HISTORY OP CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 108 ment, or party strife and hatred, unless we except the turbulent times of 1861-65, ever disturbed a community or harassed a people. Men de- bated the questions at issue, quarreled over them, fought for them, and not unfrequently lives were sacrificed to the fury of the times. The overwhelming cry of the people was relief from debt, and the Legislature at a single session chartered forty independent banks, with an aggregate capital of nearly ten million of dollars. They were per- mitted by law to redeem their notes with the paper of the Bank of Ken- tucky, then in good credit, instead of specie. The result of such a wholesale scheme was to flood the State with the paper of these " wild- cat" banks, and it required little prophetic wisdom to foresee the conse- quences that would inevitably follow. As a sample of its value, and the estimation in which this money was held, we copy from the Kentucky Republican (published at Hopkinsville) of September 15, 1821, a couplet or two — a little satirical — said to have been found on the reverse side of a fifty-cent note of one of the new Kentucky banks. The lines are cred- ited to a Knoxville (Tennessee) paper, and are as follows: "An infant I, of spurious birth, Am by a parent usher' d forth, To travel throagh this world of care. From hand to hand, the world knows where. But Jasper, Paris, and Will Fox, A trio who deserve the stocks, Have come in company here with me. To greet their kin in Tennessee. And should my presence make you blush. You set the example ; hush, friend, hush ! " And the following lines, discovered on the back of a two-dollar bill of the Hopkinsville Bank, appear in the same paper : " My parentage I well may boast. Although I had no mother ; Of friends I had a numerous host. And Pelix is my brother I By legislative's cunning hand I first got absolution ; And now I travel through the land. Against the Constitution." Large loans of this almost worthless money were rashly made and rashly expended, speculation ran riot, and the people became more hope- lessly involved in debt than ever before. Soon the pressure became simply terrible. At the legislative session of 1819-20, an act was passed giving the power to replevy debts twelve months, instead of three, and a subsequent act extended the time to two years. If this was a relief to the debtors, it naturally enraged the creditors, who were thus deprived of 104 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. collecting claims due them. The State was upon the verge of bank- ruptcy, and financial anarchy preva iled. This crisis led to the formation of the "relief," and "anti-relief" parties, and arrayed creditors and debtors against each other. In the relief party were the mass of debtors, and among the leaders were some of the most brilliant lawyers of the time, such as John Rowan, William T. Barry, and Solomon P. Sharp — the latter well known in Christian County, and Rezin Davidge, one of the first resident lawyers of Hopkinsville. The party was strongly countenanced by Gen. Adair, then Governor, and its ranks were swelled by a large majority of the voting population. With the anti-relief party were nearly all the mercantile class, a maj ority of the bench and bar of the State, and also a majority of the better class of farmers. George Robertson, afterward Chief Justice of Kentucky, Robert Wicklifie and Chilton Allan were leaders in the anti-relief party, and between the two parties "an angry conflict commenced in the newspapers, upon the stump, in the taverns and highways," which gradually invaded the most private and domestic circles. The power of the Legislature to pass such relief acts was disputed, and when a case came up in the Circuit Court, it was decided unconsti- tutional by the decision of the Judge in favor of the anti-relief party. Then it was that the storm grew dark, and threatened to burst in its fury. But in the midst of the trouble, all eyes turned to the decision of the Supreme Court, then composed of John Boyle, Chief Justice, and William Owsley and Benjamin Mills, Associate Judges. The question came before them in the case of Lapsley vs. Brashear, and in their opinion they sustained the decision of the Circuit Court, declaring the act of the Legislature in violation of the Constitution of the United States, in that clause which prohibited the States from passing any law impairing the obligation of contracts. This decision of the Supreme Court but fanned the flame, and the conflict of parties was renewed with greater fury than before. The judiciary then held their ofBces during good behavior, and nothing less than two-thirds of both houses of the Legislature could re- move them. The canvass of 1824 was entered upon with the hope and the determination to obtain this majority. Never, perhaps, in the annals of Kentucky politics, did partisan strife run higher. Gen. Joseph Desha was the relief candidate for Governor, and was elected by an overwhelm- ing majority, with a large majority in both houses of the Legislature. The three Judges, Boyle, Owsley and Mills, who had dared to oppose the will of the majority, were summoned before the legislative bar, and there assigned reasons at length for their decision. They were replied to by Rowan, Bibb and Barry, and a vote at length taken, but the constitutional two-thirds could not be obtained. HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 105 The minority exulted in the victory of the Judges, but their adver- saries were too much inflamed to be diverted from their purposes by ordi- nary impediments. Although their majority was not sufficient to remove the judges by impeachment or address, yet they could repeal the act by which the Court of Appeals had been organized, and then pass an act to organize it anew, as this would only require a bare majority. A bill to this effect was drawn up, and, after a three days' debate, characterized by the most intense bitterness, it passed both houses. A new Court of Ap- peals was organized, consisting of four Judges, viz., William T. Barry, Chief Justice, and John Trimble, James Haggin and Bezin Davidge, Associate Justices. They took forcible possession of the records of the Court, appointed a Clerk, and thus proclaimed themselves the Court of Appeals. It was from this circumstance that arose the title of " Old Court " and "New Court " parties. The great majority of Circuit Judges continued to obey the mandates of the old Court, as well as a great major- ity of the bar of Kentucky. A few Circuit Judges, however, recognized the new Court, while still a few others obeyed both, declining to decide which was the true Court. Thus matters stood in 1825, when the canvass opened for the Legisla- ture. In Christian County, Daniel Mayes was put forward by the Old Court party, and Nathan S. Dallam by the New Court. This is repre- sented as the bitterest political campaign the county has ever known in all the eighty- seven years of its existence. The questions were ably dis- cussed by Mayes and Dallam from the stump, and partisan feeling was excited to such a pitch that the coolest heads feared a collision between parties. The elections then were held for three days, and the people never thought of going to the polls without their guns, and prepared for any emergency. But a spark would have touched off the magazine, and the fray once begun, there is no telling now what might have been the result. As much as the storm threatened, however, it passed by without bursting upon the county, and when the election was over, the people as with one accord drew a long breath, and congratulated each other upon the scarce- ly hoped for result. No such turbulent times had ever before disturbed the county ; no such bitter political contest has since excited partisan dis- cord among the masses. Mayes, the Old Court candidate, was elected, and after the election was over, the excitement subsided. Daniel Mayes, the victorious candidate in this celebrated contest, was one of the ablest lawyers of the early bar of Hopkinsville, a peer of John J. Crittenden, Solomon P. Sharp, Benjamin Patton, Rezin Davidge and other giant intellects of that day. He was cold, distant, and somewhat exclusive in his associations, rarely mingling with his neighbors. He would pass from his residence to his office and from his office to his resi- 106 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. dence and never look to the right or to the left, or speak to any one unless first spoken to. But he was a man of undoubted intellect and ability, though not a politician or party schemer. As regarded political intrigue he was as innocent as a child, and we have no record of his further pub- lic service than his election to the legislature in 1825, except as a Judge of the Circuit Court. He went to Frankfort to fill his seat in the Gen- eral Assembly of the State, and never returned to Hopkinsville to reside. When his term as legislator expired he located in Lexington, where he was appointed Judge of the Fayette Circuit Court and Professor of Law in Transylvania University ; he removed to Mississippi in 1838, and died in 1840 in the city of Jackson, of that State. Mr. Mayes' father lived in Christian County, near Hopkinsville, and was quite an early settler ; he had three sons, all lawyers — Daniel, Mat- thew and Richard. The latter, the youngest, is said to have been the most brilliant of the trio, which is a high compliment to his ability, when is remembered Daniel Mayes and his practice at the Christian bar. Mat- thew Mayes located in Cadiz, grew enormously wealthy, and died there. Richard removed to the " Purchase," where he died a good many years ago. Young Ewing. — In gone-by years no man took a more active and conspicuous part in the political afiairs of the county than the Hon. Young Ewing, one of the backwoods politicians who flourished in the early days of the Commonwealth. He was a true pioneer and hunter, as everybody else was then ; a surveyor, politician and statesman, and in his Protean capacity he usually had his hands full. He came to Christian county just at a time when he was most needed. An unorganized com- munity of people had, by an act of the Legislature, been placed unto themselves, and there was a demand for men competent to do the work of putting the infant municipality upon its feet. Col. Ewing was a man adapted to the emergency, and took as naturally to the official harness as a duck to the water. He was the first Circuit Clerk of the Court, and for a quarter of a century or more he served the people in one position or another, and if he did not do much for the county it did a great deal for him. He had once commanded a regiment against the Indians, and though the campaign was a bloodless one, yet his military record wafted him into office over all opposition, just as such things sometimes happen at the present day. It is told of him, but the story may be taken with some allowance, that always when a candidate, particularly if the cam- paign waxed hot, and his election appeared at all doubtful, the Colonel would be seen at public gatherings hobbling about with a cane or with an arm in a sling, complaining loudly of the hardships of a soldier's life. But no sooner was he assured of his election than away went his cane, to be seen no more until again needed on a similar occasion. HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 107 in as The name of Col. Ewing appears in the records of Logan County 1792 as one of the first three magistrates for that county, and in 1795 „„ a Representative in the State Legislature. When he came there or where he was from are questions the most diligent investigation haa failed to solve. It is to be regretted that so little is known or car. be learned of his early life, as anything pertaining to so prominent a character could not but be of interest to the reader. He is believed to have been a native of the Old Dominion, and the elements of statesmanship he developed naturally point to him as a son of the « Mother of Presidents." From the humble office of magistrate he essayed and accomplished dizzy flights to higher positions, which he filled time and again. He was above the majority of his associates in intellect, but somewhat careless and indiffer- ent in the use of the King's English when pouring forth from the stump one of his hot political campaign speeches. He came among the simple pioneers of Christian County, and waked the echoes of the primeval forests with his rude wild eloquence, and rode in triumph into the affections of the voters to that extent that he is not known to have been defeated but once in a political contest. The following entries appear in the early court records : " The line between Logan and Christian Counties was run by Young Ewing and his deputy, Nicholas Lockett, on the part of Christian, and William Read- ing, Surveyor for Logan County, August 22, 1797." "Young Ewing was allowed .£14 12s. for running the dividing line between Logan and Christian Counties." In addition to having been a surveyor and the first Clerk of the county, he was cashier of the first bank established in Hop- kinsville. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention held in Frankfort, August 17, 1799, and which framed the second Constitution of the State. In the year 1800 his name first appears as a member of the Legislature from Christian County. He was elected again in 1801 and re-elected in 1802, and again elected in 1806 and in 1807. In 1808 he was elected to the State Senate, and again in 1812, in 1820 and in 1824, but resigned about a year before his last term expired. In the Presiden- tial campaign of 1824 he was Elector for the Fifth Congressional Dis- trict. So great and so universal was his popularity that he was elected to many of these positions without opposition, and generally when he had an opponent his military record carried him through with flying colors. He was a genial gentleman — a "hail fellow well met," withal, courteous and social ; could take his toddy " with the boys," and "set 'em up " himself occasionally (all of which goes a long way with the " intelligent voter ") and which but added to his popularity. The last race he ever made for public office was about the year 1832, for the State Senate, and he was defeated. This was a wound to his self-complacency from which 108 HISTOKY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. he never recovered. He had failed to keep pace with the age, new issues had sprung up beyond his ability to master, new and younger men op- posed him, and though the " old guard " rallied around him, the new order of things accomplished his defeat. Kentucky has produced many remarkable men, but none so strongly original, or so interesting as the early, simple and honest statesmen of whom Young Ewing was a true type. They borrowed nothing from the books, and if some of them were so illiterate that it amounted to a gift or talent, their honesty of purpose off-set any lack of education and culture. They legislated wholly for the good of the people and the country, and from them the modern statesman might learn lessons of wisdom. Col. Ewing long lived one and a half miles fro;n town, on the place now owned by the children of Dr. Shackelford, but for many years was a citizen of Hopkinsville. He was three times married. Of his first wife little is known, except that she bore him one child, a daughter. This daughter married a man named Davison, who was at one time High Sher- iff of Daviess County, and who, it is said, was killed by friends of a pris- oner whom he had arrested. Col. Ewing's second wife was Winifred Warren, and one of the best women, Judge Long says, that ever lived. His last wife was a Miss Jennings. This marriage to him was, to say the least, ill-assorted. She was an illiterate, uncouth backwoods damsel, scarcely more than eighteen, while he was verging onto his three score and ten years. Soon after his last marriage he moved South, perhaps to the western part of Tennesse, where he died many years ago. No lineal de- scendant of Col. Ewing is now, so far as known, living in Christian County, and only a few of the older citizens remember him. Those that do, describe him as a social, companionable and hospitable gentleman, one who loved his friends, and was never happier than when surrounded by them, and bestowing upon them the hospitality of his home, or when zeal- ously engaged in a hot political contest. Organization of Political Parties. — The political excitement of 1824 -25 was not confined to Christian County and to Kentucky, but extend- ed throughout the country. The Presidential campaign of 1824 was probably the most exciting since the formation of the Republic, with the exception of that of 1800, which resulted in the election of Mr. Jefferson over the elder Adams. The candidates at this election were Henry Clay, Gen. Jackson, John Quincy Adams and William H. Crawford, of Geor- gia. Each of these distinguished gentlemen had his friends, who support- ed their favoritiB candidate from personal preference and not from party predilection. None of them, however, had a majority of the votes in the Electoral College, and under the constitutional rule, upon the House of Representatives devolved the duty of making choice of President, each HISTORY OP CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 109 State, by its delegation in Congress, casting one vote. Gen. Jackson led Mr. Adams in the Electoral College by a small plurality ; Mr. Crawford was the third on the list of candidates, and Mr. Clay, who was the hind- most man, was dropped from the canvass. Mr. Adams was chosen Presi- dent by the casting vote of the State of Kentucky. Mr. Clay was a mem- ber of the National House of Representatives, and its Speaker, and it was at once claimed by many of his political enemies that it was through the great influence of Ohio, which State, as well as his own, Mf. Clay had carried in the Presidential contest, that the delegation from Kentucky was induced to cast the vote of the State for Mr. Adams, an Eastern man, in preference to Gen. Jackson, a Western and Southern man. By that coup d'etat Mr. Clay was instrumental in organizing political parties that survived the generation of people to which he belonged, and ruled in turn' the destinies of the Republic for more than a quarter of a century. In the new cabinet Mr. Clay was placed at the head of the State depart- ment by Mr. Adams, which gave rise to the charge of " bargain and sale " between the President and his Chief Secretary, that threw the country into a blaze of excitement from one end to the other. At this time, when Henry Clay has been dead for more than thirty years, no one will pre- sume or dare to question his patriotism or honesty; but the charge was so persistently made by the partisans of Gen. Jackson, it greatly injured Mr. Clay in the public estimation, and contributed largely to the Gener- al's success in the Presidential race of 1828, and proved the shibboleth of destruction to Mr. Clay's hopes of the Presidency ever after. At the Presidential election of 1828, party lines were closely drawn between Gen. Jackson and Mr. Adams, and the result of a hot and bitter contest was the triumphant election of the hero of New Orleans, both by the electoral and popular vote. At that time parties were known throughout the country as the Jackson and Anti-Jackson parties. With but few changes in their platform of principles, they eventually became the Whig and Democratic parties. The Whig party, during its existence, was the ruling party in Chris- tian County, and upon all important occasions, when a full party vote was called out, its champions were borne to victory. In 1840 the Liberty party was organized, and a ticket for President and Vice President nom- inated: James G. Birney, a former slaveholder of Kentucky, but then a resident of Michigan, was placed first upon the ticket, and Thomas Morris, of Ohio, placed second. This ticket was condemned and frowned upon in Kentucky, and the small vote polled by it throughout the country was drawn mostly from the Whigs. But notwithstanding the drafts made by the anti-slave party, the temperance party, and other organizations upon the Whigs, they continued to be one of the ruling parties until the repeal 110 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. of the Missouri Compromise in 1854, which led to the organization of the Repuhlican party, and the absorption of the Whig, as well as the Liberty or Abolition party. In 1856 the Republican party received one vote in Christian County, cast for John C. Fremont for President. It was given by David Croft, in Scates Mill Precinct. It is said that his son called out, " Father, what did you vote for Fremont for ? " and that the old man — then very old — replied, " They say he wants to free the niggers, and so do I." Four years later a man named Davis Howell voted for Abraham Lincoln in the same precinct. To-day it is the dominant party in the county. The Democratic party, which sprang into existence or assumed dis- tinctive form during the administration of Gen. Jackson, is still one of the great political parties of the country. For fifty years it has maintained its organization without change of name, and at present the indications for its success were never more flattering. For some years after the close of the late civil war, it was the dominant party in the county, but since the ballot has been placed in the hands of the negroes it has changed the phase of politics, and the Republicans hold sway, and usually carry off the spoils of oflSce. The CourUy Patronage. — The scramble for office in the early period of the county compared with later years, was almost nothing. But few offices were sought for their emoluments, and much oftener then than now the office sought the man. The most lucrative offices were filled by ap- pointment, and not by popular vote, as they are under the present Con- stitution. It was more than fifty years after the formation of the county that local offices were made elective, and even now it is a question admit- ting of wide discussion, whether the latter is the best policy. In most cases offices were filled by faithful and competent men. The appointing power conferred by the Legislature upon county boards and the courts, although anti-Republican in principle, seems to be, judging from the experience of the past, the best calculated to secure efficiency and compe- tency in office. Take the Sheriff, for instance : he is allowed to hold the office but for two consecutive terms, and in that time he only becomes familiarized with its duties, and prepared to discharge them with facility and intelligence. He must then give place to a new man who has all the duties to learn over again. Experience has shown pretty conclusively that the less frequently changes are made the better it is for the public service, notwithstanding the present political war-cry of " turn the rascals out." Chancellor Kent said that the great danger to this country is "the too frequent recurrence to popular election." The early records of the county show, under the appointing power, but few changes. Abraham Stites, a very exemplary man, held the office of County Clerk for more HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. Ill than thirty years, and in a preceding chapter a beuutiful tribute is paid him by those who knew him best. And James H. McLaughlan for many years filled acceptably the ofSce of Circuit Clerk. These remarks, how- ever, are not to be construed into reflections upon those who have held office under the elective system. The county has been highly favored in her selection of public servants, as much so, perhaps, as any county in the State. The political history of Christian County shows the finger-marks of many of Kentucky's distinguished sons. Of those who have been, at some time or other residents of the county, and have served in Congress and other high and responsible positions, may be mentioned Charles S. Morehead, Edward Rumsey, Joseph B. Crockett, John P. Campbell, James A. McKinzie, Winston J. Davie, James S. Jackson, Benjamin H. Bristow, Robert P. Henry, John F. Henry, Walter B. Scates and others, who have attained distinction in other States. Sketches of Gov. More- head, Judge Crockett, Edward Rumsey and Robert P. Henry, are given in the bar of the county, of Gen. Jackson in the war and military history, and of Mr. McKinzie and Mr. Campbell in the biographical department. John F. Henry was a son of Gen. Henry, and was born January 7, 1793. He was a surgeon in the war of 1812, and afterward located at Georgetown, Ky., where he engaged in the practice of medicine. He married Miss Mary Duke in 1818, and soon afterward removed to Mis- souri. His wife died there in 1821, and dissatisfied with the country, he came to Hopkinsville, Ky., and here continued the practice of the pro- fession he had chosen. In January, 1828, he married Miss Lucy Ridgely, of Lexington, Ky., and soon after was elected to Congress to fill the un- expired term of his deceased brother, Robert P. Henry. After his retirement from Congress he removed to Cincinnati, afterward to Bloom- ington, 111., and then to Burlington, Iowa, where he died in 1873 in the eightieth year of his age. Winston J. Davie was born in Christian County, and is a son of Hon. Ambrose Davie, a native of North Carolina, and an early settler in this county. Winston Davie graduated firom Yale College in 1845 among such men as Henry Day and W. A. Lord, of New York ; Hon. S. D. Nickerson, of Boston; Col. James Redfield, who fell at Chickamauga; Maj. William Conner, of Mississippi, who was killed »t Gettysburg; Hon. Carter Harrison, present Mayor of Chicago ; Hon. Daniel Chad- wick, of Connecticut ; Gen. Richard Taylor, of Louisiana, and a number of others since distinguished throughout the country. Mr. Davie studied law and obtained license to practice, but abandoned it for agricultural pursuits, milling and banking, in which he accumulated a large fortune. As was the case with thousands of others, his wealth melted away dur- 112 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. ing the late war, leaving him at its close almost entirely without means. He was always an active politician and a Democrat of the Jeffersonian school. In 1850 he was elected to the Legislature from Christian Countj, and in 1853 was a candidate for Congress, but was defeated by Hon. Ben. Edwards Grey, his Whig competitor. He was placed at the head of the Bureau of Agriculture and Horticulture of the State by Gov. McCreary, a position he ably filled, and for which his long experience in agriculture eminently qualified him. He was twice married — in 1845 to Miss Sarah A. Philips, of Georgia, and who died in 1859, leaving two sons — Iredell P. and George M. In 1861 he married Miss Addie E. Kalfus, of Louisville, by whom he had one son — Southern K. Davie. Benjamin H. Bristow was born in Todd County, Ky. His father was Francis M. Bristow, and well known as a lawyer of considerable ability. Benjamin received a thorough education, which was completed at Jefferson College in Pennsylvania. He studied law with his father, and practiced at Elkton, Todd County, until 1857, when he removed to Hopkinsville, and formed a partnership with his brother-in-law. Judge Petree. At the breaking out of the late war he entered the Federal army as Lieutenant- Colonel of the Twenty-fifth Kentucky Infantry, Col. Shackelford commanding, and participated in the battles of Fort Henry, Fort Donelson and Shiloh. He assisted in raising the Eighth Ken- tucky Cavalry in 1862, and after serving for a time as Lieutenant- Colonel, became its Colonel. In 1863 he was elected to the State Senate from the Hopkinsville district, and afler the close of the term located in Louisville, where, in 1866, he was appointed United States District Attorney for Kentucky; resigned in 1870, and shortly after was ap- pointed Solicitor- General of the United States. This position he re- signed after two years and returned to the practice of law in Louisville, and in 1874 became Secretary of the Treasury under President Grant. He filled that important office with great._distLnction, .gaining for him- self a national reputation, which brought him prominently forward in 1876, by the reform element of the Republican party, as a candi- date for the nomination for ^President in the National Republican Conven- tion at Cincinnati, a nomination, however, he failed to (Tbtain. Since then he has remained in private life, and at present resides in New York City. Walter B. Scates was born in Virginia, and when but a child his parents removed to Tennessee, and soon after to Christian County. Here he received his early education, with a finishing course at Nashville, Tenn. Upon arriving at maturity he read law with Hon. Charles S. Morehead, and in 1831 was admitted to the bar. He immediately after went to Illinois, and as a lawyer soon rose to prominence. In 1836 he HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 113 was appointed Attorney-General of the State, and the next year was elected a Judge of the Circuit Court by the Legislature. In 1840 he was elevated to the Supreme Bench, and with a short interval, remained in that exalted position until 1857, when he resigned and removed to Chi- cago, where he still resides, broken down in health, and his once large fortune considerably impaired. The political history of the county since the close of the late war- since the enfranchisement of the "man and brother"— is too modern to be treated in this work. Space will not admit of it. The new order of things has given a color to politics, and an interest to State and national questions unknown to our fathers, and never dreamed of by the sages who were wont to cross swords on Whig and Democrat platforms, and stand or fall by the prindples they involved. To the future historian is left the task of recording the modern political history and the acts of modern politicians. As a matter of some interest to ihe general reader we append in this connection a list of the members of the State Legislature from the organization of the county down to the present incumbents. State Senators.— ThQ first member of the State Senate from this county was Young Ewing, elected in 1808; he was re-elected in 1812, in 1820 and in 1824 ; Matthew Wilson in 1816 ; James Gholson in 1832 ; Ninian E. Grey, in 1843 ; Ben Edwards Grey, in 1847 ; James F. Buck- ner, in 1855 ; Benjamin H. Bristow, in 1863; W. W. McKenzie, in 1865 ; E. P. Campbell, in 1871 ; Walter Evans, in 1873 ; C. N. Pendleton, 1875, and Austin Peay, in 1883, the present Senator.* Representatives. — James Kuykendall, 1799; Young Ewing, 1800, 1801, 1802, 1806, 1807 ; Jacob W. Walker, 1803; John Boyd, 1809; Matthew Wilson, 1809, 1810, 1811; Abraham Boyd, 1810, 1811, 1819 ; Benjamin W. Patton, 1812 to 1815, and 1817 and 1822 ; Benjamin H. Reeves, 1812, 1814, 1817 ; Samuel Orr, 1813 ; Na- thaniel S. Dallam, 1816, 1818, 1824; Morgan Hopson, 1816, 1817; James Breathitt, 1818, 1819; William Jennings, 1818; Robert Cole- man, 1819; Daniel Mays, 1825; John P. Campbell, 1826; William Davenport, 1827; Charles S. Morehead, 1828, 1829; David S. Patton, 1830, 1834 ; -Gustavus A. Henry, 1831, 1832; John Pendleton, 1833; James C. Clarke, 1832 ; Joseph B. Crockett, 1833 ; William Morrow, 1834, 1837 ; Roger F. Kelly, 1835, 1836. 1845 ; Livingston L. Leavell, 1835, 1837; George Morris, 1836; Ninian E. Grey, 1837 ; Benjamin Bradshaw, 1838 ; James F. Buckner, 1839, 1840, 1842, 1847 ; Robert L. Waddill, 1839, 1843, 1844; Daniel H. Harrison, 1840 to 1849, ex- cept 1843, 1845 and 1847; James Gholson, 1841; John McLarning, 1843 and 1848; Isaac H. Evans, 1845 ; Joab Clark, 1846; James F. *Jn thelist of Senaton the names of those from tbie county are alone giTen. 114 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. Buckner and Lysias F. Chilton, 1847 ; Daniel H. Harrison, 1849 ; Ed- mund Wooldridge and Winston J. Davie, 1850 ; John J. Thomas, 1851, 1853 (this was first Representative under the new State Constitution) ; Drury M. Wooldridge, 1853, 1856 ; Benjamin Berry, 1855, 1867 ; James S. Jackson, 1857, 1869 ; William Brown, 1859, 1861 ; George Poindexter, 1861, 1863 and 1865, 1867 ; E. A. Brown, 1863, 1865 ; James A. Mc- Kenzie. 1867 to 1871; Walter Evans, 1871, 1878 ; 0. S. Parker, 1878, 1875 ; John Feland, 1875 to 1881 ; James Breathitt, 1881, 1883 ; Lar- kin T. Brasher, 1883, 1886, and the present Representative. There are a number of Christian County men, natives as well as tem- porary citizens of the county, who afterward rose to high political and military distinction. Notably among these are Hon. Jefferson Davis, ex- President of the Confederacy; Gen. John M. Palmer, and Joseph Dun- can. The two latter have served as Governors of Illinois, and Gen. Palmer is still a distinguished citizen of that State, and holds a prominent posi- sion among Democratic Presidential possibilities. John M. Palmer was born in Scott County, Ky., September 13, 1817, and soon after his birth his father, who had been a soldier in the war of 1812, removed to Christian County, where lands were then cheap. John M. is still remembered by many of the old citizens as a bright, intelligent boy, fond of reading, and who lost no opportunity to improve his mind. He received such education as the new and sparsely settled country afforded, and in 1831 his father removed to Illinois. Shortly after a col- lege was opened at Alton on the " manual labor system," and in the spring of 1834 young Palmer entered the institution, where he remained for eighteen months. He commenced the study of the law in 1888, and the next year was admitted to the bar, when he opened an office at Carlinville. In the early years of his professional life he mingled in local politics more or less. In 1843 he became Probate Judge ; in 1847 he was elected to the Constitutional Convention and in 1852 to the State Senate. His father, although a strong Jackson Democrat, was opposed to slavery, and removed to Ulinois to escape its influences, like many others of Bimilar ideas. In 1854 John took ground in opposition to the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, and when the Nebraska question waa made a political issue, he declined a nomination to the Senate at the hands of the Democracy. When the civil conflict broke out, -he was ainong the first to offer his services, and waa made Colonel of the Fourteenth Illinois Vol- unteers. He rose to the rank of Major-General and commanded the Fourteenth Army Corps in the Atlanta campaign, but when Gen. Mc- Pherson fell, .and Gen. Howard, a junior officer, was promoted to the command of the Army of the Tennessee, Gen. Palmer asked to be relieved. In February, 1865, Gen. Palmer was assigneif to the military admin- HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 115 istration of Kentucky. The writer knew him personally while in thi» capacity, with headquarters at Louisville, and notwithstanding he differed from him on political and war issues, and the many objections urged against him, yet it can but be conceded that he blended a conspicuous respect for municipal law consistent with his functions as a military com- mander. His post was a delicate one, and he said himself that he trem- bled at the contemplation of his extraordinary power over the persons and property of his fellow men, vested in him, in the capacity of military Gov- ernor. The history of many other of the Soothem States, oppressed and ground down by their military Governors, will show us the blessings we possessed in haying placed over us a man of the unswerving integrity and high sense of honor of Gen. Palmer. And since he has returned to his old political faith (Democrat), his fellow-citizens of Christian County, among whom he spent his boyhood days, should bury the last shade of feeling of resentment, and present him, metaphorically, the right hand of fellowship and brotherly love. Gen. Palmer was elected Governor of Illinois in 1868, over Hon. John R. Eden, Democrat, by 44,707 majority. His administration waa characterized by rare capacity as the executive head of a great State. His business life has been the pursuit of the law, and few excel him in an ac- curate appreciation of the depth and scope of its principles. Without brilliancy, his dealings are rather with facts and ideas, which he leads to invincible conclusions. He is a statesman of a high order; he is social in his disposition, democratic in his manners, correct in his deportment, and truly, a man of the people. During his term as Governor of Illi- nois, he took rather broad States' rights ground, which offended some of the Republican leaders. A portion of the Republican press attacked him, and the final result was to return him to the Democratic camp, and to-day John M. Palmer, Lyman Trumbull, Carter H. Harrison and Will- iam R. Morrison are perhaps, four of the ablest and most popular men in the State of Illinois. Joseph Duncan. — Some of the older citizens of Hopkinsville still re- member a bright and intelligent young man named Joseph Duncan, who was Deputy Circuit Clerk here for several years under James McLaugh- lan. He was a nephew to Mr. McLaughlan, and was bom in Paris, Bourbon Co., Ky., February 23, 1794, and came to Christian County as a Deputy Clerk to his uncle, who had been appointed Circuit Clerk of the county. Though young, he took an active part in the war of 1812, and was with Col. Croghan at Fort Stephenson. Having emigrated to Illinois, he first appeared to the public as Major General of- the Militia. In 1826 he was elected to Congress over Hon. Daniel P. Cook, a prom- inent politician of that day, and who had never before been defeated for a 116 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. public oflSce. From this time until his election as Governor, he retained his seat in Congress. In the Black Hawk war of 1832, he was appointed by Gov. Reynolds a Brigadier- General. He was elected Governor of Illi- nois in 1834, over ex-Lieut.-Gov. Kinney, by more than 17,000 majority. Gov. Duncan was a man of limited education, but with naturally fine abilities. A portrait of him, which the writer once saw in the State House at Springfield, presents him with swarthy complexion, high cheek bones, somewhat like Abraham Lincoln, broad forehead, piercing black eyes and straight black hair. His administration was an able one, though to a large extent unpopular, owing to the fact that he deserted the Jackson party, to which he had belonged, and which was largely in the ascend- ancy in Illinois. As President, Gen. Jackson had shown such a decided hostility to several Western measures in which Mr. Duncan was greatly interested, he refused longer to act with the party. Gov. Duncan died in Illinois a number of years ago. Jefferson Davis. — An appropriate conclusion to this chapter is a brief sketch of the ex-President of the Confederate States. Mr. Davis was born June 3, 1808, in the village of Fairview, just over the line in the present County of Todd, but in what was then Christian County. His father, Samuel Davis, removed to Mississippi when the future great states- man was but a child. The latter soon returned to Kentucky, and was for a time a student in Transylvania University at Lexington. He entered West Point Military Academy in 1824, and graduated from it in 1828, and served in the army until 1835, when he resigned. He participated in the Black Hawk war, and in other campaigns against the Indians. Hi» political career commenced in 1844 as Presidential Elector for Mr. Polk ; he was elected to Congress in 1845, but resigned the next year to take command of a Mississippi regiment in the Mexican war ; he was promoted Brig.-Gen. for his gallant conduct at Buena Vista, where it was claimed his regiment, by its valor and steadiness, turned the tide of battle and won a great victory. Mr. Davis entered the United States Senate in 1847, by appointment, to fill a vacancy, and upon the expiration of the term was unanimously elected by the Legislature his own successor. He resigned in 1853 to accept the position of Secretary of War under Pres- ident Pierce. In 1857 he was again elected to the United States Senate, buc withdrew in January, 1861, in consequence of Mississippi having seceded from the Union. Since then, Mr. Davis' public career is so well known to the American people as to require no mention here. A few years ago Mr. Davis, through a special invitation, visited Hop- kinsville, and delivered an address at the opening of the agricultural fair, to the largest assemblage of people, perhaps, ever seen in Christian County, on any public occasion. While here he visited his old home — HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 117 the house in which he was born — in Fairview. The old house is still standing, and Mr. Davis went and took a look at it. A large number of people had congregated to see the great Southern statesman. While in the house with a number of his friends, an old lady stepped up to him, and shaking him by the hand, said, " Mr. Davis, I am glad to see you. I knew your mother. Do you see that bed?" pointing to a bed in the corner of the room, "just where that bed stands, there stood one then, and upon it you were born, for I was present." Mr. Davis, with a courtly bow and a benignant smile, replied, " No doubt, my dear madam, what you say is true ; you remember the event far more vividly than I do." His visit here, and at Fairview, are well remembered, and all who came in contact with him were charmed with his courtesy and dignity, and his kindliness of manner. — Perrin. HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COTTNTT. 119 CHAPTER V. Internal Improvements— Trails and Paths Through the Forest- Legislative Enactments fob Building Highways- Bridges— Some OF THE Rude Structures of the Past— Stone Bridges and Their Cost— Turnpikes— Efforts to Build Them in the County— The Hop- KINSVILLE & ClARKSVILLE PiKE— RAILROADS— ESTIMATED ADVANTAGES OF Them— EvANSviLLE, Henderson & Nashville— Other Railroads —Agriculture— Its Rise and Progress— Influence of Negro Slavery— Grain, Mills and Stock— Tobacco— Abernathy's Sketch OF It— Agricultural Associations— List of Officers- The Fair Grounds, Buildings, etc., etc. "^ro doubt when John Montgomery and James Davis, the avant- -Ll couriers of the present civilization of Christian County, first stood upon the wooded heights and looked out on the broad expanse of barren or prairie land that spread out to the east and south at their feet, they were so entranced by its quiet loveliness as then and there to decide upon its adoption as their future home. A vast plain rising and falling in gentle undulations, and covered with a luxuriant growth of grass, stretched out on either hand, reaching into the dim distance till lost in the blue haze of the horizon. Herds of deer and buffalo here and there basking in the genial sunlight or lazily feeding on the rich pasturage, flocks of geese, ducks, pigeons and other and brighter plumaged birds wheeling their circling flight above, made a scene of rare lovliness that at once and irresistibly appealed to their highest sense of the beautiful, rude, rough pioneers though they were. And in all these vast plains not a tree or bush to obstruct the vision, except here and there an occasional grove of timber ; not a house, wigwam, tent or camp-fire to mark or hint at the presence of that higher species of the animal kingdom — man. Only here and there a trail, made by the moccasined feet of the red man, told to their practiced eyes that this was a part of the " hunting-ground " of his aboriginal foe, and that his foot had been here. Indian Trails. — These trails, the highest effort of his genius at internal improvements and the type of his highest civilization, were the highways along which he migrated or took his stealthy march from point to point. The nearest of them passed from Nashville, through the pres- ent site of Hopkinsville, then deflecting more to the northwest, crossed the Ohio Biver at Shawneetown and penetrated to the Saline Works on Saline Creek in the State of Illinois. Another trail off to the northeast 120 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. was that leading from Russellville, Logan County, then the oldest town south of Green River in Kentucky, in a northwesterly direction toward the Highland Lick in Lincoln, now Webster County. Near these cele- brated licks, about two miles distant, and at a fork of the trail, there long stood a lone, solitary tree, like a grim sentinel of the desert, on which the head of Micajah, or " Big Harpe," the noted desperado and horse- thief, was hung after his decapitation 'by Stagall and the citizens who pursued and captured him. Another trail was that from Russellville to Hopkinsville, where it fell into the trail first mentioned, that leading from Nashville to the Saline Works, in Dlinois. And still another passed through the southwest por- tion of the county, and leading from the Cumberland River, near Pal- myra, to join, at Pinceton, the trail crossing the Ohio River at Ford's Ferry. This ferry, some ten or twelve miles below Shawneetown, was long reputed to be a very dangerous place, on account of a gang of coun- terfeiters, horse-thieves and cut-throats, who made it their chief rendez- vous. They were finally suppressed by the Regulators after committing many depredations upon the defenseless citizens. Judge A. V. Long, when a boy, made several trips over these trails, then established as roads, to the Salt Works in Illinois, and was looked upon by his less favored comrades as something of a modern Marco Polo or Henry Stanley, of travel. These trails, ready made to the hand of the pioneer, and generally trend- ing to the north or northwest, to some noted saline deposit, are only inter- esting to the reader now from the fact that they were long used by the early settlers as their thoroughfares in traveling to and from salt works, or from one settlement to another. As soon as the tide of immigration began to set in more freely, and the difierent communities became more densely populated, they were no longer sufficient for the purposes of travel and had to be supplemented by other trails or roads. At first these, as all other public improvements, were the joint, voluntary effort of the people, but in the course of time it became necessary to build additional roads by public enactment. The Legislature of Kentucky, in 1797, first enacted a general road law, " providing for the opening of new roads and the alteration of former roads' ' under surveyors appointed by the courts. All male laboring persons, sixteen years old or more, were required to work the roads, except those who were owners of two or more male slaves over said age, or else pay a fine of 7s. 6d. ($1.25) for each day's absence or neglect thus to work. In the absence of bridges, mill-dams were required to be built at least twelve feet wide, for the passage of public roads, with bridges over the pier-head and flood-gates. The surveyors were authorized to impress wagons, and to take timber, stone or earth for building roads, and a mode of paying HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 121 for same out of the county levy was provided.* Under this provision, and as soon as the county was organized, on the 2l8t day of March, 1797, and on the first day of the meeting of the county justices, we find this order : " Ordered that James Richey, George Robinson, Sr., Samuel Kin- caid, Julius Saunders, James Decon, Charles Staton and James Kerr, or any three of them, be appointed to view the most nearest and best way from James Waddleton's, on the Bigg eddy to the bigg Spring on Levis- ton (Livingston), from thence to the Claylick Settlement, and report the same to our next court." This order is signed by Jacob Barnett, Moses Shelby, Jonathan Logan, Brewer Reeves and Hugh Knox, Gents, Justices of the county. The next road ordered by the court was in May (15th) 1798, and designated the " State Line near David Smith's " as the starting point, and was to run to the " Christian Court House." The petitioner in this case was Brewer Reeves, and the Commissioners appointed, " Obadiah Roberts, John Caudry, Shepard McFadin, Bartholomew Wood and John Roberts, or any three of them." The same reckless use of superlatives, "most nearest and best way" occurs in this, as in the first order, and serves to show at least that Mr. John Clark, " clerk and gent," though liberal and large-hearted, was not as familiar with Kirkham and Lindley Murray as he should have been. At the same time, on petition of John Ramsey, a road was ordered viewed from the "mouth of Cumberland River to the Christian Court House," and Joab Hardin, George Hardin and Charles Hogan were appointed as^ Commissioners to view that part of it from the mouth of the river to Cal Fitsworth's; and Isaac Fitsworth, James Richey and Isaac Shoat to view to Michael Pirtle's ; and Michael Pirtle, William Prince and James Wadlington to view to James Wad- lington's ; and Willis Hicks, Samuel Bradley and James Reeves to the Sinking Fork; and Bartholomew Wood, Samuel Hardin and Michael Dillingham from thence to the Christian Court House. These are a few of the first roads ordered by the court, and are only interesting as being such, and as associated with the names of some of the first and most respectable citizens of the county. From this on, the court was largely occupied with the making and altering of roads, which to fol- low in detail would be both irksome and unprofitable to the reader and would require a volume in and of themselves. In the year 1838 the Legislature passed an act establishing a State road from Hopkinsville to Morgantown, and appointed Daniel S. Hays and Leonard Wood, of Chris- tian County, Charles Armstrong, of Todd, Henry Fitzhugh, of Logan, and James Moore and Hugh C. Reed, of Butler, as Commissioners, to " view and mark out the best and most practicable route." Two dollars ♦Collins on Internal Improvementa. 122 HISTORY OP CHRISTIAN COUNTY. per day to be allowed them, to be paid jointly by the counties of Chris- tian, Todd, Logan and Butler. " The load to be cleared at least twenty- five feet wide, and the stumps cut low and rounded at the top, the banks of the creeks and branches graded, and to throw bridges across the same where they may be deemed necessary, so as to admit of safe and conven- ient passage." Sec. 6. " That the road heretofore marked and cut out from Mor- gantown, in Butler County, on the direction to Hopkinsville, Christian County, shall be the route so far as Logan and Butler. Counties are con- cerned." Approved February 1, 1838. There is only one thing more to add in a general way of the roads in Christian County, though threading the county in every direction and at certain seasons quite passable, yet, in the winter and early spring, they are simply bottomless. It is bat the same old tale of shiftlessness and improvidence so forcibly illustrated by the anecdote of the Arkangaw Traveler : A. T. — Neighbor, why don't you cover your house ? Citizen — 'Cause it's raining. A. T. — Why don't you cover it when it ain't raining ? Citizen. — 'Cause it don't need it. A great many of the more enterprising citizens would fain change this primitive order of things, but unfortunately the " sovereign majority" have settled down to the time-honored and convenient philosophy, "we have good roads for the day, let the roads for the morrow provide for themselves." Bridges. — In the good old times of the early pioneers, when people traveled mostly on foot or horseback, there was but little use for other than foot-bridges. These were of the most primitive style of architecture : a tree cut and. thrown across the stream, or a series of heavy slabs or planks on exaggerated legs, making a continuous footway from bank to bank, and the site usually selected for these rude structures was at some shallow crossing or ford of the stream. One of the older citizens of Hop- kinsville says, among the earliest recollections of his boyhood days was a rude slab or puncheon bench that long stood in his father's yard, just across the West Fork of Little River, that had in the earlier times referred to served as a foot-bridge across that stream. Years before it had been superseded as a bridge-way by a more pretentious structure, and was then being used for the ignoble purpose of a support or stand for his father's bee-hives. Fallen trees and rude foot-ways did well enough for the pedes- trian, but when carriages and wagons began to multiply, more substantial and commodious structures became necessary. These soon came with the steadily increasing influx of immigrants. There were few carriages among HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 123 them indeed, but almost every family came in its covered wagon, and soon across the different streams, at the more important crossings, began to appear substantial, if not elegant, bridges. They were uniformly made with wooden abutments, in the form of log-pens filled with stone, on either bank, and from these, spanning the stream, were two parallel sills or streamers, on which was laid a rough, uneven floor of slabs or pun- cheons, securely fastened down by wooden pins. Over these the horse took his stumbling way, or the four-wheeled vehicle jolted and rolled, much to the detriment of each particular joint, and the great discomfort of the occupants. Like the earlier roads, these were built by common consent and individual effort, and were the common property of the peo- ple. The first brfdge built in this way that we have any account of was that across the Bast Fork of Little River, on the road to Nashville, about one and one-half miles from Hopkinsville, but when or by whom does not appear. In 1816 the Commissioners appointed by the court made their report, recommending an additional appropriation of $150 to complete an unfinished bridge at that point. Edmund Guthrie and Daniel Preston were designated as Commissioners in place of Franklin Wood and Cor- dell Nofllett, resigned or displaced. At the same term of court an appro- priation of $150 was also made for the construction of a bridge across the Sinking Fork of Little River, on the Saline road, and James Bradley and James C. Anderson were appointed Commissioners. The next appropri- ation made by the court for this purpose was in November (3d) 1818, and appropriated the quite liberal sum of $600 for a bridge across Main Little River, on the road to Boyd's Landing on the Cumberland River. It was required to be completed by December 1, 1819, and Samuel Orr, John Goode, Abraham Boyd, John W. Cocke and David Moore were ap- pointed to supervise its construction. The first bridge with stone abutments and pier was ordered built by the court November 9, 1825, across the Town Fork of Little River at the foot of Nashville Street on the road to Princeton. It is thus described : " Stone abutments at either end, stone pier in the middle, and sills of wood covered with plank, and hand-rails on either side." At this point there had been an old-style bridge with log-pen abutments and pier as early as 1818, and possibly much earlier. In 1857 the old covered wooden bridge at the north end of Main Street, known as the Mill Pond bridge, gave place to the present substantial stone structure. It is quite an im- provement on the old wooden affairs, and marks the beginning of a new era in bridge building. The architect was William Hyde, and it cost when completed $5,000. May 21, 1878, the old bridge across the east fork of Little River at Edward's Mill was superseded by a stone struct- ure, costing when completed $2,550, John Flynn and John Connelly, 124 HISTOKY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. contractors. Several other smaller single-span stone bridges or culverts have been built at intervals over less important streams since then, but it remained for 1882 to complete the final architectural triumph of bridge improvements in the county. In this year was completed the present elegant and substantial stone bridge across the town fork of Little River at the foot of Bridge Street in the town of Hopkinsville. The material is of flawless blue limestone set in cement, and is from one of the beat native quarries near the town. Messrs Hall and McClelland were the contractors, and it cost when finished $6,500, of which the county paid $2,000, and the city the balance. It is of the following dimensions : 136 feet long, with two arches 35 feet each ; wagon way, 20 feet wide; sidewalks, one on each side, 4 feet wide ; and parapets 8 feet high and 2 feet thick. The commissioners upon the part of the county were A. H. Anderson, John B. Gowan and Edward Campbell, and upon the part of the city D. R. Beard, F. J. Brownell and William Ellis. Turnpikes. — In the year 1837 the Legislature passed a bill granting a charter to the Henderson, Madisonville and Hopkinsville Turnpike Road Company to build a road styled " a dirt turnpike on the Virginia plan" from Henderson via Madisonville to Hopkinsville ; capital stock, ^75,000. It. directed that subscription books should be opened at the three above-named places on the first day of June under the supervision of the following Commissioners : Wyatt H. Ingram, George Atkinson, Smith Agnew and John McMuUin, at Henderson ; Iredell Hart, John E. Woolfolk, James Armstrong and Enoch Hunt, at Madisonville ; and at Hopkinsville, Z. Glass, George Ward, F. C. Sharp and J. B. Crock- ett. As soon as the necessary amount of stock should be subscribed, after due notice of thirty days in one or more principal papers, the subscribers should meet, organize and proceed to elect a " President, ten Directors, a Treasurer and other necessary officers." Section 6 reads : Be it further enacted, That the whole width of said road shall be fifty feet, the graded part whereof shall be at all places, where the ground will admit of it, at least thirty feet in width, and " the thrown-up part " at least twenty-two feet, with "an elevation in the center sufficient to prevent the water from lying on the same, and a ditch on either side to conduct the water off." This project, the first of the kind south of Green River, fell through by reason of the failure of its projectors to secure the necessary subscrip- tion. Indeed, it appears there was never enough money subscribed to entitle them to commence its construction under the restrictions of the charter. This restriction was " that the road shall not be commenced or be put under contract from any of the aforesaid points (Henderson, Mad- isonville and Hopkinsville), till a sufficient amount is subscribed to finish five miles from each point." HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 125 The next year (February 16, 1838), the Legislature granted a charter to another turnpike project styled the Hopkinsville and Clarksville Turn- pike Road Company. It was to pass through Oak Grove to the Tennes- see line in the direction of Clarksville, and was to be " paved with stone or macadamized with stone or gravel, at least eighteen feet wide," capital stock, $75,000. The Commissioners appointed were John P. Campbell, Daniel S. Hays, L. L. Lea veil, James Clarke, Samuel Gordon and David W. Parrish of Christian County. The company were allowed six years to complete it. This, like its congener, the H., M. & H. Turnpike Road, failed for lack of funds. Another attempt to build a turnpike was made by the Logan, Todd & Christian Turnpike Company, under a charter granted February 16, 1838. The road was to run from Russellville, through Elkton to Hop- kinsville, thence through Princeton to Eddyville, on the Cumberland River. Capital stock to be $300,000, divided into shares of $50 each. The Commissioners appointed were, for Logan, W. R. Whitaker, Richard Bibb and William Owens ; for Todd, John A. Bailey, Francis M. Bristow and John Graham ; for Christian, John P. Campbell, J. H. Phelps, J. B. Crockett, A. Stites, B. Shackelford, J. H. Evans and W. C. Gray ; for Caldwell, J. C. Weller and C Lyon ; and for Trigg, James J. Morrison, James McCallister, E. Bacon and Joseph Waddill. Section 8 provided that '* when the President shall notify the State Board of Internal Im- provement of the subscription of $50,000, then the State shall subscribe $2 for every $1 subscribed by individuals, or by bodies corporate." Sec- tion 9 directed that the President and Directors of the Green River and Ohio Railroad Company should call a meeting of the stockholders of that company, and should they agree to transfer their stock to the Logan, Todd & Christian Turnpike Road Company, then on notification of such trans- fer, the State to subscribe double the amount. Under the provisions of this charter the company was duly organized, with John P. Campbell, President, and Abraham Stites, Secretary and Treasurer. Thus organ- ized, they proceeded to grade the road-bed under the specifications and restrictions of the charter. Bridges and culverts were also built wherever necessary, and eighteen or twenty miles out of the seventy-three miles of the road, metaled, about three miles in Logan, five miles in Todd, three miles in Christian, and the balance in the other counties. The individual stockholders promptly paid up their subscriptions as called for by the Board of Directors, and the work went on till the panic of 1840-41, when the State withdrew her aid, and the road still remains unfinished. The three miles of this road built in Christian County, and lying on either side of the town of Hopkinsville, still stand, Micawber-like, the "stupendous remains of a once magnificent enterprise." 126 HISTORY OP CHRISTIAN COUNTY. The next effort to build a turnpike in the county was made by L. L. Leavell in 1838. He procured a charter for a road from Hopkinsville to Clarksville via Oak Grove, on pretty much the aame route of the former contemplated road. Capital stock required $75,000, divided into $50- shares. The Commissioners appointed were John P. Campbell, Daniel S. Hays, L. L. Leavell, James Clark, Samuel Gordon and David W. Par- rish. Beyond this no further steps were taken, and the project fell through for the time. But in 1856 or 1857, the friends of this road be- gan once more to agitate it. Notably among these friends were Isaac Garrott, Dr. William H. Drane, John R. Whitlock, Charles D. Tandy and Isaac Medley. A meeting was called at Oak Grove, at which were present, beside the gentlemen mentioned, Samuel G. Gordon, Mr. Sawyer (now of Sawyer, Wallace & Co., of New York) and many otherg. Ascer- taining that $40,000 stock could possibly be raised, it was determined to take measures to 'build the road. But before doing so, it was proposed to the meeting that all moneys subscribed and raised in Kentucky should be expended on that portion lying within the State, that is, between Hop- kinsville and the' Tennessee line. This met with strenuous opposition from the Tennesseans present, and neither party being willing to yield the point, the meeting was dissolved without accomplishing anything. This meeting was some time in the summer of 1857. Immediately there- after the Kentucky friends of the road convened another meeting at Longview. After a careful canvass for subscriptions among the friends present, it was ascertained that $26,250 had been subscribed. With this sum as a nucleus, and having the promise of additional help, it was deemed advisable to undertake the immediate construction of that part of the road lying within the State limits. To this end a company was organized, with Isaac Garrott, President ; John R. Whitlock, Dr. James Wheeler, Charles D. Tandy, Isaac Medley and Isaac Garrott, Directors. The stockhrolders, in view of the fact that only $750 had been taken by citizens of Hopkinsville, instructed the Board of Directors to begin the construc- tion of the road at the Tennessee line, and run it to Rosebrook Branch, about five miles south of the city of Hopkinsville, a distance of eleven miles from the State line terminus. Thus instructed, the Board proceeded after due advertisement, to let the road to the lowest bidder. An Indi- ana firm making the lowest bid, $34,000, secured the contract. On ac- count of the impossibility of securing a sufficiency of slave-labor here at any price, these contractors, through their agents, imported white labor from Cincinnati. At last the work commenced, and seemingly under favorable auspices, and the frieuds of the road congratulated themselves that now it would soon ^e completed. But just at this juncture, and while they were hugging the flattering unction to their souls, the Indiana HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 127 firm, finding there was no money in the job, threw up the contract, abandoned the work and went home. Not being so instructed by the stockholders, the Board of Directors had failed to exact security of the contractors, and they being worthless and irresponsible there was no remedy for it but to submit. In this dilemma the Board called another meeting of the stockholders at Longview, laid the case before them, and asked for further instructions. They were instructed to again let the contract, and this time take security of the contractors. It was suggest- ed by one of the Directors that there was only $26,250 of subscription to meet $52,000, the estimated cost of the road, and the question was asked what kind of security the Company could offer to the contractor for the deficit. Mr. Sebree would take the contract for $52,000, and give satis- factory security, but in return required security from the company for the unsubscribed balance. The stockholders agreed to secure the balance by doubling the amount of their stock. The Directors thereupon, relying upon the good faith of the stockholders, proceeded to let the contract to Mr. Sebree. The work was again resumed and the road pushed on toward comple- tion as rapidly as circumstances would permit. Labor, both white and black, was scarce and difficult to procure, and the metal, such as was suit- able, in some cases, had to be quarried and hauled a distance of four or five miles. Nevertheless, the work went bravely on, and all things seemed auspicious for the future of the enterprise. After a while, however, the funds began to run low, and the Directors began to call on the stockhold- ers to redeem their pledge to double the amount of their subscriptions, and then it became apparent that they did not intend to keep faith, and that the burthen of raising the additional $26,000 of stock would fall on the five Directors. But having already taken $7,000 of the $26,250, they did not feel willing or able to assume the responsibility of so large a sum. Thus embarrassed, the company then, having authority under act of Legislature, issued their bonds for $35,000, less 25 per cent, to raise the deficit. These bonds were offered at public sale at Longview by the Directory, but, the stockholders declining to purchase, they were bought in by the five gentlemen composing the Directory. This step was necessary to secure themselves against loss under the contract with Sebree. In the meantime the work progressed under that gentleman, and in 1858 or 1859 the road was completed. The stockholders failing to meet the payment of the bonds as they fell due, the bondholders, after the expiration of the war, brouglit suit for their payment, and by decree of Chancery the road was ordered to be sold, subject to the payment of the bonds. It was offered at public sale to the highest bidder at the court house in Hopkinsville, and the bondholders became the purchasers at 128 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. $8,600. Thus the road passed into the hands of the bondholders, and is now held and owned by them or their descendants. The Tennesseans in the meantime were not idle. Realizing the great advantage to themselves and the business interests of their metropolis, Clarksville, they were busily at work pushing on to meet the road at the State line. The two roads, or rather the two sections of the same road, were completed at or about the same time, thus giving Clarksville a con- tinuous turnpike road to within four or five miles of Hopkinsville. The people of the latter place, with a blind stupidity seldom equaled in an intelligent community, were slow to realize the great disadvantage this placed them under in their competition with Clarksville, their formidable rival across the line, for it was not until some ten years later that any effort was made to repair the mistake. In 1878 the more enterprising citizens of Hopkinsville and vicinity began to bestir themselves, and a company was organized to complete the road to the latter place. The company was styled the Hopkinsville & Clark's Branch Turnpike Road Company, and John C. Latham was elected President, and J. K. Gant, James M. Clark, S. G. Buckner and J. 0. Cushman, Directors. H. R. Littell was appointed Secretary and Treasurer. The length of the inter- val from the Clark's Branch terminus of the Christian County & Clarks- ville Turnpike to the corporate limits of Hopkinsville being between four and five miles, it was let to a contractor for the sum of $11,000. It was finished some time in the fall of 1880. The history of this road from Hopkinsville to Clarksville, Tenn., is thus given in detail, not so much on account of its general interest or importance as because it serves to illustrate the pluck and enterprise of a few individuals in contrast with the general apathy of the public. Though but fifteen or sixteen miles in length to the State line, it took twenty-three years of indefatigable efi"ort upon the part of its friends to complete it. Indeed, the whole history of the turnpike legislation of the county for the past few years also serves to illustrate the same general sentiment, if not the actual hostility, of the public toward all turnpike enterprises. In 1879-80 the Hon. John Feland secured the passage of an act by the Legislature allowing the County Court to aid in building turnpikes. Thereupon Mr. Thomas Green and others urged the county to vote an appropriation of one-half or two- thirds of the actual cost of each mile of turnpike that might be built in the county, taking security for the amount thus appropriated in preferred bonds at par, and receiving all tolls in payment of interest. It was urged, among other things, in opposition to this, and more especially by the magistrates from the northern part of the county, that the measure would alone benefit the wealthier southern sec- tions, and thereby be oppressive to the rest. These objections, whether HISTOKY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 129 well taten or not, were urged against, and finally secured the defeat of the measure. Again in 1882 Hon. James Breathitt, who then represented the county in the Legislature, secured the passage of an act allowing the people to vote a tax of 50 cents on each $100 worth of property, and a per capita of $1. The same causes, together with some defection in the ranks of the pro-turnpike men, conspired to defeat this measure also. The question entering largely into the last canvass for Representative, Mr. Breathitt was defeated for re-election, and his opponent, Mr. Brasher, was elected. The Hopkinsville, Newstead & Canton Turnpike Road Comparly was organized in 1878 with J. D. Clardy, President, and B. S. Campbell, Charles B. Alexander, J. R. Caudle and H. H. Abernathy, Directors. Capital stock, $10,000, divided into $100 shares. It is three and three fourths miles in length, has one toll-gate, and cost $2,300 per mile. It has been paying thirteen per cent per annum since its completion. The oflScers for the present year, 1884, ate : President, Col. Charles B. Alex- ander; and B. S. Campbell, Dr. J. D. Clardy, J. R. Caudle and M. C. Forbes, Directors. Railroads. — The first effort to build a railroad in Christian County of which we have any account was made about the year 1832. At this time, the Legislature having made an appropriation for the purpose, Messrs. Chinn and Jouette, of Lexington, made a preliminary survey for a rail- road from Hopkinsville to Eddyville, on the Cumberland River. A final survey was afterward made by Mr. Letcher, of the same place. Maj. John P. Campbell, Jr., then a youth, acted as a chain-carrier, but beyond this nothing further was done. The company failed to organize as required under the charter, and the project was temporarily abandoned. In 1887 it was revived again under the same charter and another survey made by Mr. A. Livermore, State Engineer. This eifort also proved abortive, and for the same reasons. It was again, and for the last time, agitated in 1845 and 1846. The People'n Press of May 7, 1846, gives the following account of a convention held in Hopkinsville April 25, Dr. A. Webber in the chair, and G. W. Johnston, Secretary : The commit- tees appointed February 14, 1846, to visit the different points on the river favorably spoken of as the termini of the road, reported through Dr. Montgomery that they had visited Ferry Corner, Clarksville and Trice's Landing. They found either point quite feasible for a railroad terminus, and were of the opinion it could be built at a maximum cost of $8,000 per mile. To Clarksville the road would be twenty-five miles in length, and cost $200,000 ; to Trice's Landing (Providence) twenty-three miles and $170,000 ; to Ferry Corner thirty-one miles and cost $248,- 000. Mr. Livermore's experimental survey to Eddyville in 1837 " by a 130 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. circuitous route through Princeton " gave the distance as forty-eight and a half miles, and was estimated to cost $338,000, but this they thought to be an exaggeration both as to cost and distance. They thought the distance could be reduced to thirty-fire miles, ani the aggregate cost to $280,000. The following unique, if not original and novel method of raising the necessary means, was suggested : " The people to subscribe $75,000 or $100,000 to the building of the road, which subscription shall be well secured by stock. Of this sum, $50,000 or $60,000 to be vested, as fast as paid in, in the purchase of 100 young, able-bodied negro men, who, if well provided and judiciously directed, would grade the road to any one of the points suggested in the course of twelve or eighteen months, or at the longest time two years. These 100 laborers could then be hired or pledged for the iron, and so soon as the work should be com- pleted they could be readily cashed for the benefit of the railroad com- pany." A summary of the probable business of the road when com- pleted is then given : Five thousand hogsheads of tobacco at $1 f 6,000 Grain of all kinds 1,000 Pork and beef. 2,000 Coal, and lumber, 1,600 Goods, groceries, etc 2,600 Mail 1,600 Passengers 2,000 $15,500 This estimate was believed to be quite reasonable, and would yield a dividend of at least six per centum, allowing for contingencies. At the same meeting a report was read from the people of Eddyville and vicinity setting forth the advantages of that place as an objective point, and giv- ing assurance that a liberal subscription could be had in the event of its selection. " F. G. Montgomery, L. L. Leavell, W. R. Payne, F. C. Sharp and James Ware were then appointed a ' central committee,' and the first Saturday in October selected as the time for the next meeting." What further was sabsequently done does not appear, and at last and finally the project fades entirely out of view. The Henderson ^ Niuhville Road.— In 1839 a charter was granted by the Legislature to build a road from Henderson to Nashville. In 1850-51 it was amended, with Joel Lambert and James Albes of Hen- derson, Powhattan Robertson and A. 0. Gordon of Hopkins, and John P. Campbell of Christian, as Directors. These gentlemen called a meet- ing of the stockholders at Madisonville on the 1st of June, 1852, and finding the necessary stock subscribed, proceeded to organize with Hon. Archibald Dixon of Henderson as President of the company. Mr. Dixon resigning in the spring of 1858 was succeeded by Edmund Hopkins of HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 181 Henderson. At the annual meeting of the stockholders for this year, the Board of Directors elected were: E. G. Sebree, R. T. Torian, W. E. Price, John P. Campbell, Jr., P. M. Robertson, Joel Lambert, John Woolfork, R. G. Beverly and M. S. Hancock, of whom John P. Camp- bell, Jr., was elected President. Under contract with Messrs. Van Bergen, Ward & Co., of Ohio, ground was broken and the work pushed forward as rapidly as the collection of stock would permit. Efforts were made to secure subscriptions by the several counties in their corporate capacities, but upon submission to the people the measure was defeated. The war came on, the contractors suspended work, and finally abandoned the enterprise. After the close of the war, in 1865, a meeting of the stockholders was called at Madisonville, and the company was re-organized with John P. Campbell, Jr., President. Proceedings were immediately taken by the Board of Directors to ascertain and liquidate all claims against the road. Suit was instituted for the foreclosure and sale of the road-bed, sale was made, and H. D. Hanson of New York became the purchaser. A new charter was then granted by the Legislature to the company, under the title of the Evansville, Henderson & Nashville Railroad Company, with Gen. Jerry T. Boyle President, and E. G. Sebree, John P. Camp- bell, Jr., D. M. Day and R. T. Durrett, Directors. To the stock of this new organization the city of Henderson subscribed $300,000, the county of Hopkins $150,000, and Christian County $200,000, all of which was secured and paid for by the issuance and delivery of their bonds at par. The contract was then made with Day & Hanson for the building and completion of the road, but the amount of stock taken being insuflScient for the purpose, it was afterward re-let to J. Edgar Thompson of Phila- delphia and others, under a lease of the road for five years after its com- pletion. During the term of this lease the contractors sold out their interest to Winslow & Wilson. The panic of 1873 embarrassed Messrs. Winslow & Wilson. They failed to pay the interest on the bonds and the road passed into the hands of a receiver. Subsequently the bondholders fore- closed the mortgage on the road, and, at its sale, the Louisville & Nash- ville Railroad Company became the purchasers, thereby entailing a total loss of stock to both counties and to individual stockholders. Since coming into their hands the road has been extended to St. Louis, by the purchase of the St. Louis & Southeastern Railroad. At present the transfer of freights and passengers between Henderson and Evansville is eflTected by boats. A bridge, however, is now being constructed across the Ohio River at Henderson, and. when complete a road will be built along the northern bank of the river to connect at Evansville. 132 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. With the simple mention of the fact, that a road has heen projected and is now in process of construction between Clarksville and Princeton, the sketch of Internal Improvements of Christian County must close. The history of that enterprise, if ever completed, is referred to the pen of the future historian. Agriculture. — This science is the great source of our prosperity, and is a subject in which we are all interested. It is the parent of all other industries, and as such claims precedence. From it have gone forth the brawn and brain that have subdued the earth, built cities, chained the light- ning, linked the continents, and made all mankind akin. All thriving inter- ests, all prosperous industries, and all trades and professions, receive their means of support either directly or indirectly from agriculture. It is there- fore by right of primogeniture and paramount importance the most indis- pensable of all other industries. Its progress in Christian County since the beginning of the present century is not the least interesting nor the least im- portant part of her history. The pioneers who commenced tilling the soil here with a few rude implements of husbandry, laid the foundation of the more perfect and more comprehensive system of agriculture of the present. They were mostly poor, and compelled to labor for a support, and it re- quired brave hearts, strong arms and willing hands — just such as they pos- sessed — to conquer the difficulties with which they had to contend. These difficulties were not often, if ever, aggravated as elsewhere by the stealthy raids of the red men, the sharp crack of their unerring rifles from secret coverts, or the fiendish yell of their onrush, as with flaming torches they surrounded the lonely cabin of their victims. In many sections of the State it often occurred that, while one-half of the male members were at work clearing the land or tending their small crops, the other half, with guns in hand, were standing guard to protect the laborers from the savages. Here the few Indians adjacent to the early settlements were mostly friendly to the whites, and rarely did any harm, other than a little petty thieving. The tools and implements with which the pioneer farmer had to work were few in number and of a poor kind. The plow was the old " bar- share," some with and some without coulters ; all had the wooden mold- board and long beam and handles. Generally they were of a size between the one and two-horse plows, for they had to be used in both capacities. The hoes and axes wore clumsy implements, and were forged and finished by the ordinary blacksmith. The hoes had no steel in them, and there was but little in the axes, and that little often of an inferior quality. If any of these were broken beyond the ability of the smith at the station to repair, a new supply had to be procured from the older settlements of the East. There was some compensation, however, for all these disadvantages HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 183 under which the pioneer labored. The virgin soil of the hillsides along the wooded sections in the fiorthern part of the county, or of the barren plains of the more southerly or eastern parts, was so fruitful and generous that it yielded bountiful crops, even under poor preparation and cultiva- tion. The first little crop consisted of a " patch " of corn, potatoes, beans, pumpkins, and in some cases a few other " eatables." A small crop of tobacco was considered almost indispensable, and, if possible, a " patch " of flax was grown, from the lint of which the family clothing for summer wear was manufactured. This brought into use the spinning- wheel and the loom, implements that had come with the early settlers, and which constituted the most important articles of housekeeping, as all the females of the family could spin and weave. In the early history of the county it appears the first influx of settlers came principally from North and South Carolina, a few from Virginia, and settled by preference in the northern portion of the county. This preference grew out of the fact that there only were to be had both timber and water in rich abund- ance. The "barren" or " prairie " part of the county, which afforded fine pasturage for their stock, and which really was much the better soil, was not settled until a much later period, and then by a class of better-to- do farmers from Virginia. The first efforts of the new-comer in the wooded districts was to clear up his little " patch," build him a rude cabin and other necessary and ruder out-buildings. These consisted of a stable for the accommodation of his stock, and a crib or barn fur the reception of such little crops as he might be able to raise on his "patch." Step by step the hardy pioneers made encroachments upon the heavy forests with their axes, enlarging their farms and increasing their crops, their flocks and their herds, till in the course of time they had a surplus beyond their own wants and those of their own families. This directed attention to the question of markets, which hitherto had been found only in the Eastern cities, only accessible by overland transportation. But now the navigation of the Cumberland, Ohio and Mississippi Rivers was looked to as a means of obviating these difficulties. The surplus produce of the country was hauled to the Cum- berland, where boats were loaded by enterprising men with bacon, grain, whisky and tobacco, and then floated out to the Ohio, and thence down the Mississippi to New Orleans. Here their cargoes were readily dis- posed of, sometimes for cash and sometimes exchanged for sugar, coffee and molasses, which were brought back with considerable labor and ex pense. As before intimated the later comers from Virginia and else- where were of a wealthier class of farmers, and with them came their one or more families of negro slaves, who had been purchased by their money or had descended to them by inheritance. 134 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. Negro Slavery. — As the subject of negro slavery is largely identified with the agriculture of the county, it is, perhaps, deserving of some no- tice in this connection. And as pertinent to the subject, the following ex- tracts from a well-known writer are given : " Without the labor of the negro, this Western country would have made much slower progress in its settlement, and the character of its popula- tion would probably have been very different. To negro slavery we are doubtless largely indebted for the chivalric character and open-handed hospitality of our fathers. * * * While the negro, da a slave, had some weaknesses, such as alack of proper respect for the truth, a pro- pensity to petty pilfering, and a great fondness for alcoholic drinks, yet the masses were faithful to their owners, industrious and economical, and had at heart their welfare, prosperity and good name. They were good operatives on the farm, and, as a rule, were intrusted with the execution of the work to be done in the absence of the proprietor, taking great pride in accomplishing more and better work than was expected of them ; the wife and children of the master were always safe under their protec- tion. Where a man's circumstances compelled him to labor, he would make a ' hand ' with the negroes, requiring no more work of them than he performed himself. " The negro had his house to himself and family, all of whom were well fed, well clothed in domestic cloth, attended to in sickness by the family physician, and as carefully nursed as any other member of the family. Their supply of fuel for winter use was unlimited, and during cold weather they kept up rousing fires both day and night. Nearly all of them had their ' truck patches ' of from a half to an acre of ground, and could raise such produce as suited their taste — sweet potatoes, tobacco and melons being their favorite crops. Saturday afternoon was usually given them to work their ' patches,' and at night the more thrifty would cobble shoes, make brooms, bottom chairs, cut cord- wood and do other odd jobs to make money, which, unfortunately, was too frequently spent.for whisky. Flagrant violations of domestic law were occasionally visited with stripes ; this punishment, however, was rarely resorted to except here and there by a fiend in human shape, who had no fear of God nor respect for the opinions of men. This class were few in number, and were frowned upon by the more respectable class of society. Persons who had not known anything practically of slavery until they came to the country, so soon as their circumstances would permit became the owners of slaves, and almost invariably proved to be the hardest task- masters. " The slaves, with no cares pressing upon them, were the happiest peo- ple to be found in any community. A failure of the crops, loss of stock, HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 135 or pecuniary troubles, while sympathized in by them, caused none of that anxiety which the owner experienced. They were all men and women raised to habits of industry. They are now all freemen, and the older ones, educated and accustomed to work, are rapidly passing away, while a new generation is coming on ; reared with no restraints, they look upon work as one of the relics of slavery, and prefer anything almost to honest labor. Under this state of things, their future is not very bright nor flat- tering. Many of the slaves belonging to the more conscientious citizens were sufficiently educated to enable them to read the Bible, but the mass received no scholastic training. Their religious instruction, however, was not neglected. At family worship they were brought into the house, the Scriptures read and explained to them, and encouragement to attend church given them. Many of them united with the various churches, whose records will show a considerable number of the colored population among the early membership, a majority of whom were noted for their strong abiding faith and strict moral deportment. " There were cases in which servants proved incorrigible, and sooner or later this class found their way to the cotton fields of the far South. Negroes were rarely ever reared here as an article of merchandise, but generally for the use of their owner, and if true and trusty were very seldom parted with. Men were encouraged to take their wives at home, if a suitable woman was in the family. If not, they generally found one in the immediate vicinity, when they were allowed to go to see her every night in the week, and as a general thing they were more steadfast to their families than they are now. Husband and wife were always kept together when possible, and often at great sacrifice. When the ownei of either husband or wife was about removing to a distant place, some trade would be made, either by purchase or exchange, to prevent their separa- tion. In such cases a man or woman would often be parted with by the owner that otherwise money could not have bought." This lengthy extract is given, not as an apology or defense of slavery, now no longer cursing the South, thank God ; but as a graphic, and, in the main, true and faithful pen-picture of the institution as it then actu- ally existed in Kentucky. Corn was par excellence the most important crop grown by the early settler. It was in the highest sense the staff of life, for at first it con- stituted the only material for bread. The preparations for the crop were of the simplest kind. The coulter plow was brought into requisition, aad the surface of the ground scratched over, but in the absence of this the hoe only sufficed. When the crop attained maturity, the blades were stripped off from the ear downward, and bound into sheaves ; then that part of the stalk above cut off and set up into shocks, or, as in some cases, 136 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. used in lieu of clapboards to roof in their cribs. When gathered, the ears were thrown on the ground near the crib in a pile, and all the neighbors summoned to the husking. The " cornshucking " was quite an institution of the period. On many occasions the presiding genius was John Barley- corn, and then they were made the occasion of trials of strength, displays of agility and sometimes the settlement of feuds and difficulties by per- sonal combats. The husking done, the men repaired to the farmer's rude habitation, and then, after a generous repast of venison, " bar meat " and the inevitable ash or johnny-cake, the younger gallants betook themselves to- the giddy mazes of the dance, and tripped the light fantastic toe till the wee small hours of the morn. And now, the corn husked and gathered into the barn, the next diffi- culty in the way was a mill, or rather the lack of one. After the corn had been raised and harvested, there were no mills to grind it into meal. At first and for a time this problem was solved by pounding it in a mor- tar with the butt end of a wedge by way of pestle, or, if the family had one, by grinding it in a coffee mill. By this process a very coarse meal was made, which, being sifted, the finer particles were used as meal, and the coarser as "grits " or hominy, after the husks had been floated off. It was not lotig, however, until some enterprising individual, actuated by necessity — necessity, they say, is the mother of invention — procured a couple of limestone rocks and improvised a pair of small buhrs, and then constructed a hand-mill, which was permanently placed by the side of the house. When meal was required, two persons would set themselves at the mill : one, taking hold of the shaft, would put the upper stone in motion, while the other would feed the mill with three or four grains of corn at a time, until enough was ground for present use. Of course this had to be repeated at each recurring meal, but, often as otherwise, prob- ably, the meat was eaten without any bread. This primitive hand-mill was, in the course of time, superseded by the horse or tread-mill, and its advent among the pioneers was, to them, what the steam merchant mill is now to us. It is impossible to tell where the first one was erected or by whom, but its introduction marked the be- ginning of a new era in farming operations. About the beginning of the year 1800, or perhaps sooner, David Youngs brought from Pennsylvania a pair of mill-stones, which were long afterward used in his mill on the East Fork of Little River, near the present Russellville road. About the same time, it is not known whether before or after, the same enterprising miller built another grist-mill on the present site of the well-known Edwards' Mill. It was afterward owned and run for many years by James Bro- naugh. The first mill-sites condemned by writ of ad quod damnum of the HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 187 court were the following, viz.: One on Big Eddy, by James Shaw, March 21, 1797 ; onte on the Barren Fork of Little River, by Robert Cravens, same date. At the next court in July, 1797, two more were condemned, one by Jacob Doom, Jr., at the Big Barren Spring on Liv- ingston Creek, the other by John Cordery, on Raines' Creek. That on the Sinking Fork of Little River was granted William Dryden, May 15 » 1798. Wheat, though one of the early productions, was not grown to any great extent till after the larger tracts of the "barrens " came into cul- tivation. After the timbered districts hud ccae under more general cul- tivation, however, and the facilities for making flour had increased, the crop became more general in the northern portions of the county. In harvesting the wheat crop, the sickle or reap-hook was used, each operator cutting about four feet. When a "swath" or "through" was cut he would throw the sickle across his shoulder and bind the cut grain back to the beginning. An ordinary hand would cut from one to one and a half acres per day, the wages for which would average from 50 to 75 cents. There were two methods of threshing — one was with the hand-flail; the other by tramping it out with horses. The cleaning was done by " wind- ing" it with a sheet, viz. : tossing up on a sheet or blanket of a windy day so that the wind would blow the chaff away, or on a calm day, creating a breeze by artificial means. At the first it was ground into flour at the ordinary corn grist-mills, and was afterward " bolted " by hand. The first merchant flouring mill was built by Capt. Cox on Little River about ten or twelve miles from Hopkinsville in 1820. It was rebuilt about twenty years after by James Brewer. The first threshing machine ever used in the county was built by James Bronaugh and his brother-in-law, James Hart, in the year 1834. It was on the same principle as the old " ground-hog," and was the invention of the latter gentleman. The cast- ings were molded for them by Mr. Samuel Stackers at his furnace near Clarksville, Tenn., and the wood-work afterward finished at Mr. Bro- naugh's. They built a second one for John P. Campbell, Sr., in 1838. These machines would thresh out under favorable circumstances as much as 200 bushels a day. The first "ground-hog" machines were brought to the county about 1841 or 1842, by an agent from Cincinnati, Ohio. Hext came the horse-power thresher and separator, and now the steam traction engine, with vibrator and separator, bids fair to supersede all others. With these improvements in threshing processes, the mills have kept pace, and we now have such merchant mills as those of Rabbeth & Brownell (Crescent Mills) and F. L. Ellis & Co. (Hopkinsville Mills). These mills when run to their full capacity turn out from 150 to 200 barrels each twenty-four hours. The yield of wheat in the county, for 138 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUJnu. the year 1878, was 377,870 bushels, and doubtless much larger since then. Tobacco. — This is by far the most important crop raised in Christian County. The soil seems peculiarly adapted to the growth of that variety known to the trade as " Hopkinsville Shippers," or " Clarksville Ship- pers" a class grown almost exclusively on the cavernous limestone soils of Southern Kentucky and North Tennessee. " This is the heaviest, richest, most gummy, and fullest of nicotine of any tobacco known." The best family of the weed for this class is the blue and yellow Pryor. The "Big Frederick" and "Morrow" grow larger than the Pryor, but are not so rich and waxy. The white Burley has not as yet been thor- oughly tested by the growers of tobacco here, though some seem to think, under favorable circumstances, it can be grown to profit. One of the most important desiderata in the culture of this variety is the " can- vassing" of the beds so as to insure well-grown plants for the early " wet " seasons. These conditions have not as yet been fairly met, and the test in consequence is not considered conclusive. The crop of all varieties grown in the county in the year 1880, was 12,577,574 pounds. The same year Lancaster County, Penn., with an area of 490,922 acres, grew 23,946,326 pounds, and Pittsylvania County, Ya., with an area of 205,465 acres, grew 12,271,533 pounds of tobacco. The area of farm- ing lands in Christian County being 209,339 acres, makes her the "ban- ner" county of the United States, if not of the world. The honor of having grown and shipped from the county the first hogshead of tobacco is claimed for several persons. Some claim that William Fagin and Abraham Shelton shipped the first hogshead from Eddyville on the Cumberland River to New Orleans. It was rigged up like an exaggerated sod roller, and drawn by a pair of oxen or stout horses, all the way to the river. Others claim the honor for Richard Graines, a brother-in-law of the famous pioneer Methodist preacher, Peter Cartwright, and the tradition runs that the experiment cost him " more than it come to," or in other words that he lost money on it. Hopkinsville Tobacco Trade. — The following article, on the tobacco market of Hopkinsville, was written for this work by Mr. H. G. Aber- nathy. It is commended to those interested in the weed : The Hopkins- ville Tobacco market may truly be called a creature of necessity. Dur- ing the late war the tier of counties in Kentucky, consisting of Logan, Todd, Christian, Trigg, Caldwell, Lyon, together with portions of Muh- lenbnrg and Hopkins, then known as a large part of the Clarksville To- bacco District, found great difficulty from various causes in marketing their tobacco. The almost entire absence of railroad or turnpike facilities throughout this whole section forced the burden upon the planting com- HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 189 munity of hauling tobacco on wagons, a distance of twenty to forty miles over the most abominable mud roads. The difficult means of transpor- tation, and the inconvenience of attending distant markets, prevented the masses from witnessing the sales of their produce, and the dissatisfaction resulting from losses, accidental and otherwise, with excessive commission charges, forced our planters to adopt the method of selling privately at their barns, rather than to " go farther and fare worse." Enloe and Fat- man, together with Jesup, Dillara and the Whartons bought freely, sweep- ing over the whole district, and the planter risking tobacco in a distant market was the exception. Facts like these, and many others that might be enumerated, suggest- ed the necessity of an auction market at home, situated in the very heart of one of the largest tobacco growing sections of the world. In the year 1869, the first tobacco warehouse in Hopkinsville was built by Carter L. Bradshaw, George W. Cayce and H. G. Abernathy. It was conducted under the firm name of Abernathy k Co., and sold 2,476 hogsheads of tobacco the first year it was in operation. Dudley JeflFreys was the first book-keeper, and added experience and ability to the general conduct of the business. The first sale was on the 12th of January, 1871, and the first hogshead sold was the property of William West, an estimable plant- er of Christian County, and was bought by E. M. Hopper, one of our leading and enterprising merchants. The principal buyers at the open- ing sale were Gant & Jesup, Thompson k Mills, Dr. J. D. Clardy, E. H. Hopper, S. T. Fox, E. S. Quisenberry and others. But a large board was soon formed representing an extensive trade. The doubt and uncertainty usually attendant upon all such enterprises soon vanished, and the market stood forth before the world a success. The second year, several additional warehouses opened and engaged in the business, bringing much ability, energy and enterprise to the trade, and a largely increased sale was made, with the utmost satisfaction to the patrons of the market. Large European orders, together with the home demand, gave to Hopkinsville a commanding position in the eyes of the world. The heavy, fat, German tobaccos, grown almost exclusively in Southern Kentucky, were sought after from first hands, giving to Hop- kinsville, from a geographical stand-point, many superior advantages. The market has been in active operation for more than fourteen years, selling from ten to fifteen thousand hogsheads annually. Crop Statistics. — The crop reports of Christian County for 1880 show the following: Com, 1,480,154 bushels; oats, 64,841 bi^shels; rye, 2,544 bushels ; wheat, 437,668 bushels: hay, 8,824 tons ; Irish potatoes, 20,837 bushels, and sweet potatoes 25,479 bushels. Live Stock. — The live stock and dairy reports for the year 1878 140 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTr. show': horses, 4,920 ; mules and asses, 4,968 ; milch cows, 4,609 ; other cattle, 5,580 ; sheep, 9,514 ; hogs, 42,834 ; milk, 26,367 gallons ; butter, 297,341 pounds ; wool, 49,235 pounds. Col. Cyrus Harrison and Matthew Patton were among the first to introduce into the county fine blooded stock from Virginia. This was about the year 1805. Since then many " thoroughbreds " have been im- ported from Virginia and elsewhere, and to-day Christian County can boast as many fine "strains " of both horses and cattle as any county in the State south of Green River. Agricultural Astociationa. — The Christian County Agricultural and Mechanical Association was organized under charter granted by the Leg- islature in 1856, with Isaac Lewis, James T. Jackson, R. T. Torian, James M. Ford, William T. Moore, James H. Lander, E. R. Cook, J. C. Whitlock, J. W. Wallace, H. B. Owsley and John Stites as Commis- sioners. A meeting was called February 2, 1857, at the court house in Hopkinsville, and Thomas Green unanimously elected President, and Isaac Lewis, J. I. Thomas, James T. Jackson, C. E. Merriwether, Jesse Mc- Comb and Rice Dulin, Directors. The board thus formed then proceeded to elect J. C. Latham, Secretary, and James S. Phelps, Treasurer. Grounds were purchased from J, H. Caldwell and Dr. Montgomery, suitable buildings erected, and in the fall of 1857 the first annual fair of the association was held. G. B. Long was appointed Marshal with two assistants, and Thomas S. Bryan Corresponding Secretary. Ad- mission fees, for adult footmen 25 cents, horsemen 35 cents, buggy 40 cents, carriages, etc., 50 cents, children and servants 10 cents. The fair was largely attended each day, many fine displays, were made, and altogether, so substantial and liberal was the patronage received that the association were encouraged to repeat, with added attractions, their ex- hibitions on the following year. The oflicers elected for 1858 were : Thomas Green, President ; and John Berry, John T. Edmunds, J. H. Gant, R. W. Henry, G. W. Killebrew and J. W. Wallace, Directors ; Thomas S. Bryan, Treasurer ; J. S. Latham, Secretary, and J. B. Gowan, Marshal. In the course of the year, Mr. Wallace resigning as Director, J. S. Parrish was elected in his stead. The officers for 1859 were : James S. Phelps, President ; James W. Fields, James Wallace, L. W. Withers, J. C. Whitlock, C. M. Tandy and A. D. Rogers, Directors ; H. A. Phelps, Secretary ; J. P. Ritter, Treasurer, and J. W. Breathitt, Marshal. The officers for 1860 were: J. S. Phelps, President; Directors, James Fields, L. W. Withers, C. M. Tandy, James Wallace and A. D. Rogers. H. A. Phelps was again elected Secretary, as was also J. P. Ritter, Treasurer, and J. W. Breathitt Marshal. Mr. Tandy resigning. HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 141 T. Torian was elected Director in his stead. The war coming on, and political excitement running high, this was the last fair held until 1869, and was rendered memorable by the fact that, during its progress, John 0. Breckinridge, then Vice-President, made a speech, discussing the issues of the times, to a vast concourse of people assembled on the grounds to hear him. In 1861, before the evacuation of Kentucky by the Confeder- ates, the buildings were used as a barracks by a regiment of Mississippians under Gen. Clark. On their departure the amphitheatre was found to be in flames, and being entirely of wood, was soon burned to the ground. The origin of the fire is not known, but is thought to have been acciden- tal. In 1869, June 7, the stockholders again called a meeting, and elected as Directors, B. T. Ritter, J. C. Whitlock, John C. Latham, William J. Radford, James Wallace, J. S. Parrish and George W. Lander. The Board of Directors met on the 12th inst. and elected B. T. Rjtter, Presi- dent ; John C. Latham, Jr., Secretary, and John P. Ritter, Treasurer. A committee, composed of J. K. Gant, James E. Jesup, S. A. Means and A. Palmer, was appointed to appraise the value of the fair grounds, who reported its value to be $2,600. James S. Parrish resigning his place as a member of the Board of Directors, Samuel G. Buckner was elected to fill the vacancy. At a subsequent meeting, June 26, a plan for an amphitheater, cottage, etc., was submitted by D. A. McKennon, which was adopted. The con- tract for the building of the amphitheatre was awarded, July 6, to Welch and McKennon for $7,200, $200 to be taken by them in stock, and the building of the cottage to Gatewood & Keeler for $1,200. J. F. Foard was elected Marshal, and October 20, 21, 22 and 23, set for the time of holding the next annual fair. A committee was also appointed to arrange for a "balloon ascension," and another for a parade of the Steam Fire Department at that time. The officers elected for 1870 were W. T. Radford, President ; G. W. Lander, S. G. Buckner, James Wallace and J. C. Latham, Directors ; James 0. Ellis, Secretary ; J. P. Ritter, Treasurer ; Joseph F. Foard, In 1871, James Parrish, President; P. F. Fox, L. McComb, 0. Graves, Ira F. Ellis, James Wallace and W. J. Bacon, Directors; J. P. Ritter, Treasurer ; J. 0. Ellis, Secretary ; and J. F. Foard, Marshal. In 1872, Thomas Green, President ; Dr. J. D. Clardy, J. T. Ed- munds, James Wallace, S. G. Buckner, James M. Clark and Winston Henry, Directors; James 0. Ellis, Secretary; J. P. Ritter, Treasurer; J. F. Foard, Marshal. In 1873, S. G. Buckner, President ; Ira F. Ellis, J. M. Clark, W. F. 142 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. Cox, James Wallace, C. T. Lewis and H. G. Bowling, Directors ; J. 0. Ellis, Secretary ; J. P. Ritter, Treasurer ; and J. F. Foard, Marshal. In 1874, W. F. Cox, President ; Col. E. A. Starling, Charles T. Lewis, J. M. Clark, P. Fox, I. F. Ellis and J. T. Edmunds, Directors ; J. 0. Ellis, Secretary ; J. P. Ritter Treasurer ; and J. F. Foard, Mar- shal. In 1875, Dr. James Wheeler, President ; Dr. J. C. Whitlock, Dr. J. D. Clardy, E. A. Starling, J. E. Jesup, V. W. Crabb, W. Henry, Direc- tors ; W. P. Winfree, Secretary ; J. W. McPherson, Treasurer ; and J. F. Foard, Marshal. At a subsequent meeting, Dr. Wheeler declining, Col. E. A. Starling was elected President. In 1876, E. A.. Starling, President, and the Board of Directors for 1875 re-elected. April, 17th inst.. Dr. Whitlock resigning, G. W. Lan- der was elected as a member of the Board of Directors. September 2, W. Henry resigned, and Dr. E. A. Cook elected Director in his stead. At the same meeting Thomas Boyd, of Trigg, and C. W. Maddox were elected members of the Board. In 1877, J. T. Edmunds, President ; Ira F. Ellis, J. M. Clark, V. W. Crabb, S. T. Fox, E. R. Cook and G. W. Lander, Directors ; J. 0. Ellis, Secretary ; J. W. McPherson, Treasurer ; and M. H. Nelson, Mar- shal. April 14, President Edmunds resigning, J. M. Clark was elected to fill the vacancy. George V. Green and John B. Bell were elected to fill the vacancies occasioned by the promotion of J. M. Clark and the resignation of Dr. J. D. Clardy. April 21, Dr. E. R. Cook resigned from the Board, and M. V. Owen was elected Director. In 1878, J. M. Clark, President ; G. W. Lander, V. W. Crabb, George V. Green, J. B. Bell, M. V. Owen and Ira.F. Ellis, Directors ; J. 0. Ellis, Secretary ; and J. W. McPherson, Treasurer; April 6, G. W. Lander resigned, and M. H. Nelson elected Director in his stead. In 1879, L. A. Sypert, President; G. V. Green. V. W. Crabb, M. H. Nelson, Otho Graves, W. Henry, Samuel M. Brown, Directors ; J. 0. Ellis, Secretary ; and W. P. Winfree, Treasurer. April 21, George y. Green resigned, and N. Campbell was elected in his stead. Mr. Camp- bell declining. Dr. W. G. Wheeler was elected Director. April 26, M. H. Nelson resigned, and Dr. E. R. Cook was elected. In 1880, Col. E. A. Starling, President; E. R. Cook, V. W. Crabb, G. W. Means, J. C. Whitlock, W. Henry and Ned Campbell, Directors ; James 0. Ellis, Secretary ; and J. W. McPherson, Treasurer. April 26, W. Henry resigning. Dr. J. D. Clardy elected in his stead. June 28, the death of President Starling being announced, a committee, composed of Dr. J. D. Clardy, E. R. Cook and J. 0. Ellis, was appointed to draft suitable resolutions. Dr. E. R. Cook was elected to fill the vacancy HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 143 occasioned by the death of President Starling, and E. W. Walker to fill his place. September 6, Dr. J. D. Clardy resigned as Director, and C. F. Jarrett elected in his stead. September 25, N. Campbell resigned, and W. G. Wheeler was elected to fill the vacancy. In 1881, Dr. E. R. Cook, President; C. F. Jarrett, V. M. Owen, V. W. Cfabb, J. C. Whitlock, Hunter Wood and J. C. Woolridge, Directors; John W. McPherson was elected Secretary and Treasurer. In 1882, C. F. Jarrett, President ; Hunter Wood, John C. Willis, G. W. Means, S. G. Buckner, E. Walker and Dr. E. R. Cook, Directors ; J. Burnett, Secretary ; John W. McPherson, Treasurer ; and William Cowan, Marshal. May 23, H. H. Abernathy was elected a Director. In 1883, Col. L. A. Sypert, President ; C. F. Jarrett, G. W. Means, J. S. Parrish, W. Henry, Joseph Woolridge and J. W. Pritchett, Direc- tors ; J. W. McPherson, Secretary and Treasurer. July 3, C. F. Jarrett resigned, and H. H. Abernathy was elected in his stead. It only remains to be said, in conclusion, that the Association, through the wise and economical management of its Directory, is at present in a healthy condition financially ; all outstanding debts having been liqui- dated, and the property being unincumbered, is increasing in value every year. Horticulture. — Gardening, or horticulture in its restricted sense, can- not be regarded as a very important feature in the history of Christian County. If, however, we take a broad view of the subject, and include orchards, small fruit culture and kindred branches, outside of agriculture, we should find something of more interest and value. There can be but little doubt that, if the farmers were to devote more of the attention that is given to tobacco to fruit-growing — particularly in the north part of the county, a section in every way adapted to it — the experiment would pay, and pay well. The climate of this portion of the State is better adapted to fruit culture than further north, and it is a pleasant and easy way of making money. The apple is the hardiest and most reliable of all the fruits for this region, and there are more acres in apple orchards, perhaps, than in all other fruits combined in the county. The first fruit trees were brought here by the pioneers themselves, and were seedling sprouts brought from the old homes in Virginia or the Carolinas. Apples axe raised in the county in great quantities, also peaches, and of late years small fruits are receiving more or less attention. There is but little land, even among the hills of the north part of the county, but would produce fine grapes, and grapes always command a good price. Grape culture in that section might be made a valuable industry. In fact, with a soil so well adapted to 144 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. fruits as that of Christian County, horticulture should be held in that high esteem which becomes so important a factor in human welfare. — J. M. Tydings. HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 145 CHAPTER VI. Keligious History of the CotrNTY— Eakly State of Society— The Bap- tists, THE Pioneers of Religion in Kentucky and Christian County —First Churches and Preacheivs— Education— The Present School System— State Patronage— Origin of our School Fund- Early Schools and Schoolhouses—Statistics—Illiteraoy— Com- pulsory Education— The Newspaper Press— Its Advantages to a Community— The first Paper in the County— Editors and Print- ers—Improvements IN Newspapers— Christian County Press, etc., etc. THE subject of Christianity occupies a conspicuous place in the his- tory of every enlightened community, and it is to the credit of our ancestors that they were a God-fearing people. Criminals and fugitives from justice, who hover on the confines of civilization, where there is no law to restrain or govern, except that public judgment, that is crys- tallized into a resistless force, flee before the light that shines from the Star of Bethlehem as the morning mist disappears before the rising sun. As the Cross advances, the rough and the turbulent recede, keeping pace with the frontier posts. They cannot flourish in a Christian com- munity. Infidelity may array itself against the Bible, and its clamors may be loud in the assemblies of the wicked, but it has not the courage to enter the sanctuary of a religious home, and listen to the earnest prayers of pious parents as they point their children to the throne of God. There were among the pioneers of Christian County, as is the case in all newly settled countries, a rough element, ignorant, vicious and worthless, but this element comprised only a few of the people. Of the majority, their moral deportment was good, and their title to man- sions in the skies unquestioned. Scarcely was the nucleus of a settle- ment formed ere steps were taken to counteract, in some way, the in- fluence of the lawless and evil-minded. This early led to efforts at religious organization and instruction, and often hymns of praise were mingled with the sound of the pioneer's ax. The earnest teachings of the time were plain and unvarnished, touched with no eloquence save a sincere desire to show men the way to better things by better living. There was more sincerity and less hypocrisy then than now. A recent writer, with much truth, says : " Bigotry and a disposition to worship creeds rather than one Almighty God, do more to bring religion into 146 HISTORY OP CHRISTIAN COUNTY. disrepute than any other cause that might be named. Churches of all denominations agree that there is but one God, one heaven and one hell, but beyond those boundary lines the question of duty diverges widely. Taking a common-sense view of the matter — throwing aside all devotion to denominationalism — there is no reason for strife within the pale of the church. Presbyterians, Catholics, Methodists, Unitarians, Congre- gationalisU, Episcopalians, Hebrews, Baptists and all others are living in the hopes of happiness beyond the great unknown. The church is but the way of getting there, and the destination of all the roads is heaven." The above would not be a bad motto for some of our modern churches, modem preachers and modern Christians. The Baptists were the pioneers of religion in Kentucky, and are still the strongest church, numerically, in Christian County. Elder William Hickman, a Baptist, is supposed to have been the first minister of any denomination to proclaim the " good tidings that should be to all people " in the wilderness of Kentucky. As early as 1776 he left his home in Virginia and came to Kentucky, and during his stay devoted much of his time to preaching the Gospel to the people of the scattered posts and stations. But no Baptist Church was formed until 1781, when the Gilbert Creek Church, near where the present town of Lan- caster stands, was organized. The Presbyterians followed close in the wake of the Baptists, and long before the war-cry of the retreating savages had died away on the frontiers of Indian^ and Illinois, they had obtained a hold upon the " dark and bloody ground." Rev. David Rice was the first Presbyterian preacher who came here. He was from Virginia, and emigrated to Kentucky in 1783, locating in what is now Mercer County. The same year Rev. Francis Clark, the advance guard of the Methodists, came and settled in the neighborhood of Danville, followed in 1786 by £evs. James Haw and Benjamin Ogden. As early as 1794 there was an organized Episcopal Church in Kentucky. About the year 1787 Rev. Father Whelan, a Roman Catholic clergyman, came to Kentucky as pastor to the Catholics, who lived principally about Biirdstown. He had been a chaplain in the French navy, that served with us ^ring the Revolutionary war, and when the struggle ended he remained in America. Thus the different religious denominations invaded Kentucky, gathered together the lost sheep of the wilderness, and led them into the fold of the Master. The first religious organization, perhaps, in Christian County, was the old-time Baptists, known familiarly as "Iron-jackets" or "Hard- shells." A minister of that denomination, named Williams, came here and located in the present Precinct of Hamby about the year 1796-97. He settled on a farm now owned by the heirs t)f Benjamin Armstrong. HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 147 Here, it is said, a church was built as early as 1805, and the small con- gregation was administered to by Elder Williams. He removed to Mis- souri about 1815, and the church finally died out. It seems only to have flourished while Williams remained, and now there is not even a ruin to show where the old building stood. There is also a tradition that there was a church of the same denomination organized in the southeast part of the county in the Gralbraith and McFadden settlement as early as 1800. As that section was the scene of the first settlement of the county, it is not improbable that there was a church organization there very early. James Davis, the pioneer, is represented as having been a fatalist, or Fredesti- narian, and doubtless was a member of the old Baptist Church. Elder Isaac Todevine was one of the pioneer Baptist preachers of Ten- nessee and Southern Kentucky, and possessed all the peculiarities and eccentricities of the Hardshells. He lived six or eight miles north of Glarksville, a kind of a hermit life with his horse " Snip " and his dog " Pup." He had no other family, and thought as much of Snip and Pup as if they had been his children. He often preached to the old church, tradition says, in the southeast part of Christian County before the great majority of the citizens now living here were born. Pup always accompanied his master on his preaching expeditions, and sometimes caused the old man some uneasiness lest he might depart so far from his ministerial dig- nity as to stray off with young and frivolous dogs and he would lose him. It is told of Elder Todevine that he was preaching one day, and had be- come warmed up in his sermon, when, looking through the window and seeing Pup in a great romp with the other dogs, he stopped short and asked a brother to go and get him, as he was afraid he would stray away and be lost. Elder Todevine believed in election and predestination, and accord- ing to his theology, one not elected from the foundation of the world was as surely lost as though already in the bottomless pit. He dreamed that he would die upon a certain day, and when the appointed day came, he went to bed, told his friends that his appointed time had come, and sure enough died (March 23, 1821) the time indicated in his dream. His name has nearly passed into oblivion, but this mention will doubtless re- call it to some of the oldest citizens. Lorenzo Dow, one of the most eccentric preachers, perhaps, that the country has ever known, unless it was the " White Pilgrim," used to sometimes preach in Hopkinsville and Christian County. .As early as 181'4 he made his appearance in Southern Kentucky and the adjoining part of Tennessee, and at Hopkinsville, Russellville, Clarksville and Palmyra, his strange, weird voice was often heard proclaiming the messages of his Divine Master. He was born in Connecticut in 1777, and is said to have 148 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. been an ordained minister of the Methodist Church. He generally trav- eled the country on foot, and preached wherever and whenever he could get an audience together ; he preached the Gospel pure and simple as he un- derstood it, not for pelf, but solely for the good of mankind. He was a humble, sincere, great pioneer preacher, with fists like a maul and a voice like the roar of a Numidian lion, and thus equipped he went forth upon his mission, made reprobates tremble, women to cry and shout aloud, and many a tough old sinner to fall upon his knees and plead for the pardon- ing of his sins. Anecdote? and incidents enough have been told of him to make a large volume of themselves. One of these will serve as a sam- ple of the others, and is as follows : One of his brother preachers was in the habit at 'the close of every sermon of giving a description of the day of judgment, when at the sound of Gabriel's trumpet, the Son of Man would appear in the clouds of heaven with ail his holy angels, " to judge the quick and the dead," uni- formly adding a description of the alarm and terror that would overwhelm the impenitent sinner. Then changing his description, would picture all the glorious triumphs of the righteous, and with whom he hoped to be found. Mr. Dow, becoming disgusted with his repetition, determined to put a stop to it, and for that purpose engaged a boy famous for his skill in blowing the trumpet, to climb a tree near the church one night where the old brother was to preach, and when he got to the day of judgment and Gabriel's trumpet, to blow a terrible blast. All worked well ; the preacher gave an animated discourse with the usual peroration of the judgment and Gabriel's trumpet, when the boy, from his perch in the tree-top, with his trumpet gave an awful peal, making the heart of every one in the meeting-house stand still. Leaving hat, saddle-bags and umbrella, the old preacher cleared the pulpit at a single bound, rushed to the door and took to the woods, followed by his terror-stricken congre- gation. Henceforth, that preacher struck Gabriel and his trumpet out of his sermons. Lorenzo Dow died in Georgetown, D. C, in 1834. Th^ strange, wandering old herald of salvation has long since realized the hope given him of a futurity on the margin of the "Beautiful River," where, through everlasting ages, he can sit in the light of holiness. The Methodists, Baptists and Presbyterians came shortly after the "Hardshell" Baptists, and churches of these organizations were soon established in the different Settlements. At first their meetings were held in the settlers' cabins, but as their strength increased rude log structures were put up for religious worship. In time these gave place to better buildings, which have been improved from time to time, as the commu- nity grew in wealth, until the county at large, as well as the city of Hop- HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 149 kinsville, can boast of their temples of worship as comparing favorably with those in any section of the State. In the chapters devoted to the towns and election districts every church organization will be written up, so far as their history can be learned, with sketches of Peter Cartwright, John Johnson, Vardeman, Fort, Ross and other old soldiers of the Cross who have passed away. Education. — No question is of such vital importance to the people as that of education. Nothing for which the State pays money yields so large a dividend upon the cost as the revenue expended upon the schools. From the humble scene of the teacher's labors there are shot into the heart of society the great influences that kindle its ardors for activity, which light civilization on its widening way, and which hold the dearest interest of humanity in its hand. The statistics are the smallest expo- nents of our schools ; there are values that cannot be expressed in dollars and cents. In the early development of Kentucky there were a great many ob- stacles in the way of general education. The settlements were sparse, and money, or other means of remunerating teachers were scarce, as the pio- neers of new countries are nearly always poor. There were no school- houses erected, nor was there any public school fund, either State or county. All persons of both sexes, who had physical strength enough to labor, were compelled to take their part in the work of securing a support, the labor of the female being as heavy and important as that of the man, and this continued so for years. In the last place both teachers and books were scarce. Taking all these facts together, the wonder is that they had any schools at all. But the pioneers of Kentucky deserve the highest praise for their prompt and energetic efforts in this direction. Just as soon as the settlements would justify, schools were begun at each one, and as population and wealth increased schoolhouses were built and educational facilities extended. The Present School System. — A few words of the present school sys- tem : The reader doubtless will find it of interest to learn where and when common schools originated. It is just possible, however, that there are some whose opinions will not be the more exalted by a knowledge of the birthplace of the common school system, on the same principle that the ancient Hebrews deemed it impossible for anything good to come out of Nazareth. But there is no reason why a good thing should be con- demned on account of its place of origin. The question of educating the masses through the medium of the common schools was agitated as early as 1647 in New England. An act was passed that year to enable " every child, rich and poor alike, to learn to read its own language." This was followed by another act, " giving to every town or district having fifty 150 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. householders the right to have a common school," and to " every town or district having 100 families a grammar school, taught by teachers compe- tent to prepare youths for college." A writer, years afterward, comment- ing upon the act, states it to be the first instance in Christendom wherein a civil government took measures to confer upon its youth the benefits of an education. There had been parish schools connected with individual churches, and foundations for universities, but " never before embodied in practice a principle so comprehensive in its nature, and so fruitful in good results as that of training a nation of intelligent people by educating all its youth." When our fathers, nearly a century and a half later, declared in the ordinance of 1787 that " knowledge, with religion and morality, was necessary to the good government of mankind," they struck the key-note of American liberty. Science and literature began to advance after the adoption of that ordinance in a manner they had never done before, and the interest then awakened is still on the advance. The governing power of every country upon the face of the globe is an educated power. The Czar of Russia, ignorant of international law, of domestic afiFairs, of finance, commerce, and the organisation of armies and navies, could never hold under the sway of his scepter 70,000,000 of sub- jects. With what scrupulous care does England foster her great univer- sities for the training of the sons of the nobility for their places in the House of Lords, in the army, navy and church ! What then should be the character of citizenship in a country where every man is born a king and sovereign, heir to all the franchises and trusts of the State and Repub- lic ? An ignorant people can be governed, but only an intelligent and educated people can govern themselves ; and that is the experiment we are trying to solve in these United States. State Patronage. — The first steps taken by Kentucky to extend the fostering aid of State patronage to the interests of general education were taken before the close of the last century. On the 10th of February, 1798, an act was approved by the State Legislature, donating and setting apart of the public lands of the Commonwealth 6,000 acres each, for the bene- fit and support of Franklin, Salem and Kentucky Academies, and for Lex- ington and Jefferson Seminaries. Similar acts were approved December 21, 1805, and January 27, 1808, embracing like provisions, and extend- ing them to all the existing counties of the State. Within twenty years from the passage of the act of 1798, the following additional academies and seminaries were endowed with the grant of 6,000 acres each : Shelby, Logan, Ohio, Madison, New Athens, Bethel, Bourbon, Bracken, Bullitt, Fleming, Harrison, Hardin, Harrodsburg, Lancaster, Montgomery, New- port, Newton, Rittenhouse, Stanford, Washington, Winchester, Woodford, Somerset, Transylvania, Greenville, Glasgow, Liberty, Rockcastle, Leb- anon, Knox, Boone, Clay, Estill, Henry, Greenup, Grayson, Warren, HISTOay OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 151 Breckinridge, Caldwell, Henderson, Union, Adair, Allen, Daviess and Pendleton.* An early law of Kentucky pertaining to the subject of edu- cation was, " that all the lands lying within the bounds of this Common- wealth, on the south side of Cumberland River, and below Obed's River, now vacant, etc., shall be reserved for the endowment and use of sem- inaries of learning throughout this Commonwealth." The County Courts of the several counties were authorized to have surveyed, located and pat- ented, within their respective counties, or' within the above reserve, or elsewhere in the State, 6,000 acres each for seminary purposes, and all such lands were exempted from taxation. Noble as were the grants in purpose and plan, but little actual benefit was derived from them— at least not half the benefit that should have been. Under subsequent un- wise acts, the lands were allowed to be sold by county authorities, and the proceeds prodigally expended, and in many cases recklessly squan- dered. The proceeds from the sale of these lands are in some counties wholly lost sight of; in other counties they remain in the hands of trustees appointed, and forgotten or neglected, by an indifferent public ; while in other counties these funds are still held by trustees for their original uses. " But for the want of wise laws and more competent and guarded man- agement," says Mr. Collins, " a great plan and its means of success for the establishment and support of a system of public seminaries of a high order in each county was rendered an accomplished failure." Many laws have been enacted by the State Legislature providing for a general system of public schools, but most of them were so framed as to amount to little^ or were altogether impracticable. In December, 1821, an act was passed which provided that " one-half the net profits of the Bank of the Commonwealth should be distributed in just proportions to the counties of the State for the support of a general system of educa- tion under legislative direction ; and, that one-half of the net profits of the branch banks at Lexington, Danville and Bowling 6reen should be donated to Transylvania University, Center College and the Southern College of Kentucky respectively." The fund thus derived amounted to some $60,000 per annum, until the failure, some years later, of the old Commonwealth's Bank of Kentucky. A recent writer upon our school system makes this very pertinent observation : " It is a singular phenom- enon of the history of internal economy of our State, for seventy years, that our main attempts at internal improvements and public education, at State expense and under State superintendence, have been embarrassed or defeated almost wholly, by the misdirection and mismanagement of incompetent legislation." The origin of our " permanently invested school fund " was somewhat as follows : By an act of Congress, approved June 23, 1836, that body ♦ Collins. 152 HISTORY OP CHRISTIAN COUNTY. apportioned about $15,000,000 of surplus money in the treasury to the several older States in the form of a loan, of which the share of Kentucky was $1,433,757. This fund was asked for and received by our State, with the expectation and intention of devoting it to school purposes, although no provision of the law imposed upon the State this obligation ; yet, by different acts of the Legislature, the original fund was cut down until only $850,000 was finally set apart as the financial basis of our educational system. This is the history of the origin of Kentucky's school fund, and for many years the only public school revenue was derived from it, and a portion is still derived from it. By accumula- tions of unexpended surplus from year to year, and the continual additions of this to the principal, this permanent fund is now about one and a half million dollars. But without going into a discussion of the school system and school laws of Kentucky, it is enough to say, and it is not out of place, either, that her educational system is lament- ably deficient, and not to be compared with those of other States of the Union whose natural resources of wealth are much less than Kentucky's, and whose native intelligence is certainly no greater. There is no reason why the State of Kentucky should not have as good a system of public education as any State in the Union. No other State of like area is richer in natural wealth ; none of like population contains more natural genius. The writer, who has spent considerable time in Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, and had abundant opportunities for observing their educational systems, and the practical workings of the same, has no hesitancy in say- ing, that the Committee on Education of the Kentucky Legislature might, in the systems of those States, find food for reflection, and find in them ideas and hints valuable to the system of common schools in our own State. As an example, a recent report of the State Board of Education of Ohio shows the following : The receipts of school moneys for the year f 11,243,210 38 Total expenditures for schools for the year 3,531,885 14 Leaving school fund balance $7,711,335 24 The following exhibit of Kentucky's school fund, as shown by the report of the State Superintendent for 1880-81, is in painful contrast to that of Ohio : Bond of the Commonwealth held by the Board of Education 11,327,000 00 Stock in the Bank of Kentucky 73,500 00 Total 11,400,500 00 Interest on bond of the Commonwealth at 6 per cent $ 79,620 00 Dividends on Bank of Kentucky stock 5,880 00 From all other sources 512,692 50 598,192 50 Total 11,998,693 50 PRIMITIVE SCHOOLHOUSE. HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 156 This, by all warm friends of education, must be looked on as a reproach to the great State of Kentucky. With her vast resources of wealth she might as well have a permanent school fund of $10,000,000 as to have the insignificant sum given above. It is not, however, that the people are unfriendly to general education, but owing more to incompetent legis- lation. Early Schools and Schoolhoiises. — That the people took an interest in education early is evidenced in the fact that as early as 1775 we have an account of a school in the wilderness of Kentucky, seventeen years before it became a State. This school was taught at Harrod's Station by a Catholic lady, Mrs. Coomes, and is no doubt the first school of any kind ever taught in Kentucky. Transylvania University (of Lexington), the first institution of learning of a higher grade established west of the Allegheny Mountains, was chartered by the General Assembly of Vir- ginia in 1780. As we have already stated, schools were established in the various settlements almost as soon as the settlements were made, and were sometimes even taught in the stations and block-houses when it was not safe to venture beyond their protecting walls. This spirit of educa- tion has never flagged among the mass of the people, and it has been to their great disadvantage, particularly to the poorer classes, who are not able to send their children off to the seminaries, academies and colleges, that the system of public schools has not been improved to the extent it has deserved, and should be in every State of the Union. The great prejudice against the common schools is fast dying out in the Southern States, and it is an excellent sign of the " good time coming " that it is so. The wealthiest counties of Kentucky are becoming their best friends, and tax payers are voting levies upon themselves to build schoolhouses, improve the quality, and extend the term of the schools. Tasteful and comfortable houses are being built by scores every year, and a home supply of teachers is being supplied from the best young men and women of the State. Impecunious tramps and shiftless natives are no longer palmed off as teachers. The system has ceased to be an infirm- ary for the lame and halt and feeble. Incompetents " to be provided for " no more are pensioned upon the bounty of the school fund. We accept these improvements as an omen of the awakening to the importance of education through the medium of a perfected system of public schools. Schools of the County.— 'She following sketch of the schools of the coun- ty is by Judge G. A. Champlin, County School Commissioner. The first School Commissioner of Christian County was Enoch A. Brown, father of our present Sheriff, a man of naturally fine intellectual endowments and well educated for that early period. He was appointed about 1845, and served until the sixth of October, 1856, having kid off forty districts. No. 1 156 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COPNTT. was established about 1845, and was located west of Crofton, the boundary beginning at Thomas M. Long's. No. 2 included what is now Kelly's Station, and the surrounding country. The Hopkinsville District was numbered 37. All of these forty districtSj^ except some five or six, were located in the northern portion of the county. The common school fund was small, only 5 cents on the $100 of taxable property being levied and collected up to the year 1870. It was insufficient to employ compe- tent teachers, and the result was that schools were not regularly taught. In many of the districts but little interest was manifested by the people. In the southern portion of the county the people relied almost entirely upon private schools, and did not attempt to avail themselves of the benefit of the fund. Prior to the passage of the law giving additional aid to com- mon schools of 15 cents on the $100 only about one-half of the county had been districted. Under the school law the money set aside to each county and not drawn and used by reason of schools not being taught, went to the credit of the surplus fund, and was converted into bonds or loaned out for the benefit of the respective counties that had failed to have schools. From the examination of the reports of the Superintendent of Public Instruction it appears that the amount to the credit of Christian County is $15,224.36, which pays annually from the interest thereon 15 cents per capita ; only three counties derive from this source a larger per capita. Most of the other counties having used the fund and taken greater interest in com- mon schools, derive but a small sum from this source. From the fact that the funds were not used in part it resulted that this county has since 1870 had a larger fund for the benefit of her schools than the other counties except three, as already stated. In October, 1856, John P. Ritter was elected Common School Com- missioner. He was a young man of promise, very well educated, and manifested considerable interest in education. He could do little, how- ever, on account of the indifierence of the people as to common schools. About the commencement of the war, James Moore, a very estimable gen- tleman who had the confidence of everybody, became County School Commissioner. He kept his books with great accuracy, but was unable to visit the difierent schools on account of his extreme age. He made a good Commissioner, and did what he could to encourage education. Mr. Moore died in the summer or fall of 1870. In October, 1870, G. A. Champlin, the present incumbent, became School Commissioner. The census of the previous year showed only 2,100 children of the requisite pupil age. The Commissioner proceeded to district the balance of the county and have houses built. In two years the census showed 5,000 children, and has been increasing in numbers HISTOKY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 157 every year since, until 6,000 was shown by the last census, with a present number of eighty-four districts. In the meantime the schoolhouses, which were with two or three, exceptions log, and not good at that, have been rebuilt and greatly improved. Schools are taught in every district, ex- cept one to three, for a few of the years. The people have gradually taken more and more interest in common schools, and the teachers employed are better qualified than formerly. In 1881 the people of Hopkinsville established the Hopkinsville graded schools, which have done much to aid and encourage education in the county. The teachers of the common schools throughout the county have gained much valuable information from the improved methods of teaching used by the Principal and teachers of these schools, and they have given a new impetus to the common schools of the county. In addition to the white schools, the county is divided into forty-one school districts, under the educational system inaugurated for the benefit of the colored people. The State appropriation to the county for colored schools was $2,234.36. The State Superintendent's report shows the number of colored children between six and sixteen years to be 4,542, and that the colored people have sixteen log schoolhouses, valued at $585, and seven frame buildings, valued at $1,485. It is a fact highly credita- ble to the colored people that they are taking an interest, that is yearly in- creasing, in the cause of education. An extract from the report of Rev. H. A. M. Henderson, while State Superintendent of Public Instruction, is worthy of a place in these pages. He says : " The State plants its right to educate upon the foundation that intelligent citizenship is the bulwark of free institutions. It educates for its own protection. Each free elector holds in the ward of his ballot the measure of the State's interest. 'An uneducated ballot is the winding sheet of liberty.' The principle of sovereignty in a republican govern- ment resides in the individual citizen. The expression of the popular will by a majority at the polls, in a fairly conducted election, is but the aggregate expression of American sovereignty. The people, by their votes, determine who shall represent their sovereign will. How to wield this power for good, is the supreme question for the State. An ignorant people, manipulated by corrupt leaders, becomes the worst of all tyrants. The idea that the majority can do no wrong is only equaled by that mon- strous political dogma of imperialism: 'The king can do no wrong.' Nothing is so wrong as a deluded, demagogue-directed majority. It holds power, and when it determines to run riot over the peace and prosperity of society, a political wolf howls hungry for prey along our highways, and a ravening leopard keeps ward and watch at the crossings of the streets in our towns and cities. No maxim ever embodied a more perni- 158 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. cious error than the trite proverb, ' The voice of the people is the voice of God.' This would be true if the people-were God-like. This can only be true when intelligence determines public questions, and patriot- ism executes its verdicts. See what corrupt ignorance, introduced to power, did for the States of the South ! Consider what negro supremacy entailed upon South Carolina ! Color and latitude work no changes in the capacities of venal ignorance for harm, when intrusted with the reins of power. The greatest crime of the century was the sudden enfran- chisement of 4,000,000 of unlettered Africans. Those who perpetrated this outrage upon our republican institutions, did it in the face of all the social science they had propagated. The North had emphasized the doc- trine that virtue and intelligence are essential to the perpetuity of the Republic ; and yet, in an ill-advised hour of heated passion, rendered hot by the fires of civil war, they made a horde of ignorant slaves the peers of their intelligent masters, and thus provided the conditions that pros- trated the South, and subjected its people to the most destroying despot- ism that ever ground into the dust a free citizenship. The only indemni- ty for this stupendous wrong, is their education at the national expense. To require the people they impoverished by this act of folly to bear the burden of their education would be a continued piece of injustice which no political casuistry can justify, no species of sophistry disguise, and no maudlin philanthropy dignify with a decent apology. " But Kentucky has 40,000 white voters who cannot read. Add to these 55,000 enfranchised negroes, and we have 95,000 — one-third of our entire electoral population — ignorant of the very means by which to acquaint themselves with the merits of questions submitted for their de- cision at the polls. Let this mighty census of ignorance increase until it becomes the dominant majority — and grow it would, if left to itself, without State encouragement for its own improvement — and seat itself in power, and we have no reason to expect that Kentucky would escape the same or like disasters that have overtaken and overwhelmed every people that ever dared the fearful experiment." Compulsory Education. — The subject of compulsory education is one that is attracting much attention of late years, and already the Legisla- tures of many States have passed laws compelling parents and guardians, even against their will, to send their children to school. There is no doubt but a great good would be wrought if the wisdom of the General Assembly could devise some means to strengthen and supplement the powers of Boards of Education, and enable them to pVevent truancy, even if only in cases where parents desire their children to attend school reg- ularly, but where parental authority is too weak to secure that end. The instances are not tew in which parents would welcome aid in this matter, HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 159 knowing that truancy is often the first step in a path leading through tbe dark mazes of idleness, vagabondage and crime. Youthful idlers upon the streets of towns and cities should be gathered up by somebody and compelled to do something. If they learn nothing else, there will be at least this salutary lesson, that society is stronger than they, and without injuring them will use its strength to protect itself. While reform schools are being established for those who have started in the way to their own ruin, and have donned the uniform of the enemies of civil socisty, it would be heavenly wisdom to provide some way to rescue those who are yet lingering around the camp. The Press. — The record of the newspaper press of a county, if it has happened to fall into the hands of men competent to make it fully dis- charge its duty, ought to be the one most important page of a county's history. One of the greatest things that could always be said of our Nation was, it has a free press. No man has to be licensed or selected by the Government either to print a book or publish a newspaper. It has been circumscribed by no law except natural selection. Any one who wished could start a paper at any time, and say anything he desired to say, barring only an occasional boot-toe and the law of libel. If he chose not to be suppressed, there was no power to suppress him — except a "mil- itary necessity," and once in a great while mob violence. If he was per- secuted or thrashed by some outraged citizen, it is not certain but that he always got the best of the difficulty, especially when he would begin to prate about the "palladium of American liberties." The wisest act of our Government in all its history was the unbridling of the press. It was the seed planted in good soil for its own perpetuity, and the happiness and welfare of its people. To make the^jress absolutely free, especially after the centuries of vile censorship over it, was an act of wisdom trans- cending in importance the original invention of movable types. A free press makes free speech, free schools, free intelligence and freedom, and when political storms come, and the mad waves of popular ignorance and passion beat upon the ship of State, then, indeed, is a free press the bea- con light shining out upon the troubled waters. The press is the drudge and the pack-horse, as well as crowned king of all mankind. The gentle click of its type is heard around the world ; they go sounding down the tide of time, bearing upon their gentle waves the destinies of civilization, and the immortal smiles of the pale children of thought, as they troop across the face of the earth, scattering here and there immortal blessings that the dull, blind types patiently gather, and place where they will ever live. It is the earth's symphony which endures ; which transcends that of the " morning when the stars sang together." It is fraught with man's good, his joy, his happiness and the 160 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTT. blessings of civilization^ By means of the press, the humblest cabin in the land may bid enter and become a part of the family circle such as the sweet-singing bard of Scotland — the poet of Bonny Doon — the immor- tal Shakespeare, or Byron, " who touched his harp, and nations heard entranced." Here Lord Macaulay will lay aside his title and dignity, and with the timid children even hold sweet converse in those rich, resounding sentences that flow on forever, like a great and rapid river. Here Gray will sing his angelic pastoral, as " the lowing herd winds slowly o'er the lea, and leaves the world to darkness and to me ; " and Charles Lamb, whose sweet, sad, witty life may mix the laugh with the sigh of sympathy, may set the children in a roar as he tells the story of the " invention of the roast pig;" and that human bear — Johnson — his roughness and boorish- ness all gone now, as in trenchant sentences he pours out his jeweled thoughts to eager ears ; and the stately Milton, blind but sweet and sublime ; and Pope ; and poor, unfortunate, gifted Poe, with his bird of evil omen, " perched upon the pallid bust of Pallas ; " and Shelley, and Keats, and Dickens, and Thackeray, and Saxe, and Scott, and Hood, and Eliot, and Demosthenes, and Homer, and Clay, and Webster, and Pren- tice, and all of earth's greatest, sweetest and best, are at the beck and call of mankind, where they will spread their bounties before the humblest outcast as munificently as at the feet of royal courts or kings. The coming of the printer, with the black letter, the " stick," the ink- pot, " pi " and the " devil " is always an era anywhere and among any people ; in young and fast-growing communities it is an event of great portent to its future, for here, above any other institutions, are incalcula- ble possibilities for good, and sometimes well-grounded fears for evil. A free press, in the hands of a man aware of the great responsibilities resting upon him, is a blessing like the discoveries and inventions of gen- ius that are immortal. In the dingy printing ofBce is the epitome of the world of action and of thought — the best school in Christendom — the best church. An eminent divine has truly said, " The local paper is not only a business guide, but it is a pulpit of morals ; it is a kind of public rostrum where the aflfairs of State are considered ; it is a supervisor of streets and roads ; it is a rewarder of merit ; it is a social friend, a promoter of friendship and good will. Even the so-called small matters of a village or incorporate town are only small to those whose hearts are too full of personal pomposity." Kentucky Republican. — The newspaper's past and present are totally different in many respects. Take the country newspaper of fifty or sixty years ago, and what an institution it was ! Its ponderous editorials stagger us even at this distant day as we read them, and its foreign news, from six HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 161 weeks to three months old, may have been highly entertaining then,but would be considered a little stale now. The editor, too, was a big man. He could no more write a local item, or pen a light article, than he could move Mount Atlas. His editorial thunder was hurled at his political antagonists like battering rams, and his readers were regaled with column after column of dull matter they never read, and could not have appre- ciated if they did. The Kentucky Republican, the first paper published in Christian County, is a fair sample of the early press. We have seen several copies of it ; Mr. Pike has one, the issue of September 15, 1821, and Mr. Meacham, of the South Kentuchian, has the issue of September 21, 1821. Neither of these issues contain a local item, except the adver- tisements, but each has two or three columns upon the death and funeral of Napoleon Bonaparte. The Kentucky Republican was established prt-jably in 1820, as the issue of September 15, 1821, is " Vol. II, No. 2." The name of David S. Patton, a prominent lawyer of the early bar of the county, appears at the " mast head " as editor and publisher. It is a four-page, five-column paper ; price, " $2.50 in advance, $3 payable at the expiration of the first six months from the time of subscription, or $4 at the end of the year." It has some three columns on the death of Napoleon Bonaparte, a long article on the " Wonders of Creation," copious extracts from the National Intelligencer and the New York papers, a column on the fail- ure of the Bank of Missouri, an event then a month old, etc., etc. The nearest approach to a local item is the trial of counterfeiters in Gallatin County. The next issue (September 21) has two columns on " Florida," a lengthy article on " The Revolution in St. Jago," nearly three columns on the funeral of Napoleon, and numerous other dry extracts from abroad — with no local items. A newspaper filled with dry political arti- cles, scientific essays and philosophical treatises alone would not satisfy us in this fast age. We live fast, and we want the news from the four quarters of the world, as well as what transpires around us, to digest our breakfasts each morning. A sketch of Mr. Patton, the pioneer editor of the county, is given in the history of the bar. Just how long his paper continued we could not learn, but it probably existed two -or three years. Samuel Orr was a printer, and worked for Mr. Patton on the Republican, from the time of starting it to the time almost of its discontinuance. Judge Long says he has good cause to remember this, the first paper of Hopkinsville, as the severest whipping he ever received in his life was on account of a neglect of that part of his juvenile duties which required him to go to the oflSce every Saturday and bring the paper home. Hia father finally reminded him of his dereliction in a substantial manner. 162 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. that ever after brought the matter vividly to his mind very early on Sat- urday morning, and that he has not forgotten it to this day. The few numbers of the Republican which we have seen do not con- tain anything to indicate the color of its political principles, but from its name it was doubtless of the Jeffersonian school. A couple of brothers — Grarrett and Bickham Pitts — finally took charge of the paper, and con- ducted it for a short time after Mr. Patton retired from its control. Bickham Pitts was a printer, aud had learned the art in the Republican oflSce ; his brother did the editing, and was a kind of half-way lawyer. They carried on the paper but a short time, and the office passed again into the hands of Mr. Patton. The Spy. — Livingston Lindsay bought the press and the entire outfit of the old Republican office in 1829, from Mr. Patton, and commenced the publication of a weekly journal called The Spy, which he continued for about two years. Mr. Lindsay then sold out to William R. B. Mills, and accepted a professorship in Cumberland College at Princeton, Ky. He was a young lawyer at the time of his journalistic venture in Hopkins- ville, had studied law, and been admitted to the bar in Virginia before emigrating to Kentucky. Eventually, he removed to Texas, where he rose to prominence in his profession, and became Chief Justice of the State, and is still living there — at La Grange. He was a fine writer, as well as lawyer, and still writes well, though an old man now, as is shown by a long communication on his " Recollections of Hopkinsville and Christian County," written by request for this work, and from which lengthy extracts are made elsewhere. Mr. Mills continued the publication of The Spy but for a short time after its purchase from Judge Lindsay. Mills is described as a shiftless, dilatory man, with little or no energy, and his press and printing material were soon seized and sold for debt. This was the end of the second newspaper of the county. The Hopkinsville Gazette. — The next paper was launched upon the community under the name and title of Hopkinxville G-azette. It was established by two brothers, John and Alexander C. Goodall from Louis- ville, who were practical printers, and had learned their trade in the office of the Louisville Journal. A man of the name of Alexander (a printer) came here after the suspension of The Spy, and proposed to start a paper, if sufficient encouragement was offered him. He had nothing, and in order to raise means for the enterprise he canvassed the town and surrounding country for subscriptions, and succeeded in procur- ing the names of four or five hundred persons. He then went to Louis- ville for the purpose of buying an outfit, but instead, sold his subscription list to the Goodall Brothers, who came on with the requisite outfit and HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 163 material, and the result was, they established the Ho'pkinsville Gazette in the summer of 1834, as a copy we have seen, dated December 12, 1840, is Vol. VI, No. 17. They published it some ten or twelve years with good financial success. Indeed, it is said to have been the only paper that ever made much money here prior to the war. The Goodalls were good printers and thorough business men, and understood conducting a newspaper. They had graduated in a good school — the Louisville Jour- nal — then under the control and management of George D. Prentice, the leader of the Southern press, and they possessed some of his energy and enterprise. John Goodall edited the paper, and also made some preten- sions to the law, but he remained only a few years in the editorial har- ness, when he sold out to his brother and went to Bast Tennessee, where he became prominent as a lawyer. A. C. Goodall continued the publi- cation of the Gazette alone. He died many jears ago, but his widow still lives here. Chastine Forbes was a printer in the office of the Gazette ; he is now Superintendent of the Insane Asylum at Little Rock, Arkansas. The Gazette^ like its predecessors, is very barren of local items, but rich in miscellaneous matter and bristling editorials. James Henry, a brilliant young man, and one of the ablest writers of the early press, was long connected with the Gazette in an editorial capacity. He died young. The Gazette was a five-column folio, and its mechanical execution was excellent. It was intensely Whig in politics. The Green River Whig. — Mr. Goodall sold his paper to Robert Thomas, of Clarksville, who changed the name to Green River Whig. This occurred somewhere between 1844 and 1850. Under its new name and management it continued the sturdy defender of the Whig faith. But how long it existed as the Green River Whig, the most diligent investi- gation has failed to find out; probably until 1851, when another change took place, and another Hopkinsville newspaper was numbered with " the things that were." Kentucky Rifle. — Upon the ashes of the Green River Whig arose the Kentucky Rifle, another Whig paper, under the editorship of J. E. Carnes, and himself and J. R. McCarroU publishers and proprietors. The issue of June 7, 1851, is Vol. I, No. 10, which would indicate that it was established about March of the same year. It has a very showy heading of a long rifle (a photograph perhaps of Daniel IJoone's old rifle), with the letters "The Rifle," hanging upon the barrel, much as Daniel Boone would have hung his shot-pouch upon the deer horn over his cabin door. The Rifle was as intensely Whig as its predecessors, and Carnes hurled his fierce thunderbolts at the Locofocos like blows from a battle-ax. It continued some four or five years, and then — burst— just as many another gun has done before when too heavily loaded. Mr. Carnes was a brilliant 10 164 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. writer and a brilliant man. He had been editor of the Vickshurg (Miss.) Whig before he came here, and as a writer was aggressive in the extreme. He was a poet, and frequently, in his leisure moments, used to " Give loose fancy scope to range,'' and would reel off some beautiful and touching verses. Many of his poetical effusions are found scattered through the old files of the Rifle. He finally became a Methodist preacher, and was sent to Texas as Super- intendent of the Methodist Book Concern. The Mercury. — The Rifle was either changed to the Patriot or was sold, and the latter journal started in its place, with S. C. Mercer and J. R. McCarroU proprietors. It was established about 1855, and in the latter part of 1856 the name was changed to the Mercury. It was an organ of the Know-Nothing, or American party, and was the last paper in Western Kentucky of that political faith. Its publication was continued until in 1861, when the war put an end to it, and the office and material became a prey to " military necessity," and the sport of " the boys" in the army. Mr. Mercer is a fine writer, and still a citizen of Hopkinsville, and is well known to the people of the city and the county. He is comparatively a young man, and should not allow his genius ' 'I'o rustunburnished, not to shine in use," but should return to literary work, a capacity in which he is a bright and shining light. The People's Press. — Some time about 1848-50, Smith & Bronaugh started an opposition paper called the Democrat. About 1851 they sold it to John C. Noble, now of Paducah, and one of the oldest editors living in Kentucky. Mr. Noble changed the name to the People's Press, and continued its publication as a Democratic paper, but how long we do not know, nor do we know its final fate. As Christian County was a strong Whig county, it probably starved to death. Mr. Noble is \fell known throughout Western Kentucky as an able and forcible writer, and an unflinching Democrat of the old school. Hopkinsville Republican. — George M. Cote, a " rat " printer from Pittsburgh, started the Hopkinsville Republican in March, 1881, and some six months later sold out to S. C. Mercer, formerly of the Mercury, and left Hopkinsville uncermoniously. Mr. Mercer continued it a short time, and leased the office to Wallis, Mullen & Kennedy, who changed the name, or rather issued a new paper — the Weekly News. The Repub- lican had been of the same color of politics with its name, but Messrs. Wallis, Mullen & Kennedy made the Weekly News Independent in poli- tics. They published it until the great fire in 1882, when the ofiice was destroyed. HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 165 Hophinaville Conservative.— 'lh\a paper was established, in 1868, by Col. J. M. Dodd, who came here from Henderson, Ky., about that time. Some time in 1876 he changed the name to the Hopkinsville Democrat. The Conservative, true to the principles of its name, was conservative and liberal in politics, but upon its change of title it changed its sentiments and became an organ of the Democratic party. The Democrat was issued until the latter part of 1879, when Col. Dodd leased his office, and the paper was added to the long list of the dead that had preceded it. The Kentucky New Era.— In 1870 Col. John D. Morris started the Kentucky New Era. The reader can hardly imagine what a joy and relief it is to at last come to one paper in the long line that is alive, pros- perous and happy. Verily, Hopkinsville has be^n a newspaper grave- yard, and the preceding list is so much like calling the roll of the dead, that the change from the funeral to the festival is inexpressibly pleasant. In June or July of 1870 the first number of the New Era was issued as a brand-new Democratic paper. The name "New Era" was received from the circumstance of the rights (the ballot) having been bestowed upon the " man and brother," and as this formed a new era not only in Kentucky, but in American politics, Col. Morris deemed New Era an appropriate name for his paper about to be launched upon the world. For some time after the New Era was established, Asher G. Caruth, now Commonwealth's Attorney for the Louisville District, was associated with Col. Morris as editor. They sold the paper, in 1871, to Philip Van Bussum and Robert McCarroll, and in November, 1872, William Feland became the proprietor of it. He changed its politics and made it an or- gan of the Republican party, with the laudable desire and intention of shedding a ray of light into the Egyptian darkness of the community. A speedy change of politics, however, back to the old Democratic faith relieved the proprietors of the mournful duty of having to " lay away its little slippers," and of consoling themselves with the reflection that " whom the gods love die young." In April, 1873, it was purchased by Hunter Wood, the present proprietor, in connection with Walter E. Warfield; the latter gentleman and Samuel Gaines, a writer of considerable ability, were the editors. In September, 1874, Warfield sold out to Mr. Wood, and Gaines was retained as editor up to April, 1881, when Col. Morris and James R. Wood became the editors. In about six months Col. Morris re- tired, and J. R. Wood, who is a brother of the proprietor, has ever since been editor-in-chief. John R. Payne was local editor from April 1, 1881, to October 1, 1882, and business manager to the beginning of the present year (1884), when Henry Wallace succeeded to the position. The New Era is a large, nine-column folio, and presents an attractive appearance, with every indication of being in a flourishing condition 166 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COaNTY. Its mechanical execution is good, and its editorial and local departments are equal to any paper in Southwestern Kentucky. It is a true blue Democratic paper, and has been since it was established, except the few months referred to above ; it merits the patronage of the party through- out the county. The South Kentuckian.— On the 1st of January, 1879, W. A. Wil- gus and William T. Townes leased from Col. Dodd his office, and estab- lished the South Kentuckian, the first issue appearing as a New Year's morning call to the people of Hopkinsville ; Charles M. Meacham, editor. In the following August Mr. Meacham bought Townes' interest in the lease, and a little later Mr. Wilgus sold his interest in the lease to J. W. Gogin, but on the 1st of January, 1880, it passed back into his hands, and the firm became Meacham & Wilgus. They leased the office from Col. Dodd for the year 1880, and in the fall following purchased it out- right. They had commenced with an old press that had been in use for more than thirty years, and type and material well worn. As their means would permit, they have improved their office until they have an entire new outfit, with Qomplete job type and presses, and about a year ago they purchased an improved Campbell power press. Mr. Meacham is the editor, and Mr. Wilgus manages the business. On the Ist of November, 1883, the South Kentuckian was changed into a semi-weekly, and since that time has continued to show its honest face to its readers every Tuesday and Friday morning. As a semi- weekly it is a seven- column, four-page paper. Democratic in politics. Its liberal advertising patronage denotes its thrift, as well as the energy and enterprise of its owners, who deserve well of the public for their efforts to furnish a newsy semi-weekly journal, i This comprises . a brief sketch of the Christian County press ; of the papers that have lived, flourished and died during the sixty-four years since the first one — the Kentucky, Republican — sprang into existence. But the long roll of editors and printers who lived and flourished with them, where are they ? The gifted Patton, the scholarly Lindsay, the brilliant, erratic Carnes, chivalrous Henry, and Goodall and McCarroll and others. Ah, of the many that ye have been, but one remains — the veteran Lindsay. The hands that guided the magic quill are folded over hearts that prompted j eweled thoughts, and now lie silent and still. Some of a later day survive — Noble, Mercer, Dodd, Starling, Gaines, Caruth, Morris, etc., but they have laid aside the editorial harness, and a younger generation wield their pens. Printers, your careful and busy hands too lie still I You have melted away like the fonts you distributed, and as with the editors of the early period, another and younger generation fills your places. — Perrin. HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 167 CHAPTER VII. War Sistory — Revolutionary Soldiers in the County— Pensions Allowed Them by the Government— Tories and Their Settlement Herb — The War of 1813— Hull's Surrender— Perry's Victory, and Christian County Men in It— The Battle of New Orleans- Inci- dent OF the Dutch Captain from Christian— A Black Hawk Sol- dier—Our Discussion with Mexico — The War Between the States — Christian County Assisted Both Sides— Col. Woodward — Other Heroes, Federal and Confederate— Col. Sypert— The Third Ken- tucky Cavalry— Col. Starling— Gen. Jackson, the Martyr of Pereyville, etc., etc. THE history of a nation's wars is generally the history of that nation's mistakes. Misrule at home or abroad growing out of the wrong- headedness of rulers is the fruitful source of these mistakes. In the war between England and her American Colonies the fault was with the imme- diate rulers rather than with the people. It was the perverseness and stubbornness of her Teutonic Sovereign and his Prime Minister, Lord North, rather than any unfriendly spirit of the masses that led to the collision. Upon the part of the Colonies the issue was unavoidable, and was simply a struggle for the bare privilege of existence. Resorted to as a measure of self-defense then, it never, upon their part, assumed the repulsive features of an aggression. The lofty statesmanship that dared conceive the possibility of living without the help and countenance of the mother country, and the loftier heroism that dared attempt the realization of the dream was tempered by a sublimer magnanimity that prevented all excess. To-day the fabric of American liberty stands no less a monument to the moderation and forbearance of her people than their heroic endurance and fortitude. As such it is a heritage beyond all accident of name or for- tune, and should be treasured up as a priceless heirloom by all who wear the badge of her citizenship. Though its issues were made up and decided before the first settlement of Christian County, it is a pleasing thought that many of its most gallant spirits came with those who first adventured into its solitudes. They were principally from North and South Carolina, and a few from Vir- ginia, and first settled in the more broken portions in the northern part of the county. Among these it may be interesting to note the names of Col. Jonathan Clark, William Gray, William Dupuyi Robert Warner, Henry Brewer, Joseph Cavender, John Knight, Jerry Brewer, Samuel Johnson 168 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUISTY. and James Robinson, and others there were whose names are forgotten. The first, Col. Clark, came to the county as early as 1803, and was long a Justice of the Peace and Sheriff. The following extract is taken from the People s Press of 1851 : " Jonathan Clark was born on the 20th of May, 1759, in Bedford (now Campbell) County, Va. In the year 1773 he removed to Stokes County, N. C. In the spring of 1776 he volunteered as a minute man in Capt. James Shepherd's company of North Carolina militia, was elected Lieutenant, and attached to Col. Martin Armstrong's regiment. During this year he was mostly engaged in keeping in subjection Cols. Bryan and Roberts, whose loyalty induced them to raise two regiments of Tories, with whom he had several engage- ments on the Yadkin and Catawba Rivers, and although not in the battle of King's Mountain with Cols. Cleaveland, Campbell and Shelby, was on duty near at hand, and joined them after the battle. Lieut. Clark ren- dered signal service in an engagement with Col. Wright, a Tory, at the Shallow ford of the Yadkin. He was then attached to Gen. Perkin's division, and was in two skirmishes with the troops under the command of Lord Cornwallis. Before the battle of Guilford, in the year 1781, he was attached to Col. Smith's regiment of cavalry, and had several engage- ments with Cols. Bryan, Cunningham and other Tory commanders, who mostly occupied the hills and would not give general battle, but would sally out in small parties and commit depredations upon the Whigs, requiring the united Whig force to keep them in subjection. In the vear 1784 he removed to Pendleton District, S. C, and in 1803 to Christian ('ounty, Ky. Here he filled the office of Justice of the Peace and became Sheriff. He was a man of sterling virtues, of more than ordinary intel- ligence, and for the unwavering integrity of his character and goodness of heart was held in the highest estimation by his friends and neighbors. He died at his residence March 12, 1851. aged ninety-one years nine months and twenty-two days." Capt. William Gray was also an officer in the patriot army, lived for many years in the neighborhood of Mr. Lod Dulin, father of Rice Dulin, Esq., and was highly esteemed for his probity of character and general intelligence by all who knew him. But little is known of the part he took in the thrilling drama of those times, but that little is creditable alike to his courage and patriotism. William Dupuy, familiarly known as "Uncle Billy," served through the war and came to this county at an early day. He died at his resi- dence near Hopkinsville September 11, 1851, at the ripe old age of eighty- six years. The Kentucky Rifle of September 13, 1851, says of him : " He was one of the oldest citizens of this county, and was universally respected as one of the last of those noble old patriots who. fought over HISTORY OP CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 169 the cradle of the young Republic, dealing the stalwart blows of freemen to the minions of royalty. We loved to see him lingering here to enjoy the surprising contrast between those days and these, and to suggest to all who saw him moving about, like one whose whole being belonged to the past, instructive reflections of the times that saw the first faint hope that at last Liberty had determined to found an empire and consecrate a home. But he has been gathered to his fathers, and sleeps well beneath the soil which he loved with that warm and peculiar devotion which forms one of the most characteristic traits of the broad and manly nature of the early settler. He was buried with military honors under the direction of Maj.-Gen. Hays." Pensions. — The following application for pension is found on the county records : This day Robert Warner came into open court and made oath that he is one of the Revolutionary soldiers, that he is now in the sixty-third year of his age, that he entered into the Continental service as a militia man, or a soldier in the militia service, in the year in a company commanded by Capt. Robert Cravens, in a regiment commanded by Col. Benjamin Harrison, and that he served two tours of duty of three months each in said service, and was duly and regularly discharged, but he has lost his discharge papers, and that in the year 1778, as he believes, he enlisted in the Continental service under the command of Capt. Wallis, in a regiment commanded by Col. Richard Campbell, and in the Continental Army under the command of Gen. Nathaniel Greene, that he served from that time during the war, and that after the war he was duly and regularly discharged by Capt. Anderson, to whom he was transferred after the death of Capt. Wal- lis, who was killed at the battle of Guilford, and which said discharge he has lost. He states that he has never received anything, either land or money, from the United States of America for any of said services, and is now old, infirm and afflicted with palsy. Signed and sealed the fifth day of March, 1822. * his Robert X Waenbk. mark John Knight was an old soldier ; fought through the entire war and drew a pension from the Government. He left a large family in the northern part of the county, and was much respected for his many kindly qualities of mind and heart, and his character as a good citizen. Knight Knight was a most knightly knight from the Palmetto State. He enlisted in Capt. Buchanan's company, Sixth Regiment, Col. Hen- derson, and served two years. He was at the battles of Sullivan's Island, Savannah, Stono, and during the siege of Charleston was captured by the British, from whom he afterward escaped. He did not re-enter the army, but removed to Christian County, where afterward he appears on the records as an applicant for a pension. Jerry "Duck " Brewer was also a veteran of the Continental Army, and settled in the eastern part of the county, where he reared a family, and left a large number of descendants. The following application for pension, February 4, 1822, which ap- 170 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. pears in the County Court Record, is about all that is known of the war record of Samuel Johnson : To the Honorable, the Secretary of the Department of War of the United Statet of America. The declaration of the undersigned respectfully showeth that in the autumn of the year 1775, in the County of Greenbrier, State of Virginia, he enlisted as a prirate soldier, in the company of Capt. Mathew Arbuckle. That the company of Capt. Arbuckle belonged to the regiment of the Continental line, commanded by Col. John Neville, that he joined his company at Lewisburgh, in the month of March, 1776, and marched from thence to Fort Pitt ; from thence he marched with the company of Capt. Arbuckle to the mouth of the Qreat Kanawha, and remained with his company at that place until about the month of October, 1778, at which time the station was abandoned and the troops stationed there discharged from the service of their country. That some few months after he entered the service, he became a sergeant, and for the last year of his continuance in service, he acted as Orderly Sergeant, and was discharged in good credit, that he now is a resident of the County of Christian, in the State of Kentucky, that he is now upwards of siity-six years of age, and is by reason of his reduced circumstances in need of assistance from his country for support, he therefore prays that he may be placed on the pension list. Samuel Johnson. STATE OF KENTUCKY, 1 CHRrsTiAN County Coubt. / Samuel Younglove, Joseph Meacham and Joseph Casky (the orig- inal founder of Casky Precinct) were Revolutionary soldiers, and moved to the county at an early day. There were doubtless many others who came about the same time, but their names have not been obtained. Several families of Tories also came to the county, but did not meet with much sympathy or countenance from the citizens at large. Among the number was Nicholas Pyle, who was the son of Col. Pyle of the British Army. He was very much depressed by the unfriendliness of his neighbors, and lived a life of comparative retirement. On the breaking out of the war of 1812 he was one of the first to volunteer in the defense of that country against which he had before fought. He was with Jackson at the battle of New Orleans, and deported himself so gallantly as to compel the admiration of all who knew him. Afterward his old neighbors took him into their favor, and were wont to say : "Nick Pyle is a gallant fellow, and has redeemed himself." Dudley Redd was another Tory, but claimed to have been a soldier in the Continental Army. He had a deep scar on his forehead, which he claimed to have received in an encounter with the British. But an old negro man, the property of Lod Dulin, and who had formerly been a servant of Col. Billion, of the British Army, said he knew Redd well when he was a soldier under his master. The negro's account, and which was probably true, was, that Redd was a Tory, and received the saber cut on his forehead at Kettle Creek, at the hands of a patriot soldier, who left him on the field for dead. James Robinson, one of the earliest settlers of the county, served HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 171 through the entire struggle for liberty, and came to Christian County in 1786. He is extensively mentioned in Chapter II, of this volume, and anything here would be but repetition. The War of 18 IS. —Oar second war with England (the war of 1812) began with a disgraceful surrender, but ended with a brilliant victory. The surrender of Hull and his army in Detroit at thfe very inception of the fight, with the attendant loss of the fair Territory of Michigan, was very discouraging, and cast a gloom over the whole country. The loss of Michigan entailed necessarily upon the country the loss of control of all the Northwestern tribes of Indians, and soon they poured down in great numbers upon our exposed frontiers. When the tocsin of war was sounded, Kentucky, with her sister States, sprang to the rescue with all the might and chivalry of her trained veterans. It is said that she and Virginia supplied more than twice as many volunteers as all the rest of the States. Christian County also, though comparatively a new county, supplied her full quota of men and material. When, after the disaster to Hull, the call was made for 1,500 men to join Gen. Hopkins at the ren- dezvous at Louisville, Capt. Allsbury promptly responded with a com- pany from Christian, and afterward followed the fortunes of that gallant officer in his campaign against the Indians. Others had previously joined the gallant Daviess, and were with iiim at Tippecanoe, while some liad joined themselves to Gen. Harrison, then Governor of the Indiana Terri- tory. The names of these gallant heroes have long since faded from tlie memory of man, and the only definite chronicle of Christian County in this Northwestern campaign was some time after, when Perry with liis little fleet engaged the enemy on Lake Erie. A call was made for 150 picked Kentucky volunteers to man the fleet. Among these were three men known to be from Christian, Ezra Younglove, John Anderson and Washington Dunkerson, who were assigned to the ship Niagara. It is related of one of them, perhaps Dunkerson, that in the hottest of the fight, and when the colors had been shot away, he climbed into the rig- ging and re-nailed them to the mast, in the face of a murderous fire from the enemy. Years afterward, and while Col. George Poindexter was a member, the Legislature of Kentucky voted a gold medal to each of these heroes. On the obverse of this medal was the name of one of the soldiers, and on the reverse the ship Niagara in action, and the date of the engage- ment. This decisive victory, preceded as it had been by the successful defense of Fort Stephenson by Croghan, and followed by the crushing defeat of Proctor and his Indian allies at the battle of the Thames, virtually put an end to the campaign, if not the war. There was some desultory fighting 172 HISTOKY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. along the Eastern and Southern borders of the Union, but in these Ken- tucky was not a participant. Just before the final battle at New Orleans in 1814, Col. Posey, who is supposed to have been an oflScer in the regular army, camped Avith his command on Judge Ben Shackelford's place, near the town of Hopkins- ville. While here he was joined by Maj. Reuben Harrison, with perhaps a battalion of Christian County troops. Among these was a company commanded by an eccentric old Dutchman named Chrisman, who lived close by the camp, and when the orders came to move was at home with his family and in bed. Not being able to read the language of his adopted country, or perhaps any other, when the note was received he jumped out of bed, and, not waiting to dress himself, rushed over to his nearest neigh- bor, Malcolm McNeil, in his shirt and drawers. Learning its import, he rushed back home in breathless haste, and when within hailing distance began calling out in broken English : " Vife ! vife ! Pe quig ! pe quig ! vy don't you ? Maig haste ! maig haste, und maig some piskit mit a haf pushel ! Der Kurnel zends vord mit dem ladder vat I shall pe in New Orleans py taylite mit my gumperny ! Maig haste, Katrina ! vy don't you maig haste?" The bellicose old Teuton led his command to New Orleans under Maj. Harrison, not " py taylite," however, and there, with his "gumperny " contributed much to the success of the battle. While camped on Judge Shackelford's place, two of Col. Posey's men died with the measles and were buried near by. Among others who were at the battle • of New Orleans may be mentioned Dr. John McCarroll, grandfather of Judge Joe McCarroll, who was a surgeon on the staff of Gen. Jackson and had been with him through most of his Indian cam- paigns, and Roger Thompson, father-in-law to Mr. George 0. Thompson of Hopkinsville. There were doubtless many others, but their names have not been obtained, and no mention of them is to be found in the official records. Thus, as we have said, the war that opened with the disgrace of Hull's surrender closed in a blaze of glory at New Orleans under Gen. Jackson. It is not known just how many men went from Christian County, but it is pleasant to think that she was fully and ably represented upon almost every field, from the beginning of hostilities to the conclusion of peace. Kentucky as a State was well represented in the Black Hawk war, but we have heard of but one man from Christian County who partici- pated in it, and he fell a victim to the fortunes of war. Green Robinson, the youngest son of James Robinson, the old Revolutionary soldier, was killed in this war. The event is mentioned in a preceding chapter of this work. HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN CODNTY. 173 The. War with Mexico. — This war began in May, 1 846, and ended in 1848, with the almost total annihilation of the Mexican armies and the capture of their capital. The quota assigned to Kentucky, so Collins says, was less than five thousa nd, while so hearty was the popular re- sponse that more than thirteen thousand seven hundred volunteered their services. Among those who so offered themselves, but were rejected on account of the quota being full, was a company from Christian, under the command of Dr. A. S. Young, Captain, and Charles A. McCarroll, First Lieutenant, and Walter E. Warfield, Second Lieutenant. Every effort was made to have them accepted by the authorities at Frankfort, but all in vain, and the company was finally disbanded. The War between the Sections. — Less than a decade and a half after the close of the Mexican war, the great civil war between the States broke out. Hitherto our wars had been waged against savages or foreign foes, but this was an internecine strife, wherein the " brother betrays the brother to death, and the father the son, and children rise up against their parents and cause them to be put to death." It was without a parallel in the history of nations and dwarfs into utter insignificance the mightiest struggles of the past. It is not the purpose of this history to enter upon a discussion of the issues that led up to the war, nor to paint the horrors of its shifting scenes, but simply to give the humble part the people of this community took on either side. A late writer has truthfully said : " All the evils of war, and all the horrors of civil war were crowded into those four dreadful years, 1861-65, and all the refined cruelties known to the science and civilization of the enlightened age in which we live were practiced by the opposing parties. But after four years of strife and bloodshed the olive branch of peace again waved over us, and now frater- nal love and prosperity smile upon the land from one end of the nation to the other. As we become naturalized and ' reconstructed ' to the new order of things, we find it a source of sincere congratulation that the ob- ject of strife between the sections is forever removed, and will never cause another war on American soil. In the final union of 'the Roses,' Eng- land found the germ of her future greatness and glory, and in the har- monious blending of ' the Blue ' and ' the Gray,' who shall limit our own greatness and glory ? " As Christian did not lie along the immediate track of either army and was altogether unimportant from a strategic point of view, it was not made the theatre of any important military operation during the war. Only a few slight skirmishes occurred between the outstanding videttes of the armies, who from time to time occupied or passed through the various parts of the county. The most important of these occurred near the Western Lunatic Asylum, some time in December, 1864. A small de- 174 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. tachment of Confederates, about 200 or 300, under Col. Chenoweth, of Gen. Lyon's command, were in Hopkinsville at a ball given at the Phoenix Hotel, and learning that the forces of Gen. McCook were coming in on them by the way of the asylum, went out to meet them. They encoun- tered them this side of the asylum, near the "Battle House," so named from the occurrence, and finding they were largely outnumbered, after a few rounds retreated in the direction of Trenton. In the encounter two or three on either side were killed and wounded. Gen. McCook came on and occupied the town and sent a company of about 100 men in pursuit. They encountered Col. Sypert near Bainbridge, who charging drove them back on the main force. Some time afterward, in the same year perhaps, Col. Thomas Wood- ward, then under suspension from his command, somewhere down South, for insubordination, with a small, irregular force approached the town from the south, and ordered his men to charge on the Federals then oc- cupying it. The men refusing to make the attack, and Woodward being under the influence of liquor, he put spurs to his horse and dashed in by himself. When near the corner of Main and Nashville streets, he reined in and sat looking about him, and while so engaged, was suddenly shot from an upper window of the two-story brick on the southwest corner, and instantly killed. His body was taken to Mrs. N. E. Gray's, a relative near by, and afterward interred in the Hopkinsville Cemetery by his friends.* Thus perished in the flower of his manhood, one of the bravest and most erratic of all the brave men who ever figured upon the soil of Christian County. Though not a native of the county, nor even of the State, he was largely identified with the interests of the community, hav- ing under him, from time to time, many of those who had gone from the county to follow the varying fortunes of the "lost cause." Col. Thomas Woodward was a New Englander by birth, a West Pointer, and came to the county somewhere about the year 1847-48. He was a very accomplished scholar, and during the interim between his re- moval to the county and his joining the Southern army taught school at various points in the country. When the war broke out in 1861 he was among the first to respond and tender his services to the Confederacy, and remained actively engaged till his death, as above described. That he was both a cunning strategist as well as a cool, deliberate, hard fighter, is well attested by the following anecdote : Some time in the summer of 1862 Woodward with his command, then numbering some 200 or 300 men, dashed into Clarksville, Tenn., and surrounded the college building, where Col. Mason was encamped with a much larger command, and so *It maybe remarked, by way of coincidence, that Paul Fuller, policeman, who is said to have killed Woodward, was afterward himself killed on almost the same spot, by one Parker, who was subse- quently tried and acquitted. HISTORY OP CHRISTIAN COCNTY. 175 disposing of his forces as to impress the enemy with an exaggerated no- tion of his numbers, and planting a battery of mock pieces (logs painted and mounted upon wheels), which could not be distinguished in the early gray of the morning, sent in a demand for unconditional surrender. After some parleying Mason consented to the terms of capitulation, and turned over his command as prisoners of war. Learning the ruse that had been practiced upon him, but too late, he asked to be conducted into the pres- ence of his redoubtable captor. Imagine his surprise and chagrin when first confronted with the petit and almost insignificant figure of his antag- onist. A perfect Simon Tappertit in stature if not in legs, his long, flowing, unkempt locks of auburn hair, drooping mustache, and face and hands as black as a stevedore's, presented a picture at the same time " wild, weird and picturesque," if not ridiculous. His tout ensemble was further made up with a belted arsenal about his waist, a long, dangling saber, and an exaggerated pair of boots that seemed determined to swal- low him to the very chin. So absurd and uncouth was Woodward's ap- pearance at the time that, for the moment, the gallant but unfortunate Mason lost sight of his annoyance and mortification in the keener sense of the ludicrous that seized upon him. Approaching Woodward in a laughing way, he challenged him to go across the street to a gallery and have his photograph taken just as he was. Woodward acceded, had his picture taken, and generously presented his prisoner with a copy. Col. Mason on receiving it laughingly remarked : " I want to send it up North to my friends, to let them see to what a d d insignificant little cuss I surrendered." Confederates. — As this portion of the State was first occupied by the forces under Gen. S. B. Buckner, and the Confederates were probably the first to organize, it is only proper that they should have precedence of mention in this chapter. The Oak Grove Rangers were organized and mustered into service June 25, 1861, near Camp Boone, Montgomery Co., Tenn., for a period of twelve months. They were officered as follows : Thomas G. Wood- ward, Captain ; Darwin Bell, First Lieutenant ; Frank Campbell, Second Lieutenant, and J. M. Jones, Brevet Second Lieutenant. They numbered at the time about 130 of the very flower of the youth of Christian Coun- ty, who had been thoroughly armed and equipped at the expense of the citizens about Oak Grove. Among them were Austin Peay, present State Senator from this district ; Frank Buckner, William McGuire ; William A. Elliott, afterward Captain of Company A., Second Regiment; B. F- and Henry Clardy, Radford, Bob and Nat Owens, John Blankenship, William and Sim Nichols, William Blakemore, Robert Kelly, W. L. and B. S. Leavell, Thomas Smith, W. F. Gray, Robert Searcy, A. Lyle, 176 HISTORY OP CHRISTIAN COXINTy. George and Alex Bacon, Milton Seward, Tim Morton, Hardin, Creed Hood, Blanks, Frank Rogers, John Richie. Kidd, Haz- ard Baker, afterward Brevet Second Lieutenant Company B ; Bob Baker, Minus Parsley and Harvey Saunders. Thus organized they moved in September, 1861. into Kentucky, in advance of Gen. Buckner's command from Gamp Boone, Tennessee. At Bowling Green they went into camp with the rest of the army, and were at once assigned to duty as Companies A and B, First Regiment of Ken- tucky Cavalry, under Col. Ben Hardin Helm. Company B numbered about one hundred men at the time, and was officered as follows: Cap- tain, J. W. Caldwell ; First Lieutenant, W. A. Elliott ; Second Lieuten- ant, William Campbell ; Brevet Second Lieutenant, Hazard Baker. Shortly afterward Capt. H. C. Lea veil arrived with another company of Christian County troops, numbering about one hundred men rank and file, and was assigned to duty as Company H in the same regiment. It was officered as follows : Captain, H. C. Leavell ; First Lieutenant, T. M. Bar- ker ; Second Lieutenant, W. T. Radford; Brevet Second Lieutenant, W. M. Bronaugh. Among the names of the privates are recalled : H. B. Garner, James Bronaugh, L- D- Watson, Mack and West Brame, John Brame, D. A. and W. T. Tandy, Warfield and Virgil Garnett, Sanford Brooks, William Jesup ; R. M. Dillard, now District Judge of Santa Bar- bara, California ; Marcellus Turnley, John H. Massie, W. G. Wheeler, D. A. Bronaugh, L. A. Watson; W. P. Winfree, present County Judge of Chriscian ; W. T. Williams, Marion Lane, Mack Carroll, M. Cavenaugh, Peyton Venable, Garland Quisenberry, R. Barnett, J. Vinson, J. C. Marquess, J. Wiltshire, Dell Rawlins, Dell Tandy, A. McRae, John Bar- ker, B. D. Lacky and A. 0. Lackey. After the evacuation of Kentucky by the Confederates, and while the troops were at Nashville, Capt. Joseph M. Williams joined Col. Helm's regiment with a company of about one hundred men, that had been re- cruited by Capt. Chas. E. Merriwether who had been killed in the fight at Sacramento, Kyj, between Forrest and Col. Eli H. Murray, and the command had devolved upon Williams. This company had also been in the fight at Fort Donelson, where, under the command of Forrest, it had borne a gallant part in that action, and afterward made its escape pending the capitulation. The regiment followed the retreat to Alabama, and all the time were actively employed as scouts on the flanks and in the rear of Johnston's army. After the battle of Shiloh and while at Atlanta, Ga., Companies A and B, their time having expired, were disbanded and most of the men returned home for a season. While here two other companies were re- cruited for a period of twelve months, and the whole passed under the HISTORY OP CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 177 command of Col. Thomas G. Woodward. Though having but a small force under him, he did not remain idle, but in company with Col. Adam Johnson attacked and captured Clarksville, Tenn., as already stated, gar- risoned by Col. Mason. Shortly after, in September, he attacked the garrison at Fort Donelson under Major Hart, but was repulsed, and the next day was attacked in turn by Col. Lowe from Fort Henry with a largely superior force at the rolling-mills on Cumberland River. The mills had been burned to the ground by the Federals sometime before, and Woodward, disposing of his small force, with one piece of artillery, under Capt. Garth, behind the debris, succeeded in repulsing him with the loss of twenty-nine killed and others wounded. The casualties on the Confeder- ate side are not remembered, but were comparatively slight. After this, at Columbia, Tenn., the services of the regiment were tendered the Confederate States Government for twelve months, but were declined. Most of the men either returned home or scattered out into other com- mands. About one hundred and thirty or more re-enlisted under Wood- ward for three years, or the war, and from this on followed the fortunes of that gallant but ill-fated officer. We now go back to the time Companies A and B were disbanded at Atlanta, and take up the fortunes of Company H, whose time had not yet expired. They remained under the command of Lieut.-Col. H. C. Leavell, their old Captain, till just before Bragg started on the march to Kentucky, when. Col. Leavell dying, they passed under the command of Maj. J. W. Caldwell. On the march into Kentucky they were placed in the advance, and throughout the campaign did efficient service as vi- dettes. They were in frequent collision with the enemy's infantry and cavalry, both in Kentucky and Tennessee, and at all times and on all oc- casions preserved their well-earned prestige as good soldiers. At the battle of Perryville, although their term of service expired on that very day, they remained and took part in the action, operating with the rest of the cavalry against the enemy's flanks. Afterward, when Bragg had reached Tennessee, they disbanded at Clifton, near .Knoxville, and the men scattered out, some into other commands and some returning home. It is regretted that the facts thus preserved are so meager and incom- plete, but the lapse of time and the pre-occupation of other matters has served to obliterate much of the story from the minds of those who survive. the Mghth Regiment of Kentucky Cavalry, 0. S. ^.— This com- mand was organized at the fair grounds, near Hopkinsville, in the spring or summer of 1861. It numbered about 800 or 1,000 men recruited from Christian and the neighboring counties. It was officered as follows : H. C. Burnett, Colonel ; H. B. Lyon, Lieutenant-Colonel ; and William R. Henry, Major. Col. Burnett was afterward elected to the Confederate 178 HISTOEY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. States Senate from Kentucky, and resigned his command, after which Lyon was promoted to the vacancy. On being mustered into service, the regiment was ordered to Fort Donelson, reaching there in time to partici- pate in the brilliant but disastrous battle that ensued. They were cap- tured with the other troops under Maj.-Gen. Buckner, and sent North to prison. Shortly after reaching the prison at Indianapolis, and in the same month of his capture (February) the gallant Henry died of disease contracted from exposure on the battle-field. The regiment was exchanged at Vicksburg, Miss., in the fall or winter of 1862, and their term of serv- ice expiring in the meantime, they disbanded and returned home, or were absorbed into other commands. Among other officers who went from the county, and who are worthy of mention was Col. L. A. Sypert, now a practicing lawyer at the Hop- kinsville bar. Col. Sypert first joined Green's Cumberland Battery in 1861. Before being fully organized the battery was ordered to Fort Donelson to take part in that fight, and did gallant service up to the sur- render. Finding preparations were being made for surrender, both Sy- pert and Green made their escape from the fort, the former returning to his home in Kentucky, and the latter following up the retreating army under Albert Sidney Johnston. As soon as Col. Sypert had re-equipped himself he passed through the Federal lines, and riding rapidly in the direction of the retreating Confederates overtook them at Shelbyville, Tenn. From this place, with other escaped soldiers from Fort Donelson, he was ordered to Huntsville, Ala., and from thence went to Corinth, Miss., where Johnston was concentrating his forces. On reaching Corinth he found the army had already been moved in the direction of Shiloh. and at once followed in pursuit. The next day he overtook the Third Arkansas from Pine Bluff just as they were going into action, fell into line, and when, shortly after, one of them, fell severely wounded, begged of him his gun and equipments and followed on into the fight. Some time in the afternoon of that day he received a painful wound in the foot from a piece of shell, which, for the time, quite disabled him. While bathing his wound at a stream near by a riderless horse came dashing by, which, with the assistance of a straggling soldier, he succeeded in capturing. Being assisted into the saddle he again rode to the front, and came up with the line of battle on the edge of an old field. Here he took position behind a tree, and fired several rounds at the opposing enemy. While so engaged his horse was struck in the neck by a bullet, and being maddened by the pain wheeled and ran with him to the rear. After run- ning a short distance he plunged into a low, marshy bog on the banks of a stream, became mired, pitched forward on his head and landed his rider in the surrounding muck and mire. Extricating himself as best HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 179 he could, and leaving the dying horse to his fate, the Colonel hailed Cobb's Battery, then passing by, and received the assistance of his old friend. Will Wheatley, to the nearest field hospital. After having had his foot comfortably dressed, and having procured another horse, he again returned to the front. He arrived just in time to witness the surrender of Gren. Prentiss and his command, and being put in charge of. some fifty or more prisoners he, in company with Messrs. Pete and Chris Torian, then of Memphis, conducted them back to Corinth. After the fight the army fell back to Tupelo, Miss., and here a pass was secured from Gen. Bragg, and he went to Mobile for a few days. On his return he found Bragg gone in the direction of Chattanooga, having left Gen. Price ("Old Pap ") with a small force to operate against luka and Corinth as a blind to his movements. After the capture of the former place by Price, Col. Sypert crossed the river at Eastport, and continued on by himself into Kentucky. Arriving in safety he at once began to recruit a company for Col. Tom Woodward, who was at that time in the neighborhood recruiting his regiment. Before the regiment had completed its organization, how- ever, and before Col. Sypert had recruited a full company, they were again compelled to leave the State and retire to Columbia, Tenn. Here the regiment, which had been muster'ed into service for twelve months only, was tendered to the Confederate Government, but, on that account, rejected. The companies were disbanded, and some of the men returned home, some of them scattered out into other organizations, and the bal- ance re-enlisted for three years under Woodward. Of these there were about one hundred and thirty men, and among them Col. Sypert and ten or twelve of his men. A majority of these were from Hopkinsville, and among them Hal Sharp, George Bryan, Wallace Wilkerson, Charles Campbell and others. Re-enlisting as a private under Woodward, Sypert remained in that capacity till the sum- mer of 1863, when, through the kind oflSces of his friend, Hon. Henry C. Burnett, at Richmond, he was commissioned Colonel and given authority to raise a regiment. On his way back from Richmond the train on which he was returning was intercepted and captured by the enemy. Col. Sypert succeeded in making his escape through North Carolina to the nearest railway, on which he returned by way of Atlanta to Dalton, Ga. Here he found his old command and remained with them till after the battle of Chickamauga. He participated with his regiment in this hard-fought but fruitless victory, and as usual came out unscathed. Shortly after this the regiment was attached to Gen. Wheeler, with whom they made a successful raid into Tennessee, capturing Shelbyville and other points, and doing much damage to the enemy. When near Colum- bia, Tenn., Col. Sypert left the command, and, pressing on by himself 180 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. into Kentucky, was soon among his old friends and admirers on his " native heath." It was rather late in the season and the Federals were swarming in every direction, and after a few unsuccessful efforts to re- cruit, he concluded to return South till spring. In the spring of 1864 he returned to Kentucky and this time succeeded in raising a regiment of cavalry, recruited principally from the counties of Union, Henderson and Webster. With this small force, most of whom were " raw recruits," he began to operate against the Federals wherever they could be found. The first encounter was with Ool. Sam Johnson in Crittenden pounty, a part of whose forces he surprised at Bell's Mines, and the next day encount- ered Col. Johnson himself at Blue Lake, whom he completely routed and drove out of the county, with the loss of eighty men and horses. Shortly after this an incident occurred which is well worthy of preservation. A very estimable citizen of Henderson, Mr. James E. Rankin, had been shot and killed by a party of guerrillas, calling themselves Confederate soldiers, and in retaliation two innocent prisoners from Daviess County were brought down to Henderson to be shot. Col. Sypert learning the fact, determined to rescue them. Appearing before the town with such por- tions of his command as were at hand, and ordering up the balance under Maj. Walker Taylor as soon as possible, he at once sent in an order for immediate and unconditional surrender. The officer in command, in order to gain time, returned an evasive answer. Apprehending his mo- tive and desiring to make a preliminary reconnoissance. Col. Sypert rode in himself under " flag of truce," and unattended. Meeting the Federal officer in command he again repeated his demand for surrender,- but was again met with evasion. The commandant assured him that the (irder to shoot the two prisoners had been countermanded and would not be en- forced, and on his part demanded to know what forces Col. Sypert had under him. To this Sypert replied : " I am here, Col. Seery is here, and Maj. Walker Taylor will be up in a few moments, and unless you sur- render in five minutes from now I will make the attack." This failing to have the desired eff'ect, and knowing the danger of delay. Col. Sypert abruptly ended the conference, mounted his horse and rode back to his men. Everything was gotten ready for a charge upon the town, but be- fore the five minutes had expired the enemy's gun-boats appeared in view and began shelling most furiously. Seeing the hopelessness of an attack against such odds, he drew oiF his men^in the direction of Taylor's Springs, where he went into camp. The very next day the two unfortunate pris- oners were taken down the river bank and shot to death, after which the whole Federal force debarked on the gun-boats and left the city. The Union citizens, fearing retaliation upon themselves, began to flee also, but were promptly re-assured by the following proclamation from Col. Sypert : HISTORY OP CHKISTIAN COUNTY. 181 " To the Gitizena of Henderson : " On yesterday two Confederate soldiers were shot to death in the streets of your city. They condemned, their entire command condemned, as earnestly as any citizen of Kentucky, the wounding of Mr. James E. Rankin and the plundering of your city. But they are gone, and their murder is another crime added to the damnable catalogue of the despot- ism that rules you. We are Confederate soldiers. ' We fight for the lib- erty our sires bequeathed us. We have not made, nor will we make war upon citizens and women. Let not your people be excited by any further apprehension that we will disturb the peace of your community by the arrest of Union men, or any interference with them unless they place themselves in the attitude of combatants. Such conduct would be cow- ardly, and we scorn it. We are in arms to meet and battle with soldiers — not to tyrannize over citizens and frighten women and children. We move with our lives, in our hands. We are fighting not for booty but for liberty ; to disenthrall our loved Southern land from the horrible despot- ism under which it has bled and suffered so much. We know our duty, and will do it as soldiers and men. Even if what are denominated as ' Southern sympathizers ' be arrested by the tyrants that lord it over you, we would scorn to retaliate by arresting Union men who had no com- plicity in the matter, but our retaliation will be upon soldiers. Let not the non-combatants of your community be further excited by any fear that we will disturb them ; all Union men who may have left home on our account may safely return. In war soldiers should do the fighting. " L. A. Stpert, Colonel Commanding 0. S. A. " R. B. L. Sbbry, Lieut.-Colonel 0. S. A. "J. Walker Taylor, Major G. S. A." To this brave utterance the Henderson N'ewa thus responded : " Col. Sypert has been known in peace and war as a thoroughly brave man and a gentleman. When he learned the soldiers had gone he issued this proclamation, which speaks for itself No eulogy could add to the honor it sheds upon the man. Everything here at the time was absolutely at his mercy, but he refused a temptation to plunder, and an opportunity for vengeance upon citizens not in arms. His words then composed our peo- ple, who were in a fearful state of excitement. They were grateful to him then, and admire him yet for his manly and soldierly conduct." After this incident as related above Col. Sypert removed his command to Sulphur Springs, in Union County, and shortly after, with about 500 men, attached himself to Gen. Adam Johnson, who had come in to recruit a brigade. Col. Chenoweth with about 300 men also attached himself to Johnson, and the two commands became the nucleus thereafter for the proposed brigade. This brigade was never completely organized, but after 182 HISTORY OF CHEISTIAN COUNTY. some uneventftil skirmishing with the enemy, and marching and counter- marching from point to point in Southern Kentucky and Tennessee, after the disabling of Gen. Adam Johnson, was transferred to the command of Gen. Lyon. The command then followed the fortunes of this able officer to the close of the scene at Columbus, Miss., where, in 1865, they sur- rendered to the forces under the Federal Gen. Wilson. After the war Col. Sypert returned home, resumed the practice of his profession at the Hopkinsville bar. He married Martha D., daughter of the late lamented Maj. William R. Henry, of Fort Donelson fame, and who afterward died in prison at Camp Chase. John D. Morris. — A Virginian, and son of the distinguished Richard Morris. Col. Morris, after acquiring a finished education, removed to Christian County. After a short stay here, in company with many other young men from the State he emigrated to Texas, then a province of Mexico. He was soon appointed to the responsible post of District At- torney for the more western frontier border of the Rio Grande. He was afterward selected with Van Ess to negotiate a treaty with Gen. Arista, one of Santa Anna's lieutenants, and on his return found that he had been elected to the Texas Congress. Before the expiration of his term he was selected to fill a vacancy in the Senate, but did not enter upon its duties by reason of his marriage about that time. He had taken an active part in military as well as political afiairs in Texas, and partici- pated in the battle of San Jacinto, and the Comanche fight at San Anto- nio, as well as several others. After his marriage he returned to his farm in Christian County. In 1860 he was elected to the Constitutional Con- vention from this county with Ninian E. Grey, but aside from this. he took no part in politics. When the war broke out in 1861, he was among the first to respond, and was sent to New Orleans to look after the confiscation of Northern funds deposited in the banks there. The battles of Forts Donelson and Henry interrupted his work, and after a short visit to his family, he re- turned to Florence, Ala., where he overtook the retreating Confederates. Here he attached himself to the First Kentucky Cavalry, commanded by Col. Ben. Hardin Helm, who sent him to Corinth in charge of a detach- ment of Federal prisoners. Upon his return he found the army had marched for the front ; he followed on foot, and arrived in time to take part in the battle of Shiloh. After the battle he rejoined his command, and remained with it until after its disbandment. He then went to Rich- mond, arriving in time to take part in the seven days' fight. After this he was assigned to duty on Gen. John S. Williams' staff, where he con- tinued about fourteen months, and was then placed in command of a bat- talion of cavalry. In the bloody campaign from the Wilderness to HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 188 Petersburg, he was with the Twenty-eighth Virginia, and participated in that series of engagements. He then received a mission to Kentucky from the authorities at Richmond. On his way here, he learned at Abingdon of the impending attack on Saltville, by Gen. Burbridge, and at once attached himself to his old command under Gen. Williams. He was assigned by Gen. Williams to the command of a detachment of irreg- ular troops, and with them started to the front. Before reaching the field, however, his " men in buckram " had dwindled down in the ratio that FalstafTs men " good and true " increased. After the battle, Col. Morris, with Maj. Steele and Capt. Bob Breckinridge, pushed on into Kentucky, where he fell into the hands of the enemy before he had accomplished his mission. He was sent to Lexington and imprisoned, and the indignity of a ball and chain put on him, and besides received the pleasant assurance that he was to be shot as a spy. Some months after being thrown into prison, he had a severe attack of varioloid and was transferred to the pest-house, but finally recovered. When convalescent, he was returned to his old quarters at Lexington, but afterward sent to Fortress Monroe for exchange. On his arrival at Richmond he found his old command had been consolidated and turned over to Col. Winfield, and Col. Morris was then furnished with both a Brigadier- General's commis- sion and chief of " Cotton Bureau " for the trans-Mississippi department. On his way to the new field he received a despatch at Chester, S. C, of the disaster at Richmond, but continued on his way. On reaching the Mississippi he was unable to cross, and the Confederacy having collapsed he surrendered to the nearest authorities. Since the war. Col. Morris has resided in Hopkinsville, where he is engaged in the practice of the law. Federals. — Simultaneous with the breaking out of the war, and while the Confederates were organizing at Camp Boone and elsewhere, the friends of the Union also rushed to arms. Their principal rendezvous in the county was near Hopkinsville, on the farm of Mr. Joseph F. Ander- son, and was popularly known as " Camp Joe Anderson." Here (some say about 500, and some 1,000) men were organized into a regiment under command of Col. James F. Buckner, now of Louisville, Ky. It was offi- cered as follows: Col., James F. Buckner; Lt.-Col., T. C. Fruit; William T. Buckner, Major ; Maj. John P. Ritter, Adjutant, and Joseph F. Anderson, Quartermaster. Among the Captains commanding com- panies were B. T. Underwood, Hugh Cooper, William Starling and Summerby. This command, beside arms and other equipment, had one piece of artillery, manned by Capt. Starling and his company. In the month of September, 1861, Maj.-Gen. Buckner moved from Bowling Green through Greenville with a detachment of 4,000 or 5,000 men to attack and capture the camp. Many of the men were absent at their 184 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. homes, and only about 500 were in camp, when information was received of Buckner's designs. These moved out on to the Greenville road, about three miles distant, and fired their cannon as a signal to those who were absent. These not putting in an appearance, and word being received that the Confederates who were approaching numbered some 5,000 or 6,000 men, they dispersed. Col. Buckner was captured at the residence of Mrs. Ruby, about twenty miles from Madisonville on the road to Henderson, and carried prisoner to Paducah. Lieut.-Col. William T. Buckner with a squad of forty or fifty men was surrounded in an old church, on the Madisonville and Henderson road, about one mile from Vandersburg, by Capt. James A. Powell and about an equal number of men, and after a sharp, brisk fight surrendered. Shortly after this Capt. John W. Breathitt organized a company of cavalry, which was mustered into service at Calhoun, Ky., for a period of three years, and assigned to duty December 13, 1861, as Company A, Third Kentucky Cavalry, under Col. James S. Jackson. The company was officered as follows : John W. Breathitt, Captain ; Charles L. White, First Lieutenant ; N. C. Petree, Second Lieutenant. Among the names of non-commissioned officers and privates given by the Adjutant-General's report who were then mustered in are : Calvin A. McCuUough, James M. Clark, E. R. Hamby, C. M. Grissom, Isaac Walker, B. F. Goode, J. A. B. RatclifFe, W. H. Barnett, J. Blankenship, Lafayette Phelps, J. B. Barnett, J. P. Clark, W. P. Walker, Thomas McCuUough, W. J. Bar- nett, W. B. Whitaker, J. Ingoldsby, W. H. Mcintosh, S. W. Abbott, H. Baker, J. J. Bowen, A. Brewer, George Bobbitt, W. H. Cansler, N. L- Cavanaugh, F. M. Cooper, I. D. Cooper, S. D. Collins, M. F. Chester- field, J. J. Fuller, James Fuller, W. L. Gibson, J. B. Goode, J. C. Hun- ter, H. H. Jones, J. D. Johnson, A. G. Johnson, W. H. Johnson, D. H. Knight, J. W. Kirben, J. J. Long, H. H. Linsey, George L. Lovin, H. Mcintosh, F. Mcintosh, J. B. Martin, J. C. Martin, J. G. Moreland, John Matheny, Aaron Morgan, F. P. Miller, G. H. Myers, A. H. Per- kins, J. H. Phamp, J. R. Phillips, B. M. Powers, W. H. Powers, Will- iam Ray, J. J. Renshaw, Rev. Sol. Smith, J. F. Stephenson, A. P. Smith, J. W. Underwood, U. M. Underwood, William Vine, A. Vinson, Charles A. White, Moses W. Woosley, J. W. White, W. T. Williamson, Wyatt M. Wright, J. B. Wright, G. M. West, W. W. West and M. W. West. May 27, 1863, J. W. Breathitt was promoted to Major of the regiment, and Charles L. White became Captain, with Thomas W. Ash- ford as First Lieutenant, and Edward Kelly, Second Lieutenant. Immediately after organization this company, together with the others, under command of the gallant Jackson, was assigned to Gen. T. L. Crit- tenden's division, marched to Nashville, Tenn., and participated in the HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 185 battles of Sacramento, Ky., Shiloh, Corinth, luka, and Pea Ridge, Miss., New Market, Ala., Kinderhook, Chaplin Hills, Stone River, Tenn., and Chickamauga, Ga. In the month of September, 1861, a company was organized by Capt. B. T. Underwood at Henderson, Ky., and assigned to duty as Company A, Twenty-fifth Kentucky Infantry, under command of Col. James M. Shackelford. The company was ofiBcered as follows : B. T. Underwood, Captain ; R. W. Williams, First Lieutenant ; Thomas B. Boyd, Second Lieutenant. The regiment was assigned to the division commanded by Gen. T. L. Crittenden, and was afterward (in April, 1862) consolidated with the Seventeenth Regiment, under the command of Col. John H. McHenry, Jr. The roster show? the following names : H. C. Brasher, W. F. McAtee, J. G. Yancey, H. H. Witty, J. H. Wilson, M. B. Brown, M. A. Littlefield, J. G. Anderson, J. W. Lynn, J. M. Crag, J. J. Arm- strong, T. Russell, Old Daniel Cartwright, James Anderson, Jr., F. Blanchard, S. B. Boyd, G. E. Boyd, W. H. Boyd, James M. Bennett, J. D, Brown, L. H. Bouland, F. Cordier, I. A. Cook, J. W. Courtney, William Doss, Thomas Ewing, W. Fortner, W. Fletcher, T. Fletcher, Edom Grace, James Gilliland, P. F. Gibson, William Gabert, J. W. Hammond, V. A. Hamby, G. H. Hamby, D. M. Hamby, L. H. John- son, Daniel Kennedy, H. J. L. Love, Henry Ladd, W. R. Long, J. W. Morris, J. 0. Menser, S. D. Menser, Joseph Morgan, J. O'Roark, J. F. Pyle, Charles Pryor, A. Russell, J. Rose, W. Sizemore, J. C. Teague, William Teague, C. F. Trotter, W. J. Witty, W. S. Witty, E. T. Walker, E. Wilkins, J. M. West and John W. Wyatt. Capt. Underwood resigned April 5, 1862, and J. V. Boyd was promoted to the vacancy, with Samuel T. Fruit as First Lieutenant, and Albert E. Brown, Second Lieutenant. In December, 1862, the regiment passed to the command of Col. A. M. Stout, under whom it remained to the end of the war. This company in the consolidation with the Seventeenth Regiment became Company G, and participated in the following battles : Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Chick- amauga, Kenesaw Mountain, Corinth, Atlanta, Marietta, Kingston, Dallas, Cassville, New Hope Church and Altoona Mountain. They were mustered out of service in Louisville, Ky., on the 22d of January, 1865, the recruits and veterans being transferred to the Twenty-first Kentucky Volunteer Infantry. The Seventeenth Kentucky Cavalry, organized in the winter of 1864- 65, and commanded by Col. S. F. Johnson, was largely composed of troops from Christian County, but we have no data of their operations, and can only make this brief reference to them. The Thirty-fifth Kentucky Mounted Infantry, commanded by Col. 186 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. B. A. Starling, was also largely composed of Christian County troops. It was organized at Owensboro, September 25, 1863, and afterward mus- tered into the United States service October^2, 1863. Its first field of operation was in Southern Kentucky, between Green River and the Cum- berland, which at the time was much infested with guerillas, and small bands of Confederates who were recruiting men and horses. In the sum- mer of 1864 it was assigned, with others, to the command of Gen. E. H. Hobson, under whom it was engaged in many skirmishes with the Con- federate Gen. Adam Johnson. In September of this year it took part in the first campaign against Saltville, Va., under Gen. Burbridge, and from thence returned to Louisville via Lexington, where, December' S9, 1864, it was mustered out of service. After the war Col. Starling was killed in a political canvass for the sherifialty of the county, and after his death the following obituary notice of him appeared in one of the Hop- kinsville papers: Edmund Alexander Starling. — An account of the death of Col. Star- ling from assassination was published last week. He was descended from families of mark and distinction in Virginia and Kentucky. His rela- tionship extended through many of the large families in both of these States, the McDowells, McClungs, Irvines, Bufords, Marshalls, Prestons, Birneys, McGavichs, Shelbys, SuUivants, etc., all of whom have pro- duced men of character and position. He was no unworthy representa- tive of his family. Born in Kentucky on the 22d day of November, 1826, when a youth he moved to Columbus, Ohio, where in the oflSce of his brother. Col. Lyne Starling, he acquired those exact and comprehen- sive business habits which characterized him through life. From, there he went to New York, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits with emi- nent success until the defalcation of a partner in the house caused him a loss of the greater part of his acquired capital. He was then appointed Indian agent, and was sent to the tribes on Puget Sound, and the reports of the department of the Government having supervision of such matters show, what the modest reticence of Col. Starling never revealed, that he discharged his duties with scrupulous fidelity and with exceeding ability. After his arduous and responsible services incident to such a position, he removed to Hopkinsville, where he had spent his earliest days and had received the rudiments of his education, and where his mother and many of his immediate family resided. For many years he was the business partner of his brother, William Starling (now deceased), and during the war commanded the Thirty -fifth Regiment of Kentucky Mounted Infan- try Volunteers in the Federal service. Since the war he married Miss Annie L., youngest daughter of the late Dr. John McCarroll, of Hopkinsville, and led, with his devoted wife HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 187 and in the bosom of his family, that quiet and retired life which his tem- perament best fitted him to enjoy. Col. Starling was an undemonstrative man, though strong and faith- ful in his friendships. He was pre-eminently kind-hearted and charita- ble, and no worthy, distressed person ever left him empty-handed. There are many in this community among the lowly who rise up and call him blessed, and many others still who will miss his kind and cheering words of advice and sympathy. He was a man of the most refined tastes, and exhibited the greatest fondness for books, music, paintings and flowers. And no one who ever met him in social life, or sat with him at his hospit- able board, could fail to be impressed with the ease and dignity of his manners, and with the generosity and kindness of his nature. But, best of all. Col. Starling was a Christian in the true sense of the word. He was the son of Christian parents who, faithful to their trust, instructed him early in life in Bible truth, as formulated in the doc- trines and standards of the Presbyterian Church, of which they were members. While quite young his father died, and he was left with his widowed mother, to whom he was devotedly attached. It was not until after her death, which occurred in the year 1869, that he united with the First Presbyterian Church of this city. Several years after uniting with the church he was elected and installed a Ruling Elder. He filled up the measure of his days with active ChriWian work, and made the Chris- tian life his chief concern. It seemed to be his great efibrt to make up in the activity of his last years for the long years of his earlier life which he had failed to devote to the service of the Master. He said to the writer- of this sketch, in speaking of this, that he had never, in all his wanderings, been able to shake off" the impressions of the Christian in- struction given him by his mother in the days of his youth. The regu- lar services of the church, the prayer meeting, the Sunday-school, and all church work commanded his most earnest interest and loving service. From the beginning of his Christian life, he resolutely laid aside all ani- mosities, and the question, What is my duty ? had its answer in its ful- fillment. Among others who deserve mention in this connection is the name of Dr. "William Randolph, who became Surgeon of the Seventeenth Kentucky Cavalry under Col. Burge, and was afterward promoted to duty on Gen. Hugh Ewing's staff". He died of erysipelas while in service at Russellville, Ky., June 5th, 1865. Dr. Randolph was a Christian gentleman and an accomplished surgeon. A prominent citizen of Hopkinsville relates that since the- war, in a conversation with Gen. T. L. Crittenden, at Louisville, that distinguished officer paid a just tribute to the gallantry of two of Hopkinsville's brave 188 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. soldiers, by saying : Lieut. Edward Kelly and private Isaac Walker were two as gallant men as were to be found in the army. Dr. R. M. Fairleigh, whose position as surgeon of the Third Ken- tucky Cavalry was so ably filled through the entire war, though not originally a Christian County man, has been for years one of her honored citizens. An extended sketch of the Doctor is given in the biographical department of this volume. There were many others who deserve mention, but time and space forbid further trespass upon the reader. This chapter is closed with a graceful tribute to one of Christian County's most gallant and illustrious representatives on the Federal side — the brave Jackson. It is from the State Biographical Encyclopedia, and will doubtless be read with a thrill of patriotism by his many friends and admirers. Q-en. James S. Jackson. — A lawyer, soldier and politician, was Gen. Jackson. He was born September 27, 1823, in- Fayette County, Ky., and was the son of David Jackson, a farmer, and Juliet Sthreshley of Woodford County, Ky. He was thoroughly educated, and graduated in letters at Jefferson College. He studied law, and graduated from the Law Department of Transylvania University in 1845. When the war with Mexico began, he volunteered and served for a time as a Lieutenant; but having had an "affair of honor" with Thomas F. Marshall, who belonged to the same regiment, and fearing court-martial, he resigned and returned home. He soon after located in Greenup County, and in 1849 was a candidate for election to the last Constitu- tional Convention, but was defeated. He subsequently removed to Chris- tian County, and in 1859 was candidate for Congress on the Know- Nothing ticket, but was again defeated. While residing at Hopkinsville, in 1861 he was elected to the Thirty-seventh Congress from the Second District. While serving in Congress, President Lincoln tendered him the command of a regiment, and, accordingly, October 1, 1861, he took command of the Third Kentucky Cavalry, and his regiment was mustered into service December 13, in the same year. Immediately after organization his regiment was used on scout duty in Southwestern Ken- tucky, a section of the State then under the control of the Confederates. He was subsequently assigned to the division of Gen. T. L. Crittenden ; was engaged with his regiment on the field of Shiloh ; was at Corinth and luka. Miss.; at Florence and Athens, Ala.; and at the latter place his regiment passed into the command of Col. Eli H. Murray, the present Governor of Utah Territory, and himself promoted Brigadier-General Au- gust 13, 1862. From Decherd, Tenn., at the head of his brigade he commenced the pursuit of Bragg, who was then advancing into Kentucky. At New Haven, Ky., he assisted in the capture of the Third Georgia HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 189 Cavalry ; and fell, valiantly fighting, at the head of his brigade in the battle of Perry ville, October 4, 1862. This was the first engagement of importance in which he had participated after his promotion, and he was thus cut oflFin the beginning of a career that promised unusual brilliancy. Gen. Jackson was a man of many peculiar, marked and admirable traits. He was distinguished for his graceful form and almost feminine beauty of countenance. He had the manners of a Chesterfield, and was one of the most knightly soldiers who ever drew a sword on the battle field. Of his death Col. Forney wrote: "To die such a death and for such a cause was the highest ambition of a man like James S. Jackson. He was the highest type of the Kentucky gentleman. To a commanding person he added an exquisite grace and suavity of manner, and a character that seemed to embody the purest and noblest chivalry. He was a Union man for the sake of the Union ; and now, with his heart's blood he has sealed his devotion to the flag. He leaves a multitude of friends who will honor his courage and patriotism, and mourn his untimely and gallant end." From his earliest days Gen. Jackson was a politician ; and although undoubtedly possessed of great ambition to rise to eminence, his great love of justice and his warm nature led him to espouse a cause for its own merits ; and his love of country led him to buckle on the sword in a cause for which he sacrificed his life. He began his political career in the ranks of the Whig party, and, passing through the Know-Nothing ex- citement in his State, in the final division of party ranged himself with the National Republicans. He was brave, and his warm impulses may have led him into rashness ; yet he never sought personal difficulty. In 1846 he was led to fight a duel with Samuel Patterson ; but this, like his affair in Mexico, terminated harmlessly. His remains were deposited in the cemetery at Hopkinsville, March 24, 1863, after having lain in a vault in Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville, since October 8, 1862. Gen. Jackson was married February 22, 1847, to Miss Patty Buford, who, with their four children, survives him. — Tydings. Note. — The foregoing chapters comprise our history of the county at large, and in those that fol- low, cities, towns and civil divisions will he particularized. No extended mention has been made thus far, with two or three exceptions, of parties yet living, hut of those only who have passed from the stage of action. In subsequent pages appropriate notice will be given to all so far as is possible; and as far as space will permit. — Ed. HOPKINSVILLE CITY AND PRECINCT. 191 CHAPTER VIII. HOPKINSVILLE City and Precinct— The Town Site— Bartholomew Wood— Other Early Settlers— .James Puksley, Dr. Steele, Maj. Long, Peter Cartwright, Capt. Wood, etc.— Topography of Hop- kinsville Precinct- Its Boundaries and Extent— Western Lu- natic Asylum— Laying Out the Town of Elizabeth— The Name Changed to HopiaNsviLLE— Gen. Hopkins— Early Merchants and Mechanics— Gant, the Hatter— Twyman, the Bricklayer— Tav- erns— Growth AND Development— The Postoffice— City Press- Communication OF Judge Lindsay — Manufacturing Industries— Banking- The Butter Company— General Business— Fine Blocks ,» Residences, etc.— Loan Association — City Government — Fires ETC., ETC. THE founding of Hopkinsville dates back into the last century. Its earliest settlement was made without regard to its ever becoming a town or citj, but was more the force of accident than of any pre-arranged or definite plan. The beautiful site, with the fertility of the surrounding country and the abundance of game, arrested the attention of an old hunter, who saw in all these attractions an eligible place for a home, and he halted upon the banks of the placid little stream and at once proceeded to rear his lone cabin "afar from the busy haunts of men." This was not less than ninety years ago, and from this settlement properly dates the history of Hopkinsville, and the magisterial district in which it is located. Cities are generally founded with regard to some great commercial advantage, either as seaports possessing deep harbors adapted for trade with foreign countries ; as manufacturing depots convenient to labor and fuel or water-power; or as agricultural centers in the heart of fertile regions where the products of the soil must be exchanged for those other commodities necessary for human comfort, enjoyment and health. If to any of these conditions Hopkinsville owes its birth, it is to the latter, for certainly no finer country lies out-of-doors, than that surrounding the thriving little city. This, added to the accident of its early settlement by the pioneer— Bartholomew Wood— may have prompted the founding of a town here, or at least have contributed largely to that end. Bartholomew Food.— The first settler upon the site of Hopkinsville was Bartholomew Wood, more familiarly known among his friends and acquaintances as " Bat Wood." Just when he came to Christian County 192 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. no one knows ; why he came, perhaps he did not know himself. It is related of his settlement, that when on his way to Kentucky, with no definite point in view, he was so favorably impressed with the abun- dance of game in this locality, that he stopped and built himself a cabin. He figured conspicuously in the early history of Hopkinsville and of Christian County, and at one time owned a vast amount of land around the embryo city. He was a man of strong, practical common sense, but rather deficient in book learning; a rough diamond and marvelously adapted to the period in which he lived. In his buckskin hunting shirt and leather breeches, he hunted and trapped a great deal, and enjoyed himself as only a hunter could. He belonged to that sturdy class of pioneers whose iron frames had been hardened by exposure, whose mus- cles were toughened by exercise and toil, and whose bodies seemed invul- nerable to disease and pain. The wilderness, with its wild beasts and savages, was their element. They sported with danger, and if need be met death with fortitude and composure. To such men, Kentucky in a measure owes her present glory and greatness. Bartholomew Wood was originally from North Carolina, and emigrated to Tennessee soon after the Revolutionary war. Some years later and prior to the close of the last century he came to Kentucky, but in what year is not known. He was here when the county was organized, and donated five acres of land for public buildings. He entered a great deal of land in his own name and in the names of his children. The following is told of his land spec- ulations : He had entered a body of land in the name of one of his daughters, who afterward married Levi Cornelius. After her marriage Mr. Wood went to her to transfer the land back to him, but her husband would not allow her to do it. In spite of all arguments and importunities, Cornelius held to the land, and finally sold it to Young Ewing. Mr. Wood had a family of several sons and daughters. The names of his sons were Bartholomew, Hardin, Carter, William and Curtis, the latter the only one now living. He is a man over eighty years of age, and is a resident of the county. One of his daughters married Levi Cornelius, as already stated ; another married William Roberts, and one or two were still single when the old man moved back to Tennessee, which he did some years before his death. Most of his children went with him, except Bartholomew, but after the death of their father they came back here, and many descendants are living in the county to-day, among whom is the son already mentioned (Curtis), and Dr. Wood of Hopkinsville, a son of Bartholomew, Jr., and a grandson of the old pioneer. The original cabin of Mr. Wood stood near the corner of the present Nashville and Virginia Streets. Where the latter street now is was then a marsh or lagoon for quite a distance back from the river. This lagoon HOPKINSVILLE CITY AND PRECINCT. 193 was covered with innumerable ducks and wild geese, and is said to have been one of the strong arguments which induced Bartholomew. Wood to settle here, that he might enjoy the shooting of them, as well as other game to be seen everywhere in the most plentiful profusion. Much more will be said of Mr. Wood in the progress of this chapter, as he is so insep- arably connected with early Hopkinsville that we meet with his finger- marks in almost every page of its history. Among other early settlers of the immediate vicinity, and what comprises the present Precinct of Hop- kinsville, so far as can now be obtained, are the following: Benjamin Eggleston, John Pursley, John Gibson, Dr. Moses Steele, Thomas Long, Jeremiah Foster, William Nichol, Francis M. Dallam, John Clark, Young Ewing, James H. McLaughlan, Judge Benjamin Shackelford, Benjamin York, Dr. A. Webber, Samuel A. Miller, Capt. Harry Wood, Samuel Finley, Solomon Gates, Peter Cartwright, Nehemiah and Jeremiah Cra- vens, Harry K. Lewis, Thomas AUsbury, Gideon Overshiner, James Bradley, William Clark, Joshua Cates, Henry Allen, Carter Wood, John Carnahan, the Boyds, Samuel Allen, William R. Tadlock, William Pad- field, Mrs. Bell, Larkin Akers, Laban Shipp, MatthewiPatton, Rev. James Nichols, George Campbell, John H. Phelps, Nicholas Ellis, and others perhaps whose names have long since been forgotten. It is utterly im- possible at this late date to get the names of all the early settlers up to 1810-15, as many have passed away, and there is no one here who remembers them. Capt. Harry Wood- was a noted man, and may be considered one among the earliest settlers in this portion of the county. He came from South Carolina some time prior to 1800, and settled the place two miles north of Hopkinsville, now owned by Col. S. M. Starling. Capt. Wood was a large and powerful man, a great hunter, and carried with him wher- ever he went a long rifle. Many stories are told of him, some of which may be taken with allowance. We relate one as we heard it, without vouching for the truth of it at all. It is said that his father was killed by Tories, a squad of nine, in South Carolina, and Capt. Harry vowed vengeance upon them for the deed. When the war was over he armed himself with the long rifle above described, and set out upon the trail of the Tories, and as he discovered one of them he dropped him, until he had, according to the regular yellow-back literature of the day, cut eight notches in his gun stock. In his wanderings and search for his father's murder- ers, he came to Christian County, about the time or a little prior to its organization. He used to drink sometimes to excess, but it is said would never remain in Hopkinsville until dark, always striking out for home a little before night-fall. He finally died, and was buried on the place where he settled; his wife sleeps beside him, only a few rods from the house in 194 HISTOBY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. which Col. Starling now lives. He was of a different family from Bar- tholomew Wood, and not at all related to the pioneer of Hopkinsville. Capt. Harry Wood had a son named Franklin, another named John H. and one also named Lemuel and another named Carter. All are now gone ; even his sons were old men when first remembered Ijy the oldest citizens now living, Solomon Gates was an early settler here, but was no relation to Joshua Cates so extensively mentioned in a preceding chap- ter. Solomon was poor and obscure, and never looked any further be- yond than from one meal to anothei'. He was a good worker, but never accumulated any property, not even a home. John Pursley was a character, and also a very early settler. The Baptist Church of Hopkinsville was organized at his house. He was quite a land trader, and by some " hocus pocus " became possessed of con- siderable landed estate; there are vague hints that he sometimes was just a little sharp in his real estate speculations. Be that as it may, he has long since passed to an account of his stewardship. He was very large and fleshy, with a corporeal rotundity that Falstaff would have envied, and which Judge Long declares made him sit a horse with as much grace as a bag of sand. He spoke with a drawling tone and a peculiar accent which rendered his conversation a source of great amusement to the boys. He was very illiterate, but shrewd and keen in a trade, and usually got the best end of the bargain. John Gibson lived near where the Insane Asy- lum stands, and was a very early settler. He was a quiet man, attended strictly to his own business, and possessed very little notoriety in any way. He was born in Virginia in 1777, and died here in 1844. John Wilcox- son came here perhaps about 1817, and died but a few years ago. John Long came from South Carolina in 1804 and settled about three miles from the present city of Hopkinsville. He was a great hunter, and it is said killed 272 deer in one winter shortly after he came here. Thomas Long, a son of his, is still living in the county, an old man now eighty- eight years of age. He says when his father came here Hopkinsville was "like Walker's cow, of no age at all," consisting of the court house, a blacksmith shop, a tavern and a few cabins. Dr. Moses Steele was a very prominent physician in the early history of Hopkinsville, and was a brother-in-law to Judge Rezin Davidge. He had several sons ; one of them, Moses Steele, Jr., was a physic'an like his father, and died some years ago. Another son, John Alexander, was also a physician, and died in New Orleans in 1847. Rezin Steele, another son, and the only one now living, resides in Trigg County. Benjamin Eggleston came from Virginia, and was one of the early tavern- keepers in Hopkinsville. He died in 1819, and his family, after remain- ing here a number of years, returned to the Old Dominioo from whence HOPKINSVILLE CITY AND PKECINCT. 195 they came. Samuel A. Miller was an early merchant, and was a son-in- law of Dr. Edward Bumsey. Harry K. Lewis built a mill in an early day, a little north of Hopkinsville. He did not have the best of standing among the people. It is said he would cut timber wherever he found it, regardless of whose land it might be on, He had a saw-mill in connec- tion with his mill, and to supply it made inroads upon timber whether he had a legitimate claim upon it or not. John Clark was the first Clerk of the County Court, and was called " Black " John to distinguish him from several other John CI arks in the county. The Clarks were numerous, and there was " Pond River" John Clark, " Sinking Fork "John, and several other Johns, and each of neoes- ity had a sobriquet peculiar to himself. " Black " John was of a swarthy complexion, and hence his name. He was stern and imperious, and what he purposed had the will to perform. William Clark was a deputy in the Clerk's office at the time of his death. Nicholas Ellis was a plain farmer, and lived some four miles south of Hopkinsville in the southern part of the present precinct. George Campbell came about 1816, and was originally from Ireland. He came from Virginia to Christian County. Dr. Alexander P. and George V. are his sons. John H. Phelps was an early settler and one of the early Circuit Clerks of the county. Peter Cartwright, the eccentric old Methodist preacher, a kind of second edition of Lorenzo Dow, was an early settler in Christian County, and lived near where the asylum now is. His father came from Virginia to Logan County in 1793, and settled near the Tennessee line. After Peter became a minister he settled near Hopkinsville, where he lived un- til his removal to Illinois. He is so well known, and there has been so much written about him that it would almost seem superfluous to say any- thing of him in this chapter. A few words, however, may not be wholly uninteresting. He belonged to that old school of pioneer ministers, whose sermons were measured by their length, and the brimstone odor of the awful thunderbolts they let fly at the heads of the poor frightened, cred- ulous congregations. Mr. Cartwright was a God-fearing, good man in his way, but could picture hell so vividly that the startled sinner in his imagination could see the fiery billows roll along, one after another, hear the ponderous iron doors open and creak upon their rusty hinges, and the rusty bolts slide back and forth as the lost and doomed were shut into the seething lake of burning brimstone. Among other things written of him is the following: "Mr. Cartwright belonged to the Church militant, fought gallantly for his religious dogmas, and had the rare good fortune to conquer in all his battles. Baptists, Reformers, Unitarians, New Lights, Universalists, Mormons and Shakers, all fell under the blows of his battle-ax. Nor did it fare better with the blackguards, ruffians and 12 196 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. rowdies that hung around his camp-meetings. They, too, sooner or later, were doomed to come to grief. He did not siee the necessity of theologi- cal schools and an educated ministry, since, to use his own words, * God, when He wants a great and learned man, can easily overtake some learned sinner, shake him awhile over hell, as He did- Saul of Tarsus, knock the scales from his eyes, and without any previous theological training, send him to preach Christ and the Resurrection.' A powerful con- viction and a sound conversion were held in high estimation by him, and these might be begun and finished in a few hours, where the good work was progressing with energy and power." Peter Cartwright finally removed to Illinois on account of his views upon the question of slavery. He there lived out a long and useful life devoted to the cause of his Master. He died only a few years ago, and calmly sleeps amid the scenes of his earthly labors. Requiescat in pace. Judges Shackelford and Davidge were early settlers of Hopkinsville, but are noticed in a preceding chapter, and anything further here would be but repetition. Francis M. Dallam was also an early settler, and is noticed elsewhere. He was a man of considerable prominence, and raised a large family, many of whom attained to prominent positions. Thomas Allsbury was an early citizen of Hopkinsville, and one of the early tavern-keepers. He made up a company and went from here into the war of 1812, and joined the Northwestern army. A man named Howard kept bar for Allsbury, and is said to have been a man of the most unblemished character and unswerving honesty, so much so that when one wanted to make a comparison of somebody being very honest it became a saying that "he is as honest as Zeb Howard." Nehemiah and Jeremiah Cravens were here very early. They were an altogether different family to the Cravens family who settled early in the west part of the county — now Union Schoolhouse Precinct. Rev. James Nichols, a local Meth- odist preacher from North Carolina, settled in Christian a few miles from Hopkinsville, prior to 1800, and died many years ago. Laban Shipp was originally from Virginia, but settled in Bourbon County, and afterward came here and located near Hopkinsville. Maj. Thomas Long came from Virginia, and with his father's family settled in Logan County in 1803, and three or four years later came to Christian County and located on the west side of Little River, where Mr. Jesup now lives. His father, Gabriel Long, was a Revolutionary soldier, but he did not live in this county. Maj. Long has one son now living in Hopkinsville, Judge A. V. Long, and a daughter, Mrs. Jesup. Mrs. Bell, sister-in-law of Bell of Bell's tavern, was an early settler of Hop- kinsville, and died in 1818, and rests in the old graveyard in the south- west part of the town. Joseph, Thomas and Benjamin Kelly were HOPKINSVILLE CITY AND PRECINCT. 197 farmers, and settled south of Hopkinsville very early. James H. Mc- Laughlan, Young Ewing, Dr. A. Webber and Matthew Patten were early citizens of Hopkinsville, but have been extensively mentioned elsewhere. Many others who perhaps lay claim to being early settlers will be men- tioned in the particular departments where they figured, while others still are noticed in the biographical department of this volume. Hopkinsville Precinct. — The Magisterial District in which the City of Hopkinsville is situated, and known as Hopkinsville Precinct No. 1, pos- sesses little of interest outside of the city except the mere fact of its set- tlement. And this is usually the case. In most counties the history of the district, precinct or township in which the county seat is located centers in the town, leaving the remainder of the precinct barren of his- torical incidents. The Magisterial District or Precinct of Hopkinsville lies in the central part of the county, and topographically and geologically partakes of the same nature of the best part of Christian. The north part of the precinct extends into the thin, broken country, but by far the larger part is of the limestone soil, underlaid by red clay. The monotony is broken by gentle undulations, which render artificial drainage wholly unnecessary. Two branches of Little River meander southward through the precinct, and unite in the extreme south part; there are no other streams of any note. A large portion of the precinct was originally "barrens," but the north part and along Little River produced considerable fine timber. It has Hamby and Fruit Hill Precincts on the north. Mount Vernon and Casky Precincts on the east, Longview and Lafayette Precincts on the south, and Union Schoolhouse Precinct on the west. The early settle- ment of Hopkinsville Precinct in connection with the city has already been briefly given, and other allusions to the precinct will be made as we progress with our sketch of Hopkinsville, though, as already stated, there is little of interest beyond the fact of its settlement. The Western Lunatic Asylum. — This institution, located in the Pre- cinct of Hopkinsville, some two miles from the city, should properly be noticed here. Though a State institution, the history of the county would not be complete without a sketch of it. The following is compiled from Collins' History of Kentucky : On the 28th of February, 184S, the Legislature of Kentucky provided for the location and erection of a second lunatic asylum. The Spring Hill tract of 383 acres of land (which proved to be of indifferent quality) on the turnpike road east of Hopkinsville, was purchased for $1,971.50 (only $5.14 per acre). This sum was refunded by the citizens, and $2,000 additional paid by them. There was expended upon the buildings and other improvements in 1849 $43,052 ; in 1850, $43,484; the additional outlays for these purposes do 198 HISTORY OP CHRISTIAN COUNTY. not appear ia any documenta before us. The Legislature appropriated $15,000 in 1848, $20,000 in 1849, $45,000 in 1850, $35,000 in 1851, $43,000 in 1852, $44,017 in 1854; total, $202,017. September 18, 1854, the first patients were received. By December 1, 1857, 208 had been admitted, but only 102 were then in the institution, the others hav- ing died, eloped, or been restored and discharged under the care of the Superintendent, Dr. S. Annan. The number admitted in 1858, 106 ; and in 1859 to December 1st, 129 ; total for two years, 235 ; during the same time 133 were discharged, of whom 65 were restored, 56 died, and 10 escaped. On the 30th of November, 1861, the main building was destroyed at mid-day by fire, which caught from sparks from a chimney falling upon a shingle roof. The 210 patients escaped uninjured, except one, who fast- ened himself in his room, near where the fire originated, and perished in the flames. The court house and other buildings in Hopkinsville were kindly tendered for the use of the unfortunates ; twenty-three hewed log- cabins were speedily erected at about $90 each, and everything done that could well be to mitigate the sufierings of the patients. The walls being mainly uninjured it was estimated that $50,000 would replace the brick and wood work, and $67,000 more (including $3,856 for tin roof and gutters) would complete the building. In February, 1861, the Legislature made an appropriation to begin it, and before January 1, 1867, had appro- priated in all $258,930 to complete the rebuilding. This, added to the manager's probable net valuation of the property after the destruction by fire of the interior of the main building $145,420 (exclusive of the en- hanced value of the land itself), makes the total value of the improve- ments at that time (1867) $404,350, providing comfortably for 325 patients. Some time in the year 1863 the present able and successful Superin- tendent, Dr. James Rodman, took charge of the asylum. The total num- ber of patients received and treated up to October 10, 1871, was 1,273, of whom 321 were then in the asylum. Calculated upon the number of patients received, 50.847 per cent were discharged restored, eight were discharged more or less improved, two were unimproved, one escaped and twenty-two died. There is (nearly) one insane person (October, 1871) in every 1,000 persons of the population, at least 1,400 in Kentucky, of whom there is room in the two asylums for only 850, and both are full. Since the above article was penned for Collins' History, the asylum at Anchorage has been built, and some changes have been made in the one located here, so far as relieving it of a crowd of patients it was unable to accommodate. As a conclusion to this sketch, we give the officers and board, which are as follows : Dr. James Rodman, Superintendent ; Dr, HOPKINSVILLE CITY AND PRECINCT. 199 B. W. Stone, First Assistant Physician ; Dr. B. F. Eager, Second As- sistant Physician ; Frank L. Waller, Steward; John B. Trice, Treasurer; George Poindexter, Clerk of Board. The present Board of Commis- sioners: S. E. Trice, Chairman; S. G. Buckner, John N. Mills, James E. Jesup, J. C. Tate, George 0. Thompson, R. T. Petree, John Feland and Charles M. Meacham. The commissioners are appointed by the Legislature — three at each session. The term of the first three mentioned will expire in 1886 ; that of the next three in 1888, and that of the last three in 1890. The institution bears the name of being one of the best- managed in the United States. The present Superintendent, Dr. Rod- man, has been in charge of it for over twenty years ; no other words in his praise are needed — his long period of service denotes his fitness for the responsible position. Laying out Hopkinsville. — The laying out of a town on the present site of Hopkinsville, as we have said, may have been prompted by the want of a town in the midst of a fertile region. The prime cause, how- ever, was more probably the necessity for a seat of justice for a newly- created county. At the November term of the County Court held in the year 1797, the records show that the court proceeded to " appoint a place to affix the seat of justice, and after deliberating thereon, do appoint and determine on the land whereon Bartholomew Wood now lives ; therefore ordered, that the seat of justice be fixed at the said Wood's, he having agreed to give five acres of land for public buildings, timber for building the same, and half of the spring." Although this order was made in November, 1797, there is no record of the town having been laid off for nearly two years later, as the original plat is submitted to record Sep- tember 13, 1799. As shown by the records, it was surveyed and platted by John Campbell and Samuel Means, deputies for Young Ewing, Coun- ty Surveyor, and the plat recorded as above (September 13, 1799). The following entry appears upon the records soon after the recording of the plat : " The court proceeded to lay off the present bounds as follows : Beginning at the southeast corner of the court house, then a straight line to the east corner of Bartholomew Wood's house, including the house; thence a straight line to the mouth of the public spring ; then up Little River to the upper line of John Clark's three half-acre lots; then a straight line to the place of beginning." This seems to have been the original boundary of the town, though there is nothing in the record to designate that such was actually the case. The newly-created city was named "Elizabeth," but just how and why it was so called is a matter of some discussion. The name sometimes appears in the records as "Eliza- beth," sometimes as the " Town of Elizabeth," and sometimes as "Eliza- beth Town," but never as "Elizabethtown." At the April term of the 200 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. court, 1804, is the first time the name Hopkinsville appears in the rec- ords, and then without any explanation as to the cause of a change of name. General Hopkins. — From local authority it is ascertained that a change of the name of Christian's seat of justice was necessary on account of Hardin County having adopted the name of Elizabethtown for her seat of justice, and being some four years the senior of Christian, it naturally fell to the latter to make the change. The name " Hopkinsville " was then adopted in honor of Gen. Samuel Hopkins, a gallant oflBcer of the Revolutionary army, and a native of Albemarle County, Va. No officer bore a more conspicuous part in the great struggle for freedom ; he fought in the battles of Trenton, Princeton, Monmouth, Brandywine and Ger- mantown, in the last of which he commanded a battalion of light infantry, and was severely wounded, after those of his command- had nearly all been killed and wounded. He was Lieutenant-Colonel of the Tenth Vir- ginia Regiment at the siege of Charleston, S. C, and commanded that regiment after Col. Parker was killed until the close of the war. In 1797, Gen. Hopkins removed to Kentucky and settled on Green River. He served several sessions in the Legislature of Kentucky, and was a Member of Congress for the term commencing in 1813. In October, 1812, he led a corps of 2,000 mounted infantry against the Kickapoo villages in Illinois ; but being misled by his guides, after wandering over the prairies for some days to no purpose, the party returned to the capi- tal of Indiana. After the close of the war Gen. Hopkins served one term in Congress, and then retired to private life on his farm near Red Banks. To go back to the beginning of Hopkinsville, and give a true detail of every branch of business and industry, when it commenced and by whom, is a task beyond the power of any man to accomplish. There are very few persons now living in the county who were here when the town was laid out, and those few were too young then, or are too old now, to remember anything about it, and the chronicler is forced to depend mainly upon "hearsay evidence" for the first few years of the early life of Hopkinsville. Thomas Long, an old man now living in the north part of the county, says when his father came here in 1804, all the town there was of Hopkinsville was a blacksmith shop, a tavern kept by a man named Crow, and the court house, with a few cabins of settlers who then lived in the place. It is believed by those who have a pretty good chance of knowing, that Carter Wood, a son of Capt. Harry Wood, was the first merchant of Hopkinsville — the first at least who kept anything like a general stock of merchandise. Others who opened stores soon after, and are still remembered by some of the older citizens, were John Bryan, HOPKINSVILLE CITY AND PEECINOT. 201 William Murrell, Charles Caldwell, etc. In those days goods were bought mostly in the East, and sometimes hauled in wagons all the way from Philadelphia, but generally to Pittsburgh, and shipped from there down the Ohio, and up the Cumberland River to Canton or Clarksville. Gro- ceries, such as sugar, coffee and molasses, were bought in New Orleans and brought up the river, sometimes being on the road (or rather on the river) three or four weeks. A merchant bought about two stocks of goods a year — spring and fall — and had no means of replenishing his stock every thirty days, as now, through the medium of traveling salesmen. It is not known who erected the first brick house. Among the first remem- bered was one occupied by Strother Hawkins, where Hiram Phelps now lives ; one where Samuel Buckner lives-rit had a Masonic lodge in the second story ; a small brick opposite the last named ; another where John P. Campbell lives ; still another where Henry Gant lives, and another on a back street which belonged to the Glass estate, and several store houses in the main business part of the town. Among the early tradesmen, some of whom afterward became the most prosperous merchants, were Daniel Safferance, Archibald Gant, Jeremiah Foster, Benjamin York, M. T. Carnahan, Jefferson Bailey, John Wilcoxson, etc. Daniel Safferance was a tin and coppersmith ; Archibald Gant was the first hatter in Hopkinsville. Hats were then made to order by men brought up to the trade, and a merchant thought as little of buying a stock of hats with his other goods as he would think now of keeping in stock railroad locomotives. Mr. Gant made a fortune in the hat business, and "Gant, the hatter," became known throughout the Green River country. He made hats of rabbit skins, with fur on them an inch long, sold them for $10 apiece (the hats, not the rabbit- skins), and one would last a man his life-time. In fact, the leader of the advertising troupe for the " Great Indian Remedy" was, upon a recent visit to Hopkinsville, supposed to be wearing one of them, still in an ex- cellent state of preservation. Mr. Gant bought a farm in the county for which he gave $5,000, and it is said paid the whole sum in hats, or in money made from their sale. Jeremiah Foster was the first silversmith in the town, and M. T. Carnahan the first gunsmith. The latter gentle- man went to Mount Vernon, Ind., and rose to considerable prominence : represented Posey County in the State Legislature several times, and was also a member of the State Senate. Bailey was an early bricklayer, and John Wilcoxson a carpenter; Benjamin York, one of the early black- smiths, if not the first one in the town. Of all the old mechanics wlio knew Hopkinsville in an early day, perhaps Kirtley Twyman is tho oldest living representative. He has laid more brick and built more houses in the town doubtless than any man that has ever lived in it. The 202 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. spectacle, it is said, has often been witnessed and commented upon of this veteran brickmason, his son and grandson, all laying brick upon the same edifice. It is a fact worthy of record, and withal, highly commendable, that he trained up his boys to follow in his footsteps, and it is nothing to their discredit that they have imitated their worthy sire in his honest calling. Taverns. — At the first term of the County Court (March, 1797), Obadiah Roberts was granted a license to keep a tavern. Where this tavern was to be kept the records do not show, and as that was more than two years before Hopkins ville, or Elizabeth, rather, was laid out, it is not probable that it was for a public house here. Nothing is known of Mr. Roberts and his tavern beyond the fact that the court granted him a license for that purpose. A man named Vail was probably the first tav- ern-keeper of Hopkinsville. His tavern stood where the city bank now is. He was succeeded by a man named Crow, who was keeping a tavern upon the same site as early as 1804. Thomas AUsbury kept a tavern prior to the war of 1812. Another early tavern was kept by John Bur- gess ; another by a man named McGrew, and still others by Henry Haw- ley, Abraham Stites, John P. Campbell Sr., William Murrell, etc. The village tavern in those days was an important place, where the old men would meet at their leisure, sip their grog and swap stories. On the sub- ject of taverns, an incident of one kept for some time just beyond the city limits by Curtis Wood is appropriate. Curtis Wood was the youngest son of Bartholomew Wood, the pioneer of Hopkinsville. He was born in 1801, and is said to have been the first white child born within the limits of the present city, and is still living in the eastern part of the county, a feeble old man. He, for a long time, kept a tavern (on a very small scale) just beyond South Kentucky College, near where Wood's mill now stands. His unique sign is still remembered by many, and was as follows : " Rest for the weary, food for the hungry, liquor that is good, by C. D. Wood." This is only equaled by the Dutchman who opened a lager beer saloon in Carlinville, 111., just after the close of the war, and mounted a tasty sign over his door — " You fights mit Sigel, and drinks mit me." The pertinency of the sign is seen when it is known, that a large propor- tion of the people around Carlinville are Germans, many of whom fought in the late war under the gallant old Franz Sigel. G-rowth and Development of the Town. — Of the first few years of the existence of Hopkinsville, as we have said, but little or nothing is known. Whether it grew rapidly and developed into a town, or remained for years a straggling hamlet, none can say. It is not probable, however, that it grew with the rapidity that towns and cities spring up now in the great West. The country was much newer than it is now, and there was HOPKINSVILLE CITY AND PRECINCT. 203 but little necessity for towns ; there was no market within hundreds of miles for what little produce the people had to dispose of, and equally as little demand for goods and merchandise. A few small stores and shops were all there was in the way of business for several years, and the growth of the place was naturally slow. But as population increased, business grew and developed with the demands of the time. Stores were opened, the number of shops were increased, and houses were built — a better class of houses than the original cabins of the first comers. Schools were established and churches organized, and the place began to wear the appearance of a town. Roads were laid out to the mills in difiierent parts of the country, and as " all roads lead to Rome," so all the early roads centered in Hopkinsville, and the hopes of its friends and projectors for its future glory and prosperity were, if not extravagant at least flattering. Bartholomew Wood, if not an energetic and wide-awake man in build- ing towns, seems to have evinced a spirit of liberality quite commendable in that early day. He not only gave five acres of land, and timber for the first public buildings, but when the wants of the community required it, he gave a lot of ground for a cemetery, and another lot for a Baptist Church. In his quiet, unassuming and unostentatious manner, he left his imprint upon many portions of the struggling town. Mr. Wood, from the traditions concerning him, seems to have thought a great deal more of hunting, fishing and trapping than of building up a town. He owned a great deal of land, however, and from the abundance of his acres did not hesitate to contribute of it to laudable and praiseworthy objects. We have no record of his religious inclinations or beliefs, yet the fact remains without question that he gave the ground for the first Baptist Church. The Postoffiee. — It was a pathetic and strangely human sentence of Dr. .Johnson, when he said, " we shall receive no letters in the grave." There is no power in that silent dominion to appoint postmasters ; there is no communication open, and no mail contracts can be made with the grim passenger boat. There were very little mail facilities or communi- cations here when the first postoffiee was opened, eighty years ago. We learn that the postoffiee was established in Hopkinsville, April 9, 1804, and by a strange coincidence, this portion of this article is penned April 9, 1884, just eighty years after the establishment of the postoffiee. George Brown was the Postmaster, and no doubt his duties were light, particularly when we remember that the colored people did not then receive letters, and hence did not require half a dozen clerks to wait on them, as in this enlightened age. There were not half a dozen news- papers published west of the Alleghenies ; a letter from the old home cost 25 cents postage in coin, and when we remember how scarce 25-cent pieces were in those days, in a new and unsettled country, we find our- 204 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. selves wondering what use the people had for a postoffice. But all things must have a beginning, and the postoflSce now, although a con- siderable institution, was, three-quarters of a century ago, a very small affair. The old citizens of to-day might apostrophize somewhat after this fashion : ' ' The postofBce, too, is wonderful now, With its lock-boxes and that ; Why, I can remember just how Brown carried the thing in his hat." Postmaster Gen. Gowan would require a gross or two of Mr. Gant's hats in which to stow the mail that passes through the Hopkinsville postofiBce now in a single day. No better illustration of the growth and develop- ment and of the changes wrought is needed than is seen in the postoffice. At one time the pony mails passed through the county weekly, or semi- monthly, when they were permitted by the streams to go through at all. There are no records by which it can be ascertained how much mail mat- ter now comes daily into the county, but an approximation might be reached by reference to the large bags of letters and papers received at Hopkinsville by every train, and by stage, and the old-fashioned horse- back mail. This increase in mail matter, however, is not merely the measure of the growth of population in the county, and a measure of the spread of intelligence or education, but it is a mark of the age, an index in the change of habits of the people, and applies to the whole nation. The newspaper press is another illustration of the city and county's growth and development. A newspaper, the Kentucky Republican, was established in Hopkinsville in 1820. But as an extensive sketch of the press has been given in another chapter, upon the county at large, nothing additional need be given here. Reference is merely made by way of not- ing the growth and improvement peculiar to the age. The press of the county, comprising the New JEra and South Kentuckian, are happy illus- trations of the county's growth, development and prosperity. At a later period in the history of Hopkinsville there were the follow- ing merchants additional to those already mentioned : Daniel Park, Robert Patterson, William Nichol, Robert Martin, James Richey, Samuel Finley, Wilson & Sinton, Francis Wheatley, Anderson & Atterberry, Samuel and Jacob Shryock, Richard Poston, James and Thomas Moore, Alexander McCulloch, John McGarvie, George Ward, etc. These have passed away, and a younger generation fills their places. But it is im- possible and would scarcely be interesting to trace the mercantile business through all its growth and prosperity. Ampng the merchants of Hop- kinsville years ago, were William B. Garvin, Thomas Quigley and Will- iam Bell (father of John and Robert Bell), who afterward became promi- H0PKIN8VILLE CITY AND PRECINCT. 205 nent wholesale merchants of Louisville ; Wayman Crow and John Ag- new, who became prominent merchants of St. Louis. Of the learned professions Hopkinsville has known some as brilliant men as any city in the State, perhaps. The early members of the bar have been noticed in a preceding chapter. Of the medical profession there were Dr. Moses Steele, Dr. James H. Rice, Dr;- Augustine Webber, Dr. Short, and others whose names cannot now be recalled. They were men learned in their profession, and faithfully performed their duties to their fellow-men. Dr. Webber receives extended notice in connection with the Baptist Church, and the others are mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Just at this point in the history of Hopkinsville a communication is pertinent and of interest, from Judge Livingston Lindsay, of La Grange, Tex., and late Chief Justice of that State, many years ago a resident of this city, and still remembered by many of the older citizens. It was written to his nephew here, Mr. Lindsay, who requested his recollections of Hopkinsville as a contribution to our history of the county. It is devoted principally to Hopkinsville, though in one or two instances touching upon the county at large, and the reader will find it of interest throughout. It is as follows : Communioation of Judge Lindsay . — " Oral tradition upon the topics to which you invite my attention, is not very reliable at best. But it is still more uncertain when it is wholly dependent upon the treacherous and failing memories of very old persons. And I have always regretted the neglect of American society in its failure to adopt in an early period of its history some methods, as a system, for the preservation of family records, containing not only all the names of families, but such incidents in connection with them as might be useful to their immediate posterity, as well as of interest to the public at large. In the progress of our social system, possibly, this defect might be remedied. It certainly would con- duce to the improvement of society. " In regard to what I may know and remember about the early his- tory of Christian County : I emigrated from Orange County, Va., in the fall of 1828, and stopped at my brother's, Lunsford Lindsay, in the borders of Todd County, which county had, not a great while before, been formed out of a part of Christian and Logan Counties, where I remained nearly a year, teaching a country school ; though I then had my license (obtained in Virginia) to practice law. But by reason of the paucity of my finances, I was deterred from adventuring then upon my professional career. I did adventure upon it, however, shortly after the close of my school, and moved to and settled in Hopkinsville; and not long afterward married my wife, and boldly, if not judiciously, took upon myself the charge of a family. This, too, was done without having first achieved .206 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. anything professionally. This new obligation assumed, together with the emptiness of my exchequer, awakened me to the necessity of devising some expedients for the immediate wants of my family, besides the pre- carious reliance upon the professional success of a briefless lawyer, a mere novice just entered, or passed over the threshold of one of the learned pro- fessions, without means and without practical experience among strangers, with a strong and already well-established bar to compete with. Under these inauspicious circumstances I concluded to purchase a printing press with its appurtenances, which had been established in Hopkinsville some years previously by David S. Patton, Esq., and commenced the publica- tion of a weekly journal under the not very taking name of the Spy, which I continued about two years, when I sold out the establishment in consequence of a call I received from the Trustees of Cumberland College, at Princeton, Ky., to the position of Professor of Mathematics and Natu- ral Philosophy, which, though the salary was small, the duties of the position were more congenial to my taste than the turmoil and the com- mon reckless spirit of journalism. I preserved no copy of that publica- tion, nor indeed do I know where one could be found. By mere chance, it may be that some patron of the paper in that county preserved one. But village newspapers were in those days too unimportant and ephemeral to secure any special care from their readers. I regret that I cannot furnish a copy, as it might show somewhat of the temper and tone of the community of those by-gone days, and be of some interest to the present generation of the locality. " When I settled in Hopkinsville in the year 1829, it was a small vil- lage comparatively (I don't recollect the number of the population pre- cisely. I don't think it much exceeded 1,600 inhabitants), but it was in- habited by an intelligent and interesting population. It was a cultivated society for what might still be called a sort of frontier settlement ; as in the following year, in my travels through Illinois I found that now mag- nificent and grandly developed State in all its material, social and moral elements was still in a crude and uninviting condition. Then even the great city of St. Louis, which I visited also, contained a population of only 5,000 souls. What a mighty change in the last half century! " Hopkinsville at the time adverted to, in her social, moral and intel- lectual condition, could justly enter into rivalry with any community west of the Alleghenies. The manners of her people were polished and re- fined ; her public as well as private morals above reproach : and so little disorder among her people, both in town and county, as falls to the lot of the most favored communities. Her meed of prominence, character and standing, considering the number of her population, equal to any. When I arrived in Hopkinsville I found these distinguished gentlemen of the HOPKINSVILLE CITY AND PRECINCT. 207 legal profession : Charles S. Morehead, Fidelio 0. Sharp, W. W. Fry, Gustavus A. Henry, J. B. Crockett, Gwynn Page, the first three of whom were then in the full tide of practice, with well-established reputations, and the three latter rapidly budding into notice, and very soon developed into full bloom. Two others, Benjamin Patton and Robert P. Henry, had both died a year or two before, and their fame was still echoing through town and county at the time of my arrival, and not confined to town and county, but reverberating throughout the State. But in the hurry of writing I pretermitted two other prominent gentlemen of the profession about that time, James Breathitt and James Ewing, neither of whom lived a great while after. Besides, James F. Buckner was there equipping himself for the struggle. It may be that I have omitted to mention others of that period, but if so, it is a lapse of my memory. Besides these gentlemen of note of the legal fraternity, the medical profession was not less famous for its learned physicians. Dr. John F. Henry, who was afterward professor in several medical colleges, and a man of unquestioned ability ; Drs. Webber, Bell, Glass, Montgomery, men of considerable literary attain- ments, and of undoubted success in the practice of their profession. I cannot now call to mind the names of others, some of whom were just pluming their feathers for the adventurous flight. In addition to these professional celebrities, there were literary gentlemen not a few, of which a modest sample was found in the person of James Rumsey, who was as guileless as a child, and intellectually as brilliant as the most favored sons of genius. In the private walks of life could be seen men of exalted char- acter and of personal worth, a public spirit worthy of all imitation, a specimen of which was plainly manifested in the bearing and conduct of John P. Campbell, Sr., whom I always looked upon as one of Nature's noblemen, and whose memory I shall always revere as a generous friend. These worthy specimens of the male population of the community, which were much enlarged by many in the county, were supplemented by many high-toned, intelligent, refined women, of whom I will not be guilty of the bad taste of particularizing, but who contributed largely to the many e.t- cellencies of the community. " So much in regard to the general view of the town of Hopkinsville and the County of Christian during my short sojourn among their people. from some time in 1829 to the spring of the year 1832. With my imper- fect and failing memory I would not venture upon details. I might com- promise myself by doing injustice to sbme of those early citizens. But be assured that I have a lively sympathy with those who may desire to have a full and accurate history of the town and county, which might afford some material for the future historian of the State and nation. " L. Lindsay." 208 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. Manufacturing Industries. — Hopkinsville has never been anything of a manufacturing center, and why it has not is a problem. With the finest tim- ber in easy reach, coal enough underlying the county for all manufacturing purposes, good railroad facilities — what more is needed ? Only energy and enterprise. The early enterprises of this kind have been confined to flour- ing-mills, carding and woolen mills, tanyards, distilleries, brickyards, etc. There is no distillery in the city, nor in the county we believe, unless it is a " moonshiner," which is a credit mark to both city and county. The manufactories now consist of flouring-mills, a foundry, planing-mills, car- riage and plow factories, an ice factory, brickyards, etc. A development of the coal fields of Christian and adjoining counties will make Hopkins- ville what she deserves to be, a manufacturing city. Upon the future of Hopkinsville Mr. Mercer, a few years ago, thus wrote in the Hopkins- ville Republican : " The geographical position of Hopkinsville, its vantage ground as the center of a fertile region possessing various resources, all demanded a fast advancing civilization, warrant the belief that a safe ex- ercise of enterprise and industry on the part of its citizens, merchants and manufacturers will double its present population and wealth in a few years. An Illinois, Indiana or Ohio town under like conditions would not require more than five years to reach a population of 10,000 souls. The country wants farmers, wool-spinners and weavers, farm-implement makers, pork-packers, dairymen, tanners, and skilled mechanics. Near- ly every competent manufacturer who has given strict personal attention to his trade in Hopkinsville, has prospered." When we consider the amount of money that crosses the Ohio River every year for farm machin- ery alone, the above paragraph comes home with considerable force, and brings pertinently to mind a Biblical phrase that the way (to prosperity) is so plain that " even fools should not err therein." The Orescent Mills. — Without going into details of enterprises that have long since passed out of existence, a brief space will be devoted to some of the present manufacturing industries of the city. One of the great flouring-mills of Southern Kentucky is the Crescent Mills of Rab- beth & Brownell. This establishment dates back to 1876 and stands on the railroad north of the depot, and is a large frame building. It has six runs of buhrs and three sets of the celebrated Stephens rolls, with a capacity of 200 barrels of flour per day ; the whole valued at $30,000. They do a merchant and custom trade, and ship largely to Southern mar- kets. The Eugene Mills. — The sketch of these mills is from the South Kentuekian of February 26, 1884 : This mill is a frame structure with four stories and a basement, with 75-horse power, and is propelled by water and steam, water being used six months in the year, and is one of H0PKIN8VILLE CITY AND PRECINCT. 209 the best built, local, new-process mills to-day in Christian County, and is supplied with all the latest improved machinery from top to bottom. The capacity of this mill is 100 barrels of flour every twenty- four hours, and it is kept in motion the year round from early dawn till dewy eve. Mr. Eugene Wood, its proprietor, has been engaged in the milling busi- ness since 1872 at this place, at which time he took charge of an old structure and ran it until 1879, when he remodeled and built the present handsome structure, and by his energy, perseverance, as well as a thor- ough knowledge of the business, has built up a wide-spread local trade second to no other mill in this or adjoining counties, and "Eugene's Best" has long since become a household word throughout the city and county. He makes a specialty of exchange work, and is constantly re- ceiving grain for which cash payments are made. Mr. K. J. Ensminger is the miller, and is thoroughly qualified to fill that position, as he has al- most devoted his entire life-time in this capacity. Hopkinaville Mills. — This mill was erected in 1868 by Thomas & Linden, who brought much of the machinery from Cadiz, all of which has since been removed and replaced with the latest improved. It is now owned by F. -L. Ellis & Co., and is a most excellent mill, with a capacity of 150 barrels per day. It has three sets of the Stephens rolls and seven runs of buhrs. The mill is located on the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, and is valued at $30,000. In 1874 William Ellis purchased the Ed- munds interest, and in 1876 F. L. Ellis purchased Linden's interest. They ship their flour principally to Southern markets. The Hopkinsville Planing-mill was erected, in 1866, by John Orr and Martin Miller. It was then but a small building 30x40 feet, and they could only operate on a small scale. Miller was finally succeeded by F. J. Brownell, with whom Mr. Orr did business under the firm name of Brownell & Co. Mr. J. S. Torrey, the present partner, succeeded Brownell, and the firm is now John Orr & Co. They do all kinds of work common to an establishment of the kind, and work, upon an average, about fifty men. Ducker & Dryer's carriage factory is a considerable establishment. They succeeded the old firm of Poindexter & Baker, with whom Mr. Ducker had learned his trade. In 1876 he went to Fairfield, III, where he was associated with F. R. Dryer ; he remained nearly a year. They then returned to Hopkinsville, where they have continued the business as successors of Poindexter & Baker. They make a specialty of repairing, but also put up considerable new work. There are several other establishments, viz.: McCarny, Bonte & Co., carriage manufactory; Forbes & Bro., planing-mill; Hanna & Co., foundry and ice factory, but of these we have no information. The grain 210 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. trade of Hopkinsville is large, but is principally conducted by the mills already noticed. The tobacco trade is perhaps th« most extensive busi- ness of Hopkinsville, but as a sketch of it is given by Mr. Abernathy in a preceding chapter, anything here would be a repetition. Banking. — The first bank in Christian County was established by an act of the Legislature, approved January 26, 1818, called the Christian Bank, with a capital of |200,000 divided into 2,000 shares at $100 each. Subscriptions were opened in Hopkinsville, under the direction of A. Webber, Charles Caldwell, Charles VV. Short, Samuel A. Miller, Joshua Hopson, Robert Patterson, Francis Wheatley and John Burgess, a majority of whom were empowered to superintend the subscriptions of stock. Young Ewing was the first cashier of this bank, a man then in the zenith of his glory and popularity. It is not known just how long this bank continued in existence. There was another bank here, but whether a private aifair or a branch of the Bank of the Commonwealth, we do not know, as few now remember anything about it. The Bank of Kentucky or a branch of that bank was next established in Hopkinsville, and was for many years the principal banking institu- tion in the county. It occupied the old Christian Bank building, in which Merritt & Gwynn now are, but which has been remodeled and mod- ernized since then. It existed until the commencement of the war, when i1:s business was wound up. Among the Presidents of the bank were John H. Phelps, Strother J. Hawkins and John B. Campbell. Rewlen Rowland was Cashier from its organization until his death ; William H. Sasseen succeeded him, and then came John H. Van Culin. There was no other bank in Hopkinsville until after the close of the war, and the es- tablishment of the Bank of Hopkinsville, one of the leading banks in Southern Kentucky, and the principal bank of the city. John C. Latham is its President, and has been since its organization. There are two other banks in Hopkinsville. The Great Butter Company. — Probably the most gigantic enter- prise that ever agitated Hopkinsville, and which was equal to, if it did not surpass any scheme ever conceived by Col. Mulberry Sellers, was the great butter company. The following explanation is necessary to fully understand the ponderous bubble, and how it ultimately bursted: A patent had been secured by a Mrs. D. H. McGregory, of Detroit, Mich., for making two pounds of butter out of one pound, and one pint of milk. This patent she sold to J. H. Fields and R. T. Coffey, of Ashley, 111., for the United States. These enterprising gentlemen issued a circular which they scattered broadcast over the country, and some of Hopkins- ville's alert business men bit at the tempting bait, and of course were in the end themselves "bitten." The circular was as follows: " Butter. — HOPKINSVILLE CITY AND PRECINCT. 211 An improved method of making butter, for which letters patent No. 68639 were issued to the inventor, dated September 10, 1867, consists in compounding certain well-known and simple articles with common but- ter and milk, in the following proportions : one pound of butter to one pound (or pint) of milk, producing in from six to ten minutes' common churning a little over two pounds of ' sweet, fresh and wholesome but- ter,' appearing like ordinary new butter, proving the same unadhesive character, so that it will come from the churn freely, leaving nothing be- hind as a residual product. Nothing is contained in the preparation but simple articles of diet, which are used by every family in the country at almost every meal, and are entirely harmless. As the cost of producing good butter by this method is but a trifle over ' half the price of common butter,' and as butter is one of the great staples of the country, costing every family more than flour, wood or meat, it is not difficult to compre- hend the utility and great value of this invention. Any one desiring to purchase State or county rights can see samples of butter manufactured on short notice, or can make it themselves under our directions," etc. This was signed by Fields & Coff'ey, of Ashley, 111. The right for the State of Kentucky was purchased in Hopkinsville, and a company formed known as Brown, Glass & Co. The incorporators were, J. R. Merritt, B. M. Harrison, John P. Glass, James C. Glass, J. A. F. Brown, J. D. Steele, E. L. Foulks, James E. Jesup, T. H. Harned, F. B. Earned, T. F. Brown, H. W. Killen, John W. Mills, G. W. Rives — fourteen all told, which at $250 each amounted to $3,500 for the State. A pretty good thing for Messrs. Fields & Coffey, of Ash- ley, 111., but a rather poor investment for Brown, Glass & Co., as it turned out. They sold a number of county rights, and were on the point of selling Louisville and Jefferson County for $6,000, when the thing ex- ploded. Some of the agents of Fields & Coffey traveled South and were about to sell a State right to some large dairy company, but who first proposed to test the matter thoroughly. They did so, and sure enough the pound of butter and pint of milk made two pounds of butter, but upon fully testing and working it, it went back to the original state— one pound of butter and one pint of milk. And upon similar tests similar results were produced everywhere. When the result of practical tests became known, the great bubble burst, and Brown, Glass & Co. sat down and wept (metaphorically speak- ing) over the ruins of their castles in Spain. Mr. T. F. Brown, who was the Treasurer of the concern, has a picture — a photograph which he preserves with great care, as a relic and souvenir of the defunct butter company. It represents him in conversation with Mr. L. A. Waller, who is sitting upon his horse in front of Mr. Brown's store door, and who had 212 HISTORY OP CHRISTIAN COUNTY. purchased a County right for whicl^ he had given the horse upon which he sat. What prompted them to have the picture taken we do not know, unless to keep as a memento to the folly of speculation. And if it is a rem- edy for that evil — an evil that is running riot everywhere, and ruining thousands upon thousands of people — it would be well to have the picture copied, and place one in nearly every house in the country. Generdl Business. — Hopkinsville makes no pretensions to a whole- sale trade, and does but little in that way. . But in its retail trade it will compare with any town of its size in the State. Its stores and business houses are large and of a much better class than may usually be found in a town of this size. The Thompson Block, the Opera House Block, the Bank of Hopkinsville's building, the Hopper Block, the McDaniel Block, Anderson's building, and a number of others that are a credit to the city, among which, one erected and owned by Peter Postell, a colored man, is not the least magnificent. These buildings are handsome and show the energy and enterprise of the inhabitants. Others are now in course of erection that will compare favorably with those already con- structed, and still others are contemplated, which no doubt will be built during the coming year. This spirit of improvement denotes a healthy business and prosperity, and it is no wild or extravagant prediction to suggest the probability of Hopkinsville becoming the leading city in Southern Kentucky. The handsome residences should not be overlooked in the general sum- mary of the city's elegant buildings. Many palatial residences, situ- ated in beautiful grounds, and surrounded with grand old trees, orna- mental shrubbery and fragrant flowers, are seen along the principal streets, and would be creditable to much larger and more pretentious cities. But of the many we will particularize none, for fear of omissions that might appear unjust to the owners, and also for the lack of space to notice all. Other ornaments to the architectural beauty of the town are the churches, school buildings, colleges and court nouse, which find appropriate men- tion in other chapters of this volume. The Hopkinsville Building and Loan Association is not the least factor, perhaps, in the fine improvements of the city. Its name and title denote its character and business, which need no explanation. Its ofli- cers and Board are as follows : J. D. Russell, President ; J. I. Landes, Secretary ; Thomas W. Long, Treasurer ; Landes & Clark, Attorneys. Board of Managers — George C. Long, J. D. Russell, F. J. Brownell, F. R. Dryer and H. C. Gant. Its semi-annual exhibit, October 1, 1883, showed the following : HOPKINSVILLE CITY AND PRECINCT. 213 First mortgages on real estate $25,400 00 Delinquent dues, 1131 ; interest, $65.50; fines, $15 211 50 Cash on hand 4,293 82 $29,905 32 LIABILITIES. 242 shares first series, at $61.20 $14,810 606 426 shares second series, at $27.20 11,600 162 272Jshares third series, at $8.16 2,219 652 Loans not paid 1,075 00 Advanced payments on stock 240 00 $29,905 82 City G-overnment. — Originally the government of Hopkinsville was under a Board of Trustees, provided for by legislative enactment. By an act of the Legislature approved March 5, 1870, -the town was granted a charter as the City of Hopkinsville. Under this charter the limits were as follows : Beginning at a stake on the west edge of the Madisonville road, northeast corner of a small tract of land on which Samuel A. Means now resides, and southeast corner to a tract of land formerly owned by Zachariah Glass, deceased ; thence south 53 east, passing through the land of Mrs. Stevenson, Mrs. McOarroU and the heirs of N. E. Grey, deceased, and crossing the Town Fork of Little River at 109 poles, and passing through the land belonging to the heirs of M. Sharp, deceased, and through the fair grounds, and through John Tandy's lot 347f poles, to a stake on the north edge of the Russellville turnpike ; said stake is in the direction north 59 east, 2 poles from John Tandy's southeast corner and A. Palmer's southwest corner ; thence south 26 west, passing through the lands of John B. Knight and R. T. Petree, and between the resi- dences of Claiborne Buckner and James Coleman, men of color, and pass- ing the house occupied by Peter Quarles, and including the homes of the said Coleman and Peter Quarles within the boundary of the city ; passing through the lands of John B. Gowan and Hardin Wood, 259 poles to a stake on the north edge of the Nashville road ; said stake is south 21J east, 2 poles and ten links from Hardin Wood's well (formerly Curtis Wood's) ; thence south 71 west, passing through Mrs. Sharp's land, in- cluding a house now occupied by Kitt Humphrey ; passing through Richard Durrett's land, crossing the Evansville, Henderson & Nashville Railroad at 184 poles, and the Clarksvilleroad at 201 poles ; passing through Louis Wal- ler's lot, including said Waller's tobacco stemmery and cooper shop, 288 poles to a stake in Mrs. Bryan's field ; said stake stands in the direction south one and one-half east 15;| poles to a black oak in Dr. R. H. Kelly's line, marked as a pointer ; thence north 50 west, crossing the Palmyra road at 41 poles, passing through Wallace W. Ware's lot, including his residence, 214 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 120 poles to a stake on the north edge of the Cox Mill road, at a hickory marked as a pointer ; thence north 15 west, passing through the land of John P. Campbell, Sr., deceased, 110 poles to a stake and black oak on the north edge of the Canton road ; thence north 11 J west, passing through the lands of H. A. Phelps, crossing Little River at 173^ poles, in all 219^ poles to a stake on the west side of G. B. Long's yard fence, and with a sugar tree marked as a pointer ; thence north 22 east, passing out of said Long's premises, including the residence of said Long within the limits of the city, and crossing the Princeton road, in all 188 poles, to a stake in "William M. Shipp's field ; thence south 84 east 198 poles, to the beginning. The territory embraced in the foregoing boundary, and the inhabit- ants residing therein, are hereby declared to be the City of Hopkinsville, a body politic and corporate, etc. A number of amendments have been made upon this charter, but without materially changing its features. The government consists of a Board of Councilmen, of which the Chair- man of the said Board is invested with all the power and functions of Mayor. Without tracing it through the differents Boards, we give the following officers and Councilmen, as at present in office : John C. Latham, Chairman of the Board; E. P. Campbell, F. J. Brownell, William Ellis, Max Lipstine, H. F. McCarny and David R. Beard. H. R. Lit- tell is Clerk of the Board and Auditor and Treasurer of the city ; Joab C. Brasher is City Judge ; John W. Payne, City Attorney ; Felix Bigger- staff, Chief of Police ; Walter Garnett, City Tax Collector. It is laudable in Hopkinsville that she puts her best men in office to control her affairs. When a city does this a pure and uncorrupted government is the result. Fires. — Hopkinsville, like many larger cities, has been deluged in fire. As was said of Chicago after her great fire, she has "been born in fire and raised in power." The new Hopkinsville that phoenix-like rose from the ashes of'old Hopkinsville is far more beautiful and magnificent ; it is the eye of southern Kentucky, as Damascus, the oldest city of the world, is the eye of the desert. Illuminated by the flame of its fall and transfigured by the divinity of its resurrection, its new growth is a picture of beauty. From its birth it has had its fires, as other towns and cities have, but the greatest — its baptism of fire — occurred on the 25th of October, 1882, when seven blocks in the very center of the business district went down in ashes. Says the South KentucTcian : " Forty-five business houses, fifteen offices of professional men, three livery stables, one bank, the New Era and News offices, the postoffice, Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Mozart Hall, Central Hotel, and many of the finest buildings in the city were consumed in less than three hours, and the west side of Main Street HOrKINSVILLE CITY AND rRECINCT. 215 was only saved by the sudden changing of the wind." By this disastrous fire a loss was sustained of $285,000, and 100 people turned homeless into the streets. Unlike the Chicago fire it was not the result of an old cow kicking over a coal oil lamp, but it did originate in a stable, and is supposed to have been the work of an incendiary. One year after the fire, the South Kentuchian gave a diagram of the burnt district, showing what portion had been rebuilt, and describing the character of buildings erected thereon, and among others, mentions Campbell's store, the Thompson Block, the Bank of Hopkinsville, the Henderson & Pritchett, Block, Kelly's building, Mrs. A. J. McDaniels' Block, the two large brick livery stables of Polk Cansler and T. L. Smith, Anderson & Chean- ey's store, J. C. Hord's store building, M. Schmidt's two store buildings, John Dinneen's building, R. M. Anderson's brick store, etc. The town has had several pretty severe fires since that of October, 1882. One of these occurred in November, 1883, and another in De- cember following, in the latter of which the loss was set down at $17,000 ; and during the winter of 1883-84, but few weeks passed without the alarm of the deep-toned bell and the startling cry of fire. They were generally small and insignificant, however, and confined to small buildings with the exception of the one that destroyed South Kentucky College, described elsewhere. All these, though of loss to the people, have been beneficial to the city, and the means of the erection of much handsomer and more imposing buildings than otherwise would now adorn the town. They were really blessings in disguise, as much as they appeared the contrary of blessings at the time. But for them Hopkinsville would not wear her present comeliness and beauty. — Perrin. ■^'^i'-->,;;;;:^^-4ar' HOPKINSVILLE CITY AND PKECINCT. 217 CHAPTER IX. HOPKINSVILLE— The Churches— Methodism and its Introduction into THE County— First Methodist Organization in Hopkinsville— The Baptists— Formation of a Baptist Church— Its Present Strength and Glory— The Presbyterians— Northern and South- ern Divisions— Their Churches, Societies and Buildings— Chris- tian Church — Its Organization, Growth and Prosperity— The Cumberland Presbyterians— Episcopalians— Their New Church Building — The Catholic Church— Colored Churches— Their Or- ganization, ETC.- Cemeteries dan Their Silent Inhabitants, etc THE religious advantages of Hopkinsville during the early period of its history were few. Devotional meetings were held as often as circumstances would admit, which for a number of years were in the peo- ple's houses or in the court house. No regular congregation was formed until the increase of numbers rendered church organization necessary. A sketch of the different churches of the city follows here, but with no attempt at chronological order. The Methodist Qhurch. — The appended sketch of the Methodist Church was written for this work by Judge Joe McCarroU. Of course it ■will be understood without explanation that the churches here, after the separation in 1844, adhered to the Southern division of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In his sketch Judge McCarroU gives a synopsis of the introduction of Methodism into the county as a prelude to the history of the church in Hopkinsville, which will be found of considerable interest to the reader. It is as follows : In 1776, soon after the Declaration of American Independence, that vast region and wilderness embracing the western frontier of Virginia was by an act of the Virginia Legislature formed into a separate county called Kentucky, even the western end of which, where Christian County now is, began in a few years to be settled by whites. Ten years later (1786), within two years from the formal organization of the Methodist Church in America, Bishop Asbury appointed James Haw and Benjamin Ogden, vigorous young soldiers of the Cross, and fresh from the Revolu- tionary war, to travel and preach in Kentucky. The following year the Western work was divided into two circuits : Kentucky and Cumberland, the latter of which embraced that part of southern Kentucky which lies between Green and Cumberland Rivers, and also what is now called mid- 218 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. die Tennessee. To the Cumberland Circuit Benjamin Ogden Tvas returned. As this was but two years after the settlement of Christian County by John Montgomery and James Davis (according to Collins, but five years according to more reliable sources), and as Cumberland Circuit was an immense wilderness, it is hardly probable that Methodism had much foothold at that time in this county; but, on the other hand, it was under the supervision of a vigorous young pioneer, and it is but fair to presume that the settlements of this county claimed and received his attention, as did other parts of the wilderness. The history of Methodism in Christian County then dates from the appointment of Benjamin Ogden to the Cumberland Circuit in 1787-88. Since then it has main- tained a firm and steadily increasing hold on the people until it is one of the strongest and most useful church organizations in the county, with an actual active membership of 1,500, church property valued at $30,0()0, and an annual expenditure for the cause of Christ of from $3,500 to $4,000. But, although the settlement in the county of a number of Methodist families from Maryland and Virginia secured the presence and attention of the traveling ministers, and doubtless the temporary forma- tion of classes or societies, as they are called, and in that way unques- tionably gave to the church here a historical existence dating from the appointment of Benjamin Ogden to the Cumberland Circuit in 1787-88 — yet it is not at all certain that the church had any permanent foothold in the county prior to the great revivals held in Logan County (of which this was then a part) in 1794 by Rev. Jacob Lurton. Indeed, Dr. Red- ford says, in his Methodism in Kentucky, that Jacob Lurton " was the first to proclaim the story of the Cross" to that people. A wonderful revival had started as far south as Nashville, Tenn., and gradually swept through all this country until it reached the neighborhood of Peter Cart- wright's father, near Russellville, in 1794. It was in his house that Jacob Lurton and Moses Speer held a powerful meeting during that year. Prior to the year 1800, Benjamin Ogden, James Haw, the great and noble Francis Poythress, Peter Massie, Barnabas McHenry (the grand- father of Hon. H. D. and Col. John H. McHenry, of Owensboro and Hartford), John Page, William Burke, Wilson Lee, Jacob Lurton, Moses Speer and Aquilla Sugg were the noble band of brothers who struggled and battled through the wilderness, and barrens, and hills, and settle- ments from Nashville, Tenn., to Russellville and Bowling Green, Ky., and thence to Evansville, Ind., presenting with remarkable ability and enthu- •siasm the doctrines of the Bible as understood and expounded by the Meth- odists. While it cannot be stated with precision which of these men preached in this county at any given time, the records are pretty authentic that they were preaching to all the various settlements of Logan, Christian HOPKINSVILLE CITY AND PRECINCT. 219 and other counties in the Cumberland District till 1796, when Logan, Chris- tian, etc., were formed into the Logan Circuit. The peculiar methods of the church at that early day were such that it is not possible now to tell exactly what it did accomplish. We only know that here, as everywhere else, its preachers and laymen went from house to house and from neighbor- hood to neighborhood holding meetings, until their influence was felt and impressed upon the people long, long before they ever had any church in the county. Indeed, we ascertain from some of the more modern records of the church that there must have been at least one hundred houses (resi- dences) in the county where preaching was had before any attention was given to the erection of churches ; and the church had really begun to grow strong before any organization wag had. The following is a list of the most prominent preaching places since 1800 : Old Concord, Harri- son's Camp Ground, Mann's, E. Harrison's, Bond's, Nichol's, Ben Har- rison's, Pyle's, Johnson's Schoolhouse, Sink's, R. Harrison's (Pond River), R. Harrison's (Sinking Fork), Elliott's, John Gray's, Trade Water, Hall's (old), Robert Harris', J. and T. Dunnavan's, J. Hopson's, Grove's Schoolhouse, McClellan's, West Fork Meeting House, Long's, Cave Spring, Sand Lick, Bradley's, Turner's, Russell's, Pitzer's, Brown's, Powell's Schoolhouse, also called " Catfight," Lackey's, Hazlegreen, Bird's Creek, McKendree Chapel, Salubria Spring, Old and New Provi- dence, Garrettsburg, Hopkinsville, The Bridge, Puckett's Schoolhouse, Coon's, Brown's Chapel, Pleasant Green, Sheridan's Schoolhouse, Berry's Chapel, Pisgah, Hebron, Oak Grove, Olivet, Sively's Camp Ground, Center Camp Ground, Robbins', Fairview, Vaughn's Chapel, Shiloh, LaFayette, Crofton, Bethlehem, New Concord, Mt. Carmel, Grissam's Chapel and Hall's Chapel, besides many of smaller importance and some whose locality we were unable to ascertain, though persuaded they were in this county. These various places of worship have been from time to time consolidated in different neighborhoods, and church edifices erected for the common good of all, until they now number about twenty-five. Originally the "Meeting Houses," as they were called, were very rude. Rev. Father Thomas Bottomley relates that even as late as 1843, when in charge of the Hopkinsville Circuit, he went to Long's Meeting House, on the Princeton road, to preach. He found a dirty log-house with no floor but the ground, no window except a missing log back of the "pulpit," split logs with splinters in them for seats, and a door so low at the top and so high at the bottom that it was difficult to crawl in through it at all. " Brethren," said Father Bottomley to a few old Christians who had assembled to hear him on his second " round ;" " I am not com- ing here any more!" "Why?" asked old man Long. "Because," said he, " those of you who are good enough to come to this dingy hole 220 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. to hear me preach will get to heaven anyhow ; and as for the sinners, the place is so dirty and uninviting they'll never come, and therefore I am not coming here any more ! " And he never did preach there again. A better place was soon after built, perhaps Sheridan's. Prom 1800 to 1811, when the Christian Circuit was formed, the following ministers preached to the various settlements of the county: William Kenyon, Learner Blackman, Thomas Wilkerson, Jesse Walker, Miles Harper, William Houston, David Young, Benj. Edge, Thomas Lasley, Samuel H. Thompson, Thomas Kirkman and Peter Cartwright. From that time to 1820 Christian Circuit included all the Methodist preaching places of Christian County ; and the study of the records reveals many curious and interesting phases of early Methodist life in Christian County. The revivals, the arbor meetings, the camp meetings, the wonderful preaching and its remarkable effects, the wild oratory, the religious enthusiasm of those early times — all these form the text for more study and more history than we can afford in this place. In the year 1820 the Tennessee Annual Conference held its meeting in Hopkinsville and cut it off from the circuit. As the history of the church in Hopkinsville and magiste- rial districts necessarily gives the history of the Christian Circuit from 1811 to 1820, we now leave the general history of the church in the county and call attention to the precinct histories. Methodist Church in Hopkinsville. — Perhaps the first Methodist Church ever built in Christian County was the one built by the Hopkins- ville " Society " on the lot recently owned by the late Ben. 0. Welch, east of Railroad Street, between Market and Broad. We have no record of the date when this society was organized, but the history of the church in Kentucky and Christian County makes it pretty sure that it was very early in the nineteenth century ; for as early as 1809 Rev. Samuel H. Thompson had charge of the Christian Circuit, of which Hopkinsville was the principal preaching place (II. Methodism in Kentucky, page 291), although the circuit is not mentioned in the general minutes of the church until 1811. The names of most if not all the ministers who had served this church prior to 1811 have already been given in the gen- eral remarks on the church in the county. In addition to these may be named Benjamin Harrison, Ezekiel Harrison, Jr., John Burgess, Joseph Williams, Henry Allen, Richard Gaines, James Nichols, Jesse Harrison (and perhaps Reuben and Robert Harrison, both of whom were promi- nent Methodists), Thomas Kirkman and John Graham,''all of whom were then laymen in the church. But little is known of these men except that they were eminently pious and useful in their day. Their very names meant the Methodism of the times, and their lives were bright examples of goodness and holiness, which exerted an influence for good in HOPKINSVILLE CITY AND PRECINCT. 221 the community for many years after they had passed away. Rev. Kirk- man was in the ministry for a good many years and died near Hopkins- ville about forty years ago. He was not a man of great ability, but was so beloved that his name is still held in reverence by men who never saw him. If we are not mistaken, the Hopkinsville Church still preserves with care an old-fashioned, straight-back chair with his name on it, used by the good old man two generations ago. From the best information obtainable, we gather that the church here must have duly organized, as we have said, soon after the year 1800, though there had been Methodist preaching here some years before, as shown in another place. We are satisfied that the old " meeting-house " was immediately erected, if, in fact, it was not already there. It was a dilapidated old establishment, and there are men now living in Hopkinsville (1884) who remember the benches without backs, and the " cracks in the floor so large that the chickens could be seen scratching underneath." It was of brick, and here the church grew and prospered. Dr. Redford thinks the church had no place of worship until 1820, and that the court house was used for that purpose. That they had no church building prior to 1820 can only be true from a legal point of view ; and, as a matter of fact, the church had no legal title to their place of worship until the 21st of October, 1822, when George Kirkman, of Todd County, for $170 cash, conveyed the lot before referred to to Peter Cartwright, Benjamin Harrison, Ezekiel Har- rison, Jr., John Burgess, Joseph Williams, Henry Allen, Richard Gaines, James Nichols and Jesse Harrison in trust for the Hopkinsville Methodist Church. It is probable that the court house was used at times, but the old house was there years before. It was in this old meeting-house that the Tennessee Conference met in 1820, and the deed from Kirkman to the 'church describes the lot as "containing a Methodist meeting-house now erected." Some have thought this old church was new, perhaps in- complete at the time of the conference of 1820 ; but a reference to the aforesaid deed, executed in October, 1822, will show the following stipu- lation : " In trust, that they shall erect and build, or cause to be erected and built thereon, a house or place of worship for the use of the members," etc., and it is within the memory of some yet living, that according to this trust the church did very soon afterward, perhaps in 1823, repair and add to the old structure so as to perfect the building which was used by the church until the year 1848 or 1849. We may add here that, though the subject of parsonages had been frequently discussed by the church since 1820 (as the records show), occasionally houses rented for that purpose, and in 1833 the purchase of a parsonage for the Presiding Elder was ordered, it was not until the year 1838 that the committee was 222 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. directed " to inquire into the expediency of purchasing a parsonage," and not until 1846 that the Hopkinsville Church really bought one. This was on the same lot with the old church, and was also of brick. It was sold, however, in 1848. The following is a list of the preachers sent to the Christian Circuit (which included Hopkinsville) from 1810 to 1820, when Hopkinsville was cut off to itself and made a station: 1811, James Axley, Presiding Elder, Peter Cartwright, Circuit Preacher. The former of these was celebrated for his simplicity and meekness, the other for his great pugnacity. He was known and read of all men as the fighting preacher. Perhaps no man in the American pulpit since that day has been so noted for courage and audacity. His piety was not questioned, but his manner was extremely rude and sometimes unfortunate. Both were good preachers. From 1812 to 1816, Peter Cartwright, P. E.; 1812, Jacob Turman, Circuit Preacher ; 1813, Samuel H. Thompson, Circuit Preacher ; 1814, John Johnson, Circuit Preacher. This last named gen- tleman enjoyed a great reputation both as a preacher and debater. It was in 1818 that the celebrated debates took place between him and Rev. Jeremiah Vardeman, a learned clergyman of the Baptist Church in Nashville and Hopkinsville. In these discussions they both made fire and sparks fly until their reputations spread all over the country. In 1815 Claiborne Duval was the Preacher ; 1816 to 1818, James Axley was again Presiding Elder ; 1816, Peter Cartwright, Preacher ; 1817, Benja- min Malone, Assistant, and John Devar, Circuit Preacher ; 1818 to 1821, Marcus Lindsey, Presiding Elder ; 1818, John Cragg, Preacher; 1819, Peter Cartwright, Assistant, and Martin Flint, Circuit Preacher. In 1820 the conference cut Hopkinsville off from the circuit, and it remained what is called in Methodist parlance "a station" (as contra-distinguished from a circuit) until 1837. The following is a list of preachers on sta- tion and circuit until then : The first Preacher to the new station was Rev. Andrew Monroe in 1820. The circuit had Peter Cartwright and William W. McReynolds; 1821 to 1825, Charles Holiday, P. E. ; 1821, Hopkinsville, John Johnson ; Christian Circuit, Thomas A. Morris and Richard Gaines, Preachers. It needs not to be mentioned to the Methodist readers of this history that this was the great and good Bishop Morris ; 1822, Hopkinsville and Russellville, John Johnson ; Christian Circuit, Thomas A. Morris and Major Stanfield ; 1823, at Hopkinsville, Thomas A. Morris ; Christian Circuit, George McNelly and Abram Long ; 1824, at Hopkinsville, Simon L. Booker; on the circuit, George Mc- Nelly and Newton G. Berryman ; 1825 to 1827 Thomas A. Morris, Presiding Elder; 1825, Hopkinsville, Richard Corwine ; on circuit) William Peter and Benjamin Ogden ; 1826, Hopkinsville, John S. Bar" ger; Christian Circuit, William Peter and David M. Tunnell ; 1827 to HOPKINSVILLE CITY AND PRECINCT. 223 1831, George McNelly, Presiding Elder ; 1827-29, Hopkinsville, Will- iam W. McReynolds; Christian Circuit, Blatchly C. Wood, Samuel Kenyon, John Sinclair and Thomas Waring ; 1829, Hopkinsville, Green- up Kelly ; on circuit, George W. Robbins and William Phillips ; 1830, Hopkinsville, A. H. Stemmons ; Christian Circuit, John Denham and Clement D. Clifton; 1831 to 1838, at Hopkinsville, H. J. Evans, Preacher ; on circuit, Newton G. Berryman and John Redman, two years each ; Dr. Redford gives W. S. Evans also ; 1832, Hopkinsville, Thomas W. Chandler ; 1833 to 1837, Isaac Collard, Presiding Elder ; 1833, Hopkinsville, John Beatty ; on circuit, Wilson S. McMurry and Buford Farris; 1834, Hopkinsville, W. S. Evans; Christian Circuit, Leswel Campbell and Albert Kelly ; 1835, Hopkinsville, W. S. McMurry; on circuit, Leswel Campbell and Reuben W, Landrum. 'In 1836 Hopkinsville and Christian Circuit were again united under the name of Hopkinsville Circuit, and James H. Brooking and Edwin Roberts, Preachers. The following is a further list : From 1837 to 1841, Richard Corwine, P. E.; 1837, Gilby Kelly, Assistant, and Andrew J. McLaughlan, Circuit Preacher ; 1838, Gilby Kelly, Assistant, and N. H. Lee, Circuit Preacher ; 1839, Edward Stevenson, Assistant ; 1840, J. B. Perry, Assistant ; 1841 to 1845, Edward Stevenson, P. E.; 1841, Rich- ard Holding, Preacher ; 1842 and 1843, Thomas Bottomley. On Chris- tian Mission, Silas Drake ; 1844, Abram Long and James N. Temple ; 1845 to 1847, Napoleon B. Lewis, P. E.; 1845, Abram Long, in charge, and L. B. Davidson, Assistant ; 1846, A. H. Redford and George R. Browder ; 1847 to 1851, Thomas Bottomley, P. E.; 1847, J. Young ; 1848, J. S. Wools. In 1849 Hopkinsville was again cut off to itself, and Sam- uel F. Johnson stationed here two years. On the circuit T. J. Moore ; 1850, on circuit, B. R. Hester; 1851 to 1855, N. H. Lee, P. E.; 1851, Hopkinsville, J. W. Kasey, on circuit, S. D. Akin; 1852, Hopkinsville, J. S. Wools. The remaining appointments to the circuit will be found in history of Shiloh Church. From 1853 to 1858 Garrettsburg was attached to Hopkinsville Circuit; 1853, Hopkinsville and Garrettsburg, F. M. English. Christian Mission South, B. R. Hester ; Christian Mission North, R. C. Alexander. 1854, Hopkinsville and Garrettsburg, J. H. Owen ; Christian Mission, Abram Long and W. M. Malloy ; 1853 to 1857, Z. M. Taylor and J. S. Wools, Presiding Elders ; Hopkinsville and Garrettsburg, J. H. Owen ; Christian Mission, T. D. Lewis; 1856, Hop- kinsville and Garrettsburg, J. Maxwell ; Christian Mission, W. W. Mann, ;wo years; 1857, Hopkinsville and Garrettsburg, F. A. Morris, two years. [n 1859 Hopkinsville again stood alone. 1859 to 1861, Z. M. Taylor, P. E.; 1859 and 1860, Hopkinsville, L. P. Crenshaw ; in 1861, Gar- rettsburg added ; 1861, Hopkinsville and Garrettsburg, Gideon Gooch; 224 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. in 1862 Hopkinsville was again alone and has remained so ever since, except one year with Shiloh ; 1861 to 1866, W. H. Morris, P. E.; 1862, Dennis Spurrier ; 1863, J. C. Petree ; 1864-65-66, S. W. Speer ; 1866 to 1869, Timothy C. Frogge, P. E.; 1867-68, J. C. Petree; 1869- 70, J. W. Price ; 1869, L. B. Davidson, Presiding Elder ; 1870, H. M. Ford; Presiding Elder, two years ; 1872, D. Morton, P. E., followed by N. H. Lee, Isaac W. Emerson and George R. Browder, the present P. E.; 1871-72-73, Thomas Bottomley, Preacher ; 1874 to 1878, John W. Lewis ; the next three years Samuel R. Brewer, who was succeeded by Dr. E. W. Bottomley, the present Preacher. The church in Hopkinsville has had many prominent, zealous and useful members. Early in its history Rev. Ira Ellis, a great and good man with his two sons, Nicholas M. and Ira I., and their families, moved to the county and joined the church. They added much to the strength, influence and usefulness of the church. Rev. Ira Ellis was one of the first preachers of his day intellectually as well as in point of time. After fourteen years of uncommon success in the ministry " he withdrew him- self from public view," says the Western Christian Advocate, "as if alarmed at his own popularity, in 1795." He preached occasionally in the old "meeting-house," until a few years before his death in 1841. His son Nicholas died April 24, 1849, and Ira only a few years ago. In addition to these were several of the old Hopson family — Henry, Sr., and Jr., and John and Neville Hopson. Mesdames Preston, Caldwell and Wilkinson were among the early lights of the church. Coming down to later years we find John H. Wood, William S. Talbott, William E. Price and "Aunt Margaret" his wife, Charlotte Laskin, Mrs. Nancy Feland, William Alexander (afterward a useful traveling preacher), Samuel A. Means, David R. Beard, James A. Henderson (now a preacher in the Kentucky Conference), Ira F. Ellis, Dr. A. P. Campbell and a number of other useful and prominent Methodists still living. The first Sunday- school organized by the Methodists in the county was organized by Mr. John B. Gowen, in 1844-45, in Hopkinsville. Mr. Gowen was at that time the most prominent, zealous and active layman, perhaps, in the county. During the war, however, he withdrew from the church and has not since rejoined it. This Sunday-school was reported in 1866 to have increased its membership from twenty to sixty, and to have expended $30 for books, through the efforts of some young ladies.* In 1846, under the ministry of Revs. A. H. Redford and George R. Browder, the church was in a prosperous condition, and the old building was decided to be inadequate to the necessities of the congregation. It * Since writing the above it lias been ascertained that there was a flourishing Sunday-school in this church as early as 1825, but it went down and finally became extinct, and was re-organized by Mr Gowen as stated. ' HOPKINSVILLE CITY AND PRECINCT. 225 was agreed, therefore, to sell the old meeting-house and parsonage and build a larger and more suitable church. The members went to work accordingly On the 17th of March, 1848, William E. Price and wife conveyed to the Trustees the lot on the corner of Nashville and Clay Streets, where the church now stands, and in due time the large and com- modious brick edifice which is still used by this congregation was built, and dedicated with imposing ceremonies. Here the church has had many revivals, and is at present in a flourishing condition. It raised in 1883 $2,500 for repairs, and raises annually some $1,400 for various enter- prises of the church (including salaries of preacher and Presiding Elder). The membership at present comprises 260 persons, and the Sunday-school roll shows 190 pupils. The present officers of the church are as follows : Trustees, Hon. John Feland, David J. Hooser, David R. Beard ; Su- perintendent Sunday-school, J. W. I. Smith ; Stewards, Dr. A. P. Campbell, Ira F. Ellis, B. L. Foulks, John N. Mills, Andrew Hall, Henry C. Ballard and Joe McCarroU. The Baptist Ohurch.—ThQ sketch of the Baptist Church of Hopkins- ville is by John Rust, Esq., of the Bethel Female College, and was read to the Baptist congregation on the occasion of Elder T. G. Keen's preach- ing his farewell sermon to the church. Through the courtesy of Mr. Rust we are permitted to use it in our history of the county. It is as follows : The New Providence Baptist Church was constituted agreeably to the articles of association, at the private residence of John Pursley, situated about a mile west of the town of Hopkinsville on the north bank of the West Fork of Little River, June 6, 1818. The next day the church met in conference for business ; Elder Jesse Brooks was chosen Moderator, pro tern, and E. R. Bradley Church Clerk, pro tern. The following names were enrolled as members : James Payne, Charles Thrift, John Pursley, Henry Rowland, Robert Slaughter, Sally Tally, Hezekiah Thrift, Grace Pursley, Lucy Slaughter and Winnie Payne, colored. El- der James Payne was called to the pastorate of the church. He was a man of more than ordinary intellectual ability. As a preacher he was abreast of the times, and stood high in the church and the community. At the regular church meeting on the Saturday before the first Sunday in August, 1818, Elder Payne was chosen Moderator and E. R. Bradley, Clerk. Dr. Augustine Webber was received into membership at this meeting. It was agreed to build a meeting-house 45x35 feet, the house to be located on the lot now occupied by the Hopkinsville High School building. It was also agreed at this meeting that the church should be known as the "New Providence Church," and Elder James Payne and E. R. Bradley were appointed messengers to the Red River Association. 226 HISTORY OF CHRISTTAN COUNTY, At the church meeting, September 5, 1818, Brothers Robert Slaugh- ter and William H. Payne were appointed Deacons, though they were not ordained until the following October. In December of the same year the church resolved to " commemorate the Lord's Supper four times a year." December 4, 1819, Elder Payne resigned the pastoral charge of the church, which was without a pastor from that time until December, 1820, when the Rev. "William Tandy was called. Before speaking of this good man it may be interesting to notice some of the church usages. In December, 1819, the church levied a tax on its membership to build a meeting-house ; a member was tried for not paying his subscription ; and the church determined that members were not required to give the hand of fellowship after baptism. Rev. William Tandy was chosen Pastor December 7, 1820. He was a good preacher, much devoted to his calling, beloved by his congregation, and being able to live without compensation, he, with an exemplary gen- erosity, continually refused to accept any pay for his services. During Brother Tandy's pastorate, in May, 1821, Brother Armistead G. Slaugh- ter was received into the church by baptism. At the church meeting on December 7, 1821, Elder William Warfield was invited to preach twice a month. At the same meeting the church proposed to grant Dr. Webber the privilege of exercising his gifts. Feeling some hesitation, Dr. Web- ber asked that the matter be left with himself, which was agreed to. The church minutes from 1821 to 1823 could not be found, and the next item recorded is the call of Mr. Warfield to the pastorate, November 8, 1823. Mr. Warfield was no ordinary man. He commanded the re- spect and love of his brethren and the community. His large acquire- ments and other superior advantages eminently fitted him for his field of action. At the meeting on January 11, the church unanimously opposed a division of the association, and at the same meeting a tax of 12^ cents on the $100 waa levied to meet the church expenses. The minutes of this year recorded the trials of members for slander, backbiting, hetero- doxy, etc. February lA, 1825, Rev. Warfield was re-chosen pastor. In October of this year the church resolved to appoint messengers to form a new association, and Elder William Warfield, James Clark, Dr. A. Web- ber and Armistead G. Slaughter were named as messengers. The church at different meetings of this year resolved to stand during singing and kneel at prayer ; that a male member under censure is ineligible to the office of clerk or assistant clerk ; that any male member absent at two consecutive meetings shall be cited to attend and explain ; that questions of receiving or dismissing members, licensing or ordaining ministers and choosing pastor and deacons, require unanimity : all others may be de- cided by a majority ; that slander shall be dealt with, and if the slandered HOPKINSVILLE CITY AND PRECINCT. 227 party shrinks from taking the Gospel steps he shall be publicly rebuked ; that a member under censure is not entitled to church privileges ; and finally, one member is excluded under the charge of Unitarianism. Many other curious customs might be mentioned, but in the course of a few years they were abolished by church action, or neglected until forgotten. Rev. William Warfield continued in the pastorate till 1827, when, in May of that year. Rev. Robert Rutherford was elected pastor. Elder Rutherford was a co-laborer with Elder Reuben Ross, in the early work of the Bethel Association. He was a well-educated Scotchman, with a rich brogue and great pulpit earnestness. Aside from his pastoral duties, he did much missionary work in southern Kentucky. In 1833, Elder Rutherford finding it impossible to serve the church regularly. Elder J. M. Pendleton was engaged to preach two Sundays in the month, and in August of this year he was received into the church by letter. In No- vember, 1838, Rev. Pendleton was ordained by Elders Ross, Warfield, Tandy and Rutherford. The life and works of this man of God are too well known to need mention in this connection. He is a man of splendid powers, highly cultivated, but he is still serving his Master, and after he has been called hence will be time enough for those who know him to speak of his excellencies. It was during his administration that this church became known as the Hopkinsville Church. This change of name may have been made officially, but the minutes contain no account of it. In August, 1836, a committee consisting of Brothers Pendleton and Webber presented fifteen articles of faith, which the church adopted. In December, 1836, Elder Pendleton withdrew from this church, but he was requested to preach to the congregation as often as convenient. A committee was appointed to ask Elder Hubbard to occupy the pulpit one Sunday in the month, and the request was repeated the next year. The same year an invitation was extended to Elder Anderson. It seems this condition of affairs continued till 1839, when Elder Anderson took pas- toral charge. In December, 1841, Rev. T. G. Keen was called to the pastorate, and remained in charge till 1845. In 1845 the church was in- corporated, and Dr. Keen resigned. The next year the church extended a call to Rev. Samuel Baker, which was accepted. Dr. Baker only preached once a month at first, but the next year his whole time was se- cured. Dr. Baker is well known to the people of Kentucky, and occu- pies a leading place in the ministry. He is a critical scholar, a good speaker, and has no superior as an ecclesiastical historian. He is still at work among his brethren, and needs no eulogy from our hands. In 1850, Dr. Baker resigning, the Rev. A. D. Sears took charge of the church. During his pastorate Bethel Female College was established and built. Dr. Sears is a cultivated gentleman, an earnest pulpit orator, and a good 228 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. pastor. Under his labors the church made material progress. But he, like other of our former pastors, is still actively engaged in his ministerial duties, and needs no further mention in this sketch. In 1864, when the war clouds were still lowering, when brethren and families in the same churches in Kentucky were often found in the ranks of the opposing armies, the church in Hopkinsville formed no exception ; and when the subject of calling a pastor was discussed by the few who dared to mention the matter to each other, it was thought hardly possible to find any one suflSciently conservative to unite the two parties, the honesty of whose opinions and sentiments had been tried on many a bloody battle-field. Dr. Keen, then pastor at Petersburg, Va., was mentioned. He had been pastor here before the war. It was doubted whether a greater unanimity could be obtained on any other name North or South. He was unani- mously called to the pastorate, accepted the call, passed the lines without molestation by either party, entered upon his work; and, however deep may have been the rankle of party prejudice, it is a fact -worthy of mention that the mantle of peace has ever been over the church. Dr. Keen's record is made, and the events of his twenty years' labors with the church bear stronger testimony to his fidelity than any mere utterance of words. Dr. Keen was the first pastor who was called for his whole time, and it was during his connection with the church that the present edifice was originally erected and recently remodeled. [The following sketches of members are by Prof J. W. Rust, President of the Bethel Female College of Hopkinsville. — Ed. J We feel that the history of our church viewed alone in the line of its pastorates and usages would be incomplete without some reference to those good and pious brethren who have long since gone to their reward. Among those who have held membership in this church and worshiped with this people may be mentioned Dr. Augustine Webber, perhaps one of the most thorough scholars in all that relates to our faith and practice that has ever adorned our common membership. To him the Bible was the inspired oracle of a living God. He walked by faith and not by sight. He feared God and eschewed evil. His zeal never abated. With heavy professional obligations pressing upon him as a physician, he seldom failed to be in his place as a fchurch member, ever ready to help in any good work ; while his pious wife, rivaling if possible his Christian enthusiasm, stood by his side in full sympathy with every move that looked to the spiritual life and growth of the church. Her gentle, loving, earnest and intelligent work in the Sunday-school will never be forgotten. The names of these two humble, loving Christians will ever be linked together in the memories of all who knew them — who have drawn inspiration and encour- agement from their noble, consecrated lives. HOPKINSVILLE CITY AND PRECINCT. 229 John P. Campbell St., possessed force of mind, dignity of character, general intelligence and liberality in support of the Gospel rarely equaled and never surpassed by any of his cotemporaries. In his life benevolence was conspicuous. Under what he conceived to be demands of necessity his liberality knew no bounds. He was always ready, with or without others, to meet the balance of every church obligation. It was by his munificence more than that of any one else that Bethel Female College was founded. His donations amounted to fully one-third of its cost, and it may to-day be justly recognized as a living monument to his memory. Just before the war, sitting on his horse at the college gate one morning, he remarked to the writer, pointing to the building, " That is only the center, two wings must be added." The beautiful Christian life of his de- voted wife added luster to his own, and in both church and home these two grand and good people exemplified a liberality and hospitality which hon- ored the profession they had made. E. J. Roberts was one of the most devoted men the church ever had in its membership. His humility, firmness, kindness, liberality and mod- eration were happily blended, controlled by a strong abiding faith and great decision of character. John Buckner's long, consistent life as a Christian is well remembered by those who often bowed with him around the altar of prayer. Kind and faithful, he was ever ready to lend the helping hand in time of need. Armistead Gr. Slaughter united with this church in its early history. Some years after he removed to Bethel Church near Pembroke. He was a man of strong convictions and genuine Christian integrity ; devoted to all the services of the church, and liberal in the support of its enter- prises. He was unusually well read in the affairs of the denomination, in which he took an abiding interest. Jacob Torian was one of the pillars of the church. With an impul- sive, impressible nature, he was admirably fitted by grace to attend to the general interest of the church, and in the pastor's absence his services were justly recognized as of the highest value. William H. Pendleton's name will bring to the memory of those who knew him best one of the most active, earnest and faithful members of this church. A close Bible student, gifted in prayer and exhortation, and whether in the Sunday-school, in the prayer-meeting, or in the financial interests of the church, he was alike not only efficient but enthusiastic in his work. With many positive elements of character, he was aggressive in his nature, and his heart was ever enlisted in the work of the Lord. A life of great usefulness was spread out before him, but the summons came, and he exchanged the toils of earth for a crown in heaven. Joseph M. Cheaney is another remembered for his good works. A 230 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. more spiritually-minded Christian may not be found among our member- ship. Earnest in exhortation and in song, the interests of the church seemed uppermost in his mind. He showed his religion by his daily walk. He was always "fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." Of James Clark, John Hawkins, Thomas P. Clark, Zack Glass, Thomas M. Buck, E. B. Richardson, Alpheus Palmer and others equally worthy of mention, we would be glad to speak, but the limits of this sketch will not permit. We beg to close these hasty and imperfect personal references with a brief allusion to one of the most remarkable men ever connected with our church. John Hubbard removed from Virginia to Kentucky in 1836 and con- nected himself with the church. Although solicited to preach, he gen- erally refused, feeling that his mission was to exhort. So remarkably gifted was he in this kind of service, that he was often invited to assist pastors in protracted meetings. His exhortations after sermons were powerful and effective. Competent persons, who have heard him, say that when making an appeal before an audience with his emotional nature aroused, the " expressiveness of his eye, the clear and solemn tones of his voice, his whole manner indicating the deep earnestness and solicitude of his soul for the salvation of sinners, were such as often to carry conviction to the sinner's heart that had remained unmoved under the sermon. Indeed, so powerful were his exhortations, that he is said to have reached the hearts of men of all classes as few preachers could. This desire to be instrumental in the salvation of sinners was not the result of a momentary impulse with Mr. Hub- bard, but seemed to be the abiding burden of his heart, and the upper- most thought of his mind." The name of John Hubbard will be held in remembrance by thousands who have listened to his unaffected and impressive exhortations, many of whom he effectually led to the Savior. His death like his life was a grand triumph of faith. During his last illness, his devoted wife seeing that his end was nigh labored with him and prayed that he might have " dying grace." Seeing the deep grief that awaited her terrible bereavement, he earnestly prayed that she might have " living grace," and thus they strove to comfort each other to the very doors of death. But turning from the sainted dead, let us not look mournfully back, but hopefully forward. The lessons of their lives are before us. Let us feel that we can best perpetuate their memories by emulating their noble deeds. The Presbyterian Qhurch of Hopkinsville. — The sketch here given of the Presbyterian Church was prepared for this work by Judges Landes and McPherson : HOPKINSVILLE CITY AND PKECINCT. 281 The history of Presbyterianism in Hopkinsville, up to the date of separation in 1867, is the common heritage of both Northern and. South- ern divisions of that church. The first Presbyterian Church organized in the county was in Hopkinsville in the year 1813, and under the auspices of the Rev. Edwin Blackburn. The earlier records of the church have been lost and it is impossible to give the precise date of the organi- zation, or the names of the original members. For a number of years the church was irregularly supplied with preaching, and worshiped in the old log court house on the public square. It is thought the first church edifice was erected some time about the year 1820. It stood upon the lot of ground on the south side of Nashville Street, where now stands the present church edifice of the Southern Presbyterians. This last-named edifice was built in the year 1849. It is a large, substantial brick build- ing, with basement offices^ etc. The following-named ministers served the church up to the time of the division, July 20, 1867 : First, Rev. William K. Stewart was pastor for several years, but just how long cannot now be ascertained. Second, Rev. Joseph Cushman supplied the pulpit for eighteen months or more. Third, Rev. R. Lapsley from 1824 to 1829. Fourth, he was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Caldwell, who died November 5, 1833, while supplying the church. Fifth, Rev. William D. Jones became pastor in 1834, and continued in that relation until 1848. Sixth, Rev. B. H. McCown filled the pulpit acceptably up to 1852. The church was without a pastor for a short time. Seventh, in 1853, the Rev. F. Gr. Strahan became the stated supply and continued to serve the congregation up to October, 1858. Eighth, shortly after Mr. Strahan left, the Rev. H. V. D. Nevius, now of Jacksonville, 111., became pastor and continued in that relation from 1859 to March, 1867. A few months after the departure of Rev. Nevius, (July 20, 1867) the division referred to above took place, one part of the congregation (about forty) adhering to what is known as the " Northern Assembly," the other (about forty-four) adhering to the " Southern As- sembly." The two churches continued to occupy jointly the church building on Nashville Street, dividing the time equally until 1878, when the church property was divided. By the terms of this agreement the " Southern Assembly" congregation retained possession of the church building and lot, while the "Northern Assembly" congregation retained possession of the parsonage lot and building, the former paying the latter the difference between the two properties. The further terms of this agreement were that the "Northern Assembly" should be known as the First, and " Southern Assembly " congregation as the Second Presbyterian Church of Hopkinsville, Ky., while both were to continue to occupy the old building jointly till the 1st day of January, 1879. The two churches 232 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. were subsequently incorporated under the respective names agreed upon, and on . January 1, 1879, the First Church surrendered their interest in the church property. First Presbyterian Church. — In the year 1880 this congregation erected its church edifice, situated on the southeast corner of Russellville and Liberty Streets. The first service held in it was on the 7th day of November, 1880. The building is of brick and of the English-Gothic style of architecture, and cost including lot and church furniture the sum of $7,500. It has a seating capacity of 275, but on special occa- sions with the use of chairs has accommodated 400 or more persons. This church is connected with the Presbytery of Louisville, and through it with the Synod of Kentucky, and the General Assembly of the Pres- byterian Church in the United States of America. Since the division it has had the following pastors, viz.: Revs. James H. Dinsmore, W. T. Hall, A. W. Colver, Heman H. Allen, D. D., and Richard H. Coulter, the present pastor of the church, who was installed September 14, 1881. He commenced his ministry in the church as a licentiate, in May, 1880 ; was called to the pastorate January 15, 1881, and ordained to the full work of the Gospel Ministry by the Presbytery at Shelby ville, Ky., April, 1881. The present membership of the church is seventy-two ; Acting Elders, R. H. Kelly, Jr., Allan Wallis and Joseph I. Landes ; Deacons, Walter Kelly, W. T. Bonte, and J. M. Starling. The Sunday-school numbers about fifty, ofiicers, teachers and scholars, with an average attendance of forty pupils. The Superintendent is Judge Joseph I. Landes, who is also the present Clerk of the session. Second Presbyterian Church. — As already mentioned, the adherents of the " Southern Assembly " at the time of the separation retained pos- session of the church property on Nashville Street, and consented to adopt the name and title of the Second Presbyterian Church of Hopkinsville, Ky. The first stated supply after the division of the church, was the Rev. H. M. Painter, who served them up to 1870, at which time (about April) the present pastor. Rev. John C. Tate, succeeded him. The present oflBcers of the church are : Elders, Thomas Green, G. W. Jarrett, S. H. McCullough, J. B. McKenzie, and John W. McPher- son; Deacons, James C. Moore, J. E. McPherson, Dr. J. M. Dennis and G. A. Champlin ; Trustees, Charles B. Alexander, C. L. Dade, James C. Moore, and G. A. Champlin ; Sunday-school Superintendent, J. E. McPherson. The present membership of the church is about 120, while the Sunday-school numbers some sixty ofiicers and scholars. The Christian Church. — The following sketch of the Christian Church in Hopkinsville was compiled from the history of that church written by Col. George Poindexter : HOPKINSVILLE CITY AND PRECINCT. 233 The Christian Church was organized in Hopkinsville in November, 1832. Previous to this an open rupture had taken place between those who sympathized with Alexander Campbell in his reformatory move- ments, and the Baptist Church in Kentucky. This rupture led to much warm contention and strife throughomt the State, which, with the action of the Bethel Baptist Association held ^n Hopkinsville a short time pre- vious, led to and hastened the formation of this church. Three persons who withdrew from the Baptist Church and some few others out of church relation, but baptized believers who were in full accord with Alexander Campbell, with a remnant of the old Christian Church in sympathy with Barton W. Stone, met at the court house on the date above named, and, with the assistance of Isaiah Boone, Dr. A. Adams and "William Daven- port, an organization was effected. At this meeting were enrolled the names of Miles Gray, R. S. Dulin, Thomas Poindexter, Phoebe Poin- dexter, Martha Williams, Samuel Calloway, Athelia Calloway, Samuel Harry, Mary Harry, George Poindexter, Joseph Stewart, Charles Stew- art, B. F. Shields, Elizabeth Shipp, B. T. Wood and Eliza Rowland. At a subsequent meeting in December, the church appointed R. S. Dulin, Miles Gray and S. W. Calloway, Elders ; Thomas and George Poindexter, Deacons, and George Poindexter, Clerk. Thus organized, the church next looked around for a suitable place of worship. This was found in the small brick meeting-house owned by the adherents of Mr. Stone in common with the Cumberland Presbyterians. Here both congregations worshiped on alternate Sundays for several years. In 1840 it was partially destroyed by wind during a violent storm, and the Cumberland Presbyterians preferring to sell out their interest in the building rather than incur the expense of repairing it, it became the sole property of the Reformers. It was soon repaired by the latter and from then on to the fall of 1850 they continued to use it as their place of regular worship. In 1849 the building again needed repairs, and the church having grown in strength financially as well as numerically, it was decided to erect a new and more commodious edifice rather than repair and refit the old one. Accordingly a subscription was started and steps taken to begin the work immediately. By the fall of the next year, 1850, the building was so far advanced as to permit the occupancy of the basement rooms, and in these they continued to worship till its final completion in the summer of 1851. The entire cost of the building did not exceed $10,000, and in it the congregation have since continued to worship. The present oflScers of the church are : Elders, E. H. Hopper, George Poindexter, B. S. Camp- bell, D. J. Gish, John Orr, and George C. Long ; Deacons, M. D. Steele, James E. Jesup, Milton Gant, Edward Campbell, John Boxley, W. P. Winfree and Dennis F. Smithson. 234 HISTOEY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. The pastors who have from time to time served this church are as fol- lows, viz. : Isaiah Boone, George P. Street, Henry T. Anderson, George W. EUy, John D. Ferguson, William C. Rogers, John M. Barnes, Enos Campbell, James M. Long, A. W. Walthall, W. J. Barbee, T. A. Cren- shaw, R. C. Cave, L. H. Stine, C. K. Marshall and E. L. .Powell. This latter much beloved pastor and faithful man of God, while delivering an impassioned address to his congregation in February, 1850, was stricken down with apoplexy, and in a few hours called to his heavenly reward. That he was not only beloved by his own flock, but held in high esteem by the community at large was fully attested by the many expressions of tender sympathy and condolence proffered the bereaved family, and the large concourse of citizens who attended his remains to the grave. Besides the regular pastors many other eminent Ministers of the Gos- pel from abroad have visited the church from time to time and broken to them the Bread of Life. Among them, and chiefest, the venerable Alex- ander Campbell may be mentioned, who visited the church three times before his death. The Revs. Barton W. Stone, Allen and Carroll Ken- drick, William Morton, Dr. W. H. Hopson, J. H. Jones, John Echbaura, Knowles Shaw, Talbott Farming, J. W. McGarvey, W. S. Keen and C. M.Day. Col. George Poindexter, to whom we are indebted for the facts for this sketch, relates the following anecdote in connection with a visit of Barton W. Stone to the Hopkinsville Church. " The writer of this never had the pleasure of being in the presence of Mr. Stone but once, and then only for a short time. While visiting this place (the year not remembered) I went with him to show him the house of old Sister Shipp, whom he had known in former years. On our way there a sudden shower drove us to seek shelter in the nearest house. Finding the door open, and the rain beginning to fall fast, we stepped in without knocking. In the room we found a pious and much esteemed old lady, a mother in Israel in the Pres- byterian Church. When we entered the room she rbse to her feet and intently fixed her eyes on the venerable old man. Without a word being spoken by either, for some moments they earnestly scanned each other, then, advancing toward him, with a quick step and a look of recognition, she exclaimed : ' Barton W. Stone ! ' In an instant her arms were about his neck, her forehead on his shoulder, while her streaming eyes attested the glad surprise she felt at meeting him. Though she differed with him religiously, yet had she long loved him for his goodness and faithfulness in the cause and kingdom of their common Lord. She only saw before her the honored Christian, the faithful minister, the valiant soldier of the Cross. The scene to me was a highly interesting one, and to this day when it recurs to my mind I can but think how naturally the hearts of all Christians would flow together in sympathy and love but for the pride of opinion, the tyranny of sectarianism." HOPKINSVILLE CITY AND PRECINCT. 235 In connection with the pastorate it is a remarkable fact, and one well worthy of mention, that no pastor, no one who has ever served this con- gregation, has been suffered to go away unpaid, even to the last farthing. Another item, and one especially creditable to the enlightened liberality and Christian benevolence of the membership is the fact that they have always contributed their quota of means, and done what they could for the spread of the Gospel among the benighted of the earth. In this connec- tion, and as an illustration of the fact, an interesting incident is related by Col. Poindexter in his sketch of the church : " In the beginning of the year 1853 the Christian Missionary Society made a call for some one qualified and willing to go to Liberia as their missionary. Aleck Cross, a colored man, had been living here several years, and was well known to the church as a pious and orderly member, and as possessed with extra- ordinary gifts as a public speaker. The church deeming him a suitable person for the place conferred with him on the subject, and found him both willing and anxious to go could his freedom be obtained. His owner, a Mr. Cross, of Todd County, was seen, and out of consideration for his kind feelings for Aleck, and the worthy object in view, he con- sented to let the church have him for the nominal sum of $550, notwith- standing he could easily have gotten $1,200 elsewhere. Having secured his freedom,the church provided him with books and other necessary means of improving his mind, of which he industriously availed himself till his departure for Africa. Enos Campbell voluntarily took him under his supervision and instruction, and so assiduous was he in his self-imposed labor of love that by the time he was ready to depart he had been well qualified for the duties and responsibilities of the station. He landed on the coast of Africa in the winter of 1853-54, and so eager was he to begin his labors that he would not wait till sufiiciently recovered from the effects of the inevitable climate fever of the coast, but at once entered upon the work of his mission. The exposure was too sudden, and brought on a fatal relapse, and just when we were expecting good news from him came the intelligence of his death. The news brought general sorrow and regret to all who knew him, and well it might, for he was no ordinary man, and gave great promise of future usefulness." The Sunday-school connected with this church, from the time of its first organization, about thirty-five years ago, has been regularly and suc- cessfully kept up, and has proved not only of inestimable benefit to the young, but a great blessing to the chinch. At present it is in a very flour- ishing condition, and now numbers some 125 in officers, teachers and pupils. In the cause of general education, beside many benefactions to other institutions, the church points with pride to the South Kentucky College, 236 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. with its elegant and commodious buildings and broad campus, which stood at the head of Nashville Street, in Hopkinsville, and was lately burned, but which, through the efforts of the Faculty under the manage- ment of Maj. S. R. Crumbaugh, will be rebuilt and ready for the fall term of (1884) the present year. Bev. Henry Anderson. — At the request of his friends a few words in connection with the Christian Church is devoted to Elder Henry Ander- son, once its pastor. He was born in Caroline County, Va., in 1812, and was reared and educated under the influence of Baptist parents. He was married when but nineteen years of age to Miss Jane Buckner of Virginia, and the year following entered upon the duties of a Christian minister. His entire life was one of continued ministerial labor to which he added a great amount of classical study, taking up the Hebrew lan- guage without the aid of any instructor but his books, and obtained com- plete mastery of the tongue. Much of his life study was devoted to a translation of the New Testament, which he published in the year 1862. He came to Hopkinsville in 1837, remaining until 1846, during which time he organized many of the churches in this and the adjoining coun- ties. Here, in 1848, his wife died. He removed to Louisville in 1847, and until 1854 was pastor of the Fourth and Walnut Street Church, and though pressed to remain, he decided to remove, going to the vicinity of Harrodsburg, Ky. Here and at various other points in Kentucky he labored with marked success, until he finally became the pastor of a church in Washington City, where he died in 1872. He has two children living : Clarence Anderson of Hopkinsville, and Lelia, wife of Dr. Benjamin Tra- bue, of Glasgow, Ky. Cumberland Presbyterian Church. — The following sketch of the Cum- berland Presbyterian Church of Hopkinsville was furnished for this work by the pastor — Rev. A. C. Biddle. It is necessarily brief, as the early records, we learn, have been mislaid or were destroyed in the disastrous fire of 1882 : The first organization of a Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Hop- kinsville was effected in theyearlS25 or 1826. The meeting for jorganiza- tion was in what was then known as the Unitarian Church, located at the corner of Virginia and Court Streets. Its ofScers or Elders were David Usher, John Finly and Rezin Elliott. The little flock, not being able at that time to erect for itself a house of worship, entered into an agree. m ent with the Unitarian people, by which they were to complete the unfinished house of the latter, and occupy it alternately with them, under a lease of ten years. In the meantime, in the year 1829, the Rev. James Y. Barnett had settled near Hopkinsville, in Christian County, in the bounds of the Salubria Springs congregation. Soon thereafter he HOPKINSVILLE CITY AND PRECINCT. 237 took ministerial charge of the struggling enterprise, and in 1839 the church was in a flourishing condition. In this year (1889) the Green River Synod first met with the congregation, still worshiping in the Unitarian Church, and the Rev. S. G. Burney, D. D., now Senior Professor of Theology in Cumberland University, preached the opening sermon. Soon, however, the church was to be called upon to build for itself. On the night of the 20th of January, 1840, the church house was unroofed, and otherwise badly injured by a violent storm, so that it was considered more wise to build than to repair. On the 23d of March, 1841, a lot was purchased of George Poind exter, 65x82-6, on Russell ville Street. The trustees appointed to receive this property at the hands of Mr. Poin- dexter, were Rev. James Y. Barnett, Magnus T. Carnahan, Rezin Elliott, William R. Payne and James Edwards. Upon this lot the Building Committee, composed of Rev. Mr. Barnett, Rezin Elliott and Magnus T. Carnahan, began at once the erection of a house of worship. The build- ing was of brick, 87x46 feet ; and here they continued to worship with but few interruptions until the breaking out of the war. In 1848 the Rev. James Y. Barnett died at his home near Pembroke, and was followed, in his pulpit ministrations by the Rev. A. J. Baird, D. D., now of Nashville, Tenn., and he in turn was followed by the Rev. Samuel B. Vance, now of Henderson, Ky. For some years before the war it seems that the congregation was without a settled minister, and when at last the war was over, it left not only the congregation wholly disorganized and badly scattered, but the building itself in a deplorable condition. It had been used first as a hospital by the Confederate army ; then as a carriage shop, during which time it narrowly escaped destruc- tion by fire, and then again it was used as a schoolroom. From this date (1869) the facts in the history of this congregation are taken from the records of the church session. It appears that some time during 1868 or the early part of 1869, the congregation had been re- organized by the Rev. Joel M. Penick, for at the fall meeting of the Daviess Presbytery, October 9, 1869, a representative from the Hopkinsville Church appeared before the Presbytery, bearing a petition asking to be received under the care of that body. In that petition is found the following statement : " We would respectfully represent that we now have a membership of thirty-two, with four Ruling Elders, viz.: Henderson Wade, Edwin Edwards, G. W. Wyley and A. H. Ferguson, and also have a house of worship in the town of Hopkinsville." The congrega- tion was served from this time until May, 1870, by Mr. Penick, and from that time till March, 1871, by Rev. J. M. Gill, D. D., of Elkton, Ky. On the 4th of March, 1871, the congregation formally called to the pastor- ate the Rev. A. H. Berry, now of Horse Cave, Ky., and he was shortly 238 HISTOKY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. thereafter installed as pastor. At the spring session of presbytery, April, 1873, this relationship was dissolved, and in August of the same year the Rev. R. J. Beard now of Petersburg, 111., took charge of the church. In May of 1876 the congregation found itself again without a pastor, in which condition it continued until October, 1877, when Rev. M. 0. Smith took charge, and was formally installed in the following November. Under the guidance of Revs. Beard and Smith, the congregation had grown to nearly 100 members. But unfortunately Mr. Smith was com- pelled to resign on account of a throat affliction, and his resignation was accepted October 6, 1881. Rev. J. A. Francis, of Lebanon, Tenn., was then employed for several months as a supply. On the 24th of Octo- ber, 1882, occurred the disastrous fire, which must remain a memorable land-mark in the memories of the citizens of Hopkinsville, and in this fire the Cumberland Presbyterian church-house fell. The congregation at once determined to rebuild. On the 16th of July, 1883, Rev. A. C. Biddle accepted a call to take charge; a building committee was ap- pointed, and the work of rebuilding progresses. At the present time (March 25, 1884) the officers of the church are as follows : Pastor, Rev. A. C. Biddle ; Elders, Edwin Edwards, Hender- son Wade, Gustavus W. Wiley, James P. Braden and A. Campbell ; Deacons, John A. F. Brown, William W. Twyman, M. W. Williams, R. D. Reader. The membership numbers eighty-eight. The Sabbath- school is now under the efficient conduct of M. 0. Smith as Superintend, ent. Grace Episcopal Church.* — The parish of Grace Episcopal Church was organized in October, 1831, at a meeting held by the following per- sons: Messrs. George Ward, David Glass, M. D., Livingston Lindsay, James D. Steele, M. D., E. A. Green and David Banks, of Christian County. The Rev. George P. Giddinge, missionary of the Protestant Episcopal Church ; Rev. B. B. Smith, of Lexington, afterward Bishop of Kentucky ; and the Rev. Gideon McMillan, of Danville, were also present. No record can be found of the original members of the church, but in the parish register, under the date of 1834, we find the names of John Raw- lins and wife, Henry Hopson, M. D., Edward Ashley, Penelope M. Gid- dinge, Albert A. Willis, Rebecca Glass, Lucretia M. Ward, Abraham Pope, Sarah Wallace, Catherine Hopson, Elizabeth L. Pope and Frances E. Nelson. The Rev. George P. Giddinge was the first Rector of the parish, suc- ceeded by the Revs. F. B. Nash, George Beckett, Louis Jansen, J. M. Curtis, S. Hermann, W. E. Webb, James J. Page, Gideon B. Perry, Robert M. Baker, Charles Morris and the present incumbent, John H. *The hiatoiy of Orace Epiicopal Ohurch of HopklniylUe was written by the Bector Ber. J. H. Tenable. HOPKINSVILLE CITY AND PRECINCT. 289 Venable. No details of their respective labors can be given. Several of them were engaged in teaching, besides their ministerial work, and receive more extended notice in connection with the educational history of Hop- kinsville. The first church edifice was of wood, and was built on Virginia Street, during the rectorship of Rev. Mr. Beckett. Various improvements were made upon it from time to time, but at length, being considered unsafe, it was sold by the vestry in 1882, and a lot purchased on the corner of Court and Liberty Streets. A handsome Gothic edifice of brick with stone trimmings, and capable of seating 300 persons, is now (March, 1884) nearing completion. The present membership is about seventy- five; Rector, Rev. J. H. Venable ; Vestry : Dr. James Wheeler, Senior Warden; George V. Green, Junior Warden ; Hunter Wood, William J. Withers, Nathan Gaither, M. H. Nelson, William G. Wheeler and R. H. De Treville, the latter Secre- tary and Treasurer. A Sunday-school will be organized as soon as the church building is completed and ready for occupation. The Catholic Church. — The Roman Catholic Church of Hopkinsville stands on Nashville Street, near the South Kentucky College, and is a beautiful location for a church. We have been unable to obtain any facts or information of this church, and can give but a limited sketch of it. It is a frame building and is located in a large and spacious lot, and altogether is a pretty little church. Rev. Father Hegans is Pastor, and the membership is rather small, as people of the Catholic faith are and always have been few in number in Hopkinsville. The Colored Methodist Church. — The history of this church was writ- ten by Judge McCarroll, and is as follows : The colored Methodist peo- ple of Hopkinsville have had preachers and preaching ever since about the year 1830, possibly a little later than that. They had no church building or property of course until after their emancipation, but met in the church owned by the whites, and there had the Gospel preached to them. Since 1848 they met in the Sunday-school room of the present (white) Methodist Church on Clay and Nashville Streets, until they built a church of their own. Soon after the war they purchased a good lot on the corner of Liberty and Hickory Streets which had an old frame build- ing on it, to which they made an addition, and thus had a very comforta- ble and roomy church. This was about the time of the organization of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America by the Southern Method- ist Church. They had their society incorporated by the Legislature, and took a solid stand at once among the churches of the city. Some diflSculty was at first experienced in paying for their church, but through the activity of Nelson Cross, one of the oldest members, and with the 240 HISTOEY OF CHKISTIAN COUNTY. good example of his liberality, and the assistance of the whites, it was fully paid for. We find from records of the Christian Circuit, that the Quar- terly Conference was licensing their preachers as far back as 1838 ; Thom- as Northington and John Philips were licensed to preach that year. Peter Stroud, Richard Gant and Cyrus Glass were licensed to exhort about the same time, and their licenses renewed, especially Stroud's, for many years. The church has done well here, and numbers among its member^ the most substantial and influential and upright colored persons in the county. Only a few years ago they tore down the old frame, and in 1880 completed one of the most substantial and commodious brick churches in the city, which we hear is all paid forj they also have a parsonage. The church is called Freeman's Chapel, being named for Peter Freeman, one of the old reliable members, and a Class Leader in the church. Among the old preachers of this church were Kit Humphreys, Stew- art Newton, Ned Newton, David Ratclifie, Ned Jones, George McLain and James Allen. Of these preachers none rose to the prominence or had the ability of Ned Jones. He was bright, and set free by the church in slavery times and educational facilities furnished him. When in his prime he was regarded as a most excellent preacher. He frequently preached to large congregations of whites ; he died in 1865. All the old preachers are now dead except Dave Ratcliflfe, who is extremely old and feeble. Amongst the prominent laymen have been Benjamin Phelps, Mat Phelps, Nelson Cross, James and Orange Warfield, Phil Bell, Kit Banks and Peter Postell. " Uncle Kit," as he is familiarly called, was for many years prior to January 1, 1884, the faithful Sexton for the Meth- odist Episcopal Church South, but owing to feeble health resigned at that time. Since the separate organization of the church. Revs. Walker, Cowen, Hubbard, James Bell and Dr. Matthews have served the church. The church at present numbers about 315 members, and the officers are Nelson Cross, Phil Bell, Columbus Lynch, Ned Turner, John Moore, Marshall Williams, J. R. Hawkins and Miner Thomas. The Colored Baptist Church is located on Virginia Street, and is a large and substantial brick edifice. It is lighted with gas, and well furnished and comfortably seated. It has a large membership, some 500 or 600, as we were informed, and is in a very flourishing condition. Rev. E. Richey is the Pastor. We were unable to obtain the facts of its early history and organization. A large and flourishing Sunday-school is main- tained in connection with the church. Cemeteries. — To care for the dead, and beautify and adorn their silent habitations, is a solemn duty incumbent upon the living, and a beautiful, well-kept burying-ground is a sure index of the finer feelings of the peo- ple to whom it belongs. Abraham said : " Give me possession of a bury- HOPKINSVILLE CITY AND PRECINCT. 241 ing-place with you, that I may bury my dead out of sight," and since that day all nations and peoples have paid more or less respect to their dead, according to their stage of civilization. The early records of the county show that Bartholomew Wood, among other donations to the town of Hopkinsville, made one of a certain lot of land for a cemetery. This is in the southwest part of the city, adjoining the grounds of the High School building, and is known as the Old Bap- tist Cemetery. Here, where the grass, weeds and briers grow rank with the vapors of decaying mortality, sleep mai.y of the early pioneers of Hopkinsville and Christian County, some of them without so much as a rude bowlder to mark the spot where they lie. Upon the stones, now crumbling into dust like the bones which rest beneath them, appear many names once well known in the town. There is the name almost obliter- ated by moss growing over it of Benjamin Eggleston, who died in 1819 ; Francis M. Dallam, who died in 1823 ; William Nichol in 1829 ; Benja- min York in 1825 ; John Gibson, born in 1777 and died in 1844 ; Mrs. Ann E. Wood in 1838 ; James H. McLaughlan, the first regular Circuit Clerk, died in 1823 ; Peyton Short in 1825 ; Edward Slaughter in 1839 ; Dr. Moses Steele in 1817 ; Mrs. Susanna Steele, born December 25, 1740, and died in 1820 ; Mrs. xMary Bell in 1818; Benjamin W. Patton in 1825; John Long in 1816 ; -Samuel A. Miller in 1823, and many others who passed away half a century ago. Some of the old family servants sleep there too, side by side with their masters, and " six feet of earth make them all of one size." As the city increased in population and necessity demanded an ex- tension of its limits, the old burying-ground was deemed too near for con- venience, and, besides, too small for the growing community. So, about 1836-37, a new cemetery was laid out north of the city, just across the river, typical, perhaps, of that river we must all sooner or later cross to reach our home in the skies. It is a beautiful cemetery, artistically laid out with walks and drives, and well shaded with trees, and ornamented with shrubbery and flowers. Neat white slabs, handsome tombs and tow- ering monuments show the affection of surviving friends for their loved and lost ones. The first person buried there was Mrs. Phaup, in 1837 ; a large stone slab stands at the head of her grave, which is to the left of the entrance to the " old part" of the grounds. Probably nearly three thousand persons have been buried there since then. Strolling through the numerous walks, one may notice the graves of many noted people once eminent in the history of Hopkinsville : Fidelio Sharp and Rufus Lans- den, two prominent lawyers ; Judge A. D. Rodgers ; Reuben Rowland, long Cashier of the old Bank of Kentucky ; John Bryant, Zachariah Glass, Thomas P. Clark, John Phaup, Isaac Landes, Gen. Daniel Hayes, 242 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. Archibald Gant, John Buckner, James Moore, Judges Benjamin Shackel- ford and Rezin Davidge, Dr. Felix G. Montgomery, Abram Stites, for more than a quarter of a century County Clerk ; Maj. John P. Campbell, for many years President of the Bank of Kentucky, and Gen. James S. Jackson, of whom it was written a few years ago : " Here sleeps, after a tempestuous life, the intrepid and fearless Gen. James S. Jackson, mem- ber of the Legislature and Congressman, whose dauntless spirit, which laughed at danger, even to rashness, took its flight on the bloody field of Perryville. Like Harry Percy, this Hotspur of the Union army waved his sword in the face of death as gayly as though a desperate battle were a dress parade, and the war bugles were sounding the strains of a ball- room." Many others might be named whose finger-marks are still to be seen on every hand. Within the last few years a large addition has been laid out to this " silent city of the dead," and highly improved, rendering it suflSciently large to last for many years, without again extending its limits. The Hopkinsville Republican of November 10, 1881, said: "A number of handsome monuments of marble and granite, some of them quite costly and elaborate, have been erected, both in the old quarter and in the recent large addition so handsomely laid off by Mr. Grove, of Louisville. Roses of the finest varieties bloom luxuriantly all through the seasons, and pur- ple-fringed wild flowers blend their solemn beauty with the hectic flush and autumnal gold of the sumac and maples. Vigorous growths of white pines, dark firs and funereal cypress afford a snug shelter for the numerous thrushes, mocking-birds and red-birds which delight to build their nests in the thickly matted boughs, and pour forth their early morning notes, wrapped in their own little dreams of joy, and unconscious of the aching hearts and humnn sorrow whose pale emblems glimmer around them." During the late war Mr. Louis Elb,' aided by the generosity of Mr. Wolf, of Louisville, once a merchant of this place, bought a lot for the Jews where the dead have since been buried. It is in the rear of the Sharp homestead, in the cedar grove near the Nashville road, and some years since was inclosed by order of the City Council. It is a very hand- some little burying-ground. The colored people also have a cemetery. This is situated just be- yond the fair grounds, and is known as Union Benevolent Cemetery. It contains a number of handsome stones and slabs, and is kept in good or- der and taste. — Perrin. HOPKINSVILLE CITY AND PKECINCT. 243 CHAPTER X. Hopkinsville-Educational-Some of the Early Schools and Teach- eks-James Eumsey's Academy-Prof. FERr-.ELL's Select School- The Hopkinsvxlle PtiBLic Schools-Prjf. Dietrich's Sketch of Them— The Colored Schools— South Kentucky College— Maj. S.R. Cbumbaugh— Bethel Female College— Benevolent Institutions- Freemasonry. Odd-fellowship, ETC.— The Horticultural Gardens — Drs. Montgomery and Glass— The Opera House, etc., etc. QINCE the days of Daniel Barry, whom Collins distinguishes as the ►^ "Irish Linguist," Hopkinsville has enjoyed the advantage of many noted and excellent educators. Barry taught here as early as 1812, and came from the upper part of the State— perhaps Nelson County. Collins mentions him as having taught the Hon. Ben. Hardin in that county. Here Jie had for pupils, among others, James and Edward Rumsey, the former of whom afterward taught here, and sent out into the various vocations of life many distinguished men and women. Miss Lucretia Moore was another, and taught as early as 1815. Following her were Thomas Smith, afterward a divine in the Reformed Church ; Gen. Chambers, Maj. Isaac Evans, Mr. Buchanan, father of Dr. Bu- chanan, the phrenologist, and the inventor of a " flying machine " (?) upon which he spent a fortune ; William Murrell, Francis Hopkins, J. J. Johnson, a Baptist preacher; Richard Gaines, brother-in-law to Peter Cartwright ; Rev. William Lapsley ; Roger F. Kelley ; Richard U. Buckner, uncle to Maj. John P. Campbell; Martha Dallam, afterward wife of Judge Davidge ; James H. Rice, son of Rev. David Rice, the first Presbyterian minister that ever preached in Kentucky, and James D. Rumsey. The latter gentleman was a classical scholar, and one of the ablest teachers of the early period of Hopkinsville, except Barry. He was a nephew of the famous James Rumsey, the inventor of the steam- boat. Among those who received instruction from him may be mentioned : Hon. Henry J. Stites, now Judge of the Common Pleas Court at Louis- ville : Col. James F. Buckner, of Louisville; Maj. John P. Campbell; Judge A. V. Long ; T. P. Ware and M. W. Patton, both afterward At- torneys-General of Mississippi; Munsell, Judge of the Superior Court of Texas ; Prior M. Grant, Chief Justice of Mississippi, and others. Mr. Rumsey taught twice in Hopkinsville, covering a period of nearly thirty years, from about 1824 to 1854. While teaching males, many young IS 244 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. men from Mississippi, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas and other Southern States flocked to him. His last school here was an academy for young ladies exclusively, and was largely attended from all over the Union. Mrs. Sophia Lotspeich may also be mentioned among those who taught here in early times; also Mrs. Gregory, who taught a class of young ladies at the old seminary. Rev. George P. Geddinge, a distinguished minister of the Episcopal Church, and Rev. George Beckett, of the same church, taught in connection with their ministerial duties. Prof. Rogers, Rev. Jansen, Rev. Curtis, P.ev. Jun&y and Dr. J. W. Rust, may also be mentioned ats distinguished educators of Hopkinsville. To describe all the school buildings occupied by these different teachers would be ex- tremely tedious, and of but little interest to the general reader. Hopkinsville High School. — This institution, under the management of Maj. James 0. Ferrell, an able and efficient educator, is the outgrowth or succession of Prof Rumsey's select school, already mentioned in these pages. Maj. Ferrell took charge of the institution in 1873, and has had the management of it ever since. He made it a school for boys and young men exclusively, and during the year 1873 introduced military tactics aa a branch of study, under M. H. Crump, formerly of the Military Institute of Virginia. For three years Mr. Crump had charge of the Military Department, and was then succeeded by F. D. Peabody, who also remained three years, when Maj. Ferrell decided to discontinue that de- partment. He had, during that time, two assistants in the Literary De- partment. After the organization of the public schools of Hopkinsville upon their present basis, several changes were made in this school by Maj. Ferrell — the Military Department was abolished, and the institution changed to a select limited school . Under this system the school has since been conducted, and well maintains its reputation as a select educational institution of a high order. About thirty pupils attend upon an average, and in this number six States are represented. Maj'. Ferrell as a successful educator has few superiors, and his school is not surpassed by any similar institution in southwestern Kentucky. Hopkinsville Public Schools. — The excellent sketch of the public schools of Hopkinsville was written by Prof. Charles H. Dietrich, the Principal of the schools. Prof. Dietrich deserves great praise and the gratitude of the city for the high standard to which he has brought the schools of Hopkinsville. The public schools are the true foundation of the educational system, and the sooner we (of the Southern States) acknowl- edge this the bettor it will be for us and for our States. Prof. Dietrich's sketch is as follows : Very few sources of information are now attainable as to the early THE WAY THE TEACHER, IN OLDEN TIMES, SMOKED OUT HIS PUPILS, WHO HAD "BARRED HIM OUT" FOR REFUSING TO " TREAT" AT CHRISTMAS. HOPKINSVILLE CITY AND PRECINCT. 247 history of the common schools of the city of Hopkinsville, and some of that information savors of tradition. But the facts as near as they can now he gathered are about as follows : The first common school in Hop- kinsville, organized and taught as such under the laws of the State gov- erning the same, was taught in 1842 to 1844 by a Mr. Stevens, who was assisted by a Mr. McClellan, Miss Ruth Beach and another lady whose name is forgotten. Messrs. Stevens and McClellan taught the boys, and the lady assistants taught the girls. Mr. Stevens i? still remembered by some of his old pupils for his ability as an instructor, and his severity as a disciplinarian. This school was taught in a long log-cabin, previously used by the father of Dr. Hopson of this city as a factory for the making of saddle-trees. It was located on the southwest corner of Nashville and Campbell Streets, where now is located the residence of Mrs. Gid- eon B. Perry. The condition of the State school fund was such that it continued in operation but five months in the year. At this time the county constitu- ted one school district, and this school is said to have absorbed during its continuance all the money coming from the State fund. There now arose a discussion as to local taxation for school purposes. This was 'strongly opposed by many of the citizens, who argued from what at this day would be considered a false, selfish and illogical stand-point. The discussion re- sulted in much bitter feeling, and indirectly in the closing of this school. From this time until after 1849 no record appears of any school either private or public. The present Constitution, adopted in 1849, contained provisions for a common school system which together with statutory provisions enabled schools to be sustained for five months in the year. Public schools seem to have been taught at times in connection with one of the colleges. Mrs. Rogers, Mrs. Nancy Stevenson and others, whose names are not now known, taught private schools and received a share of the State school fund to apply to indigent pupils. Yet notwithstanding constitutional and statutory provisions, interest in general elementary education flagged greatly, and no common school or- ganized and taught as such appeared from the time of the Stevenson school of 1844, until the year 1871. The boundary of the original Hopkinsville School District No. 37 was worded as follows : " Beginning at B. B. Jones to R G. Whitaker, J. S. Malone, William Mason, J. L. Tutt, Samuel Har- rison, Wyatt Rembrough, E. Love, E. Wall, Wallace Ware, J. W. A. Mc- Garvey, Mrs. Lorin, John B. Knight, C. A. Shephard, William Hurt, Thomas Hayes, William Pendleton, Benjamin Gray, John McCarroll, James Stephenson, George 0. Thompson, George Wood, J. H. West, G. B. Long, W. W. Rossington, H. Hopper, K. Twyman, Stephen Trice, 248 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. E. B. Richardson, Thomas Clark. All the above names and others are added to the schools of Hopkinsville." In March, 1871, County School Commissioner G. A. Champlin made and fixed the boundary of the district as follows : " Beginning at Wood's Mill on the East Fork of Little River ; thence to N. L. Baker's (William Hurt's place); thence to Dr. R. W. Ware's ; thence to Smith Hay's ; thence to N. E. Gray's old place on Greenville road (now owned by E Starling); thence to brick house on Madisonville road (belonging to the Bank of Hop- kinsville); thence to the forks of the Cadiz and Princeton roads ; thence to H. A. Phelps' house on his farm ; thence to Dr. Charles Shackelford's ; thence to bridge on Clarksville road ; thence up the river to the place of beginning." This boundary was subsequently (iq, 1872) modified so as to conform to the boundary of the corporation of Hopkinsville, and so it now stands. The date of the establishment of this district is not known, but it evident- ly was during the interval 1845 to 1854. The first report given is for the year 1854, in which year there were reported sixty-four children and a per capita of 70 cents. The Trustees for this year were : Finis E. Henderson, Preston B. White and James Correl. The next report was made in 1862, when forty-seven children were reported and a per capita of 11.05. During an interval of nine years following this last report no record of school W0& appears other than that of the private schools, which, how- ever, were credited with doing good work. Notably among the teachers of these appears the name of Mr. Rumsey, who taught in the old seminary building where now stands the depot. On the 11th of November, 1870, certificates to teach were granted to Miss Patty White and Miss Marietta Shipley. In 1871 these ladies began to teach the public schools of Hop- kinsville, or as they were frequently termed the " free schools." After teaching one year these ladies were re-inforced by the addition to their num- ber of Mrs. Martha White. There was no public school building and the schools were taught just where taste or convenience dictated. Miss Shipley continued teaching for two years, but Mrs. and Miss White continued their joint labors till 1881, when the organization of the graded public schools caused an abandonment of their school. In 1880 Messrs. Skehan and Flippo were engaged in public school work, but for some reason their work did not extend beyond this year. During this past decade, most prominent among the zealous advocates of popular education and as School Trustees, appeared James A. Wallace and Will- iam Skerritt. No less deserving of mention for meritorious service in establishing and advancing the schools of the people, was the County School Commissioner, G. A. Champlin. The need of more thorough and HOPKINSVILLE CITY AND PRECINCT. 249 systematic effort in the organization and operation of the schools was manifest and fully appreciated. Consequently an act was passed by the General Assembly of the State, March 13, 1872, entitled " An Act to Organize and Establish a System of Public Schools in the City of Hop- kinsville for White Children in said City." According to its provisions, James A. Wallace, William Skerritt, George C. Long, G. A. Champlin and R. J. McDaniel were appointed Trustees. The act also provided for the issuance of city bonds not to exceed $20,000 in amount for the purpose of securing suitable grounds and buildings. It provided for the levy and collection of a tax of 35 cents on the flOO worth of property. It was further provided that only the property of white persons should be taxed under this act. No organization of the Trustees was effected in accordance with the act of 1872 tUl July 16, 1879. The question of the issuance of city bonds as previously mentioned being submitted to a pop- ular vote was carried, but not without much and bitter opposition. A part of this opposition was based upon difference of opinion as to the best method of raising the funds necessary for the establishment and support of the schools. Some were afraid to undertake the experiment and would " rather bear the ills they had, than fly to others that they knew not of" Still others variously based their opposition upon ideas of expediency, self-interest and constitutionality of the measure. It was stoutly asserted that the proposed bonds would never find a market, although members of the opposition themselves became purchasers. It was claim.^d that real estate would depreciate in value, and that citizens would leave their homes to escape the burden of additional taxation. In spite of these dire pre- dictions the friends of the measure, confident in the wisdom and utility of it, persevered until their efforts were crowned with a success which fully demonstrated the correctness of their views and the fallacies of the oppos- ition. Especially prominent in their advocacy of schools in accordance with this act were James A. Wallace, William Skerritt, G. A. Champlin, Robert M. Fairleigh (who now occupied the place of Trustee, made vacant by the death of R. J. McDaniel), George C. Long and Henry Blumenstiel, at whose place of business frequent meetings were held in the interest of the movement. An amendment to the original act was passed by the General Assembly, March 24, 1880. In the latter part of 1879 the Trustees purchased the lot on the east side of Clay Street, be- tween Broad and Market Streets, at a cost of $3,000. In the spring of 1880 building plans drawn by R. G. Rosenplanter of Clarksville, Tenn., were accepted and shortly afterward the contract for the construction of the same was let to Robert Mills of Hopkinsville. The building is a handsome three-story brick, contains twelve school- 250 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. rooms and the same number of cloak-rooms. The cost of the building was $13,380.25. It was completed in time for occupancy in the winter of 1881. The selection of a Superintendent was a difficult and perplexing ques- tion to the trustees. Although in successful operation in many parts of the country the graded school system was new to this people, and neces- sarily an experiment here. The Trustees realized the importance of se- curing the right man for the right place. Many applications were before them — some from persons near home who were known to be excellent instructors, but few oflFered who had had successful experience in the line of graded school teaching. Vieiving the amount of local opposition to the meastire and the absolute necessity of making it a success from the very start, and in order to harmonize all elements and quiet opposition, the board was particularly careful in its selection of a Superintendent. Charles H. Die- trich was selected. He was a young man thirty-two years of age, and sent let- ters of unqualified indorsement. He graduated at the Ohio State University. By chance one of the Trustees of these schools heard of his eminent success in former teaching, and being assured of his administrative ability, wrote to ask if he would like to cast his lot among them. He consented to come provided they thought he was the proper man, and sent such in- dorsements from Prof. Oston, President of Ohio State University, Profs. Norton, McFarland and Millikin and from Col. Innes and Henry Wood, all of Columbus, Ohio, that the Board of Trustees after a spirited contest and ardent discussion, selected Prof. Dietrich to conduct the new enter- prise. He came to Hopkinsville restored to health (which had failed by close confinement in teaching, and had been restored among the mountains of New Mexico), vigorous and ruddy, and under his supervision the schools opened on the 7th of February, 1881, with 324 pupils and seven teachers. There has been a steady increase in the number of pupils. At the close of the third year there were found to be enrolled for that school year 650 pupils. The number of teachers has increased to eleven. Up to the present time the schools have remained in charge of Prof. C. H. Dietrich and the following teachers have held positions therein : Mrs. E. W. Mc- Kenzie, Mrs. Rosa M. Branham, Mrs. L. H. Patton, Miss Patty B. White, Miss Annie C. Kennedy, Miss Marie L. Wardroper, Miss Paul- ine Vaughan, Miss Gertrude King, Miss Sina L. Harris, Miss Alberta Pendergast, Miss Agnes Dryden, Miss Susie B. Rutherford, Miss Lelia Mills, Miss Minnie R. Lander, Miss Katie McDaniel, Miss Mary Dun- can, Miss Laura Mayo, Miss Aurine Williams, Miss Lucy McGowan and Miss Sara McKee. With some embarrassments but with generally progressive success HOPKINSVILLE CITY AND PRECINCT. 251 Prof. Dietrich with his able corps of assistants hag been able to bring the schools to their present surprising perfection. All available means have been used to further their progress. By the efforts of Prof. Dietrich and others interested in the schools a public school library has been founded containing many valuable books of reference, instruction and general reading, suitable to pupils of all ages. The schools speak for themselves to-day. They rank with the best in the country, and are inferior to none. They are justly the pride of the citizens of Hopkinsville, and so well established has their merit become that many families from the surround- ing country have moved into the city, and at the present time scarcely a vacant dwelling house or cottage can be found in the city limits. So completely have the public schools become identified with the main inter- ests of the people, that many who were once violently opposed to their establishment have become their zealous advocates, and they are recog- nized throughout the whole county as the best means they have for the education of the children and advancement in civilization and prosperity. Prof. Qharles H. Dietrich. — It is eminently appropriate, and no more than justice to the efficient Principal of the Public Schools, to give a brief sketch of him in connection with them, and the editor assumes to add the following : Prof. Charles H. Dietrich was born in Fredericksburg, Wayne Co., Ohio, September 19, 1849. He is descended from German ancestors — his grandfather Dietrich being a native of Hanover, and his grandmother of Holland. Some years prior to the Revolutionary war these ancestors settled in the southeast part of Pennsylvania, where they reared a family. Of this family was John Dietrich, the father of Charles, whose name heads this sketch. John Dietrich was born in 1799, and married Eliza- beth Boyer, also a native of Pennsylvania, and who was born in 1804. Prof. Dietrich is the youngest of the family of eight children. He was educated in his native village, and in 1873 graduated from the Ohio Central Normal School at Washington. The same year he entered the Ohio State University at Columbus, from which he graduated in the class of 1878. He then began teaching in the public schools of Columbus, where he remained about two years. Owing to failing health, he was forced to resign his position as teacher, and he then went to New Mexico, where, under Government appointment, he engaged in the mineral survey of that region. After regaining his health he returned to Ohio, and in January, 1831, came to Hopkinsville, where in the following month he organized the Hopkinsville Public Graded Schools. He is still at the head of the schools, and his ability as a teacher and educator is shown by the success the schools have attained under his administration. He was married, November 28, 1883, to Miss Minnie R., daughter of Wilson J. Lander, of Hopkinsville. 252 HISTORY OP CHRISTIAN COUNTY. The Colored Schools.— The following sketch of the Colored Public Schools is written by Judge G. A. Champlin, County Commissioner of Schools : The first common schools for colored children were taught in the year 1875, the Legislature having in the winter of 1874-75 passed an act known as the Colored School Law. This law gave the colored schools the benefit of certain fines, and the principal part of all taxes paid by the colored people, but was very inadequate, and only provided a fund that paid the small sum of about 50 ceuts for each child of pupil age, which by the law included all between the ages of six and sixteen years. On account of the meager fund, the colored people and the friends of their education were very much discouraged. It was said by many that it was useless to make any attempt toward education with such a small per cap- ita. There was a great want to be supplied in the way of teachers, only about four or five competent persons being found in the county who were ready and willing to engage in teaching. Only five districts were formed the first year, and only about 500 children were embraced in the census for that year. Schools were taught in these districts during the school year ending June 30, 1876, and the colored people were convinced that much good could be done, even with the small sum applied to their education. The next year the districts were increased to sixteen, and the census to nearly 1,600, and in about three years the whole county was districted, and the census ran up to nearly 5,000 children. The colored people evinced a great desire to improve, and took much interest in everything pertaining to education. The act of the Legislature giving additional aid to colored schools enabled the colored people of the county to have com- mon schools taught in nearly all the districts, now forty-four in number. The teachers are much better than formerly ; indeed, compare very favor- ably in qualifications with the teachers in the white schools. The colored people of the city of Hopkinsville have by assistance of the whites erected a commodious and very good and substantial building, costing, including furniture, grounds, etc., between $2,500 and $3,000, and, with a Principal and a competent corps of teachers, maintain one of the best schools in the State, during eight to ten months in the year. The colored people manifest as much if not more interest in common schools than the white people of the county, and everything considered they have made remarkable improvement. They certainly deserve much credit for what they have done in this way. It is now conceded by all that the colored people ought to be educated in order that they may un- derstand our laws, and thus become better citizens. South Kentucky College. — The accompanying sketch of South Ken- tucky College is compiled from its catalogue of 1882-83, which con- tains the history of the college from its organization up to that time. In HOPKINSVILLE CITY AND PRECINCT. 253 February, 1849, the General Assembly of Kentucky passed an act au- thorizing John M. Barnes, Henry J. Stites, Benjamin S. Campbell, John B. Knight, W. F. Bernard, Robert L. Waddill, Jacob Torian, Isaac H. Caldwell and W. A. Edmonds to establish in Hopkinsville, Ky., an in- stitution for the higher education of women, and to " make all such laws, rules and ordinances necessary for the government of said institution as shall not be repugnant to the Constitution and laws of the United States and of this State." In accordance with the provisions of this act, South Kentucky College was opened for the reception of pupils in the autumn of the same year, its first President being John M. Barnes. President Barnes filled the position until his death in 1850, and was succeeded by Enos Campbell, under whose administration the institution grew to such proportions that it became necessary to erect new buildings for the ac- commodation of pupils. Agents were employed by the Board of Trustees to solicit donations for this purpose. Their appeals met with a liberal response from the friends of the college ; the necessary money was soon obtained, and the buildings were erected in 1858, at a total cost — of grounds and buildings — of about $30,000. The institution continued in successful operation until the spring of 1862, when it was suspended for a time on account of the occupation of Hopkinsville by the military. It was re-opened in the following Sep- tember, and, since the war, under the successful administrations of Presi- dents J. W. Goss, T. A. Crenshaw and R. C. Cave, it has been steadily regaining its former prosperity. During the last six years nine States of the Union and Mexico have been represented among its matriculates. Its managers can point with pride and pleasure to the many young ladies who have been educated within its halls, and are now adorning society and filling honorable stations in life. But tbe Board of Trustees, satisfied that the institution while conducted on the plan originally adopted, could not meet the wants of the Christian Brotherhood in south Kentucky, and recognizing the demand for an institution of higher grade, in which par- ents may educate their sons as well as their daughters, decided, in a meeting held November 24, 1879, to make a change. They determined to enlarge the faculty, extend the course of study, raise the standard of scholarship, place the institution on a level with the best colleges for young men, and ofier its educational advantages to both sexes. In order to effect this change it was necessary to secure an amendment to the char- ter, which was accordingly done. Subsequent to the amendment of the charter, at a meeting held on the ,7th of February, 1881, it was determined to add to the regular college course of study several departments designed to prepare students for special vocations. In accordance with this determination, the normal 254 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. and the commercial courses were arranged, and efficient instructors se- cured for them. On the first Monday in September, 1881, the institu- tion was opened under the amended charter, and extended its educational privileges to both sexes. The opening exceeded in point of numbers the expectations of many friends of the institution. The faculty under this arrangement were : R. C. Cave, President, and Professor of English Literature, Philosophy and Logic ; S. R. Crumbaugh, Professor of Mathe- matics, Mechanics and Astronomy ; M. L. Lipscomb, Professor of Nat- ural Science ; B. C. Deweese, Professor of Ancient Languages ; Addis Albro, Professor of Normal and Commercial Departments ; James A. Young, M. D., Professor of Anatomy and Physiology ; Hon. John W. McPherson, Professor of International, Constitutional and Commercial Law ; Miss C. V. Samuel, Professor of Music ; G. Rossington, Pro- fessor of Music; Miss Susie Edmonds, Principal Preparatory' Depart- ment, Drawing and Painting; and Miss Lizzie Gish, Instructor in Prepar- atory Department. On the 24th of February, 1884, the college buildings were burned, with a loss of about $13,000, upon which was $9,000 insurance. The destruction of the college was considered a public calamity, but the ener- gy of its managers and friends was evinced in the determination to at once rebuild the institution, and at the present writing (April, 1884) the work is being rapidly pushed forward under its efficient President, Maj. S. R. Crumbaugh, and it is designed to have it ready for the opening of the fall term. It had been leased at the beginning of this year by Maj. Crumbaugh, who had been chosen President of the faculty, and a number of needed improvements made by him, when its destruction by fire put an end for a time to its usefulness. Samuel R. Crumbaugh. — The present President of the South Ken- tucky College, Maj. Samuel R. Crumbaugh, was born in Logan County, Ky., May 1, 1845, and is a son of John B. and Nancy (Bailey) Crum- baugh, the former of German descent, and the latter descended from English and Irish ancestry ; they were for many years honored citizens of Logan County, but are now deceased. Maj. Crumbaugh was brought up on his father's farm until seventeen. In 1864 he entered the United States Naval Academy, from which he graduated in 1868, receiving the degree conferred by that institution. He stood among the first of his graduating class, consisting of ninety-five members, and was especially noted for his standing in mathematics, mechanics, astronomy and engin- eering. In the list of his classmates appear the, names of Lieut. Charles W. Chipp of New York, Alfred Toree, John G. Talbott, Hugh H. Mc- Gee and others whose names have become famous. From the time of his graduation, in 1868, until January, 1870, Maj. Crumbaugh held the com- HOPKINSVILLE CITy AND PRECINCT. 255 misaioa of Adjutant in the Second Regiment in the Regular army, but resigned the position, and entered the Law Department of the Kentucky University, at Lexington, graduating from that institution with the high- est honors. In the following year he accepted the position in Warren College as Professor of Mathematics and Astronomy, where he remained three years. Severing his connection with the college, he went to Lon- don, England, where he spent two years attending scientific lectures in the Royal Institution, the Royal School of Mines, and the Institution of En- gineering, and while there received several post-graduate degrees. Upon his return from Europe he accepted the Professorship of Physics and As- tronomy in the University of the South, at Senawee, Tenn., and later, that of Civil and Mechanical Engineering in the Lehigh University. Maj. Crumbaugh came to Hopkinsville in 1880, as Professor of Mathematics and Astronomy in South Kentucky College, and in June, 1882, received the appointment of Collector of Internal Revenue for the Second District of Kentucky, serving until January 1, 1884. His effi- cient services as an educator while first connected with South Kentucky College were duly acknowledged by his election, on the 1st of January, 1884, to the responsible position of President of that institution for a term of ten years. Maj. Crumbaugh was married at Elkton, Todd County, in 1876, to Miss Ida, daughter of Dixon Black, Esq. They have three children : Pauline, Germania and Arthur Crumbaugh. Bethel Female College* — The Hopkinsville Baptist Church has been marked for its devotion to the cause of education. Under its fostering care various private schools were conducted for years prior to the existence of the institution whose history I am requested to prepare. Many now living remember Dr. Ring, Elder W. C. Vanmeter, and Miss Leach as Baptist teachers. This desire upon the part of the Baptists to educate culminated in 1851 by securing a charter for the Baptist Female Institute, and in 1854 steps were taken to erect the present buildings. Donations were made by the brethren and friends about Hopkinsville and throughout the Bethel Association. The amount of money expended in the grounds and build- ings was about $30,000. John P. Campbell, Thomas M. Buck, John Buckner, Hiram A. Phelps, Joseph M. Cheany, Dr. A. Webber, A. G. Slaughter, R. Dillard and E. B. Richardson were the Trustees under the first charter. In 1858 the institution was re-chartered as Bethel Female High School or College, with all the privileges usual in the best colleges in the State. This charter, at the instance of the Bethel Association, placed the management of the c ollege in the hands of the Green River * By J. W. Kust, liL. D., President of the College. 256 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. Educational Convention for a time, but the act of 1858 was repealed in 1865, and since that time the institution has been working under its original charter. The building commenced in 1854 was not ready for occupancy till 1856. The line of its Presidents, in the^rder of their service, is as fol- lows : Dr. W. F. Hill was elected in 1856 and resigned in 1857 ; Prof. J. W. Rust was elected in 1857 and retired in 1864 ; next came Rev. T. G. Keen, who served until 1866, and was followed by Rev. M. G. Alex- ander, who retired in 1867, when Rev. John F. Dagg was elected, and presided over the institution until 1874. Prof. J. W. Rust was then for the second time called to the Presidency, and has occupied the position ever since. Bethel Female College is located in the western suburbs of the city. The main building is of brick, three stories high, with basement. The chapel is 30x60 feet, the recitation rooms and family apartments well ventilated, the grounds beautifully shaded, and the whole place is home- like and attractive. The lot contains about six acres. The patronage of the college has been exclusively young ladies, representing the best fam- ilies in the State and surrounding country of the Southwest. The annual attendance has perhaps averaged 100 pupils, about thirty-five of whom have been boarders. The entire boarding capacity, with the President's family, is about sixty. Since 1874 sixty-eight young ladies have grad- uated, and many have taken certificates of proficiency. The course of instruction, the discipline and the thoroughness of the teaching done in this institution have been the subject of frequent com- mendation, and something of its extent may be inferred from the follow- ing outline of its curriculum: 1, School of Languages, Ancient and Modern ; 2, School of Mathematics, pure and mixed ; 3, School of Eng- lish, embracing Mental and Moral Science and belles-lettres; 4, School of Natural Science ; 5, School of Fine Arts. Faculty — In 1884 the faculty consists of the following : J. W. Rust, LL. D., President ; Miss Cynta Wesfall, Presiding Teacher ; Mrs. Rust, J. 0. Rust, Miss Cora Anderson, Teachers ; Mrs. John F. Dagg, Music and Art ; Miss Carrie Breathitt and Miss Nannie Rust, Assistants ; Trust- ees — Rev. J. M. Peay, Chairman ; Judge R. T. Petree, W. W. Ware, J. N. Mills, S. G. Buckner, Hon. J. P. Campbell, Dr. James Rodman, S. E. Triee, J. C. Latham, H. A. Phelps ; the latter gentleman is Secretary. Benevolent Institutions. — The moral and benevolent institutions wield as great influence in their way as the Christian churches themselves. Of all the charitable and benevolent organizations Freemasonry is the most ancient and honorable. Not the least wonderful feature in Free- masonry is its perpetual youth. All other orders have their time to die. HOPKINSVILLE CITY AND PRECINCT. 257 Human governments flourish and then disappear, leaving only desolation in the places where their glory used to shine. But Freemasonry, origi- nating so long ago that no history tells of its beginning, has survived the decay of dynasties and the revolutions of races, and kept pace with the marvelous march of civilization and Christianity. Freemasonry was introduced into Hopkinsville in an early day. A lodge was chartered in 1816, of which Charles Caldwell was the first Master. It became, dormant during the Morgan excitement, and the charter was surrendered in 1834. Among the members of that early period were found the names of many of Hopkinsville's noted and business men : James Moore, James DuCker, Thomas and Robert Moore, Francis Wheatley, Gideon Overshiner, Samuel Shryock, James P. Caldwell, Nathan S. Dallam, Archibald Gant, Francis R. Dallam, Rezin Davidge, James H. McLaughlan, Robert P. Henry, Alexander Campbell, John Buckner, John P. Campbell, Samuel Finley, etc., etc. Hopkinsville Lodge, No. 37, was revived under dispensation February 22, 1840, with Dexter Harding as the first Master. It was chartered in September following. Another lodge, No. 225, was established in Hopkins- ville in 1850, which was, December 22, 1857, incorporated with the old one, under the title of JSopkinsville Lodge, No. 37. This was by joint request of the two lodges. The prese;it officers of the lodge are : W. W. Clark, Master ; Thomas Rodman, Senior Warden ; H. H-. Abernathy, Junior Warden ; R. M. Fairleigh, Treasurer ; R. W. Norwood, Secre- tary ; Bryan Hopper, Senior Deacon ; F. L. Waller, Junior Deacon ; W. B. Lander, Tiler. There is also a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons and a Commandery of Knights Templar in Hopkinsville, and there was a Council of Royal and Select Masters when that branch of the order was in the zenith of its glory. The present officers of Oriental Chapter, No. 14, are as follows : M. . E.-. J. I. Landes, High Priest; E.-. J. W. Pritchett, King; E.-. R. M. Fairleigh, Scribe ; Comp. Thomas Rodman, Captain of the Host ; Comp. B. W. Stone, Principal Sojourner; Comp. Frank Waller, Royal Arch Captain ; William Skerritt, Ratclifi"e Sutcliff and R. M. Anderson, Grand Masters of the Vails ; Comp. G. W. Lander, Treasurer ; Comp. C. H. Dietrich, Secretary ; Comp. W. B. Lander, Guard. Moore Com- mandery, No. 6, Knights Templar, is officered as follows : Eminent Sir B. W. Stone, Commander ; Sir George Poindexter, Generalissimo ; Sir Hunter Wood, Captain-General; Rev. Sir T. G. Keen, Prelate; Sir S, L. Salter, Senior Warden ; Sir R. M. Fairleigh, Junior Warden ; Sir J. W. Pritchett, Treasurer ; Sir Nat. Gaither, Recorder ; Sir William Sker- ritt, Standard Bearer; Sir F. J. Brownell, Sword Bearer; Sir H. B. Gariier, Warder; Sir W. B. Lander, Captain of the Guard. 258 HISTORY OF CHKISTIAN COUNTY. Hopkinsville has furnished the State a Grand Master of Masons and a Grand Commander of Knights Templar in the person of Dr. R. M. Fairleigh. He served in the former position several years ago, and is at present filling the high and honorable position of Grand Commander of the State. Among the old members who served Masonry long and faithfully are James Moore, George Poindexter and Kirtley Twyman, the latter two still living, but the former has been called to the Grand Lodge on high. Many other faithful members of the fraternity might be mentioned, but the three referred to deserve special notice for their long labors in the lodge here below. Odd- fellowship, the twin sister of Freemasonry in charity and benev- olence, is represented in Hopkinsville by Green River Lodge No. 54, and Mercy Encampment No. 31. The following are the ofiScers of Green River Lodge No. 54, I. 0. 0. F.: U. H. Moore, N. G.; W. C. Wright V. G.; W. T. Bonte, Secretary ; D. R. Beard, Treasurer. Mercy En campment No. 31, has the following officers : W. C. Wright, P. C. P U. H. Moore, C. P.; H. F. McCaney, H. P.; W. D. Ennis, S. W.; W, T. Bonte, J. W.; J. B. Oheaney, Secretary, and D. R. Beard, Treasurer, Evergreen Lodge No. 38, K. of P., was organized March 26, 1876 with nineteen charter members. The first officers were W. C. McPher son, P. C; G. B. Underwood, C. C; Joe McCarroU, V. C; J. S. Chas tain. Prelate ; William L. Twyman, M. of E.; F. L. Waller, M. of F. G. H. Speak, K. of R. and S.; James J. Bumpus, M. at A.; F. A. C Myrick, I. G.; John B. Cheaney, 0. G. The present officers are: J. W. Cross, P. C; Ben Thompson, C. C; R. M. Anderson, V. C; R. W ilenry. Prelate ; J. S. Forrey, M. of E.; W. C. Wright, M. of F.; An drew Seargent, K. of R. and S.; M. L. Elb, M. of A.; T. B. Burbridge, I. G.; C. W. Ducker, 0. G. The lodge has ninety-four members. There are a great many other orders and fraternities represented in the city, such as the Royal Arcanum, Knights of Honor, Golden Cross, United Workmen, Chosen Friends, Endowment Rank of K. of P. and a number of others, but our space will not admit of further notice. The Hopkinsville Horticultural Gardens were once a beautiful place of resort, and occupied the ground where the amphitheater of the Agricul- tural Association now stands. The prime movers in them were Dr. Montgomery and Dr. David Glaas, who established them in 1836. They were handsomely laid out and beautifully shaded with trees and ornament- ed with shrubbery and flowers. They displayed considerable refinement and taste, and it is to be regretted that they were allowed to pass out of existence. That they did pass away, is perhaps attributable to the fact that nearly every family has its own flower gardens and greenhouses. HOPKINSVILLE CITY AND PRECINCT. 259 Hopkinsville is justly noted for the taste of its citizens in this regard — a taste that is commendable in any people. Holland's Opera House is an ornament to Hopkinsville. It is one of the finest theaters in the State outside of Louisville, and was opened in September, 1882. It is a three story brick building, has a frontage of 80 feet, a depth of 125 feet and a seating capacity of 700. In its construc- tion, every precaution has been taken to guard against fire, and it is said that it can be easily cleared of a 600-audience in from three to four min- utes. Much credit is due to the projectors of the building, and the people of the city should be proud of their opera house. We are not of tnose who believe, that the theater is the by-way to perdition. Young people must have some place of amusement, and there are many worse places than a well-conducted theater. — Perrin. CASKY, PEMBROKE AND LONGVIEW PRECINCTS. 261 CHAPTER XI. Casky, Pembroke and Longview Precincts— General Description- Early Settlements— 80ME North Carolina Tories— Block-Houses IN THE Old Davis Settlement— Going to Russell ville to Mill— Rumsey's and Coleman's Mills— Other Settlers— Moralizing on the Negro's Future — Educational— Early Schools and Teachers — Religious- Old Bethel Church— Other Congregations— Vil- lages— The Business of Pembroke— Summary— The Casky Grange, ETC., ETC. HE who attempts to present with unvarying accuracy the annals of a county or even a precinct, whose history reaches back through the long stretch of a century of years, imposes upon himself a task beset with many diflSculties. These difficulties, manifold and perplexing in them- selves, are often augmented by conflicting statements and varying data furnished by well-meaning descendants of early settlers, as material from which to compile a true and faithful record of past events. To give facts and facts only should be the aim and ambition of him who professes to deal with the past, and in the pages which follow the writer inclines to those statements supported by the greater weight of testimony, and the more reasonable air of probability. Little over a century ago this part of " the far West " was a vast wilderness, undisturbed by the aggressive presence of the white man. Its history begins with the initial settlement, in 1782-85, of the present Barker's Mill Precinct, of Longview Magisterial District, by Davis and his cotemporaries. This settlement was the nucleus around which the immediately succeeding after-comers grouped themselves, and for this reason more especially, the Precincts of Casky, Pembroke and Longview are taken together in this sketch. They comprehend within their several boundaries all that portion of southeastern Christian first settled by the whites at least the major portion of it, and their present populations are the common out-growth of that settlement. Many of the time-honored names of the early settlers worn by their lineal descendants are still to be found in each of these precincts, while yet again the names of many others who were cotemporaries, but have left no representatives, are lost to all save the faint traditions of the past. Immediately succeeding the Davises came the Galbraith brothers — John, Angus, Duncan and Daniel, who settled in the vicinity. They were "c^nny Scots," and came here from 262 HISTORY OP CHRISTIAN COUNTY. North Carolina, where, during the straggle between England and her rebellious colonies, they had played the unpopular r61e of Tories. But if North Carolina was made uncomfortably hot as a place of residence for them by the returning heroes of that war after peace was declared, Ken- tucky they found no less uncongenial. As soon as they were recognized as ex- Tories, and it became known to their neighbors, they were not only completely tabooed socially by their families, but in many instances their unfriendliness, we are told, took the form of positive aggression. Like the uncomfortable chestnuts of fabled notoriety, by coming to Kentucky they had jumped from the heated oven sheer into the fire. Another family of the same ilk, who had come about the same time and from the same State, were the Blues, consisting of Neil, Sandy and John and their families. They also were Scotch, but not of the "kirk" as one would naturally suppose, but as tradition has it, good old Iron Jacket or Hard-shell Bap- tists. But Iron Jackets or Hard-shells though they might be, their encasements were not proof against the hot vials of wrath poured out upon them. With their belongings, they soon betook themselves to the farther wilds of Missouri, and there unrecognized and unknown they found sur- cease from further persecution and trouble. Another family who came about the same time or soon after from the State of North Carolina, but whose politics are not certainly known, was that of the McFaddens. There were two brothers of them, John and Jacob, and they pitched their tents, metaphorically, upon the land now owned by the Duerson brothers. John kept a race-horse and ran a still, or kept a still and ran a race- horse, and was altogether a fast " old boy " of those young days of the Commonwealth. But little is known of Jacob, but it is to be hoped he was less rapid than he of the race horse and still. John lived to be cotemporary with many of the pi-esent day, and Curtis Wood says he remembers him well. He was a large, rawboned man, and used to boast he never had dared hit a man with his fists as hard as he could, for fear of killing him : he always slapped his antagonists over with his open palms. When sober, he was as sober as a judge, drunk or sober ; and when drunk was as drunk as a drunken fiddler, sober or drunk. But drunk or sober he was a hard case, and by parity of reasoning, a Hard-shell sala- mander if not a Hard-shell Baptist. These were some among the earliest settlers that came to the county. They found the whole southeastern part of the country a " barren " or prairie as we have before said, and though there was an abundance of game and water, there was great scarcity of fuel and building material. For the former they were limited to the roots that could be " grubbed " out of the ground, sometimes as large round as a man's thigh and some- times larger. These were generally indicated by a shoot or switch, the CASKY, PEMBROKE AND LONGVIEW PRECINCTS. 263 growth of a season, and were dug out with a mattock with great labor and effort. An expert hand could " grub " out one of these tap-roots, gen- erally hickory, in about half an hour. For building material they were compelled to resort to distant groves on the outskirts of the "barrens," though now and then small clumps of trees were to be found about par- ticular springs and basins. There were only friendly Indians in the immediate neighborhood, yet occasional incursions were made by small marauding parties of Creeks and Shawanese from the territory farther on toward the Ohio River, and from these and any other dangers that might arise the pioneers resorted to the protection of forts or block-houses. On the old Fortson's place there long stood a block-house, with loop-holes cut in the sides and a thick slab door made out of walnut. An anecdote in connection with this primitive structure is related of an old German who had just moved in. With his mind full of apprehension as to dangers from the Indians, he one day saw a party of five or six men in the dis- tance, and magnifying them into a whole tribe of hostiles, started on a dead run for the fort some eight miles distant. The inmates at once prepared for- defense, but in a short time were re-assured by the appear- ance of the hostiles themselves, who turned out to be a small party of hunters from an adjoining settlement. At first breadstuffs were very scarce, and the settlers had to go to Russellville, in Logan County, or over into the State of Tennessee for their milling. After a while, however. Dr. Edward Rumsey, brother of the famous inventor of the steamboat, and father to the Hon. Edward Rumsey, moved into the neighborhood from Botetourt, Va., and being himself of an inventive turn of mind, erected a mill on the West Fork of Red River,' to which they resorted. But as breadstuffs and other neces- saries and conveniences of living began to increase, game, such as deer, bears, turkeys, etc., began to decrease, and the more nomadic elements of society, such as the professional hunters and trappers, began to seek for localities where they were more plenty. But as these folded their tents and, like the Arab, " stole silently away," others came in to take their place and fill up the vacancy. Among these were the Moores, Gordons, Joneses, all related ; the Gilmores, who settled the place afterward owned by David Parish, the father-in-law of James A. McKenzie, present Secretary of State. Many excellent families from Virginia and elsewhere, who had settled along the Tennessee line when the line was run, found themselves much to their dissatisfaction included within the boundaries of that State. It is said that Joshua Cates, who owned land thus " counted out," though he did not live on it, ofi"ered |1,000 to have the line so run as to include it within the boundaries of Kentucky, alleging as his reason for the preference that, " new countries were always unhealthy." 264 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. The next influx of settlers came about the beginning of the century, and were, many of them, cultivated people for that day, and possessed of large estates of land and negroes. Among them was Dr. Rumsey, who has been mentioned, and Dr. John F. Bell, who, though he came some time later, afterward bought the James Davis farm, the first land acquired and settled upon in the county. ' The Drs. Rumsey and Bell, especially the latter, were esteemed for their professional skill and great urbanity, and were for a long time the only physicians in a radius of many miles around. Bell first settled at Trenton, but afterward removed to his farm. Benja- min, Joseph and Thomas Kelly, brothers, came from Maryland in 1804 and settled on a place in the neighborhood of Dr. Rumsey ; farmers, good, reputable citizens, and left large families. Ben's sons were Roger F., Ben, William, James and Horace, and several daughters. Joseph's sons were R. H. and Edwin, and several daughters. Thomas had two children —Dr. Duke Kelly, of Nashville, and Mrs. David S. Patton. Dr. Bell lived to a good old age, and died but a year or two ago ; sons — John, Darwin, Oincinnatus, and five daughters. Robert Coleman, who came about this time from Culpeper County, Va., was a rare specimen of the genus homo. He was a lawyer by profession, and attended the courts at Hopkinsville, Russellville, Nashville and some say at Salem, in Caldwell County, then county seat of Livingston. It is related of him, by those who remember him as a practitioner at the Hopkinsville bar, that he al- ways brought food for himself and horse in a large cotton wallet, and would never go to a house of "entertainment" for his meals. On one occasion, while in the midst of an impassioned address to the jury on be- half of his client, he happened to look out of the door toward his horse, and seeing an old sow with his wallet under her feet in the mud, he ex- cused himself to the Judge, ran out and recovered the sack, if not its contents, and returning took, up the thread of his argument where he had left off, and finished as though nothing had ever happened to disturb his equanimity. He settled on the farm now owned by William Perkins, on the West Fork of Red River, three miles southeast of Pembroke. He was also a speculator in lands and negroeSyand in time acquired a large estate of both. He afterward built a "grist-mill" on the West Fork near his residence, which was perhaps, next to Rumsey's, the first in that portion of the county. His residence was a large two-story ^brick, the^first in the county, and being conveniently situated, he opened it to the general pub- lic as a house of entertainment. In front was a large post, surmounted by a flaming sign on which was painted a lion rampant, and the comfort- ing assurance to the weary traveler that here was to be had " entertain- ment for both man and beast." This old Coleman residence, elegant in its day, stood till only a few years ago — 1879, when it was torn down by CASKY, PEMBROKE AND LONGVIEW PRECINCTS. 265 the present owner, Isaac Garnett, and remodeled into a one-story cottage. John D. Jameson, of Hopkinsville, about 1820 married one of Coleman's daughters, and removed to the neighborhood. Early in the century several German families moved into the same neighborhood, but from what point of the compass, unless directly from Germany, cannot now be ascertained. Among them were the Kenners, Bollingers, Massies, etc., who are all supposed to have been related. Jo- seph Kenner, the founder of the Kenner family, was a raw Dutchman, and he, or one of his sons, is the man that ran away from the supposed Indians. About 1830 he got into dispute with a neighbor, one Ballard, over a calf. Both claimed it, and both brought forward voluminous testi- mony to prove their claims. But Kenner had it in possession, and " per- sesshun bein' nine pints in the law," he of course refused to give it up. Finally, after many hot words between them, through the kind oflRces of mutual friends, it was agreed to arbitrate the matter. The arbitrators were selected and the day agreed on, but before its arrival Kenner either to settle the matter in his own favor beyond peradventure or fearing the result of investigation killed it, and under cover of night carried the skin to a distant tanner. This transpiring on the day of arbitration, Ballard brought suit against Kenner before Squire Bradshaw for its price — $10. On the day of trial, Ballard's witnesses swore they had seen it while in Kenner's possession, and were satisfied it was Ballard's calf. They rec- ognized it by certain spots on its body, and the horns which were of un- equal length. In rebuttal to this, however, others of Kenner's neighbors swore as point blank the other way. They had known the calf quite as intimately, and were ready to swear it had always been on Kenner's place, from the time of its birth till killed. Thus matters stood at even poise between them, inclining, if anything, in favor of the old Teuton, when one of his daughters was put on the stand. She was equally positive as to the identity of the calf; indeed, too much so, for on being asked the question if one of the calf's horns was not somewhat shorter than the other promptly replied : " Nein ! nein ! dot ish a lie. It vas not shorter as de oder, but longer." Ballard's lawyer, in making his closing argu- ment, insisted that the only statute covering the case was to be found in the Levitical code, and required that the trespasser should be made to repay its value four-fold. Squire Bradshaw, though giving judgment in his client's favor, declined going so far back for either law or precedent. He adjudged the damages at $10, the supposed value of the calf. A reli- able negro man of Kenner's long afterward told Squire Hord, now of Trenton, Todd County, that the calf was certainly Kenner's, and had been born and reared on the place, and that the old gentleman only in- tended to end all complications, as he thought, by killing and skinning it. 266 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. Edwin Hall was another early settler and located on a farm adjoining the McFadden place. He was a good citizen and worthy man, but beyond this little else is known. The Hall place is now the property of Joseph Waddill. Azariah Davis was Hall's nearest neighbor and built a saw-mill on his place. He was a regular land shark and gave the neighbors much trouble by picking flaws in their titles. Many of the original surveys on account of the high prairie or barrens grass were made on horseback, and subsequently were found to overrun the measure largely. Davis, ascertaining the fact, in many cases gave his neighbors great trouble. Squire Herd's father, Thomas Hord, who settled on the farm now owned by Stephen Hanna near Salubria, at one time paid him several hundred dollars to get rid of him and avoid a lawsuit. Some have thought him to be a son or relative of James Davis, but the probabilities are he was neither. Edward Bradshaw was a native of Virginia, and when only a child removed with his parents to Jessamine County, Ky., and in 1803 to Christian County, and located on the farm now owned by Thomas Greene near Casky Station. His brothers, Benjamin and William Bradshaw, came to the county a few years later, and settled in Casky. Daniel Benham came to the county at a very early day, and settled on the place now owned by Edward Welch, colored, one and a half miles northeast of Pembroke. He built a " still " on his place, and besides tanned leather in a small way. He afterward removed with his family to Texaa. Robert Harrison was another '* old timer," and located on the place now belonging to W. H. Fortson. Before his death he had a fine grove of red oaks blown down by a May cyclone, and utilized the timber by hav- ing it sawed up into lumber. This was a great convenience to the people who in those days had to go a long way oif to get building material. Joshua Brockman came with his sister, Mrs. Mason, from Virginia and built on the farm now owned by John Lackey. His was a peculiar case. Though an invalid and confined to his bed for many years, such was his administrative ability he managed to carry on his farm with negroes, and attended successfully to many other affairs at the same time. He died a bachelor possessed of much land and many negroes, and was buried at the Bethel Cemetery. James Walsh, another early settler, was a carpen- ter and settled on the present Payne farm. He built a house for Maj. Isaac H. Evans once, over' which he and the Major had a disagreement. In the course of their altercation Walsh said to Evans : " Maj. Evans, I have a contemptible opinion of any one that would act as you have done in this mat- ter." " Sir," said the Major in reply, " I never knew you to have an opin- ion that wasn't contemptible." Should any reader by accident stumble upon this original anecdote in an old school reader or elsewhere, and find it attributed to somebody else, we hope he will give Walsh the benefit of the CASKY, PEMBROKE AND LONQVIEW PRECINCTS. 267 doubt, even though it should rob the Major of the honor of so neat a retort. Walsh was a good carpenter, and an estimable citizen every way, and left sev - eral worthy sons behind him, and it is to be hoped he never was really so colloquially worsted. A more authentic anecdote perhaps is told of one James Sanders; a Virginian from along the North Carolina border, and a neighbor of Walsh's. Sanders during his first wife's life-time had been a very profane man, but after his second marriage through his wife's influ- ence had become religious and joined the Baptist Church at Bethel. During the war a Federal soldier rode up to his front porch, and against his earnest protest, took a nicely tanned sheep skin. In telling a friend of the occurrence afterward he said: "I'll tell you what, Davy 1 I'll be d d (as I used to say) if I wasn't mad enough to have cussed him right then and there." The reformed swearer often has to correct him- self with an "as I used to say." The farm settled by James Sanders is now the property of Messrs. Garnett, Dudley and Williams. James Harlan, from Mercer County and a relative of Hon. John M. Harlan, one of the present Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States, came to the county at an early day, and settled on the farm now owned by W. D. Garnett. Little else is known of him than the fact that he was a good farmer and a worthy citizen. Another family, since dis- tinguished by one of its representatives, was that of Samuel Davis, father of Jeff Davis, President of the late Southern Confederacy. For many years Mr. Davis lived in Fairview just over the Pembroke line in the house where his distinguished son was born. He was a County Surveyor, and highly respected by all who knew him. From some cause or other later on he became unfortunate in business, broke up and moved to Mis- sissippi. A few years ago, when Mr. Davis came back to his native county to make an address, his friends drove him over to Fairview to see the old place. Among other early settlers were Austin Cason, a Virgin- ian and a soldier of 1812. a very tall man. James Bowles came from North Carolina at a very early day, it is supposed about the time Barthol- omew Wood came to the county. He settled near Casky in what was long known as the Bowles neighborhood. He left four or five sons : James, Austin, David and Gus and perhaps George, all of whom or a majority of them settled around him. Gus afterward married a grand-daughter of Bat Wood. Thomas Hord, a very large man who ' weighed about 280 pounds, and Owen Smith, another soldier of 1812, and father of Capt. Thomas Smith, now of Florida, were other settlers. Smith was- a man of fine humor, and very companionable, and what is unusual in such cases died possessed of a fine estate. James Garnett came shortly after Thomas Hord from Virginia, and though poor at first, by provident living and good management soon ac- 268 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. quired a comfortable property. He was the father of Ben, Eldred, and James Garnett, the latter of whom married the daughter of James Davis, the first settler, or Azariah Davis, of whom we have spoken. James died a few months ago near Pembroke, lamented by his many friends. John Rawlins came from Maryland and brought with him a dried frog which he used in some way to cure horses for the big-head and other kindred dis- eases. He was a stanch Episcopalian, lived a long and useful life, and finally died at his old homestead. Joseph Casky, who is men- tioned elsewhere, settled in Casky in the Bradshaw neighborhood and afterward removed to Casky Station. He reared a large family of sons — Robert, John, Joseph, James, Charles and William — and several daughters. Mr. Casky after the Revolutionary war, in which he served, lived with the father of Henry Clay and married a young lady who was either a relative or a ward of the family. Casky Station is named for the Cas- ky family. James Hall came at an early day from Caroline County, Va., and settled one-half mile west from Pembroke, on the Garnett place. Hall was much opposed to railroads and said to Squire Hord when the present road was under contemplation, " Davy, it's bad enough to have the railroad run right through my place and cut it up, but I understand they are going to make a ' deposit ' on it, and blamed if I stand that." These are only a few of the earlier settlers, selected here and there from about over the three precincts, but they will serve as ensamples of the rest. They were much above the average " early settler " in point of intelli- gence, cultivation and wealth, and have left a healthy, brawny progeny behind them. Generally they were possessed of large numbers of negroes, who were made very serviceable in cultivating their large and productive farms, and when the war came on Christian County was one of the larg- est slave-holding counties in the State. The slaves were in the main well cared for, having comfortable houses, good and sufiicient clothing and plenty of food. And as an evidence of this good treatment they were the happiest, best contented and most docile race to be found on the globe. There were exceptional cases of abuse and ill-treatment, it is true, but in such cases the hard task-master was universally held up to public oppro- brium. The brutal master was classed among the petty tyrants of a com- munity, and held in as little esteem as a brutal father, a wife-beater et id genus omne. There can be no question of these facts, and the candid historian must give them recognition. As to the questions of public pol- icy and expediency involved in the sudden and wholesale liberation of the negroes among their former owners, only the future can determine. It is an open, unsolved problem as yet, and it remains to be seen what the so- lution shall be. That the whites have been materially advantaged by the change is generally conceded, but, on the other hand, there are grave CASKY, PEMBKOKE AND LONGVIEW PRECINCTS. 269 doubts in the minds of many eminent publicists and humanitarians as to the betterment of the negroes themselves. As a political factor the negro has proved himself highly super-serv- iceable to the place-hunter and demagogue, thereby contributing much to the corruption of local and general politics, while as a social factor he has proved himself in every sense a pronounced and hopeless failure. So far the best efforts in his behalf by those who would elevate his con- dition morally as well as intellectually, have met with but poor encour- agement. Left to himself and his own unbridled inclinations, he is peopling the land with a nation of bastards, wrapping himself in the loathsomeness of disease, and spreading foulness and contagion broadcast among his own kith and kindred. And the question is, a most startling question, how far shall his example influence and corrupt those who were his whilom masters, and are his present employers ? The only possible solution of the whole question lies in his future mental, moral, if not social elevation, and it is the duty of every good citizen to heartily co- operate with well-directed effort to this end. With better methods backed by such co-operation, much may yet be done for the betterment of this helpless infant ward of the nation. Being almost universally slave-holders, and per consequence Southern in sentiment, when the war came the people in this portion of the county, as was natural, poured out their treasures most lavishly in defense of the Southern cause. Many of their best and bravest went out at the first sound of the tocsin of war, while others equally brave stayed behind to defend their homes and hearthstones. A few gallant spirits, it is true, went the other way, but the great bulk of her chivalry went into the Southern army. And what of the horrors, and sufferings, and sacrifices of those four years of bitter, deadly strife ? Was it all in vain ? No. Amid the wreck and waste of homes and fortunes they carved out for themselves a monument of most endur- ing fame. Though they did not conquer a peace they conquered the hearts of their enemies, and to-day they live embalmed in their love, admiration and esteem. Though at a fearful cost the lesson has been mutually salutary in this regard. With the return of peace came altered fortunes and relations to all. The negro dazed with the splendor of his new fortunes refused to work, while his former master stunned with the magnitude of his calamities sat down to mourn. No amount of persua- sion or intimidation could get Sambo back to his hoe and plow, as no amount of convincing could rob him of his illusory hope of a mule and a hundred acres of land. Only the logic of hunger and pinching want was finally equal to the task of disillusion and persuasion. At first he worked by chores and jobs, and only as the real truth began to dawn on his mind, did he set about in earnest to try to earn " in the sweat of his brow. 270 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. a daily subsistence for himself and family. The twenty years that have passed since then have served to convince both master and man of this one fact, at least, that they are mutually dependent upon each other, and what affects the one necessarily in a greater or less degree affects the other. But to recur to the early organization of society in this part of the county. At first there were but few schools taught in any of the rural districts, and in these only the rudimentary elements of an education were taught. Reading, writing and arithmetic, and seldom grammar or the higher branches were embraced in their curriculum. The term generally extended to the period of ten or eleven months, and in a majority of cases was all the schooling one received. The first school we have any account of was in the neighborhood of the first settlement on the place of Squire Hewlands. It was a common log-pen chinked and daubed, and stood in the woods on a hill on the old Nashville road. The door was of clap- boards, the benches, slabs or puncheons with wooden legs, while the only light that ever smiled in upon the master and his pupils, was either through the wide open door, or a long narrow opening in the side of the pen made by cutting out a section of one. or more of the logs. Here for four mortal hours at a stretch, with dangling feet and bowing backs day after day, the future Solons of the State drank in the wisdom of their well-thumbed books. One of the first teachers in this old uncomfortable structure was a man by the name of Brown. D. Brown, perhaps for " Done-Brown." That he was a good teacher and a rigid disciplinarian is about all that can be recalled of him. He taught somewhere about the years 1825-28, but as the building was even then somewhat ancient and dilapidated, it is but presumable that others had long before taught in it. The next one to preside over its fortunes and guide and train its callow minds, was one Isaac H. Evans. As early as 1830-33, one Tompkins, a Virginian, taught on David Kenner's place, and after him, one Hammond, about whose antecedents nothing is now known. This school was afterward moved to Madison Coleman's place on Montgomery Creek, where in 1835- 36 it was taught by Isaac Clark, then by Joseph Bell, and then again by Hammond. Another school was taught about the same time, 1835-40, by Ned Rudder, a Virginian, on the Finch farm, three or four miles east of Pembroke. At quite an early day W. H. Tandy, an amiable man and a good teacher, taught at Salubria in the old Finley Schoolhouse, which was also at the same time used as a preaching point by Cumberland Pres- byterians, Baptists and Methodists. He was an excellent pedagogue, and taught for many years with great acceptability. He was succeeded, about 1841, by William Casky, now a distinguished minister in the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church, then by William Rayne, still of Salubria, James Weaver, Mrs. Harriet Noll, Albert Lindsey, and last, but not least, CASKT, PEMBROKE AND LONGVIEW PRECINCTS. 271 Prof. Hendrick, a noted educator. These are some among the earlier schools, and the highest evidence of their efficiency is to be found in the character and the intelligence of the few who remain who were taught by them. At present the number of good schools taught in these precincts has largely increased, and there is scarcely a neighborhood that cannot boast one or more. Among the early adventurers into the wilds of south Christian, doubt- less, came many who were professed followers of the meek and lowly Nazarene. and who, before leaving their homes in Virginia, North and South Carolina, and elsewhere, had attached themselves to one or other of the Evangelical churches. It is impossible now to tell which came first, or which at first preponderated, but probably the Baptists were first — that is, the Hard-shells, as there is a tradition of a church of that sect near James Davis' very early, which is noticed in a preceding chapter. One of the earlier organizations of the later Baptists of which we have any account is that at Pembroke, a sketch of which is appended, and the facts of which are furnished us by Mr. E. J. Murphy. Bethel Baptist Ohuroh. — This church was organized January 22, 1814, at Salubria Springs, with the following-named members: Benja- min Bradley, James Davis, James Hughes, William Tandy, Mills Tandy, John Pendleton, Vincent Snelling, John Jackson, Mary Bradley, Hannah Davis, Sarah Hughes, Elizabeth Tandy, Frances Pendleton, Amelia Tandy and Mary Jackson. At first it was but an arm of the West Fork Church, but on the 22d of March, 1816, it was constituted by Elders Leonard Page, Reuben Ross, Jesse Brooks and several lay brethren an independent church. The present church edifice, built and dedicated in 1823, stands on a lot of nine and a half acres of ground near the village of Pembroke. Though a large, commodious and comfortable house, the present membership has it in contemplation to build a more modern and tasty structure in the town near by, and will doubtless soon have it un- der way. The church also owns in Pembroke a comfortable parsonage with some three or four acres of ground attached. Among the pastors who have served this church are to be found the names of some eminently pious and good men, as will be seen from the following list: Elders William Tandy, J. M. Pendleton, Reuben Ross, J. M. Bennett, R. W. Morehead, George Hunt, T. G. Keen, E. N. Dickens and J. M. Peay. The church is still in a very flourishing condition and has a large mem- bership. At Salubria perhaps one of the first Cumberland Presbyterian churches in Christian County was organized. It dates back to the early times when the primitive Christians were too weak in numbers and means to afford church houses, and held their services in groves, arbors and private 272 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. houses. It was a famous camp-meeting point for both Cumberlands and Methodists, and perhaps Baptists, though the latter had an organized church near by at Bethel, in which they ■vrorshiped. The first house of worship used by the Cumberlands here, it is said, was the Finley School- house, which was used by them in common with the other denominations, and which was afterward deeded to them by the owner, Finley. Finley or his legal representative had moved to Missouri or Texas, and one of their number went out there to secure the deed. The old log schoolhouse for many years stood on the same lot where now stands the present neat, attractive brick edifice. Among the first members of this church were Dr. Usher and his wife, and perhaps other members of his family. Rev. James Y. Barnett and wife, Henry Bollinger and wife. Fountain Clark and wife, Dr. and Mrs. Porter, Massie and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Wethers, John, and perhaps Dabney Finley. Among the pastors who have ministered to this church may be mentioned James Y. Barnett. The names of the very early pastors, who, like the Methodists, itinerated from church to church and neighborhood to neighborhood, and who, doubtless, ministered at their family altars and in their camps and groves, it is to be regretted have not been obtained. The Salubria Methodist Episcopal Church South was organized at a very early day in Dr. Peyton Harrison's house. This was before the building of the schoolhouse on the Finley place, in which afterward they, in common with the other denominations, worshiped through the sum- mer seasons. In the winter they would return to Dr. Harrison's more comfortable residence, and hold their regular meetings. The church as first organized consisted of the following members : Dr. Peyton Harri- son, local preacher, Mrs. Dr. Peyton Harrison, James Cosley, an old bachelor, Mrs. John Lander, Joseph Williams, and a daughter, Mrs. Cobb, George Stevens, local preacher, Mrs. George Stevens, Mrs. Louisa Coleman, Mrs. A. Watson, Mrs. Patsey Kenner and Miss Sarah E. Lander, afterward Mrs. William Payne. After worshiping in the schoolhouse as before mentioned for several years. Dr. Harrison gave them an eligible lot, and on it they soon had erected a very comfortable house of worship. The building is a large frame, 40x50 feet, surrounded by a grove of noble oaks, and still stands a monument to the liberality of Dr. Harrison and a few others. The present membership numbers between ninety and 100. The present Superintendent of the Sunday-school, which holds its sessions through the summer months only, is William McRae. The present pastor of the church is Rev. Vol P. Thomas. The next church to organize was at Pembroke, and belonged to the Reformers. It was organized under the auspices of Elder John Furgu- son about 1849. Among its members were Dr. John Grubbs and wife CASKY, PEMBROKE AND LONGVIEW PRECINCTS. 273 Mrs. Perrington, Patience and Nancy Perrington, Thomas Perrington, Dr. Samuel Grubbs, Thomas Urubbs, Joseph P. Grubbs, Taney Grubbs, Prof. I. B. Grubbs, William Harrison, M. V. Metcalf, etc. Their pres- ent church edifice is a neat, commodious frame house, 35x50 feet, and capable of holding several hundred people. Among the pastors who have served the church to the present time are : Elders W. E. Mobley, Henry T. Anderson, Robert Dulin, J. W. Gant, McChesney, John T. Johnson, Charles Day, J. C. Chastain, and J. W. Hardy. Present mem- bership between seventy-five and eighty, and Elder Hardy is pastor. In the three precincts there are some seven or eight villages, St. Elmo, West Fork, Hinsleystown, Pembroke, Salubria, Fairview and Casky Station, neither of which with the exception of Pembroke con- tains more than a dozen or so of houses, a store or two, one or two churches, and as many shops of various kinds. Pembroke is a thriving little town of about 400 inhabitants, situated on the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, ten miles south of Hopkinsville. Its founder was R. C. Jameson, who at first (about 1848-49) kept the postoffice in his private residence, but afterward built a storehouse at the junction of the Tobacco and Nashville roads to which he removed it. It has a score or more of business houses, a church, a flouring-mill, a planing- mill, two tobacco warehouses, a rehandling establishment, several shops, and last but not least two excellent schools. One of these, the Pembroke Male and Female Institute, is taught by Prof E. J. Murphy, and has an average attendance of from thirty to forty pupils ol both sexes ; the other is also a mixed school, taught by Prof. V. A. Garnett, who has about the same number of scholars. Both schools include in their curriculum, music, presided over by Mrs. Peay, and all the branches of a scientific and literary course. Of professional gentlemen, Pembroke boasts three lawyers, one of them an ex-State Senator, Hon. C. N. Pendleton, and seven physicians, Drs. W. H. Marshall, B. L. Leavell, J. 0. Brown, D. E. Bell, J. M. Robinson, and Robert and John Morrison. The town does a present business valued at $300,000, and gives promise of future and increased prosperity. There are a number of excellent flouring-mills in the several precincts that do a large and flourishing business, but want of space forbids their mention. Like the other parts of southern Christian most of the lands are well adapted to the growth of corn and wheat, and keep the mills well supplied -with "grist." There are no special geological, topographical or agricultural features of these, that do not apply to all the other precincts of south Christian. The formations are of the "cavernous limestone " variety, the surface more 274 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. or less undulating, and the soil generally adapted to the growth of all the cereals, tobacco, and the various grasses. Casky Change No. 38. — The following sketch of Casky Grange, No. 38, Patrons of Husbandry, was furnished for this work by Mr. Winston Henry. We give it in full : " This Grange was granted a charter on November 4, 1873, and, as its number indicates, was one of the first in the State — the first one organized in Christian County. The charter members were the following : J. H. B. Vaughan, Wirston Henry, S. G. Buckner, W. T. Radford, J. H. Lander, E. W. C. Edwards, Dr. J. P. Peyton, D. M. Whitaker, Alex Campbell, James W. Fields, D. B. Bronaugh, Josiah Gray, Dr. E. R. Cook, L. Bowles, Edgar Bradshaw, James T. Garnett, Thomas Green, Mrs. S. H. Vaughan, Mrs. Mary B. Henry, Mrs. S. G. Buckner, Mrs. W. T. Radford, Mrs. S. H. Peyton, Mrs. E. W. C. Edwards, Mrs. Edgar Bradshaw and Miss Lyda Garnett. On December 19, 1873, an election was held for officers to serve during 1874, and Thomas Green was chosen Master ; S. G. Buckner, Overseer ; Alex Campbell, Lecturer ; D. B. Bronaugh, Steward; Edgar Bradshaw, Assistant Steward; James T. Garnett, Chaplain; Winston Henry, Treasurer; Dr. J. P. Peyton, Secretary ; J. H. Lander, Gatekeeper ; Mrs. Peyton, Ceres ; Mrs. Buckner, Pomona ; Mrs. Radford, Flora ; and Miss Lyda Garnett, Lady Assistant Steward. " The year 1874 should be known in history as the Grange year. A regular boom was given the order. The entire time of the meetings was consumed in initiating members. Men and women did not wait to be persuaded, but rushed into the Grange without proper consideration, seeming to think that once within its gates all would be well. Sad dis- appointment awaited many farmers who had bright hopes of finding within the Grange a sure remedy for all the ills that farmers are heir to, forgetting that long years ago the first granger was informed that ' In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread,' and when they discovered that the Grange was powerless to remove this stubborn fact, they became dissatis- fied. During the fall of 1873 and spring of 1874 nineteen Granges' were organized in Christian County. The membership of Casky Grange increased very rapidly, and at the end of the year 1874 numbered about one hundred. The next year it began to decline, and in the fall of 1877 it had ceased to exist as a working Grange. The charter, seal and books were not returned to the State Grange, and after being dormant for sev- eral years was re-organized on January 11, 1881. Thomas Green was again elected Master, as on the first election ; Otho Graves was elected Overseer ; G. V. Green, Lecturer ; B. W. Walker, Steward ; Edgar Bradshaw, Assistant Steward ; R. F. Rives, Chaplain ; D. M. Whitaker, CASEY, PEMBROKE AND LONGVIEW PRECINCTS. 275 Treasurer; Winston Henry, Secretary; G. W. Bowles, Gatekeeper; Mrs. Sue Peyton, Ceres ; Mrs. E. W. C. Edwards, Pomona ; Mrs. James M. Clark, Flora ; and Mrs. T. L. Graham, Stewardess. Twenty-five of the old members went into the re-organization, and the membership has increased to about one hundred. During the summer of 1883 a lot was purchased and a substantial hall erected ; size of the building is twenty- eight feet wide by forty long, with ante-rooms ; the cost of lot and build- ing was about $900. " Casky Grange is located in one of the finest farming sections of Christian County, and embraces among its members the best class of farmers. There may be mentioned Mr. W. T. Radford. He is thought to be the largest wheat-grower in the State, his crop amounting some years to 15,000 bushels. " Mr. R. F. Rives is a very enterprising granger ; he makes wheat a specialty, and he is highly successful ; has raised an average of twenty-six bushels per acre on 150 acres ; this includes about forty acres of corn land. The Garrotts, the Bradshaws, Thomas Green, E. W. Walker, J. M. Clark, Treasurer of the State Grange, and many others might be mentioned as owners of splendid farms, and grangers of great enterprise. Lyman McCombs, J. C. Boxley, Thomas L. Graham and others are establishing fine herds of short-horns. George V. Green owns a beautiful farm, splendidly improved, near Hopkinsville, and is the owner of as fine a herd of Jerseys as can be found in Kentucky. " The first stock and wool sale was held on June 7, 1883, and was a great success. About 225 head of stock, mostly cattle, and about 8,000 pounds of wool were sold. The amount of sale was over $7,000. These sales will be annual, and will be held hereafter on the last Thursday in May. The meetings of the Grange are held on the first and third Friday in each month. The oflScers for 1884 are : R. F. Rives, Master ; Ed W. Walker, Overseer ; Thomas Green, Lecturer ; J. C. Boxley; Chaplain ; J. J. Stuart, Steward ; Walter Warfield, Assistant Steward ; D. M. Whitaker, Treasurer; Winston Henry, Secretary; G. W. Bowles, Gate- keeper ; Mrs. Sue H. Peyton, Ceres ; Mrs. E. W. C. Edwards, Pomona ; Mrs. J. M. Clark, Flora; Mrs. T. L. Graham, Stewardess."—^. M. Tydings. UNION SCHOOLHOUSE PEECINCT. 277 CHAPTER XII. Union Sohoolhouse Precinct— Description, Topography, Boundaries, ETC.— Early Settlement— The Meanses, Cravenses and Other White People— Incidents and ^ Anecdotes of Pioneer Times- Mills AND Early Improvements— Schools and Teachers— The Churches— When and by Whom Organized— Old Shiloh— Sketches OF "THE Different Organizations— Villages— The Colored Peo- ple, etc. UNION SCHOOLHOUSE PRECINCT, designated on the map as No. 6, extends from Hopkinsville Precinct on the east to the Trigg County line on the west. On the north it is bounded by Bainbridge and Hamby Precincts, and on the south by the Lafayette Precinct. It is one among the largest precincts of the county, and has two voting places, Union Schoolhouse and Pee Dee. Originally, like all the others in the southern part of the county, it was a " barren " or prairie, and with the excep- tion of a clump or two of trees around certain sink holes and springs, was entirely devoid of timber. Its topographical features are also espe- cially attractive, rising and falling into gentle undulations like the waves of the sea, and thus relieving the monotony of a " dead level," and affording ample drainage for the surface. The soil with but very slight exception is generous and productive, with an underlying subsoil of red clay or marl. The geological formation of this, as of all the southern part of the county, indeed of most of southern Kentucky, may be classed as of the "cavernous limestone" or lithostrotion variety, which being fed by the disintegration of the rocks, makes the best wearing and most lasting of all soils. This cavernous arrangement of the underlying limestone strata also adds much to the better drainage of the surface. The soil is peculiarly adapted for the growth of corn, wheat and tobacco, and with a top dressing of manure, bone meal or other fertilizer, yields boun- teous harvests of these staple crops. All the commoner varieties of grass, timothy, red top, orchard grass and clover, and even blue grass, grow luxuriantly wherever the ground has suitable preparation. Little River laves its entire southern border, dividing it from Lafayette Precinct, while the Sinking Fork of that river forms the western border, dividing it from Bainbridge Precinct. Among its very earliest settlers was the Means family, who came from North Carolina about the year 1800, and consisted of William Means 278 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COaNTY. and his wife and six sons, Robert, William, John, James, Joseph and Samuel. These all grouped themselves about what is still known as the Means Spring, near Newstead, and contributed much to the early devel- opment of the infant county. Samuel Means was a surveyor, and assisted in laying off the original site of Elizabeth, afterward Hopkins- ville, and was besides one of the earliest Justices of the Peace of the county. About 1806 he built a schoolhouse, the first in the precinct, in which his brother William afterward taught. The old Means school is memorable not only from the fact that some eminent men have taught in it, but also from the further fact that from its classic precincts many of its scholars have gone forth into the world to win fame. As teachers after William Means may be mentioned, among others, Joseph Bozarth, Otho Graves, Addison Stevenson, Thomas Smith (who afterward became a dis- tinguished Unitarian minister), and John Mimms. Among the scholars have been such men as Nehemiah Cravens, Judge Walter Scates, of Illi- nois, Gustavus A. Henry (the " eagle orator " of Tennessee), Patrick Henry, A. Stephenson, Judge W. W. McKenzie, Y. J. Means and Gano Henry. Recurring to the Means family, the following anecdote of William Means and Peggy Cravens, whom he subsequently married, will interest our young lady readers. William went one Saturday afternoon to pay his devoirs to his inamorata at the Cravens mansion, which was a log-cabin with two rooms, one above and one below, the former reached by a grand flight of modern " ladder." The fair Peggy, thinking it would add much to the dignity of the occasion, determined to make her entry by the front door, and to this end, after arraying herself in all the gorgeousness of a primitive finery, had herself let down from the garret window by a rope to terra firma. But, " all's well that ends well." In making the descent she alighted astride an unconscious porker that fed under the win- dow, and at once whirled around the corner by the startled beast she was deposited, in what might be styled a " promiscuous heap o' blushes" at her William's feet. Accepting the omen as propitious, William lifted her to his arms, and in the ecstasy of a first embrace, confessed himself her more than slave. Robert Cravens, the father of our heroine, settled on the Sinking Fork of Little River, about four miles north of Newstead. He jyas allowed a writ of ad quod damnum ior a. "mill-site," at the first session of the court held in the county. A son of his — Elijah — is said to have been the first white male child born in the county. Before the mill was built, and while Elijah was yet a youth, it is related of him that he used to go to Russellville, a distance of forty or forty-five miles, to the nearest horse- mill to get his grinding. On account of the distance little other meal UNION SCHOOLHOUSE PRECINCT. 279 was used in the family besides that which was ground on an improvised tin grater. Most every family in those days had such a grater, and the meal was grated when the corn was yet immature and soft. Robert Cravens had another son — Abraham, but of him little is known. John McDaniel located about a half mile from the elder Cravens, and was noted in his day as the ugliest man short of old " Virginny." The following incident, illustrative of his more than mortal ugliness, is related of him: A man named Humphreys, living in Trigg County, met " Bill " Cravens one day, and told him there was a man living over in his county who was the ugliest man then known to the civilized world. Cravens bethought him of McDaniel, and told Humphreys he thought he had a man in his neighborhood who could beat him. The result was a bet be- tween them of one of Gant's best $10 hats, and the wager to be decided at the next court-day. in Cadiz. On the day mentioned both parties were present with their champion beauties (?), who were carefully blan- keted and placed in separate rooms. Judges were appointed, straws drawn for the first show, and the lot fell to Humphreys' man. Grasty was brought out, and during the inspection did what he could to heighten the effect of his native ugliness by all sorts of grimaces and demoniacal con- tortions of his countenance. And surely it seemed as if no mortal man could be uglier and live. But Cravens, nothing daunted, when the time came went for his man, and with the injunction : "Now, Mac, look jist as nateral as you kin ; look jist as God A'mighty made you," placed him before the judges. The result was instantly arrived at when McDaniel had attained his most natural look, and the bet was forthwith and unan- imously awarded to the Cravens champion amid the approving plaudits of the standers-by. McDaniel was born, lived and died in a chapter of accidents : was buried into the ground by a falling tree, tossed up into the air by another, fell forty-five feet down one well, was blown out of anoth- er, and was finally killed by a tub of rocks falling from above in a third. A different order of man was Capt. Eddin Morris, who emigrated to the county from West Virginia in 1812-15, and settled in the neighbor- hood of Newstead. A nobleman by nature, he wore the order of his rank upon his very brow. Men, women and children trusted him as implicitly as they would themselves. It is said of him, that more estates were en- trusted to his care and settlement than were to any other one man that ever lived in Christian County. And no man ever had occasion to regret such confidence. Levi Cornelius, a son-in-law of "Bat " Wood, and orig- inally from North Carolina, also came to the county at a very early day, and settled on what was then known as the Cocke's Mill road, about two miles northeast of Church Hill Postoffice. Samuel Alexander moved into the Means neighborhood from Edmond- 280 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. son County about 1808, and afterward married the widow of Samuel Means. Alexander was both a farmer and a trader, and made frequent trips to New Orleans with flat-boat loads of tobacco and other produce. On one occasion, he extended his trip as far as Santa F6, New Mexico, taking out goods on pack-mules, which he bartered for mules and mustang ponies. He was a man of great enterprise and much sagacity, but ulti- mately met with reverses which determined him to remove to Texas. Here he died somewhere about 1848. Joel Nance was another very old settler. He was a soldier of 1812, and settled and died on the farm now owned by his son, Mr. B. B. Nance. He was one of the original members of the Little River Baptist Church, and lived an exemplary Christian life, beloved and respected by all who knew him. But perhaps the most distinguished of the earlier settlers of this neigh- borhood was Gen. William Henry, a Virginian, nearly related to Patrick Henry, and father of Col. William, and grandfather of Mr. Gano Henry. He came to the county about 1817-20, bought a tract of 8,000 acres of land, and settled on what is now known as the Cox place, one mile west of Newstead. He was a distinguished oflBcer of the Continental Army, and took part in the battle of Guilford Court House. In the war of 1812 he was second in command under Gen. William Henry Harrison, and rendered distinguished service to the country in that memorable campaign. His brother, Daniel Henry, came to the county about the same time, and settled hard by on a tract of about equal size. Col. Arthur McGaughey was also cotemporary" with the Henrys. His title is supposed to have been derived from his rank as a militiaman. He was a farmer, an excellent, good man, and came from Munfordville, Ky. He was in the battle of New Orleans in 1815, and deported him- self as a gallant soldier. It is related of him that he once caught one of his negro men stealing from him, and punished him in the following characteristic way : Calling him into his family room, he assembled all the members of his household, read a chapter from the Bible, then prayed a long and fervent prayer, after which he took him out and gave him a severe castigation. The Colonel lived to a ripe old age, and died on the place now owned by his descendants. George Loftus, who was afterward killed at the Phoenix Hotel in Hopkinsville, came at an early day and settled on a 3,000-acre tract near the present site of Newstead. Col. John W. Cocke, a Virginian, came about 1820, bought the Muh- lenburg Seminary survey of 3,000 acres, and built a mill on Little River, which cost, it is said, about $10,000. William Rasco was one of the original settlers, and located in this neighborhood. He had a son, Moore, who was engaged to a daughter of UNION SCHOOLHOUSE PRECINCT. 281 Joshua Taylor, living near the county line. On the appointed day he, in company with the parson and a number of friends, went over to Tay- lor's to claim his bride. When they rode up to the house, his fiancee, Miss Taylor, came to the door, waved him the back of her hand, and bade him go back to his own place. This the spirited Rasco at once did, feasting his friends on the viands prepared for the expectant bride at his home, then getting on his horse and riding to another part of the county, where he forthwith courted and was married to a Miss Johnson, who ac- companied him back to his home. Miss Johnson was the daughter of a rich farmer, who, by reason of his wealth and importance in that region, was long known to the people by the sobriquet of the Governor of Pond River. Mr. Mimms, the father of John, Addison and David Mimms, came from Virginia about 1816-17, and settled about one mile west of Means' Spring. He was sent in 1832 by Gen. Jackson as agent to the Northwestern Indians. Michael, William and Samuel Northington were three brothers who also came at a very early day, but at what time has not been learned. Con- temporary with these was Thomas Arbuckle, who was a brother to Gen. Mathew Arbuckle, Quartermaster* General of the United States Army, and founder of Fort Arbuckle, Ark. Other early settlers were Samuel Harry, William Hoxie, Henry Lander, Jonathan Bozarth, Davis Harri- son, Joseph Sivley, Edmund Calloway, and many others whose names have not been obtained. These all came before the year 1820, and may be classed as early settlers. After this, by reason of natural increase and immigration from all over the Union, the precinct became rapidly popu- lated by a most unexceptionable class of farmers and other residents. Among these may be mentioned the names of Judge Bledsoe, John H. Tadlock, Dr. James Wallace, and his brother Albert ; Gamaliel Corbin, founder of Newstead ; Dr. J. C. Whitlock, who afterward bought from Corbin ; Dr. P. W. Dryden, Dr. James H. Usher, Rev. James Payne, Dr. J. A. Steele, John W. Otfutt, John W. Cook, Ben S. Campbell, Isaac Lewis, Robert and 0. McReynolds, Jesse McCombs, Joseph and Lindsey Kinkead, Dr. John D. Clardy, Gen. James Jackson, Hardy Boyd, Thomas Torian, Richard Caudle and many others. With the coming of this worthy class of citizens came also the nuclei of the several Christian denominations at present represented in the pre- cinct. It cannot be said with certainty which denomination was first in establishing a church society. We will proceed, however, to sketch the diiferent churches as we have obtained the facts of their organization. The following sketch of Shiloh Methodist Church South was written fof this work by Judge Joe McCarroll, and will be found of interest : Shiloh Methodist Church.— There is a beautiful elevation, a sort of 282 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. table land with trees and grass in abundance and romantic vales and ravines on different sides, about five miles northwest of Hopkinsville, called Pleasant Grove. This was the site of a comfortable little meeting- house (made of logs) in the early times, and a class or society of Method- ists worshiped there and had regular preaching days as early as 1838, when this church first appears on the records of the Quarterly Conference for the Christian Circuit. Six years later Pisgah is mentioned. It was situated about eight miles west of Hopkinsville, a little south of the Princeton road, and was a rather small and rough though perhaps com- fortable log-house in a rather rugged and obscure spot. Here, too, there was regular preaching, and these two churches were composed of the congregations which had been worshiping at Harris', Long's, Hopson's, Gilmore's, Coon's, Workman's, Sheridan's Schoolhouse and the " Bridge." The list of preachers sent to the Christian and Hopkinsville Circuits, as given in the history of the Hopkinsville Church, will show who preached to them. About the year 1852 Rev. F. M. English was in charge of the Hopkinsville Circuit, and during the year it was determined to consoli- date the two churches and build a large frame church at a central point. Accordingly a subscription paper was started, a pleasant locality agreed upon, and the work commenced. The lot of ground upon which the new church was built contains about two acres, and was a beautiful and at- tractive grove, six miles west of Hopkinsville, and about three-quarters of a mile south of the Princeton road, on the cross road from the Princeton to the Cadiz road — a most accessible place where several much-traveled private pathways conjoined. And so a handsome and roomy frame building was erected, painted and furnished, the pride of the neighbor- hood, and more than delight of its projectors. But now comes the trouble. The money had not all been raised. (Alas, that this trouble should always confront the church!) Furthermore they could not agree on a name for the new church. Upon both of these subjects the church was greatly concerned, not to say agitated. But, strange as it may seem, the difBculty about the name proved to be the providential bridge which carried the church away over and beyond the trouble on the subject of finances. And it happened in this wise : The only two men of wealth in the whole neighborhood who took any interest in the matter were William A. Summers and Hezekiah Ricketts. Neither of these gentlemen was a member of the church at that time, but it so happened that they were both thoroughly imbued with the doctrines of the Methodist Church, and believed in her discipline to the letter, and, moreover, both their wives were stanch, zealous, active members of this very church, and whose pious lives will serve for many a day as examples to those who knew them worthy to be followed. Doubtless this added to the interest these two UNION SCHOOLHOUSE PRECINCT. 283 gentlemen felt for the success of the church. They were of untiring en- ergy, unyielding dispositions, and hy no means noted for the love they bore each other. Under these circumstances, and considering that the •whole neighborhood, in fact several neighborhoods, were agog over a name for the new church, it is not in the least strange that William A. Sum- mers and Hezekiah Ricketts should have espoused the cause of different factions ; and so they did with all their might and main. And they sub- scribed liberally to secure votes. And ever and anon the preacher or some other interested churchman would communicate to one of them what the other had done or was doing. This added to the flame, and " the flames rolled on." They rode day and night, became the leaders of the two parties enlisted the neighborhood, raised the money, the church debt was paid ofi" and the church dedicated. Samuel F. Johnson, a brilliant preacher in the church, was in charge at the time, and announced to his congregation, when the supreme moment arrived, that it was not for out- siders to say what name should be given this church of God, but that that question was exclusively for the membership to decide. The vote was taken, and the name Shiloh adopted. That name it has borne ever since, and is of blessed memory to hundreds of people who have been benefited by and through its services. The membership, upon the consolidation of the two old churches, numbered about fifty ; prominent among whom may be mentioned W. H. Hopson, and Elizabeth, his wife ; Henry Hopson, and Aunt Betsy, his wife ; Edwin H. Hopson ; Susan Stevens, widow of Rev. George Stevens, who had lived and but recently died at his home near by ; Iverson Boyd, and Mary, his wife; Diana Boyd ; C. A. McCarroll, and Elvira Ann, his wife ; James J. Smith, and Sarah, his wife ; A. J. Coon, Mary J. Coon, his wife; David E. Boyd, and Tibitha, his wife; Sarah Ricketts, Harriet A. Summers, Hugh Tomlinson, Sarah J. Morris, William Walker, Alsey Fields, Sarah Bowling ; Isaac Long, and Catharine, his wife. Since then many grand Christian characters have been developed at Shiloh, of whom we have not the space to speak. We cannot let pass the opportunity, however, of saying that of all the male members of the church, from the beginning to the present, not one ever acquired the rep- utation for deep piety and religious zeal which was so universally accorded Edwin H. Hopson. To say that he was a good man gives but a feeble idea of his splendid Christianity. In his religion he was literally " stead- fast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord." He died peacefully in the spring of 1873. The preachers who have served this church from its organization to the present are as follows : 1852, F. M. English ; 1853, S. F. Johnson ; 1854, Matthew N. Lasley ; 1855-1857, R. W. Trimble ; 1857, Abram 284 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. Quick ; 1858-59, L. B. Davidson ; 1860, Schuyler L. Murrell ; 1861- 62, Joseph F. Redford ; 1863, David Morton ; 1864-65, Thomas JeflFer- son Moore ; 1866, James C. Petree ; 1867-68, James A. Levris ; 1869- 70, E. M. Crowe; 1871-72, Isaac W. Emerson; 1873, William Alex- ander; 1874, Thomas Bottomley. During this year the church was at- tached to the Hopkinsville work. In 1875 Dennis Spurrier was the preacher; 1876, J. F. Redford; 1877-78, W. T.Moore; 1879-80, James A. Lewis ; 1881, T. C. Peters ; 1882, J. W. Emerson, and 1883, B. F. Orr. During the war of the rebellion the church was greatly demoralized and unsettled. Many useful members moved away, some died, and others withdrew. It has not enjoyed so much prosperity at any time since as it did before that awful struggle. In 1878-80, while Rev. James A. Lewis was in charge, a movement was instituted to move the church again. It was suddenly discovered that there was a neighborhood about three miles off which had a number of Methodists in it, and as the Shiloh congrega- tions had become small and these Methodists would not come to the church, it was proposed to knock the church down and build it up again in their neighborhood, which was accordingly done at a cost of about $500. It was located near " Smoot's Bridge," on the Cadiz road, some eight miles west of Hopkinsville, and is a very sightly and comfortable frame struc- ture. We have heard of no very bad effect occasioned by the move, except to unsettle things, and no very good effect if any. The mem- bership at present numbers about forty-five, who are scattered over considerable territory. It is hoped that the move will eventually prove beneficial, and the church resume its former commanding position in the community. The.present ofiicers of the church are C. A. McCarroll, J. J. Smith, E. M. Bostick, P. P. Mason, H. H. Sively, W. D. Sum- mers, and Thomas 0. Carloss. The Unitarians at Means Schoolhouse had one of the early church organizations of the precinct. They date back, it is claimed, to 1816- 18, and were organized by Elder Joel Hayden, pastor. Among the mem- bers were Thomas Arbuckle and wife, Edmund Calloway and wife, George Torian, Samuel Hany and wife, Peter Torian. Mrs. Mary Palmer, Mrs. Mary Alexander, Mrs. William Means, Bloomfield and others. This congregation afterward built a brick church on Sinking Fork, known as Christian Privilege, where they worshiped for several years, and then disintegrated and scattered out into other churches. From them sprang the nucleus of the Street Schoolhouse, afterward Concord Reformed Church. After worshiping in this schoolhouse from about 1846-47 to 1854, the congregation built, and moved into their new building. UNION SCHOOLHOUSE PRECINCT. 285 Concord Church is a substantial frame building with a lodge-room above, about 45x35 feet, ceiled and plastered, and comfortably seated. Among the original members were Elder George P. Street, J. B. Mc- Carty and wife, Robert McReynolds and wife, Robert Douliti and wife, and others. Elder Street served in schoolhouse and church as teacher and pastor about twenty or thirty years. Since his pastorate the pulpit has been supplied by visiting brethren from other churches, notably among them John T. Johnson, R. Dulin, Enos Campbell, A. J. Wyatt, and William Rogers. The present membership numbers about fifty, and a good Sunday-school is in progress. The next church to organize was at the old Robbins Chapel in 1834-35, and was of the Methodist persuasion. George Robbins, a local preacher, was the founder, and for many years served at its altar. The names of some of the original mem- bers are retained: George Robbins, L. P., A. McGaughey, Robert Ford. Samuel Blankenship, Louis Hancock, Mrs. Peter Hall and daughter, ami Mrs. Tabitha Cocke. In 1842 the congregation erected the present Hebron Church, which is a substantial frame, 60x30 feet, plastered and well seated, and cost about $1,000. After this comes the South Union Baptist Church, which was organ- ized about 1846-47, with Robert Anderson as pastor, in the old Elk Water Schoolhouse one mile from Church Hill. The present edifice is due principally to the munificence of R. W. and Gano Henry and a few others, and Johnson Radford, who donated the ground. It is a comforta- ble frame, 40x50 feet, well seated, and cost about $1,000. Original membership : Young J. Means, William Means, A. Grisham and wife, Gano Henry, .Johnson Radford, Mrs. Cornelia V. Henry and Mrs. Will- iam Means. The pastors of South Union as far as recollected were Revs. Robert Anderson, Nicholas Lacey, F. C. Plasters, Davis and the present pastor. The membership is large, and the church is in a flour- ishing condition. About 1856 the Newstead Presbyterian (S. A.) Church was organized under the auspices of the Rev. F. Strahan, Pastor ; Edwin Bradshaw and Dr. M. A. Steele, Elders ; Capt. Eddin Morris, Deacon. Capt. Mor ris was the principal contributor to the erection of their present neat edi fice, having left a bequest of $5,000 for that purpose. It is a fram< building, about 40x50 feet, with a seating capacity of about 300, and hai an adjoining cemetery. The original membership consisted of Capt. E Morris and wife, Mrs. Thomas Whitlock, Mrs. F. J. Glass, Dr. and Mrs J. H. Macrae, J. W. McGaughey, Dr. J. F. Dangerfield and J. B. Mc Kenzie. Pastors : Revs. F. Strahan, George Frazer, T. A. Braken, S M. Luckett, William Duncan and J. C. Tate. Present membership abou thirty. 286 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. About the close of the war the Pee Dee (Methodist Episcopal Church South) was built. It is a large and substantial edifice, 40x50, frame, with lodge-room above, and cost about $3,000. Mr. and Mrs. Pee Dee Smith were very liberal patrons, contributing between them some $1,200 or $1,300. Among the original members were Mr. and Mrs. Pee Dee Smith, W. G. Blaine and wife, W. V. Reeves and wife, and daughters, Lewis and Henrietta Reeves, Joseph A. Brewer and wife, Mrs. W. E. Butcher and son, William E. Butcher, Jr., John G. Johnson and wife, Mrs. James E. Brewer and daughter, Mary Brewer, and son, William Brewer, Sidney Merritt and wife, and Mrs. Luttrell. It is a charge of the Lafayette Circuit, and among others has been served by the follow- ing-named pastors : Revs. William and Robert Alexander, T. J. Ran- dolph, James Petree, W. E. King, Gideon Gouch, J. F. Redford, B. A. Cundiff, J. W. Price, J. W. Bingham and B. F. Briggs, present pastor. Present membership about fifty. There are but two or three villages in the Precinct — Gordonsville, Newstead and Pee Dee, neither of which is of sufficient importance to require mention, having only perhaps a store or two, a few residences and a blacksmith shop or so. At Pee Dee, however, may be mentioned the James Moore Lodge, No. 230, A., F. and A. M., numbering some thirty members. The charter members were Dr. J. C. Whitlock, W. M.; Edwin Dabney, S. W.; and Asa Cofi"ee, J. W. The Patrons of Husbandry, though fallen into decay in many parts of the Union, still have a flourishing Grange in this precinct. ^^ is called the Church Hill Grange, and was organized in 1873 with thirty charter members. Like the parent from which it sprung it is a secret organiza- tion, and still maintains its ritual, emblems and insignia of rank. It now numbers 170 of the most intelligent and substantial farmers of the coun- ty, together with their wives and daughters, among its membership. This, with other evidences of thrift and prosperity — a fine hall, well-fur- nished, an organ, three-quarters of an acre of ground secured by deed to its trustees — presents the highest argument that could be adduced in favor of its past usefulness and advantage to the community in which it is lo- cated. It is claimed for its co-operative features in buying and selling tha» it has saved many thousands to those who have availed themselves of its advantages, while its economical, agricultural and social features make it of incalculable advantage to its patrons. Last year its annual sale of stock — common, graded and thoroughbred — footed up the very handsome sum of $9,948.42. It may be interesting to the medical profession to note tha*: before and up to about 1830 bilious and other malarial fevers were very prevalent, so much 80 that those who escaped were largely the exceptions Active UNION SCHOOLHOUSE PRECINCT. 287 depletion with the lancet, calomel, rhubarb, jalap, etc., were the prevail- ing remedial measures. Water if allowed at all was first aired by drop- ping a live coal into it, while ice was not even dreamed of in their philos- ophy. From about 1830 to 1835 the health of the country began to im- prove, and after a time these fevers became the exception rather than the rule. At the present time the health of this part of the county is as good if not better than any other part of it. The Indian mounds and other relics of the pre-historic age scattered here and there over the precinct are described in a preceding chapter. It may not be out of place in the conclusion of this chapter to note the fact, that some of the most thrifty, enterprising and industrious families of colored people live in this precinct. There are several colored men who are doing well, and may be classed as energetic and prosperous farmers. Nelson Gee and Joseph Luck are representatives of this class, and are well thought of by the whites of the community. Their example is well worthy of imitation by the colored people of the county. When the col- ored people learn to help themselves and show a disposition to become worthy citizens instead of loafing about town and lying around doggeries, they will find ready help from all intelligent white people. But to ac- complish such a result they must display some eflForts in this direction. The great majority of whites wish them well, and when it is deserved will not refuse a helping hand. — Tydings. LAFAYETTE AND QARRETTSBURQ PRECINCTS. 289 CHAPTER XIII. Lafayette and Garrettsbtjeg Precincts-Topogeaphy and Descrip- tion-Settlement BY White People-Hon. James A. MoKenzie's Sketch of Lafayette— Churches— McKenzie's Chapel or "Kirk" —Other Churches— The Villages of Garrettsburg and Lafay- ette—Anecdotes, Accidents, Incidents, etc, etc. T AFAYETTE and Garrettsburg Magisterial Districts or Precincts lie -L^ in the southwestern portion of Christian County, and are of fine farming lands. They were originally mostly " barrens " or prairie, and by the early settlers deemed of little worth except for pasturage. Physically and geologically they are much the same lands of Union Schoolhouse and Longview Precinct. They border on the Tennessee line for several miles, with Trigg County on the west, Union Schoolhouse Precinct on the north and Longview Precinct on the east. The surface is generally level or undulating, with very little hilly or broken country in either of the pre- cincts. There are but few streams of running water, and they are small, except Little River, which forms the line between Union Schoolhouse and Lafayette. The following sketch of Lafayette Precinct was written for this his- tory by Hon. James A. McKenzie, the present Secretary of State. It is of considerable interest, and should be highly prized by all the citizens of Lafayette Precinct. It is as follows : Lafayette Precinct was organized as a voting precinct about the year 1840, prior to which time the citizens voted at John McGee's, on the Dover road. It is bounded on the north by Little River, on the east by the Palmyra road, on the south by the Tennessee State line and on the west by the Trigg County line. This boundary embraces the Bennetts- town Precinct, which has been formed out of the old Lafayette Precinct, with the village of Bennettstown as a voting place. The soil is good, strong, clay soil, somewhat inclined to be flat and hold water, but produc- ing most excellent tobacco, wheat, oats, corn, fruits and vegetables. The timber, consisting of ash, oak, hickory, and sweet-gum, is probably the finest in the county. The first settlers in the Lafayette Precinct were Joel Harvey, Jesse and Micajah Fort, who settled in that part of it known as Flat Lick, in 1799 or 1800 ; Joel Harvey settling the place now owned by W. W. McKenzie, about one mile west of Bennettstown, and Jesse Fort settling 290 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. the place known as the "Jesse Fort old field," and now owned by Sidney Merritt, while Micajah Fort settled on land adjoining his brother Jesse. These settlers, who were the real pioneers of south Christian County, were re-inforced between the years 1801 jmd 1815 by John Marshall, Israel Marshall, Hugh McGee, John McGee, William McGee, James McGee, Samuel McGee, Henry McGee, James Moore, David Moore and James Stevenson, who settled throughout the precinct from Little River on the north, to the Tennessee line on the south. David Moore and William McGee were the first Magistrates ever elected in the south part of Chris- tian County. They were men of strong mental traits, with great energy and force of character, and .without much knowledge of the law dis- pensed justice without fear or partiality. Following these early pioneers, from 1815 to 1830 came the Steven- sons, Sherrills, Taylors, McKenzies, Koses, Joneses, Carters, Shepherds, Carys, Hesters, Boyds and Mallorys — which latter family settled the village now known as Mallorytown. The first child born in Flat Lick, which is the part of Lafayette Precinct first settled, was James Dean Fort, son of Jesse Fort, who was born about the year 1801, and who died a few years since at Lafayette, within five miles of the place of his birth. The first wedding in Flat Lick was in all probability the marriage of Garrison Patrick with Olive Fort, which occurred about the year 1816. The name " Flat Lick " is derived from a flat, pond-like place, located in what is now known as the Saltonstall timber, and about one mile west of where Robert Thacker now lives, and tradition has it that this flat place, pond or lick was formed by the deer and bufialo licking the surface of the ground which contained saline deposit, and which it retains to this day. This Flat Lick country was the paradise of hunters in the early part of this century. The writer of this sketch remembers to have heard Micajah Fort, one of the earliest settlers, describe the multitude of deer which he had seen at this lick, and the enormous flocks of wild turkeys which were to be found in its vicinity. He also remembers to have heard him say that when he settled in Flat Lick the nearest mill, and the one at which he got his grinding, was at Port Royal, Tenn., distant more than forty miles. The town of Lafayette was settled about the year 1812 by Robert Watson, but was not incorporated until about 1835. The earliest settlers besides Robert Watson were Joel Harvey, R. C. Dunlap and Capt. Will- iam Hester. R. C. Dunlap established the first dry goods and grocery store there about the year 1820. Capt. William Hester is still living in the town, a venerable man of eighty-one years, whose life has been an honor to Christian County, and who will transmit to his large posterity that most priceless heritage known among men, an unspotted name. The LAFAYETTE AND QARRETTSBURG PRECINCTS. 291 next dry goods store established there was by Dunlap & Anderson ; then came, as merchants, Sandy Fraser, Hardy S. Sypert, John Russell, Horace Kelly, B. P. Lee, Thomas Terry, A. J. Fuqua, R. J. Cooper, R. J. Oaruthers, the last four named being still engaged in business there. The first physician who ever practiced medicine in Lafayette or its vicinity was Dr. Roberts, a most excellent physician and a splendid gen- tleman, who had a thousand virtues and but a single fault. Following him came Dr. Mulkey, Dr. Boyd, Dr. Grant, Dr. C. B. Hall and Dr. John W. Fraser. Dr. Fraser practiced in the town and country for over thirty years. He was one of the ablest men and most accomplished phy- sicians that ever lived in Christian County. A man of large reading, great natural abilities, most genial nature, with a hand open as the day to melting charity. He lived in Lafayette for nearly forty years, beloved by everybody, and died regretted by all classes and conditions of men. Dr. Claudius B. Hall was also a man of marked character and ability. He had, in equal degree with Dr. Fraser, the splendid qualities of both head and heart that distinguished that gentleman, and I gravely doubt if any interior town in Kentucky contained two physicians of loftier charac- ter and larger abilities than the two of Lafayette during the life-time of Drs. Hall and Fraser. Drs. C. P. Northington, Powell J. Wooton and Douglas J. Boyd are still engaged in the practice of medicine there. The town of Lafayette is now a flourishing village of five or six hundred inhabitants, is a fine educational center, and is one of the most moral and healthful towns in Kentucky or elsewhere. The town of Bennettstown was settled by Stephen Bennett about the year 1850. Mr. Bennett was in many respects a very remarkable man. For acuteness of intellect, energy of purpose, and that sort of endurance that laughs at obstacles he was distinguished above his fellows. So crip- pled as to be compelled to walk with crutches, and even then with great diflSculty, he nevertheless conducted the business of a merchant and tobacconist, traveling the country over on horseback looking at crops, and was altogether one of the most energetic business men who ever lived in Christian County. After an active life of sixty odd years, and after amassing a considerable fortune, he died in the town to which he gave his name, respected for his virtues, his intelligence and his numberless char- ities. Bennettstown has grown and prospered until it now has a population of 150 souls. It may well claim the distinction of being the capital of " Flat Lick." It contains two dry goods stores and one grocery store, one blacksmith shop, two churches—" Sharon" Cumberland Presbyte- rian, Rev. Mr. Perry, Pastor, and" McKenzie Kirk," Old-School Presby- terian, Rev. John C. Tate, Stated Supply. Sharon Church was built in 292 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 1851. Its first pastor was Rev. James Fraser, who after a long service was succeeded by Rev. James Nichol and he by Rev. Mr. Casky. After the war Rev. Mr. Maxey became pastor and his term of service extended down to within the past year or two, when Rev. Mr. Perry assumed pastoral charge. " McKenzie Kirk " was built in 1883. It has an interesting history as a church organization— being the second Presbyterian Church organ- ized south of Green River in the State of Kentucky. It was organized in an old log schoolhouse near Sinking Spring about ten miles south of Hopkinsville on the Dover road in 1817, and after removal to Blue Water and Lafayette was finally located at Bennettstown, and named in honor of Judge William W. McKenzie, who was present at its organiza- tion in 1817, joined its membership in 1829, and has been a ruling elder in its service continually for fifty-three years. His life has been an unobtrusive and uneventful one. But the naming of a church in his honor is a monument more lasting than marble, and which wealth with all its power could not buy. Possibly no churchman in Kentucky can boast 80 long a continuous service as Mr. McKenzie. Near the village of Bennettstown, about fifty years ago, occurred one of the most terrible tragedies which the annals of Christian County fur- nish. It was the killing of Garrison Fort, by John Covington. The killing occurred at the spring in the old Titherington field. Thomas Covington kept a small grocery there and these parties met, and in the course of a night's carouse Covington killed Fort by shooting him through the heart with a rifle. One of the most notable schools in the Flat Lick settlement was es- tablished about the year 1845, near Bennettstown, and was known as " Pleasant Valley School." Milus E. McKenzie was the first teacher, and he was succeeded by Edward Rudder, an old Virginia, old field school teacher, not especially celebrated for learning, but certainly one of the best disciplinarians that ever lived. He had a peculiar way of pun- ishing bad boys which he called " Biding Baldy." The manner in which " Baldy " was ridden, was for old man Rudder to take the refractory boy gently across his lap, give him a little jog-trot with his knees and then whip him until he could see all the stars in the firmament. Many gray- haired men now living in Christian County can recall the time when they took their first riding lesson in Rudder's school. The church at Pleasant Valley, near Bennettstown, has long since fallen into decay. Forty years ago it was the center of a large Method- ist congregation. It was here that Branch Drinkard worshiped and Jack Harris prayed with a fervor that would melt the very stones. The site of the old church is now a cultivated field and most of the worship- ers have passed into the great beyond. LAFAYETTE AND GARRETTSBURG PRECINCTS. 293 The first postoflBce in Lafayette Precinct was called " Mantua," and was located on the farm now owned by James E. Stevenson, about one mile northeast of Bennettstown. This was about the year 1820, and postage was then 25 cents per letter. The first Postmaster was James Stevenson. Of the early settlers of Flat Lick there are but few descendants living in the vicinity to-day. The whole Marshall family are gone. But few of the descendants of the Forts, who were the very first settlers, remain, and only two of the McGees, George Washington McGee and Benjamin McGee, remain to represent a family which in the early part of this century could count on its muster-roll the names of fifty persons who lived in what is called " Flat Lick." Garrettsburg is much more modern than Lafayette Precinct, both in organization and in settlement. Among those termed early settlers we may mention the following: Thomas, James, Robert and Stephen Rives, Garrett M. Quarles, Capt. Joseph Hopson, David Brame, Elijah Taylor, John McGee and wife, George and John Wills, George Gribbey, Wiley B. Jones, Dr. J. C. Boyd, Maj. James Ghoulson, Mrs. Miles Rives, George C. Boyd, etc., etc. There were four brothers of the Rives, and all settled in the southern part of the precinct. They were originally from North Carolina. Quarles was a lawyer, and came from Virginia and settled in the neighborhood of the Rives. Garrettsburg was named for him. Col. Hopson settled on the place afterward owned by G. M. Quarles east of Garrettsburg. David Brame came from North Carolina, and settled on the place now owned by Mrs. M. E. Bacon, north of Gar- rettsburg ; Elijah Taylor settled one mile west of Garrettsburg on the place now owned by C. W. Brame. The McGees and Wills from Cum- berland County came very early. George Gribbey came from South Carolina and Wiley B. Jones from Tennessee. Dr. J. C. Boyd came from Virginia. Maj. James Ghoulson came early — he commanded a battalion in the battle of the Thames. George C. Boyd was a distin- guished lawyer, who afterward moved to Clarksville and became a law partner of Cave Johnson, Postmaster-General under President Polk. Maj. John Poindexter came from Louisa County, Va., about 1830. He was in the war of 1812, and afterward reared a large and distinguished family. He lived on the place still owned by his descendants, southeast of Garrettsburg. J. Poindexter came about 1834 ; he was Captain of a battery in war of 1812 ; was Representative of Louisa County and was also Clerk and Sheriff of the same. His son, G. G. Poindexter, was Assistant Postmaster-General under President Buchanan. Other early settlers were Col. J. D. Morris, Ambrose Davie, Richard G. White, Sion Hunt, Henry Galbraith, David Wooten, George Fox, Nestor Boone, George 294 HISTORY OP CHKISTIAN COUNTY. Trible, Joseph and James Hutchinson, Elder Davenport, George N. Whitfield, M. K. White, John Wooldridge and many others whom space will not allow us to mention. Some of these became noted people in the history of the country. Maj.-Gen. William A. Quarles was a son of Col. G. M. Quarles, was born in 1825, and removed to Clarksville, Tenn., in 1847, where he practiced law ; Hon. J. M. Quarles is now Judge of the Criminal Court at Nashville, and former Congressman from that district. As to the way people lived in the pioneer days, it is given in other pages of this volume and need not be repeated here. They lived hard and had but few comforts — that is indisputable. They had to go twenty or thirty miles to mill, and could not always get grinding then without waiting for it several days. Other necessaries were equally as hard to obtain, except meat, which the forest furnished in the greatest abun- dance. The church history of Garrettsburg and Lafayette Precincts dates back almost to the settlement of the whites. The Baptist Church was first organized at Noah's Springs near the Tennessee line about the year 1820, Elder Warfield, Pastor. The earlier members were Burgess Poole, Mrs. Betsey Poindexter, Col. William Atkinson and wife, John Clardy and wife, Jesse Giles, Samuel and Birch White, Mrs. Sophia Rives, etc. About 1830-31, a division took place, the church property passing to the followers of Mr. Campbell, and the Baptists building a small church north- west of Garrettsburg. In 1856, finding it was inconveniently situated, it was sold to John Fleming, and a new church^the present one — built on the Palmyra road, a half mile north of town. The building was deeded to A. G. Sims and J. B. White, Trustees for the church. Among the pastors of the old church were Elders Richard Nixon, R. T. Anderson and N. Lacy. The present pastor is J. G. Kendall ; the membership is about fifty persons. A Methodist Church was built about 1855 on the Palmyra road near the site of the Baptist Church. Among the early members were John W. Woodson, William Kay, Mrs. Judith Woodson, Mrs. Martha Moore, Mrs. Sallie Moss, Thomas Adams and wife, Robert Ford and wife and daughter, and others. The members have died, scattered out among other churches, and otherwise disappeared, and the property suffered to fall into decay. The following sketch of the old Presbyterian Church was furnished us by Mr. J. A. Boyd, and will be found of considerable interest : Between the years 1814 and 1816 a large number of families, includ- ing the Stevensons, Sherrills, McKenzies, Gilmours, Ewings, Boyds, Bronaughs, Callisons, etc., left Iredell County, N. C, and settled in Christian County, Ky. Having the blood of the Scotch Covenanters in LAFAYETTE AND GARRETTSBURG PRECINCTS. 295 their veins, they brought with them the Presbyterian faith and formed what was probably the first Presbyterian Church south of Green River, in the southern part of Christian County, near what is known as Sinking Spring, located on the farm now owned by Benjamin Coleman, about the year 1817 or 1818. The congregation had no regular place of worship, but met usually at a schoolhouse near the Sinking Spring, and sometimes at the houses of its respective members. It was organized under the pastoral superintendence of Rev. William K. Stuart, and its first Ruling Elders were James Gilmour and James Stevenson, with about thirty mem- bers. One of these Ruling Elders, James Gilmour, was probably the first Presbyterian who settled in southern Kentucky, his church member- ship extending through more than sixty years. He died in his ninetieth year in 1834. After an existence of about twelve years the church, then known as the Union Society of Sinking Spring, built a log church at Blue Water about one mile south of Sinking Spring which was called Blue Water Church, and was solemnly dedicated to the service of God on the second Sunday in May, 1830, with Rev. Thomas Caldwell as Pastor, and Robert Callison, James Gilmour, James Stevenson, Jacob Sherrill and George Gilmour as Ruling Elders and Deacons, and with a member- ship of thirty-five persons. The church prospered under the pastoral care of Rev. Mr. Caldwell until his death, which occurred Novembers, 1843. After Mr. Caldwell's death, Rev. W. D. Jones became pastor, with W. W. McKenzie, John W. Ewing and William L. Stevenson as additional members of the session. Subsequently, Moses Boyd, Dr. J. C. Metcalf and T. P. World were added to the corps of Elders. The church records, which are vague and badly kept, do not show how long Mr. Jones re- tained his pastorate, but he was succeeded by Rev. William Hamilton, about 1837. About the year 1831 a new church was erected in Lafayette, and the congregation at Blue Water removed to that point, where they con- tinued to worship under the pastoral care of Rev. William Hamilton, Rev. B. H. McCown, Rev. F. G. Strahan, Rev. Eraser, Rev. S. W. Luckett, Rev. T. J. Bracken and Rev. W. Duncan, until within the last few years, when the church house became unsafe and was sold. The proceeds, together with general subscriptions on the part of many excellent people, were invested in the new church house in which we now worship. The records of this church organization show that its highest membership was in 1850 and numbered seventy-eight persons, and its lowest in 1873, and numbered eighteen persons. Being first known as the Union Society of Sinking Spring, next as Blue Water Church, next as Lafayette Church, it is now to be known as " McKenzie's Chapel or Kirk," in honor of W. W. McKenzie, who was 296 HISTORY OP CHRISTIAN COUNTY. present at its organization and who has been a member of it since 1829. He has been for more than half a century a Ruling Elder in its service. The present Elders are W . W. McKenzie and J. A. Boyd. Of the early schools of Garrettsburg we know but little, but no doubt they were similar to those in other portions, and particularly to the south- ern portion of the county. Louis E. Duke was an excellent teacher in the early times, and taught at Col. Quarles' residence. Among the noted men who may be mentioned among his pupils a)e : G. G. Poindexter, W. A. and J. M. Quarles, Dr. Edmund T. Wilkins, Superintendent of Insane Asylum of California ; Dr. J. N. Metcalf, and M. H. Johnson, late editor of the Memphis Avalanche ; M. D. Davie, Austin Peay, present State Senator, and Capts. C. and Darwin Bell, and many others. The village of Garrettsburg was first settled about the year 1834 by Albert L. Jones. He built a small story and a half house with a frame shed, and brought on a small stock of goods. N. B. Dixon now lives in the house. Mr. Jones sold residence and store to Richard Hester, and about 1840 built further down the Palmyra road. The dwelling still stands and is occupied by J. E. Bazley. In 1835 J. B. White came, and in 1841 removed with his family to Garrettsburg, built the residence where they now reside, and a blacksmith shop in which he followed his trade. In 1856 he commenced merchandising in the storeroom formerly owned by S. R. White, and in 1862 built the storeroom in which he now does business. About 1845, L. F. Chilton removed to Garrettsburg from Shelby County with his family and commenced building the residence now owned by Dr. J. M. Metcalf and occupied by Dr. J. R. Payne. In 1836, H. E. Bacon, then about seventeen years of age, came to the vil- lage and began clerking for Mr. Jones, and continued until in 1846, when he began business for himself. About 1854 he built a storehouse on the west side of the road, into which he removed and continued busi- ness till 1880. Just before his death he built a large frame residence, into which he removed but a short time before he died. In 1854 William Kay built a store on the west side of the road, in which he did business for two or three years. N. B. Dixon owns and does business in it. The little village has witnessed some stirring scenes. In 1867 A. L. Jones was shot and killed by Dr. J. N. Metcalf in a personal rencounter in front of his store. Jones fired the first shot, striking the Doctor in the leg just above the knee. The Doctor returned the fire with one barrel of his shot gun, hitting Jones in the thigh, who fell to the ground, and almost immediately received the contents of the other barrel about the head and face, and from the effects died in a few minutes. During the late war, perhaps in 1862, some four or five of Col. Woodward's men rode into town from the west and attacked about the LAFAYETTE AND GAKRETTSBURG PRECINCTS. 297 same number of Col. Ransom's command, who were having their horses shod at George Wills' shop. The Federals charged them in turn and routed them, but with the loss of two of their number killed, one of the rebels slightly wounded. The same evening about supper time Col. Ran- som attacked Col. Woodward, who had gone into camp on Maj-. John Thomas' place, surprising him, and killing some five or six of his men. Mrs. Elizabeth Clardy, mother of Dr. Flem Clardy, went the next day and had the dead coflSned and buried on Thomas' place, whence they were afterward removed by their friends. — Perrin. MOUNT VEENON, WILSON, FRUIT HILL AND STEWART PRECINCTS. 299 CHAPTER XIV. Mount Vernon, Wilson, Fruit Hill and Stewart Precincts— Early Settlers in Mount Vernon— Topography of Northeast Ciikis- Ti AN— Settlements in Fruit Hill— The Robinsons— Wilson Pre- cinct Pioneers— The Settling of Stewart Precinct— Churches, and their Early Works in this Portion of the County— The Hard-shells and Universalists Schools— Coal, etc., etc. THERE is much of romance in the story of the first settlers who came to these Western wilds. They were allured by the spirit of adventure as well as the hope of bettering their condition, and to attain the realization of their dreams they braved the perils and privations of the journey to this vast Western wilderness. And what a journey ! From Virginia and from North and South Carolina to Kentucky. Surely only stout hearts and brave spirits dared make the venture. Braver spirits and stouter hearts never dared the perils of the way or faced the onset of a foe, than these same sturdy pioneers into the wilderness of the then " far West." They took their lives in their hands, and with their wives and families, on foot, on horseback and in rude wagons, made the journey. This, it is true, was " the dark and bloody ground," but this also was the "happy hunting ground " and the very " Canaan of Prom- ise " to their imaginations. Dangers might lie on every side, and painted warriors lurk behind each tree, but beyond was a land of inviting plenty and abundance — beyond was a land of more than fabled wealth. Here were lands for the mere having — homes, food, raiment and freedom. Here were forests of fine timber, streams of flowing water and broad stretches of fertile prairie lands, deer, bufialoes, bears, turkeys and all the smaller game. Mount Vernon Precinct. — To this part of the county of which we now write came principally emigrants from the Carolinas. They were a brave, adventurous set, and were well worthy to become the progenitors of so hardy a race as the present population of northeast Christian. The first, or one among the first, who came to the Mount Vernon Precinct was not from either of the Carolinas, nor from Virginia, but from the good old State of Pennsylvania, the Germany of America. He was a sturdy old German named Fritz, and located on the West Fork of Little River, where he carried on a blacksmith shop for many years. He had four sons, Solomon, William, Michael and John, and as many daughters. 300 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. Polly, Betsey, Susan and Melinda. Sol was a gunsmith and a good one too, and was highly appreciated for his skill in this line by the hunters toY miles around. Altogether they were an industrious, worthy family. They came as early as 1790-91, and perhaps earlier, and opened up the farm now owned by Messrs. Steele, Dulin and Shaw. Another family that came about the same time but not from the same place, and settled on the West Fork, was that of William Shaw. At an early day he built a horse-mill on his place, which was resorted to from far and near. He had two sons, James and William, twins, and four or five daughters. The Shaws came from South Carolina. George Shaw, a grandson, still lives at the old place. William Cannon, a Carolinian, came about 1790 also, and located on the East Fork of Little River, about one mile north of Benjamin Harned. He remained till about 1812, when he and his family removed to the Wabash country, where, shortly after, he and his son Isaac and his son-in-law John Starks, were mur- dered and scalped by the Indians, and his wife and two daughters car- ried into captivity. Mrs. Cannon and her two daughters, after suffering many indignities and cruelties, were upon the conclusion of peace ex- changed and restored by the Indians to their friends. Several years later Joseph Hays moved in from either North or South Carolina, it is not now certain which, and settled on a place between the two forks of Little River, East and West Fork. He was a Methodist, perhaps one of the very first of this persuasion to settle in the neighborhood, and was highly esteemed for his piety and good works. He had a large fam- ily of daughters, one of whom, Polly, was an old maid. One day Larkin Harned, who was a youth just budding into manhood, and who was desir- ous of taking a lesson in love-making from some experienced hand before making his debut among the girls, called on Miss Polly. After hemming and hawing and blushing and stammering for a while in the vain effort to acquaint her with the object of his mission, he finally succeeded, when, much to his discomforture, she leaned toward him with a peculiar gesture and a most maternal air, and said, "Larkin, I guess you need a little milk, son." Whether the youth improved upon the suggestion or not does not appear, but the lesson was effectual nevertheless, at least Larkin did not enter the lists again for several years. About the year 1800 there was quite an influx from Georgia, Virginia and the Carolinas into the county. Among others were "William Warren, an old Revolutionary soldier, who bought the old Cannon place; Gideon Tighlman, a bachelor; Ezekiel Wood, Thomas and James Vaughn, and William Morrow, a brother-in-law of the Vaughns. Wood was a saddler, James Vaughn ran a distillery and Morrow was a farmer. The latter built on the present site of Mount Vernon. James Crabtree, a North Carolinian, in 1800 MOUNT VERNON, WILSON, FRUIT HILL AND STEWART PRECINCTS. 301 settled on the place where John Harrison now lives. He brought some fifty slaves with him, much fine furniture and silver plate, and maintained quite an air of state. Besides running a blacksmith shop and his farm, he is said to have manufactured both castor and linseed oils. He owned more than 1,000 acres of rich land, and besides was rich in sons and daughters. Their descendants still live in the county. About the same time, 1800, Benjamin and James Colvin Harned, brothers, moved to the county, the former settling on the head waters of Little River, the latter near by. When a young man, Benjamin worked at the salt works in Western Virginia and made more than one narrow es- cape from the hostiles of that region . With his family, some time before the beginning of the present century, he moved from Kanawha to Hardin County. While there the Indians massacred a family in the neighbor- hood, and were pursued by a party led by Bob Samuels and Peter Ken- nedy. They came up with them about daylight, attacked and after a fight in which one of their number was killed, succeeded in killing all but two of the enemy. One of these was desperately wounded, and was tracked by the blood, which he vainly endeavored to stanch by wads of leaves pressed into the orifice of his wound. On coming up with him he was summarily dispatched. Thus all but one of the marauding party were killed, and even he it is supposed by some died near by of wounds received in the fight. Some years afterward the body of an Indian was found in a cave near the scene of conflict, and was supposed to be the body of the missing brave. After this, the last Indian raid into that part of the State, Harned moved with his family to Christian. Mr. Larkin Harned, who lives on the Russellville road four miles from Hopkinsville, is a son of the old pioneer. The old Harned place is now owned by the " eleventh " Wood. Dr. Pyles came about 1812 from South Carolina and settled on the Press Cushman farm. He raised a large family, and when not under the influence of intoxicants was esteemed by his neighbors as a good physician. Farther up the country, in the precincts of Wilson, Fruit Hill and Stewart, and reaching to the extreme northern point of the county, where it wedges in between Muhlenburg and Hopkins, there were settlements made quite as early as those we have mentioned in the Mount Vernon Pre- cinct. Indeed, it is an unquestioned fact that these and the other hill- lands of the north part of Christian were the first to be generally popu- lated, and their settlement was only antedated by the immediate settle- ment of John Montgomery and James Davis on the West Fork of Red River. The reason for this preference for the northern portion of the county was, as has been intimated, the convenience of building material, fuel and water, and perhaps the greater abundance of all kinds of game. 302 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. While that portion of the Mount Vernon Precinct lying immediately along the borders of Casky and Pembroke is very much of the same character topographically as those precincts, but a short distance to the north the country begins to take on less inviting and more rugged features. The gentle undulations gradually grow into pronounced hills, which increase in height and ruggedness till they rise to the apex of the water-sheds of Pond River and its tributaries. The character of the land also changes, the soil becoming thinner and less productive, and the sand- stone rocks cropping out nearer the surface. This is the general com- plexion of these precincts, but there are many rich and productive spots to be found interspersed here and there between the hills and ridges and along the many water-courses, and everywhere there is a superabundance of good timber and pure, good water. It is especially eligible for the growth of fruits, and as a horticultural district may yet become a source of greater revenue to the county than the southern precincts with their more level and richer lands. Fruit Hill Precinct. — The -first comers into the Fruit Hill Precinct whose names can now be recalled came, pretty generally, from the Car- olinas also, and a few from Georgia and Virginia about the year 1800. There were others doubtless who came earlier, but their names have been buried with them, and are lost to the pages of history. Thomas Barnett came either from Georgia or one of the Carolinas about the beginning of the century, and opened up a farm on the Hopkinsville & Greenville road, near where the Pleasant Hill Church stands. The last elk seen in Christian is supposed to have died on his place. Jerome Harned now owns the old place. About three miles north of Barnett's, near the head waters of Little Caney, is the old Mathew Wilson farm, now owned by his son James, and which was also settled about the same time. The Wilsons came from one of the Carolinas. Col. James Robinson and his brothers Abner and Green Robinson were long prominent citizens of this part of the county, and came from North Carolina. The Colonel was in the war of 1812, and commanded a regiment at the battle of New Orleans under Gen. Adair. He was a brave, quiet man, low and compact in figure, and very strong. He had a memorable fist encounter with one Wilkins, who is said to have been badly worsted by his antagonist. Green, the younger brother, moved to Illinois, and was killed in the Black Hawk war. Abner married Nancy Duty, was a good farmer, and a successful stock-raiser. He bred fine horses and took them to Lexington, where he disposed of them at a fine profit, and by this means helped to pay for the large tract of land he had purchased. He would labor on his farm all day, and at night go two miles to Blue Lick and kill deer for the family. The father of these MOUNT VERNON, WILSON, FRUIT HILL AND STEWART PRECINCTS. 303 brothers was James Robinson, who came in 1788. He is written up in a preceding chapter. There were three daughters also — Patsy, Mahala and Nancy. The first married McFarland, the second Hugh Wilkins, and Nancy was killed by the falling limb of a tree when a child. The Meachams, John, Andrew, Willis, Edmund and Wyatt, five brothers from one of the Carolinas, came also before or with the dawn of the nine- teenth century, all settling in the same neighborhood on the Blue Lick of Pond River. They were Calvinistic or Hard-shell Baptists, and two of the brothers were preachers of that faith. John Spurlin, Quentin Stewart, a millwright, Rayford Petty and Matthew Wilson were also among the early pioneers. The latter was the father of James, Lemuel, William and John Wilson. The names of many of these old people, as the names of many others who came after them, are still preserved in their descendants, and their memories will ever be revered as the avants couriers of the present civilization. Wilson Precinct. — Simultaneous with the settlement of the others, emigrants from the Carolinas and elsewhere moved into the Wilson Pre- cinct. Among the first were the Murphys, Pitzers, Johnsons, etc. The latter came with Samuel Johnson, the father, from South Carolina in 1800 or thereabouts, and settled on the Blue Lick Fork of Pond River. Francis Pennington and several brothers came from one of the Caro- linas to the county in 1800. Later on he moved to the place now owned by Mrs. Pennington, on the West Fork of Pond River, where he passed the remainder of his life. All the other brothers left the county at an early day. Nathaniel Grace, a man by the name of Murphy, Collier Butler, Willis Murdock, Henry Myers, and another family by the name of Wells, came about the same time as the Murphys, Pitzers, etc. Squire Benjamin Lacy, it is thought, came even earlier. His sons were named David, Luke and Ben. Jordan Bass came from South Carolina about the beginning of the century also, but passed on further up into the Stewart Precinct. He was an " Old Baptist," or Hard-shell, and it is related of him that he would violate the proprieties by taking a little too much "tea" occasionally. This sorely afflicted some of his brethrefa, who though rather fond of the article themselves were too conscientious or too circumspect to indulge to excess in public. On one occasion Bass got flagrantly drunk, and a consultation of his brethren was called. It was decided that brother Solomon should go and expostulate with him in the name of the church, and then report back at the next meeting. Sol- omon went, and was received by his erring brother with so profuse a hos- pitality that he himself had to be helped on his "nag" when he started to return. At the next meeting he reported favorably on the case, and assured his brethren the ofl'ender was duly penitent and would never 304 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. again repeat the offense. But unfortunately for the assurance the offense was repeated again, and very soon ; and this time a brother James was sent to expostulate. Again Bass was delighted to see his brother co- worker, and again set about to practice the same wiles on him. Mrs. Bass comprehending the situation hurried up her dinner in order, if pos- sible, to prevent the catastrophe, but Bass ordered her to desist, which, like a dutiful spouse, she reluctantly did. The result was, that e'er the usual dinner-hour arrived, Bass had so plied him with the blandishments of his " five years old" that he had to be helped to bed rather than the table. Bass afterward joined the Free- Will Baptists, and did better; but at the time refused to make any promises, saying he might break his promise, and then that would make him a liar as well — he hated drunk- ards, but he hated liars most. He had two sons — Sion and "Doctor" Joe, and several daughters. Aside from his weakness, he is said to have been a very good man. Stewart Precinct. — Lod Dulin came to Stewart from South Carolina in 1808, and settled near the mouth of Hall's Creek on the place now owned by his grandson — Frank Dulin. He was a good farmer and an excellent citizen, and left a worthy family of five sons — Rice, E. G., Daniel M. and Lott W. In his younger days he had been a bricklayer by trade. Stephen B. Stewart from the same State came somewhat ear- lier, perhaps in the nineties, and located at the " Red House," on the road from White Plains to Madisonville. He built a horse-mill on his place, and did the grinding for his neighbors in a circuit of many miles. He had only one son, S. D. B. Stewart, though there were several daughters. Among the old Revolutionary soldiers who came at a very early day, are found the names of John Knight, of South Carolina, 1790 ; Dilmus Johnson, also of South Carolina, and present, slightly wounded, at the surrender of Cornwallis; and William Gray, of Spartansburg, S. C, who was in a number of engagements and all through the war, and who settled on the West Fork of Pond River three miles east of Crofton, where he afterward lived and died. Capt. Jonathan Clark, who deserves especial mention, is noticed in a previous chapter as a central figure in the early organization of the county. He was from the Pendle- ton District in South Carolina, and settled on the same stream as Gray, on the place now owned by John Lewis. He was both a magistrate and surveyor, owned a water-mill, and was altogether an enterprising and use- ful citizen. Moses Lacey, Maryland; Robert Lewis, North Carolina, great bear- hunter ; Samuel Devina, John Hyde, Dudley Redd, Atkinson, perhaps John and Daniel Hale, the Campbells and McLeans all came early, and settled within this precinct. These all came about the dawn of the nine- MOUNT VERNON, WILSON, FRUIT HILL AND STEWART PRECINCTS. 305 teenth or the close of the eighteenth century, and planted the seed of the present population of northeast Christian, and are therefore grouped together in this chapter. Most of them were of the Universalist or Old Baptist way of thinking, while only a small sprinkling of the other denominations was to be found interspersed here and there among them. The Universalists still hold services in the old Macedonia Church, near W. B. Clark's, four miles east of Crofton. It is a frame, 30x60 feet, with a Masonic Ledge above, and built about 1860. It was a union church, and for some time jointly occupied by the Universalists and Mis- sionary Baptists. Some of the original members of the former body were 0. A. West and wife, G. N. Johnson, G. H. Myers and wife, James M. Clark, E. R. Gray and wife and William Brown and his wife. Some of the ministers who have from time to time served them : Dr. R. Medley, Joab Clark, Dr. J. E. McCord, and his son Dr. William McCord. Owing to some disagreement among them about 1872-73 the Baptists built a log church of their own called New Macedonia, on the Scott's Mill road near John A. Lewis, where they now worship. The building is about 20x25 feet, and comfortably seated. The original membership consisted of some seven or eight members, of whom were George Myers and wife, Mrs Nancy Carr, John A. Lewis and wife and Needham Nixon and wife. The pastors who have been conspicuous for their piety and worth are, Revs. Spurlin, Mitclunn, Shandy Holland and E. Vaughn. Vaughn's Chapel of the Methodist Episcopal Church South was organized about 1870 in the Mount Vernon Precinct. It has some 150 members. Among the early members were Hiram Steele and wife, J. D. Steele and wife, Samuel McClellan and wife, George W. Shaw and wife, Samuel P. Elgin, Robert Berry and wife, John Berry and wife, John W. Campbell and family and others. Vaughn's Chapel was a combina- tion of several smaller churches, which were absorbed in its formation. The church edifice was built in 1871, and cost some $2,000. The pas- tors have been : since 1871, J. W. Emerson ; 1872-73, William Alexan- der ; 1874, Thomas Bottomley ; 1875, D. Spurrier ; 1876, J. F. Bedford ; 1877-78, William T. Moore ; 1879-80, James A. Lewis ; 1881, T. C. Peters ; 1882, J. W. Emerson ; 1883, B. F. Orr. Fairview Methodist Church was organized about 1852. It was for- merly known as Providence Church, and was an old log-house situated one mile west of Fairview Village, and had been in existence for many years. The present church edifice is a frame, and was built in 1852. It is old and much dilapidated, and efibrts are now being made with good hopes of success to build a new house. The one in use cost about $1,400 when it was built. Rev. B. F. Orr is the present pastor. Among the important Baptist churches may be mentioned the Pleas- 306 HISTORY OP CHRISTIAN COUNTY. ant Hill church on the Hopkinsville and Greenville road near Will- iam Wicks. It is a frame, about 40x60 feet, with a seating capacity of between 200 and 300, and was built about 1840. Among the early members were : Col. James Robinson (an Elder) and wife, Wyatt Mea- cham and wife, Mrs. E. A. Cash, Winchester Meacham, John West, George Myers, Robert Barnes, Mrs. Amy Weathers and Mrs. John West. Pastors : Revs. Robert Anderson, Robert Williams, W. Meacham, Calvin Meacham, N. Lacy, James Spurlin and James Barrow. The Rock Bridge, another Baptist church, was built about 1849-50. It is a log structure, and about 30x25 feet in dimensions. Nothing has been gathered as to its past or present membership, and only that the Revs. Spurlin and Meacham were for a time its pastors. The Old Baptists, who had churches at Barren Spring, Rock Spring, Petersburg and elsewhere have fallen somewhat into decay, and are fast dying out or being absorbed into other denominations. With the excep- tion of occasional services at Macedonia, they seldom have preaching any- where. The schools of this portion of the county compare favorably with those of other sections. Schools of the pioneer type were taught here very early. In later years schools supported by J;he public money have largely improved the educational facilities of this region. There is, however, room for still further improvement. The Natural or Rock Bridge which is spoken of elsewhere is in the wedge shaped strip, running up between the West Fork or McFarland's Creek and Pond River, and about six or eight miles from the confluence of those streams. There are some coal deposits in the northeast part of the county — mostly in Stewart Precinct, but they have not been developed to an extent to render them valuable. Plenty of energy and enterprise with a liberal investment of capital will make Stewart one of the richest precincts in the county. — Tydings. 0Si^rvcar~^maU^ A MODEKN COUNTRY SCHOOLHOUSE. BAINBRIDGE, HAMBY AND SCATES' MILL PRECINCTS. 809 CHAPTER XV. BAINBRIDGE, HAMBY AND SCATES' MiLL PEEOINOTS— DESCRIPTION AND TopoGBAPHT— Coal— Early Settlement— The Pioneers of Bain- bridge— Some Incidents, etc.— First-Comers to Hamby and Scates' Mill— The "Butt-Cut" of Democracy- How Clark Killed the Bear— Churches— Consolation Universalist Church— Other De- nojiinations— Schools— Pioneer Life— The Village of Crofton— Its Growth, etc., etc. THE history of these three precincts, Bainbridge, Hamby and Scates' Mill, forming the northwest portion of Christian County, are almost identical in their social, religious and political organization, and are there- fore taken together. Starting with the boundary lines of the Union Schoolhouse Precinct on the south, and the Hopkinsville Precinct on the east, the topographical, geographical and agricultural features of this part of the county are also very similar, if not identical with that already de- scribed in the northeast portion in the chapter devoted to the precincts of Mount Yemon, Fruit Hill, Wilson and Stewart. In a word, almost the entire northern half of the county is broken and hilly, and gradually in- creases in ruggedness till the coal fields along the Hopkins and Muhlen- barg County lines are reached. In this part of the county, however, the coal strata are much more inviting and promising than those lying farther to the east in Stewart and Wilson, and are destined one day to become an important factor in the commercial and manufacturing interests of the county. Several mines have already been opened up, and are now being worked in a small way, supplying coal to Hopkinsville and other minor points, but it remains to the encouraging proximity of a railroad or a stem pushed out directly into these fields, to fully develop the almost inex- haustible resources of this northwestern quarter of Christian. A road extending out through Hamby to these rich deposits in Scates' Mill is but a question of time, and when fully opened up, these mines of " black diamonds " will be a source of great revenue to the county. As has been said elsewhere, the advantages of timber, water and game attracted the pioneers to the northern parts of the county, and conse- quently the first considerable settlements were made here rather than in the timberless or "barren" sections to the south. And also as in the northeastern portions the "first comers" were principally from the Caro- linaa and Qeorgia, and a few from Virginia, Maryland and elsewhere. 310 HISTORY Of CHRISTIAN COUNTY. They located here and there along water courses, built their shanties and cabins in most unexpected places adjacent to springs, and sometimes perched upon the tops of the most inaccessible hills. The first comers to Bainbridge settled principally along the Sinking Fork of Little River, Horse Creek and other tributaries to that stream. Among them were the Torian brothers — Peter and George, and Charles McCarty, who came with them from Halifax County, Va., about 1800 or before. Like most Virginians, they were good tobacco raisers, and hav- ing a number of slaves when the markets opened up for that commodity, they became among the largest growers of the " weed " in the county. They were good citizens, and for that day comfortably well off. About the only one who had preceded them to the neighborhood was Ned Palmer, who came it is thought from the same county in Virginia, but at a much earlier date. He was a man already somewhat advanced in years before he came, and had settled on the Sinking Fork near the road lead- ing from Hopkinsville to Princeton. He had a large family of girls, one of whom married Abner Boyd. Later on when the country around had settled up somewhat Palmer built both a mill and a small distillery on his place. The old homestead is still owned by some of his descendants. Not far from Palmer's on the Princeton road, and one mile south of the Sinking Fork bridge, Malcolm McNeil settled at an early day. He was a man of much wealth, perhaps the richest man in Christian County at that day, having a large estate of land and negroes both here and in Mississippi. He is said to have been not only rich in this world's goods, but, what is exceedingly rare in the rich at all times and everywhere, rich in charity toward all men, and in incorruptible treasures laid up " where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal." As a Christian he was exemplary in all his habits, and a gentleman who was often at his house says it was his invar- iable custom, night and morning, to assemble about him his family, both white and black, and lead them in family prayer. He was married four times, and the same gentleman gives as a remarkable coincidence in con- nection with his marriages the fact that the first Mrs. McNeil was a Branch, the second a Rivers, the third a Sea, and the fourth a Body. It is to be regretted that the last Mrs. McNeil was not an Ocean instead of a Body, for then the climax would have been reached, and one might have indulged oneself in the pleasant fancy that his felicity beginning with a branch, soon deepened to a river, then widened to a sea, and finally both deepened and broadened into a mighty ocean. The only hypothesis his friends can offer for his not having married an Ocean the last time, is that having enjoyed the most diffuse forms of marital felicity in his prime, in his old age he preferred to have it more in the concrete. And no doubt BAINBRIDQE, HAMBY AND SCATES' MILL PKECINCTS. 311 the latter Mrs. McNeil was a concretion of all the virtues of all the oth- ers. Mr. McNeil afterward moved to the Lafayette Precinct where, for many years, he lived esteemed by all who knew him, and finally died at a ripe old age. He was a member of the Methodist Church, a Whig, and for that day, a man of more than ordinary culture and refinement. Joseph Bozarth and William Wood, two old " Ironside " Baptists, settled near each other at a very early day, the former about two miles northwest of the present site of Belleview, and near Horse Creek ; the latter about two miles further on to the north of Bozarth's. They were both quite early, Bozarth from Barren County, Ky., and Wood probably from one of the Carolinas. The former for many years made a regular business of hauling salt from the saline works to the infant settlements of Christian County. Further over toward the present Caldwell line on the Princeton road there long stood (and perhaps still stands) an old stone house built by Jacob Colley, who came to the county with his brother William among the very first, and died at a very early day. Will- iam owned the adjoining farm, and besides being a good hunter was noted as a good hatter also. His hats were scarcely any, if at all, inferior to the celebrated Gant hats, and were noted everywhere among the early pioneers for their finish and durability. Among other early settlers were Clement Wood, near " Savage Hol- low," Hicks, the ancestor of Hamlin, John K. and William, who settled on the Muddy Fork north of the Princeton road, and Cal- mase, who for many years kept a house of "entertainment" about one mile east of Oakland. Oalroese is said to have been beside a pleasant host a man of unbounded loquacity, and anecdotes were told of his hav- ing on various occasions talked his guests to death. These were long the standing jokes of the neighborhood, and grew out of the fact that a stranger had died suddenly at his house. " Mine host " had talked him to death, of course. Later on (1814) William, John and Henry Lander, brothers, came from Clark County, Ky., the two former settling in the Bainbridge, and the latter in the Union Schoolhouse Precinct- They were originally from Virginia, and men of considerable property. William at one time bought 2,600 acres of land in one body. Solomon Cates was his nearest and his only neighbor for miles around. William B. Lander, a grandson, possesses an heirloom in the shape of a gridiron received from his grand- mother Lwder, which is memorable from the fact that George Washirg- ington once ate cakes cooked upon it for him by her mother. Besides these there were others scattered here and there, some of whom came ear- lier and some later, but these are sufficient to give the type of the first adventurer! into this part of the county. 312 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. Hamhy Precinct. — Further up the country in the precincts of Ham- by and Scates' Mill, the Pooles, Razors, Chrismans, Ricketts, Hopsons, Coons, Armstrongs, Williamses, Boyds, Hambys, Keyeses and others in the precinct of Hamby, and McKnights, Parkers, Collinses, Thompsons, Alexanders, Adamses, Browns, Longs, Ladds, Clarks and McCords in the precinct of Scates' Mill, settled at a very early day, many of them being largely identified with the early political organization of the county. The Clarks were among the earliest oflBcers, and figure largely upon the official records of the county. They are frequently mentioned elsewhere. Most of our readers will remember the familiar figure of Philip Ham- by, the " butt-cut-of Democracy" still living, who settled just north of the Buttermilk road about nine miles from Hopkinsville. Besides being a Magistrate of the county, for many years he led a " forlorn hope " against the serried ranks of Whigs and Know-Nothings. In spite of early discouragements and disappointments he has lived to see the principles of his party phoenix-like rise from the ashes of war and defeat and spread their aegis over the whole land. In his younger days he was quite fleshy and being low of stature fitly represented the "butt- cut" of his party. It is related of him that on one occasion he had the misfortune to be thrown from his horse, and in the fall received very severe injuries. Some time afterward on his way to court, the same animal shied with him violently at the same point in the road, and on recovering his seat in the saddle, he is said to have remarked good humoredly : "Well! you old brute, you ! your memory is certainly to be admired, but I'm sorry I can- not commend your judgement as well." The Rev. Dr. J. E. McCord will also be remembered by many who read these pages. He was a man of fine native abilities, and on several occasions set himself for the defense of his peculiar views as a Universal- ist. The most memorable of his debates was with the Rev. T. C. Frogge, a Methodist preacher, in which he is said to have displayed much astute- ness and force as a debater. On one occasion, he pronounced a memora- ble oration over the remains of a Fort Donelson hero, and by way of prelude recited the following original " poem : " — " RESPECTED AUDITORY : We are called to-day to mourn the loss, Occasioned by the death of J. H. Doss. At Fort Donelaon when the battle waxed hot, He fired ten rounds and then he got shot. The brave boy when he went away Promised to return another day ; But that he is dead is now no joke. For he was killed by the rebels under Leonidas Polk. That his soul is now safe and sound with his Lord Is the prayer of the Rev. Dr. J. B. MoCord." BAINBRIDGE, HAMBY AND SCATES' MILL PRECINCTS. 313 The oration that followed is said to have been the most eloquent of its kind ever delivered to a Christian County -audience, and is remem- bered by those who heard it as one of the grandest eflfbrts of his life. Josiah Anderson, son of James Anderson of North Carolina, an old Revolutionary hero, was born at an old fort near Nashville, Tenn. , as his parents were en route to Logan County, Ky. Josiah was early apprenticed to a cabinet-maker at Russellville, and while there made the coffin in which was buried the unfortunate Dickinson, killed by Gen. Jackson in a duel. Having removed to Hopkinsville in 1808, on the breaking out of the war of 1812 he joined Capt. Allsbury's company, and under the command of that gallant officer followed the fortunes of Gen. Hopkins in his Northwestern campaign. On his return having married Miss Agnes Fountain he settled in Hamby Precinct, and reared a large family of sons and daughters. He subsequently removed to his farm, three miles south of Hopkinsville, where he died full of years and honor in his ninety-first year. The following incident is related of Lemuel Clark, an early pioneer of Scates' Mill, by one of his descendants. When about eleven years of age, he one morning wrapped himself in his father's overcoat, and steal- ing " Old Bess " the trusty rifle slipped out before day on an impromptu turkey-hunt. Passing through a small clump of oak saplings not far from the house, he suddenly came upon a dark object lying before him in his path. Seeing it move, but not being able in the gray of the morning to make out just exactly what it was, he raised his gun and fired. The ball cut the bark from a sapling just above the line of the dark object, which, rising to its feet, discovered to the youthful hunter the presence of a full grown bear. In his hurry to reload, young Clark broke his ramrod and had to step aside to get a hazel-twig, which he had scarcely cut and trimmed before he saw the bear making toward him. Sending the ball home, and hastily throwing the gun up to his shoulder, Clark fired, and then turned and ran off as fast as his legs could carry him. Telling his father of the circumstance, after daylight they returned to- gether to the scene of the rencounter, and finding blood upon the ground, soon tracked his bearship to a distant copse where he lay drawing his last breath. The last shot though fired at random had entered a vital part and cut short his pursuit of the embryo hunter. Clark lived to be grown, and afterward became one of the most noted hunters of his day. Jacob Morris, also of Scates' Mill, is said to have been a man of sterling integrity. It is told of him that he once became involved as security for a friend, and not having the money by him with which to cancel the debt he at once took leave of his family and started for the saline works on Saline Creek, in Illinois. Here at two bits a day he toiled diligently 314 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTT. for many long weary months till the necessary amount had been accumu- lated, and then returned home to discharge the debt. His buckskin breeches are said to have become so stiffened by repeated absorptions of salt water that he could scarcely stoop or sit down in them. But enough of the early pioneers to this northwest portion of the county. They were a sturdy race of adventurous men and women, and the difficulties they encountered might well have appalled the stoutest and bravest hearts. The regions round about were an unbroken wilder- ness, peopled by savage beasts and lurking foes, and day and night made hideous and dismal by the hoots of wide-eyed owls or the blood-curdling shrieks of prowling panthers. Amid all this they lived and toiled on day after day, scanty of food and clothing and all the conveniences and com- forts of domestic life. In their seclusion they had no opportunity for the cultivation of any of the arts and elegancies of refined life ; schools, churches and social gatherings of any kind were for a long time but the faint echo of a past civilization back in the older States. A gentleman's diary, from which we are permitted to quote, will give some fainl^ conception of those primitive times and customs. He says: I well recollect the first time I ever saw a tea cup and saucer, and tasted coffee. My mother died when I was six years old, and my father then sent me to school at Balti- more, Md. On reaching the town of Russellville on my way, I found everything new and strange. The tavern at which I stopped was a brick house, and to make the change still more complete, it was plastered on the inside, both as to the walls and ceilings. On going into the dining room, I was struck with astonishment at the appearance of the house. I had no idea there was a house in the world not built of logs or poles ; but here I looked around the house and could see no logs, and above I could see no joists. Whether such a thing had been made so by the hands of man or grown so of itself I could not conjecture. I had not the courage to in- quire anything about it. I watched attentively to see what the "big folks" would do with their little cups and spoons. I imitated them, and found the taste of the coffee nauseous beyond anything I had ever tasted in my life. I continued to drink as the rest of the company did, with tears streaming from my eyes ; but when and where it was all to end I was at a loss to know, as the little cups were filled immediately upon being emptied. This circumstance distressed me exceedingly, and I durst not for the life of me say I had enough. Looking attentively at the grand persons about me and watching their maneuvers, I at last nn one of the guests turn his cup bottom upward and put his little spoon across it. I observed after this his cup was not filled again. I followed his example, and to my great satisfaction the result as to my cup was the same." The hunting shirt was universally worn. This was a loose frook, reach- BAINBRIDQB, HAMBY AND SCATES' MILL PRECINCTS. 816 ing half way down the thighs, with large sleeves, open before, and so wide as to lap over when belted. It generally had a cape, and was made of cloth or buck-skin. The bosom of this shirt served as a wallet, to hold bread, jerked venison, tow for wiping out the rifle, or any other necessary article for the warrior pr hunter. The belt, which was tied behind, an- swered several purposes besides that of holding the dress together. Moc- casins for the feet, and generally a coon-skin cap for the head, made up the fashionable outfit of the backwoods hunter and brave. Linsey-woolsey petticoats, with an overdress of the same material, were the dress of the women of those days. On Sundays and other extra occasions, a cotton handkerchief across the breast, and a pair of home-made shoes on the feet made up the tout ensemble of the average belle of the backwoods. Weddings were, par excellence, the grand occasions of those days. As there were no distinctions in rank, everybody in the whole neighborhood for a radius of many miles assembled at the bride's cabin on the day of the expected nuptials. After dinner the dancing commenced and was kept up with little intermission till the following day. After supper, about 10 or 11 o'clock, a deputation of young ladies would steal off the blushing bride, ascend the ladder to the loft, and passing softly over the loft-floor, made of rough puncheons or clap-boards pinned down with wooden pins, put her to bed. A little later a deputation of young men would steal off the groom,' and similarly put him to bed, and then return to the dance below. The next day the " infair " as it was called, went on at the house of the groom, much as it had at the house of the bride's parents, and some- times this feasting and merry-making was kept up for days together. For some time, as we have said, this was a country without churches or schools, but as the tide of immigration continued to flow in, and the settlements began to be more thickly populated, occasional schoolhouses were built which answered both as seats of learning and temples of wor- ship. In these for many years the simple yeomen and their families gathered about the " ambassadors for Christ," and listened to their homely preachings. Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Universaliats and all other denominations worshiped together, and were alike glad to welcome to the neighborhood the " itinerants " of each church. It is impossible now to give the religious composition of these early settlements or say who was first to organize into separate and distinct organizations. The records of most have been lost and we can only give the bare fact that such and such churches now exist. The West Union Baptist Church, located near Belle View, Christian Co., Ky., was constituted in November, 1819. Seventeen persons were in the constitution, seven males and ten females. The ofliciating presby- tery consisted of Elders John Mallory, Dudley Williams and David Hag- 316 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN CODNTr. gard. David Haggard was an ordained preacher and was one of the con- stituent members, and for ten years next succeeding the constitution of the church was its principal pulpit supply, though never recognized as its pastor. Elder Haggard was a good man, but J)0S8essed very little abilty as a preacher and very few were added to the church under his ministry. In January, 1831, Elder Dudley Williams, a man of respectable ability, was chosen pastor, which position he held for eight years. Under his pastorate the church was built up and strengthened by a number of very valuable accessions ; among them may be mentioned : James Jones, Dr. I. M. Wooldridge and 0. W. Roach. This trio were made deacons, and using the office of deacons well they became very useful men in the church. Dr. I. M. Wooldridge was a successful practicing physician, a noble specimen of the Christian gentleman, liberal of his ample means, the poor man's friend, a generous contributor to the cause of missions, the friend of education and the safe adviser of his pastor. After a life of usefulness he died in 1872, loved and lamented by a large circle of friends. Deacon C. W. Roach was his devoted friend and fellow-laborer, his peer in faith and good works, for many years the clerk of the Little River Association, a man of liberal views and broad influence ; he died in 1875. Deacon James Jones died in 1840 in the midst of his usefulness. Elder Williams was succeeded by Elder John S. Wilson, an earnest, able minister of the New Testament, who after serving the church one year, was called to Louisville, where he settled and subsequently died. During the year 1840 the church had no pastor ; the pulpit was filled by Elders Kelly, Rondeau and others. In January, 1841, Elder John W. Kelly was elected pastor and commenced his labors in ameetingof two weeks' continuance, resulting in a large number of very valuable accessions ; men who gave much strength to the church, which had now become an efficient body. Elder Kelly, after a pastorate of only six months with large suc- cess, died on the 14th of June, 1841. One incident connected with his ministry with this church will suffice to show what type of man he was. He had been under the necessity, as he thought, of reproving a couple of rough, wicked men for misbehaving in church. After he returned home they sent him word that if he returned to fill his next appointment they would take him out of the pulpit and cowhide him. On Saturday morn- ing in due time Elder Kelly walked into the house of worship with his saddle bags on his arm ; he entered the pulpit, and placing his Bible and a pistol on the pulpit before him, he calmly remarked, " My friends, I have come here not to offend nor molest any man but to preach the gospel of Christ, and with the help of God I expect to accomplish what I came to do." His would-be assailants though present made no demonstration whatever. After the death of Elder Kelly, Elder Robert T. Anderson BAINBRIDGE, IIAMBY AND SCATKS' MILL rRECINCTS. 317 was elected pastor, which position he held for a term of thirteen years. Elder Anderson had enjoyed good educational advantages and had quite a reputation as a preacher, and was very successful as a pastor ; he was much beloved, and his death which occurred in 1854 was deeply deplored by a large circle of friends. He had been the efiBcient clerk of the Bethel Association for a number of years. Elder A. W. Meacham was the successor of Elder Anderson. He commenced his labors as pastor January, 1854. At that time it was the custom of the church to hold an annual election for pastor ; for seven suc- cessive years Elder Meacham was elected without any opposition. Dur- ing these seven years 160 persons were added to the church, which was at that time large and prosperous. In 1861 Elder Meacham was again elected by a very large majority, a small faction opposing. This call he promptly declined upon the ground that the church was not united. From January, 1861, to June, 1862, the church had no pastor, a majority pre- ferring Elder Meacham, a faction opposing. In June, 1862, the oppos- ing faction having been reduced to one single member. Elder Meacham was again called and accepted, and served the church as pastor for four successive years, during which time eighty-two members were added to the church. During the fall of 1866 a faction, one of whom was selling whisky, became disaflfected toward the pastor, upon which he promptly resigned upon the ground that he would not be the pastor of a church that permitted its members to deal in intoxicating drinks as a beverage. For several years the church was not prosperous though it enjoyed the labors of able and good men : Elder T. G. Keen, D. D., one year, two additions; Elder R. W. Morehead, one year and six months, no additions; Elder R. A. Massey, two years, one accession ; Elder S. F. Forgy, one year, and Elder R. W. Buckly, six months, no additions to the church. Elder Buckly resigned, and Elder A. W. Meacham was recalled. The church though not very large (having given letters to members to form three other churches) is united and prosperous, occupying a commodious house of worship, well furnished, situated in a beautiful grove of forest trees. The first house of worship occupied by this church was a rude log structure situated nine miles west of Hopkinsville, on the south side of the old Eddyville road. The second was a substantial brick, 42x56 feet, located in Belle "View, two miles west of their former building. Their pres- ent house is wood, 44x56, well finished and neatly furnished. It stands in a grove one-half mile south of Belle View. It has but sixty-five mem- bers. Its oflicers are as follows : A. W. Meacham, Pastor; Ben Bacon, Church Clerk ; James White, G. W. Lander, R. H. Wilson, H. H. Bryant, E. A. Stowe, Deacons. 318 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. Consolation. Universalist Church. — The following sketch was written for this work by E. Renshaw : About seventy-five years ago there came into this neighborhood a trav- eling preacher by the name of William Lowe, whose home was then in Simpson County, Ky. This preacher happened to call at the house of James E. Clark, who was then residing in the vicinity where Consolation Church was afterward established, and in conversation the preacher soon discovered the fact that the religious views of Mr. Clark were exactly in unison with his own. The neighbors were soon notified that a new preacher would preach the following evening at Mr. Clark's house, and it is said that a large congregation, for that day and time, assembled, and the doctrine promulgated by the new preacher was generally accepted and be- lieved by the hearers. The preacher was requested to leave another ap- pointment, which he .readily agreed to. This appointment I am informed embraced the third Sunday in May, 1819, when a church organization was regularly established. The first person who joined was James C. Clark, the next was Hannah, his wife ; then Anna Clark, wife of Lemuel Clark, also John Keys and Ursula, his wife ; Samuel Underwood and Tabitha, his wife ; Thomas Fruit and wife, William Henderson, T. B. Pool, Jonathan Clark, David T. Jones and others. As the early records of the church have been lost, I only write from memory and the best in- formation I can get. The preacher agreed to visit the church the third Sunday in every third month, which promise he faithfully kept for more than fifteen years, and under his ministration the church continued to grow and prosper. The old man finally wore out, sickened and died. To say that Father Lowe was a good man is not saying enough; he was a righteous man and a Christian in every sense of the word. " Blessed are they that die in the Lord, for their good works do follow them," and here I must mention one little incident in his life : Once when he was down here preaching he was riding a horse that did not exactly suit him, and old brother Thomas Fruit told him that he would swap with him, and let him have a horse that would suit him better. The trade was consummated by Fruit giving Lowe $10 to boot, and when he (Lowe) came back he went to Fruit and said : " Brother Fruit, I am not satisfied with my horse swap with you." Fruit asked what was the matter. Lowe said : " I have got a horse that suits me better than the one did that I let you have, and now this $10 bill is not mine, and you must take it back." Whereupon Fruit remonstrated and told him it was fair trading. Lowe said : " Take it ; my conscience will condemn me if I keep it." . Then it was that Joab Clark, being deeply imbued with the doctrine of God's imparted grace, took upon himself the cross and became a preacher of the doctrine of universal salvation. The people in the neigh- BAINBRIDQE, HAMBY AND SCATES' MILL PRECINCTS. 319 borhood of all sects and denominations turned out in mass and built a log meeting-house, 24x28 feet. This was about forty-nine or fifty years ago, and after some little parley about a name it was agreed to call it Consola- tion. It is situated about thirteen miles northwest from Hopkinsville, immediately on the Buttermilk road. At this house Joab Clark continued to preach for about forty-eight years, and never would accept one cent for his services. During this long period we were frequently visited and had the ser- vices of the following preachers : L. T. Brasher, W. G. Bobbitt, T. B. Pool, William Curry, Stellyard Scott, D. M. Wooldridge, Thomas Abbott, J. E. McCord, Dr. Medley, W. E. McCord, L. F. Andrews, G. W. Bur- russ, L. M. Pope, and Marcus Scott. The church, however, is now in rather a forlorn condition. Since the death of the Rev. Joab Clark we have had no regular preaching. Consequently a great many of the mem- bers have become cold, careless or lukewarm ; some have died, others have moved off, speculation and the hope of worldly gain has seized others. Among the Methodist Churches in this part of the county may be mentioned the Cave Spring Church, Mount Carmel and Pleasant Green. About the most flourishing Baptist Church to be found is that known as the Sinking Fork Baptist Church on the Princeton road about six miles Irom Hopkinsville. The building is of brick, about 40x5'J feet, and is of good finish both inside and out. It has a present membership of about ibO. There are other churches of this denomination and of the old Baptist as well, but we have not been able to gather anything of their history. The Keformers or Christians had a church at Harmony Grove organ- ized 1873 by Elders Robert Dulin and V. M. Metcalf, with about fifty members, but about three years afterward it was burned down. Since that time they have been worshiping at Hardy's Schoolhouse or in private houses. Their new house which is being erected on the site of the old is now nearly completed, and when finished will give them a comfortable as well as commodious house in which to worship. Their present member- ship is about the same as when organized. Among those who have preached for them are Elders Davis, Hester and White. At present they have no pastor. The most considerable and important town in the three precincts is Crofton, in Scates' Mill, on the Louisville & Nashville Railroad. It is of modern date, having been founded in 1871 by Mr. J. B. Croft, but already numbers some 300 or 350 inhabitants. As a business and educational point it is of much importance to that part of the county. It has twelve stores, comprising dry goods, grocery and drug stores, one large flouring- 320 HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. mill, the Crofton Merchant and Custom Mill, and two or more blacksmith shops. Its educational institutions are said to be excellent of their kind, and are three in number. The Male and Female Academy, taught by Prof. Ingraham and Mrs. Kate Yeargin, is the principal of these, and numbers an average attendance of some thirty or forty pupils. The building ia a large, two-story frame, 30x60 feet, and is furnished throughout with pat- ent folding desks. Miss Leah Boxley's private school has an average attendance of between twenty and twenty-five pupils. The public school taught by Mrs. Hancock has some eighteen or twenty pupils. Besides some fifty res- idences there is one church, Methodist Episcopal Church South, three tobacco warehouses, handling something near one million pounds per year, one pork-packing establishment, a postoffice, express oflSce and a tel- egraph office. The town is well supplied with physicians, there being four to look after the health of the community. There are a few other unimportant villages, cross-road stores, etc., scattered throughout this portion of the county, but they are not deemed of sufficient importance to require extended mention. — Tydings. PART II. HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. History of Trigg County. CHAPTER I. Introductory— Topography and Geology— Iron Ore— The Iron In- dustry— Purnaces Erected in Trigg County— Richness of the Min- eral Deposits— Streams and Their Value as Water Highways- Soils AND Productions — Tobacco and Other Crops— Farming Highly Reputable— Mounds— The Prb-Historic People— Settle- ment of the Whites— Who They Were and Where They Came From— The Settlement at Cerulean Springs— Between the Rivers Settled— On Dyer's Creek— Other Settlements in the County- How THE People Lived in the Pioneer Days— Their Family Sup- plies — Mills, Meal and Flour— Game and Hunting — Fishing, etc. A FEW decades ago and this country was the home of the red man -^^-^ and his kindred, these great forests his hunting-grounds where he chased the buffalo and deer. From a wilderness infested with savages and wild beasts the country has been reclaimed and transformed into unsurpassed loveliness. The history which attaches to every section of it increases in yearly interest, and must continue to do so with the passing years. Every county has its traditions and memories; every spot, how- ever small, is more or less historical. Trigg County, to which these chap- ters are devoted, bears no mean part in the history or the importance of the State, as she bears no inconsiderable part in the history of our com- mon country. Topography. — Trigg County lies on the Tennessee line in the south- western part of the State, and is bounded on the north by Lyon and Cald- well Counties ; on the east by Christian County ; on the south by the State of Tennessee ; and on the west by Calloway and Marshall Counties, from which it is separated by the Tennessee ^iver, the dividing line between " Jackson's Purchase " and the older settled portion of Kentucky. It is drained and watered by the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers, the latter of which flows north almost through the center of the county, and the tributaries of these streams. The surface is diversified between rough and broken hills and beautiful and undulating valleys of productive lands. 6 HISTORY OF TKIGG COUNTY. The original timber was several kinds of oak, hickory, -walnut, maple, ash, elm, sycamore, poplar, etc., and hazel, willow, cedar and other shrubs. Quite a portion of the county was what was called "barrens." The geological structure of Trigg County is so similar to that of Christian County that it is needless to go into a detailed description of it, as it is fully described in the first part of this volume. A few words upon the subject in this chapter will suffice. The eastern part of the county averages from level to rolling or undulating, while that portion lying between the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers is broken and hilly, and abounds in lime and conglomerate sandstone, the latter predominat- ing. High, steep banks border the Tennessee River, with ledges of rocks in great plenty. The finest of limestone may be found in almost all parts of the county, but most prominent outcrops are in Wallonia and Cerulean Springs Precincts. The blue limestone makes a fine building stone, and is much used as such. There is also a very good sandstone in the neigh- borhood of Cerulean Springs which is utilized for foundations and for chimneys, also for grindstones. Between, the rivers (the Tennesse and Cumberland) a fine quality of, iron ore is found. Iron Ore. — As early as 1841 iron ore was the source of an important industry, and several large iron furnaces were put in operation. In the year above mentioned T. T. Watson of Tennessee purchased a large tract of land in what is now Ferguson Springs Precinct, and erected the Em- pire Furnace. He operated it very successfully for about a year, when Daniel Hillman, also of Tennessee, bought a half interest in the business, and immediately the firm erected the Fulton Furnace just over the line in Lyon County. At Watson's death, which occurred some two years later, Hillman became sole owner. He soon after built the Center Furnace three miles west of the Cumberland River, which he operated on a more extensive scale than the others. This enterprise represented a capital of several thousand dollars, and gave employment to about one hundred men. The Empire Furnace was of a limited capacity, and was abandoned in 1861-62, and its business transferred to the Center, which is still in ope- ration. In the year 1845 Messrs, Stacker & Ewing of Tennessee built the Stacker Furnace on the east bank of the Cumberland River, where the village of Linton now stands. This proved a very successful venture, and a handsome fortune to the proprietors was the result. Thinking to further increase their business they sold the furnace in a few years, and commenced the erection of a very large one in Tennessee, but before its completion they became financially embarrassed and were compelled to give up the project. Stacker Furnace was operated by different parties until 1856, when it was abandoned, owing to the ore in its vicinity becom- HISTORY OF TRIGG CODNTT. 7 ing exhausted. The last proprietors were Lewis Erum & Co., who abandoned it as above. Laura Furnace was built in 1855 some two miles west of Cumberland River by Gentry, Gunn & Co., of Tennessee, who invested in it a capital of about $40,000. They gave employment to 120 or 130 men, and carried on a very successful business for three years. The furnace was then purchased by George P. Wilcox, who operated it until 1860-61. The civil war seriously interfered with the iron interests of this region, and for several years Laura Furnace remained idle, to the great loss of the proprietors, who were thus financially ruined. It has been operated only at intervals since 1865. Pringle & Co., of Pittsburgh, had charge of it in 1871, and Whitlock, McNichols & Co. leased it for a short time a year or two later, but did not make the business lucrative. The property is now owned by C. Seninger, of Pittsburgh, but is not in operation. Trigg Furnace was erected by Daniel Hillman in 1871, and stands east of the Cumberland River in the Rock Castle District. This is the largest furnace ever built in the county, and at the time of its completion represented a capital of $60,000. It was constructed upon an improved plan, employed the hot blast, and required the labor of about 150 men to operate it properly. It produced a superior .quality of iron, and was in operation about seven years. At the end of that time it was discon- tinued on' account of the enormous expense required to operate it and the scarcity of ore on the proprietor's lands. The mineral deposits, principally iron ore with limited deposits of lead, are very rich in the county, and only require plenty of capital to properly develop them. Railroads are much needed in order to develop the country and render its hidden treasures more valuable. With plenty of railroad facilities, and competition in the transportation of fiiel to the works and the products of the works to market, this would soon become the richest portion of Trigg County. The day is not far distant when these rich deposits will be brought to light. Streams. — The most important stream aside from the Tennessee Riv- er, which forms the western boundary of the county, is the Cumberland River. It is a fine stream, and as an avenue of transportation and travel is of the greatest benefit to the country. In the early period of the country's history it was the sole mode of transportation almost for the early settlers, as there were no roads but trails through the forests and barrens. Boating was carried on extensively until the era of railroads rendered water transportation too slow a method. Those who have only known the country under the railroad systems can form but little idea of the river business of early times. Flat-boats and even steamboats were 8 HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. loaded with the produce of the country, and passed out into the Ohio River, thence into the Mississippi, and down to New Orleans — then the great market of the country. In this respect the Cumberland River .was far more important to Trigg County than the Tennessee, in that it flowed almost through the center of the county. Little River is the most important tributary of the Cumberland in this section. It flows in a general northwesterly direction, and empties into the Cumberland near Canton. It is the crookedest stream perhaps in the world, and flows to every point of the compass sometimes within the distance of a mile. At one time it was considered a navigable stream, and small boats came up as far as Cadiz. Efforts have been made to ob- tain an appropriation from the National Government for its improvement, but the fact of its location south of Mason and Dixon's line has so far defeated the laudable undertaking. Its principal tributaries are Muddy Fork, Casey's Creek, Dyer's Creek and Sinking Fork. The latter receives its name from the fact that it sinks into the earth at a certain point, re- appearing a mile or two distant. Along these streams as everywhere in the cavernous limestone region are numberless caves, some of which have been explored to a considerable distance. They are more fully described, however, in the precinct histories. Soils and Productiong. — Adjacent to the streams the soil is alluvium of great depth and fertility. On the higher«land8 is a clay soil, in the limestone region a red clay, which is very productive. The higher ridge land rests on a light clay, and is much less productive than the red clay. Wheat and corn are grown extensively, and are well adapted to the soils of the county. Tobacco however is the principal crop, and has been produced to an extent to injure and wear out the lands prematurely. It will be a bright period in the history of the county when the farmers cease raising so much tobacco and give their time and attention to stock- raising and the production of grain. The latter industries are already beginning to receive more attention each year, which is to the prosperity of the county. But there is room for still greater change and improve- ment. Tobacco is considered by many one of the most valuable crops pro- duced in the United States, but in its cultivation comes the real " drudg- ery" of farm life. It is never off the farmer's hands, for before he can get his crop into market he is preparing for another crop, and thus it goes on from year to year. A great need of the times is to make rural life so attractive and at the same time to make pecuniary profit in it so pos- sible as to hold the boys and young men on the farm. This can hardly be done by the universal growing of tobacco. It is a very mistaken idea of gentility, of ease of life, of opportunities for culture or for winning HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. 9 fame, which draws a large percentage of the brightest boys into the so- called learned professions, or into trade. With proper surroundings of the home, with a proper education at school, with a proper administration of the economies of the farm, with a suflGcient understanding of the op- portunities for a high order of intellectual and social accomplishment in the rural life of this country, this need not and would not be so. This is not intended as a wholesale condemnation of the growing of tobacco, which it is to be confessed is a necessary evil ; but it is merely to show the advisability of more equally dividing the crops cultivated. Grow less tobacco, and more corn, wheat, clover and grass, and raise more stock. A few years will disclose the value of the change in more ways than one. Mounds. — That a strange and semi-civilized people resided through- out all the country in times which antedate the Indians' occupancy of the soil is established by conclusive evidence, aside from the most universal denial of the savage tribes of their having had any participation in the erection of the vast number of earthworks scattered throughout the con- tinent. All that is known of this mysterious people has been discovered from the decaying remnants of their works; but their origin and final fate are enshrouded in hopeless obscurity. Although the pre-historic re- mains of Trigg County are few in number and comparatively uninterest- ing in detail, yet a few words here may not be out of place, descriptive of some of the more prominent ones. The largest mound in the county perhaps is the one near Canton. It covers about one-eighth of an acre of ground, and when first known to white people was of considerable height. On opening this mound a num- ber of axes (stone), pipes, and other relics of the Mound-Builder were found in profusion. An image was also found, which from its appearance might be a statue of the "lost link " between man and the "Darwinian theory." On the Grace farm, in Cadiz Precinct, is another large mound. This mound has likewise been opened, and in it were found a large nam- ber of relics. Smaller mounds than the two above described are found in other parts of the county, principally in the neighborhoods of Cerulean Springs, Roaring Springs, etc., etc. They are noticed further in the chapters devoted to those particular sections, and further mention here is superfluous. Settlement by White People.— It is diflicult at this remote period to fix upon the exact year in which white men first came into what now con- stitutes Trigg County. But from the most authentic of the scant sources of information it appears to have been as early as 1778. " The first of these were hardy adventurers from the Carolinas, who floated down the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers on flat-boats, and after erecting a few temporary huts contiguous to the banks of the streams, remained but a 10 HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. few years and then suddenly disappeared, leaving no traces behind them except the rude habitations that could not be dignified with the appella- tion of cabins. What their object was speculation can hardly furnish a conjecture. There are no evidences of their having been hunters or trap- pers, and the fact of their showing no disposition to plant even so much as a patch of corn, was a conclusive proof that if they had a motive at all, it was not an agricultural one." The next comers, according to Col- lins, were Dr. Thomas Walker and Daniel Smith, the Virginia Commis- sioners appointed to establish the boundary line between the western por- tions of Virginia and North Carolina (now Kentucky and Tennessee), and their surveying party. " On the 23d of March, 1780, having run the line entirely across the county westward, and across Tennessee River, they closed their survey according to directions from Richmond. They made a tolerably good map of Cumberland River, the first that was ever made. One of them went down the river with the baggage while the other proceeded through the woods with the survey. Their report speaks of the Cumberland as a ' fine stream, navigable at least 700 miles above its mouth.' " Following close after these came several families of permanent settlers, but few of whom have left any traces behind them. The site of one of the first oldest settlements in the county is in the neighborhood of Ceru- lean Springs, but the names of the majority of the first-comers have long since faded from the memory of the oldest inhabitants. As early as 1782 or 1783, Robert Goodwin, of North Carolina, and his sons Samuel and Jesse, were living near where Robert Goodwin, Jr., now resides, a short distance from the village of Cerulean Springs. They were, like the ma- jority of the early pioneers, fond of their gun, and were good hunters, but when the season was over for the pursuit of game, they displayed a laud- able ambition for some more permanent industrial business enterprise. They cleared up fields, planted and cultivated them, and aside from look- ing after their farming interests, paid considerable attention to the raising of domestic animals. They had considerable herds of cattle in a very early day, and seemed much more fortunate with them in the neighbor- hood of the springs than in any other localities. After the Goodwins came the Spencers, James Daniel and sons Elijah and George, John Blakely, William Johnson, Joel Thompson, John Goode, Eli Hasber, Ja- cob Stinebaugh, John Guthrie, David Haggerd, Samuel Campbell, Wiley Wilson, Seth Pool, Joel Wilson, William Wilson and Adam Thompson, all of whom became citizens, and had homes in the northern part of the county as early as 1800. Between the Rivers. — About the same time of the second influx of permanent residents, quite a settlement had sprung up between the rivers. HISTOKY OF TRIGG COUNTY. 11 " Allan Grace, the grandfather of W. D. Grace, lived in a block-house near the present location of Kedd's tanyard as early as 1793, and there were older settlers than he." Moses McWaters and his sons John, Levi and Davis, Robert Forgeson, Abraham Lash, Robert Ferguson, James Benham and Eli Kilgore were all living between the rivers shortly after the beginning of the present century. " The settlements on Dyer's Creek, Donaldson's, Casey's Creek and Sinking Fork were all made about the year 1798. It is possible, how- ever, that the settlement on Dyer's Creek was made one or two years in advance of the rest. John Mayberry was living one-fourth of a mile from the mouth of the creek, and having a small field opened, the indications are that he had been there a year or so previous to that time." Near the head of the creek lived a man by name of Thedford, who built a rudely constructed horse-mill near the site of Trigg Furnace as early as 1798. His brother, James Thedford, "squatted" in the same locality, and op- posite the old Empire Iron Works an old man by name of Gillahan had a cabin about the same time. A man by name of Curtis was one of the earliest pioneers of the county and made his first improvements on what is known as the Dyer farm. John Grasty came from South Carolina, and settled not far from Trigg Furnace, near which place he taught the first school in Trigg County. The Standrods came to the county as early as 1807, and settled on the road between Princeton and Rock Castle. Other early settlers located in the same neighborhood, of whom a more extended notice will be given in the precinct history. The Dry Creek settlement dates from about the year 1798, at which time a large family of the Westers came from North Carolina, and located homes at various places along the stream. " They were a hardy, impul- sive, energetic, upright family of people ; loved the adventurous spirit that characterized the inhabitants of a new country, and as soon as the settlement on Dry Creek began to crowd them, they pulled up stakes and crossed the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers into Jackson's Purchase, where they said they wanted a wider range and more elbow room." Sam- uel Skinner and his brothers William, Joseph, Theophilus and Wiley, came from North Carolina, and settled not far from the village of Linton as early as 1802-03. Richard Ricks, Jesse Cox (a Baptist Preacher), William Scott, John Tinsley, William and Henry Bibb, David Rogers and Abel Olive all settled in what is now Canton Precinct at or near the date mentioned above. Other Settlements. — As early as the year 1800 the most populous and thrifty settlements in the county were on Donaldson Creek. The most prominent families who resided there at that time were those of John Futrell, Shadrach Futrell, Drury Bridges, Josiah Outland, Enos Outland, 12 HISTORY OF TBIGG COUNTY. Joel Cohoon, James Lawrence, Basil Holland, Nathan Futrell, James Dixon, Hiram Dixon, John Wilson, Sr., John Wilson, Jr., Ben Wilson, James Wilson, John Craig, James, Joshua, Caleb and Carlton Lindsay, " Larry " Killabrew, the majority of whom came from North Carolina. James Thomas came in the summer of 1806, and settled in the same neighborhood. A further notice of this prominent family will be found in the history of Canton Precinct. Another old settled portion of the county is in the neighborhood of Roaring Springs, and the most prominent families living there prior to 1820 were those of Elijah Burbridge, James Daniel, John Ford, Corne- lius Burnett, the father of Dr. Isaac Burnett, John Greenwade, Elder Mc- Cullom, William Cook, the Northingtons, Lindsays, Dawsons, Blantons, Ledfords, Millers, Torians, Colemans, Crenshaws, etc. The settlement at Boyd's Landing, or Canton, as it is now known, was made about the year 1799, by Abraham Boyd, the most noted and prominent of all the early settlers of Trigg County. A more elaborate account of this distinguished family will be found elsewhere in this volume. Other early families that should be mentioned in this chapter are the Wadlingtons, Cunninghams, Osbornes, Carrs, Sheltons, Norvells, Mathi- ses, Dawsons, Sumners, Campbells, Binghams, Bakers, McCulloms, Mc- Cullochs and Thompsons. The foregoing list comprises only a portion of the pioneers deserving mention, and in the history of the various precincts will be found additional names and facts concerning the early settlements. Pioneer HardsMps. — The first thing for the family to do was to erect the little log-cabin, and while this was being done by the men, assisted by the neighbors who came for the purpose four or five miles, the families were obliged to live in the carts or in a tent of boughs, bark and blankets, or in the cabin of some neighbor. The cabin, such as it was, often with- out floor or permanent roof, and destitute of door or window, was very often ready for occupancy at night of the day it was begun. Blankets served for doors, greased paper for windows, while the floor was perhaps the bare earth. The furniture was such as the settler could manufac- ture with an ax and auger. Hand tools when possessed were always a part of the load, and nothing was more advantageous to the pioneer in setting up housekeeping in a new country. Bedsteads were often made by boring a hole in the wall, in which rested one end of a pole, the other end of which was supported by a forked stick in the ground. Upon this were placed impromptu seats, supported by one side of the cabin and the foot rail, and upon this structure hay, dry leaves and skins were placed. Chairs were mere blocks of wood with holes bored in them, in which legs were put ; and tables were a packing box fortunately brought with the family, or were constructed of puncheons split from the tree, provided with legs as were the chairs. HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. 13 These characteristics were true in only the earliest habitations, and wiere seldom all combined in any one. A few nails and some glass and hard- ware were occasionally brought in by some rather well-to-do emigrant or thoughtful pioneer, but the other picture had its counterpart in every set- tlement in the county. But with such inconveniences the people, many of whom had known something of refinement in older communities, had no time for repining or melancholy. People were more sociable then, and all were neighbors for miles around. Although the pioneer possessed some characteristics repellent to refined ideas and modern culture, yet in their social intercourse with each other they displayed those exemplary traits of character which might well be esteemed a bright legacy to a more ad- vanced age. If they deviated from the strict rules of morality and in- dulged themselves in habits and excesses which have been discarded by progressive civilization, they still retained those estimable virtues which are the tokens of a generous and sympathetic people. Unpretentious and unostentatious, they tendered whatever of hospitality their humble homes afibrded, and were assiduous in their efforts' to provide for those whom chance brought within the circle of their charities. Affectation had no place in the cordial entertainment tendered visitor or stranger, and self- seeking was never the incentive which prompted their open doors and hospitality. It is worthy of remark that society had not yet matured enough at that time to produce the " tramp," and the foot-sore traveler was likely to be a worthy recipient of their kindness. The pioneers brought but a meager outfit of this world's goods, but strong in faith and hope expected to increase their worldly store and pro- vide a home in old age. Some came in frontier wagons drawn by horses and oxen, and some used the more primitive pack-horse as a means of migration. Some came in one-horse carts, while others came on flat-boats down the river, and were many days and weeks in reaching their destina- tion. While on their journey their encampment for the night was made wherever night overtook them. A tire was built by the wayside, over which an iron kettle was suspended, in which the frugal evening meal was cooked. The father's gun through the day provided abundance of fresh meat, for game was plenty and the deer could be had for the shooting. Yet let the advantages of the journey be the best, it was one of toil and privation. There were no bridges over the streams, and each immi- grant followed the general trail, but sought a new track for his own team. If the season was one of much rain, the ground they were compelled to pass over would be almost impassable, and the roads heavy. If dry the roads were rough, so that at its best the journey could not be said to be pleasant. Under such circumstances nothing but the necessities, and those in small bulk, could be brought hither. 14 HISTORY OP TRIGG COUNTY. It is difficult at this day to imagipe a state of society where even the commonest means of social progress must be invented and set in motion, but the pioneer found this fact a very prominent and practical one in his early experience. The supplies brought into the country by the immi- grants were occasionally by the closest economy made to last until the growing crop or garden could supply the necessities of the family. For years the people were thrown entirely upon their own resources. The nearest point where meal could be obtained was at Nashville and other points equally as far distant. A temporary supply of corn was occasion- ally secured from some older settler who had harvested a crop which sufficed until the growing corn became of sufficient size to eat. When the kernel was sufficiently firm the grater was brought into requisition and a sort of bread or porridge was made. This old grater was an eyesore to most of the children, as it occupied the greater portion of their time dur- ing certain seasons of the year. When the grain became hard and the grater no longer effective, recourse was had to the mortar and pestle. Thia consisted of a block or stump in which" a kettle-shaped excavation was made by burning and scraping. A pestle was made of a heavy pole to the end of which a block of iron was fixed. Almost every cabin had its "hominy block," and among the earlier sounds about the house waa the monotonous pounding of the frontier mill. This machine furnished sev- eral grades of meal, from fairly fine to simply cracked grains, and this was separated by sieves constructed of deer-skin tightly stretched over a frame and punctured with small sized holes. The finer part was trans- formed into the dodger, which was baked upon the hearth, while the coarser product was served up as hominy. Some of the better provided settlers possessed hand-mills, which were made of nigger-head buhrs. In the upper stone was made an eye and a handle inserted ; the boys would grind hour after hour at this slow method. Although the streams af- forded good sites for the construction of water-mills, the necessary machinery and the mechanical skill were for a long time wanting. Horse- raills came in to supply this need, and while they were called corn-crackers, did much more effective service than the name would imply. These con- sisted of a small set of nigger-head buhrs, propelled by a large cog wheel set upon a perpendicular axis. In the lower part of this axis horizontal levers were attached so that two teams might be attached to give the machinery motion. Such mills were constructed in various parts of the country at different dates and greatly relieved the farmers in the task of making meal. They ground very slowly, and the patron was obliged not only to furnish his own motive power, but was often obliged to wait several days for an opportunity to use it. MilU. — Several water-mills were attempted in a very early day, but HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. 15 the character of the streams made the experiments rather unsatisfactory. During the greater part of the year the mill could not run for lack of ^ater, and at other times the sudden risings of the water would wash out the rudely constructed dams. Wild meat for many years furnished the pioneer farmer his chief means of subsistence, game of all kinds being plentiful and easily procured. Deer were found in great abundance, and the earliest settler found no diflSculty even if not an adept in the use of the rifle to kill all he needed without leaving the precincts of his cabin. Large droves of these animals were seen in the woods, and the pioneer, who was in the habit of carrying his gun wherever he went, need not spend much time in the special duty of providing meat for his family. Buffaloes were killed by the first settlers in the neighborhood of Cerulean Springs, and bears were numerous for many years in the woods skirting the various water courses. Mr. Goodwin states that his father killed fifty bears during one season. Grouse were found in unlimited numbers, as were also wild turkeys, and no cabin was deprived of their delicacy. Wild hogs served also to vary the frontier fare. These were animals that, had escaped from the older settlements, and subsisting upon the nuts and roots of the woodland had gone wild in the course of nature. They were of a long-legged, gaunt species and kept the timber pretty closely. They were no particular damage or annoyance to the settlers, but fur- nished capital 'hunting sport and gave a relief to the monotonous recur- rence of venison upon the table of the settler. Wolves were of more annoyance to the settlements, attacking sheep, pigs, cattle, and when rendered desperate by hunger, even man himself. The streams of the county have always sustained the reputation of being the best stocked rivers with fish in the State, from the earliest knowledge of the whites to the present time. Before any settlements were made, rumors of the profusion of fine fish came to the frontiers through the Indians, to whom this was a favorite place of resort each fall and spring. Here bass, mullet, salmon, suckers, and other varieties having been found weighing several pounds. With this abundance of what are now considered luxuries, it would seem at a casual glance that the pioneer's life was one of ease rather than of hardship, but when it is considered that these were the sum total of their early luxuries, and what we deem the common necessities and find so cheap as to pass almost unnoticed in our estimate of family supplies and expenses, were to early settlers almost inaccessible and the most expensive, a great change is wrought in our estimate. Salt was more expensive than sugar, and even the variety of game pro- vided soon failed to answer the purpose of beef and pork. The system was exposed to the ravages of disease, and, subject to the trying experiences 16 HISTOKY OP TRIGG COUNTY. of hard farm labor, demanded something more substantial ; nor could all give their attention to hunting. The prime reason for the presence of most of the pioneers was to build up homes, and to lay the foundations of future competence, and to accomplish this the larger part of the commu- nity centered here had only their hands with which to accomplish their mission. It was no uncommon occurrence to find men surrounded by this profusion who never shot a deer, and occasionally one who never owned a gun. We might go on and describe primitive farming, and enter into details concerning the hardships incident to the gradual development of the country, but it would be only the repetition of an oft-told tale. Suffice it to say, however, that the pioneers did their work wisely and well. Their whole lives was the story of toilsome duty, wefl and nobly per- formed, and the examples of their virtues and self-denying devotion are among the richest legacies to a grateful posterity. HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. 17 CHAPTER II. Organization of the County— Act of the Legislature for Its Forma- tion—Justices OF THE Peace for the New County— The First Offi- cers—Name OF THE County— Col. Stephen Trigg— Location of the Seat of Justice— Eeport of the Commissioners— Cadiz— County Court— The First Civil Divisions— Tavern Rates— Orders for Mills and Roads— The First Circuit Court— Early Judiciary and Bar- The Grand Jury— Extracts from the Quaint Old Records- Laying Out the County Seat— First Trustees— Court Proceed- ings— Hon. Linn Boyd— Vote on Re-location of County Seat- Changes OF Boundary— Marriage License— The Census— Statis- tics— County Officers, etc., etc. WHEN the first permanent settlements were made in the present County of Trigg, it formed a part of Christian County, and was under the jurisdiction of that county for a number of years and in fact until it became quite thickly settled. Christian County was originally a large district of country extending north to the Ohio River and west of the Mississippi. As it settled up new counties were formed and its territory lessened by frequent drafts until the close of the year 1819, when efforts began to be made for the formation of Trigg County. The legislative act under which the county was created is entitled " An Act for the formation of the county of Trigg out of the counties of Christian and Caldwell," and was passed by the Kentucky Legislature at the regular winter session of 1819-20. It was approved by the acting Governor, Gabriel Slaughter, on the 27th of January, 1820. The ma- terial part of the act reads as follows : " Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that from and after the 1st day of April next, all that part of said counties of Christian and Caldwell contained in the following boundaries, to wit : " Beginning at a point ten miles due west from the northwestwardly limits of the town of Hopkinsville ; thence southwardly to Lindsay's Mill on Little River ; thence due south to the Tennessee State line ; thence west with said line to the Tennessee River ; thence down the same to the mouth of a creek on which Levi Davis now lives ; thence up said creek, leaving Davis in Caldwell County ; thence to the mouth of Crooked Creek, so as to leave the inhabitants on said creek in the pro- posed county, except Daniel Osborne Esq. ; thence toward Simon Sher- ford's horse-mill to the Christian County line, so as to leave the inhab- BS 18 HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. itants of Hurricane Creek in Caldwell County ; thence with the present Caldwell line and Christian line to a point on said line within two miles of Calley's horse-mill ; thence from said two-mile point southeast to inter- sect a line running from the ten-mile point ; thence south to the begin- ning, shall be one distinct county, called and known by the name of Trigg," etc. The remaining sections of the act, which is rather a long one, are omitted. These, when divested of the said whereases with which they are encumbered, stipulate among other things, that a copy of the proceed- ings be furnished Abraham Boyd, Ferdinand Wadlington, John Goode, Samuel Orr, William Scott, Presley Slaughter, James Daniel, Beman Fowler and Richard Dawson, who are named in the act as Justices of the Peace for the said county. These Justices were required to meet at the house of Samuel Orr in the village of Warrington on the 15th day of May, 1820, for the purpose of effecting the permanent organization of the county ; and their proceedings on that occasion are described on the old records, as follows : " In pursuance of an act of Assembly of the Commonwealth, entitled an act, etc., etc., approved January 27, 1820, Abraham Boyd (then fol- low names of others), met at the dwelling-house of Samuel Orr in said county of Trigg, on Monday, the 15th day of May, 1820, and produced a commission from his Excellency, Gabriel Slaughter, Lieutenant-Gov- ernor, acting Governor of this Commonwealth, appointing them Justices of the Peace for the county aforesaid — whereupon the said Abraham Boyd, being eldest in commission, administered to the said (here names) the oath of fidelity to the United States, the oath to support the Con- stitution of this Commonwealth, the oath of office and the oath required by an act of the Assembly to suppress the practice of dueling, and there- upon the said Presley Slaughter administered to the said Abraham Boyd the said several oaths." Thomas Raleigh produced a commission, signed by the Governor, appointing him, said Raleigh, Sheriff of said County of Trigg, whereupon he took the said several oaths, and together with Charles , George Loftus, William Armstrong and George Daniel, his securities, entered into and acknowledged bond in the penalty of $3,000, conditioned for the faithful discharge of his general duties, and thereupon a County Court was begun and held for the County of Trigg aforesaid at the dwelling-house of said Samuel Orr, in said town of Warrington, on Monday, May 15, 1820." At that court William Cannon, Jr., produced a certificate of the Judges of the Court of Appeals, to the effect that he had been examined by the Clerk in their presence and under their direction, and that they udged him well " qualified to perform the duties of Clerk of any County HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. 19 Circuit Court or courts of equal dignity within the Commonwealth." He was accordingly appointed to the position, and entered into and ac- knowledged bond in the sum of $10,000 for the faithful discharge of the several duties of his oflSce, giving as his securities John G. Reynolds, James Bradley and Thomas Asbury. The ability with which Mr. Cannon discharged the duties of his office is attested by all who transacted busi- ness with him during his administration, and his early records are among the most legible and systematic to be found in the State. The other officers appointed at the first sitting of the court were : Field- ing Harrison, Coroner, with Allen Grace, Ephraim Harsberger and Charles Linn, securities ; John Willingham, Surveyor ; and George Dan- iel, Deputy Sheriff. Name of County. — The county was named in honor of Col. Stephen Trigg, of Virginia, a man of great ability and soldier of renown. The only account of this distinguished character accessible is the following from Collins' History of Kentucky : " He [Col. Trigg] first came to the district of Kentucky in the fall of 1779, as a member of the Court of Land Commissioners, and after that body had concluded its labors in the spring of 1780, determined to make the new country his permanent home. In that year he settled a station called Trigg Station or Viney Grove (sometimes called Haggin's Station after Trigg's death, because John Ilaggin lived there), four miles northeast of tlarrodsburg on Cane Run, four miles from its mouth at Dick's River. He soon became noted for his activity against the Indians, and fell August 19, 1782, in the fatal battle of the Blue Licks while bravely leading his men to the charge. He was greatly beloved and very popular, and if he had lived would have taken rank among the most distinguished men of his time." Additional to the above brief sketch we learn that he assisted in the organization of the first court ever held in Kentucky and that he was proprietor of the original survey of 200 acres of land on the present site of Covington. Locating the Seat of Justice. — The Commissioners appointed by law to locate permanently the seat of justice were Dickson Givens, William Thomson, Lander J. Sharp and Benjamin Vance. In accordance with the provisions of the enactment forming the county, the above-named gen- tlemen, after viewing the Various eligible sites and taking into consideration the donations of land, money, services, etc., submitted the following report : Having, in pursuance of the aforesaid act, met on the 15th day of May, 1820, it being the third Monday in the said month, at the town of Warrington, and at the house formerly occupied by Samuel Orr, and proceeded to discharge the duties assigned us. After a ma- ture and deliberate examination of the many different places proposed as sites for the ad ministration of justice at and near the center of said county, we are of opinion that the seal of justice be fixed on the lands of Robert Baker where he nowlives on Main Little River on the top of the eminence above the spring, at or to include the lot wherein his stable now 20 HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. stands, it being the most central, convenient and eligible site for the purpose. Where- upon the said Robert Baker has this day obligated himself to convey to said County Court of Trigg, for the use of the county, together with fifty acres more to be laid off in right angles from the squares of said public square, which bond we here submit as part of the report, likewise several promissory notes given as donations. Given under our hands and seals this 15th day of May, 1820. Dickson Gitens, William Thomson, LandeeJ. Shakp, Benjamin Vance. Report approved May 16, 1820. In the October term following the county seat was laid oiF on the land above designated, and was named Cadiz. The details will be found else- where in this volume. Th^promissory notes referred to were given by Presley Slaughter, Sevier Tadlock and Moses M. Waters and called for $100 each. The better to dispense the ends of justice, the county was at this time laid off into civil or constabulary districts. Samuel Fowler was appointed Constable for all the territory west of the Cumberland River ; Richard Ricks for that south of Donaldson Creek to Ogle's Mill and the Christian County line; Charles Linn for the territory from Donaldson's Creek north to Ogle's Mill and down Little River to the mouth of Muddy Fork and the Christian County line ; Robert Hawkins for all that part of the coun- ty, lying between the road leading from Hopkinsville to Eddyville, now Wallonia, and Samuel Campbell for all the territory north of said road on Muddy Fork. The court divided the county into two precincts for the purpose of appointing Commissioners of the Tax therein for the year 1820. It was ordered that the road leading from Hopkinsville by Shipps & Boyd's landing (now Canton) and from said landing up Cumberland River to the Tennessee State line, should be the division line between the northern and southern precincts. Thomas McFarlan was appointed Tax Com- missioner for the northern district and John I. Porter for the southern. The court continuing the next day, Benjamin Jones was released from paying poll tax ; John Goode granted a license to solemnize the rites of matrimony ; and Robert Baker having presented satisfactory evidence of good moral character, and being provided with such accommodations as the law required, was granted a license to keep a tavern at his house on Little River for one year, giving as securities William Murray and Will- iam Waters. The following tavern rates were fixed, to wit : For French or Cognac brandy 37J cents per half pint For rum or domestic gin 25 cents per half pint For Holland gin STJ cents per half pint For Madeira wine 50 cents per half pint For port, sherry or other wines 37^ cents per half pint For peach and apple brandy 18f cents per half pint For whisky 12J cents per half pint HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. 21 For porter per quart or bottle 25 cents For cider per quart 12J cents Lodging per night 12J cents For breakfast, dinner and supper 25 cents each For horse for stallage and feeding, corn and oats, and hay or fodder for each 24 hours 50 cents Horse to pasture for each 12 hours 37J cents Oats and corn per gallon 12J cents Ordered that the taTern-keepers of the county charge and receive according to the above rates and no more. Remarkably cheap times those, but bless the simple lives of the honest forefathers, they knew nothing about "blackstrap," "rot gut," "tangle leg " and the thousand-and-one fancy drinks with which the guests of our modern hotels and " sample rooms " regale themselves. The first order for erecting a mill was made on motion of George Loftus, and the Sheriff was commanded to summon twelve good and law- ful free holders of the county to meet upon the premises the first Saturday in June, to consider the same and report thereof according to law to the next term of the court. This mill was erected on Sinking Fork of Little River. The first public road that was asked to be established in the county was one from Cadiz to intersect the road from Dover to the old Brannon place. David Cooper, Charles Linn, Hiram Whitney and Baxter Alex- ander were appointed at the same time to view a road from Baker's to the Cumberland River. Another road was asked for from the seat of justice to Princeton and the county line, and Absalom Leavills, Moses McWaters, William Husk and Presley Slaughter were appointed viewers thereof. A road was also asked for leading from the county seat toward Hopkinsville, to intersect a road from Hopkinsville to Boyd's Landing. Rowland Hill said that all roads and by-paths of England lead toward London, and with the same propriety we can say that all the early high- ways of Trigg County led to Cadiz. After dispensing with all other county business, on the 16th day of May, 1820, and before adjournment, we find the following general order: " The Commissioners appointed by law to fix upon a place for the per- manent seat of justice for Trigg County, having done so, fix the same on the land of Robert Baker where he now lives on Main Little River, etc. It is ordered that the books, papers, etc., of this county be moved to the dwelling of the said Robert Baker, and that this court be adjourned until court in course and then be held at the dwelling house of said Robert Baker as aforesaid." First Circuit Court. — The Hon. Benjamin Shackelford, Judge of the Seventh Judicial District, on the 15th day of May, at the town of War- rington, held the first Circuit Court in Trigg County. William Cannon 22 HISTORY OF TRIGG CODNTY. was appointed Clerk, thereupon completing the county organization. No grand jury was impaneled at this court, no other business transacted and no other order made except one permitting Fidelio Sharp, Eenjamin W. Patton, Daniel S. Mays, James Breathitt and William McDowell, to be admitted to practice law. The early judiciary of Kentucky was marked as furnishing a higher order of talent — larger-minded men — than are to be found in the early political history of the State. Many of these early jurists will take their proper place in history as among the country's best men. They mingled with the rude people, assisting, advising and counseling them for their own good and benefit. They forecast and laid well the superstructure of the civil polity of the State, and in looking into the imperfect records of their lives that are now attainable, the student of history is impressed with the fact that here indeed was Kentucky most favored and fortunate. Of the above-named lawyers Maj . McKinney in his sketches of the county says : " Ben Patton was a very eminent lawyer, but has left no traces except the frequent appearance of his name upon the docket, and position that tradition assigns him of possessing splendid abilities as an orator and advocate in the courts. Daniel S. Mays has left to posterity a record in books. He removed from this end of the State to Frankfort in an early day, and was the cotemporary and rival of Mr. Crittenden in oratory, and afterward changed his residence again to the State of Mississippi ; was placed upon the Supreme Bench of that State. His decisions have been ever since, and to this day are, quoted as specimens of legal ethics containing some of the most astute principles of international and constitu- tional law. Mr. James Breathitt, father of John W. Breathitt of Hop- kinsville, was then the Commonwealth's Attorney and a very able one he was. The name of the only remaining one of the attorneys qualified at the court is here lost sight of, and to us at least the twilight of obscurity settled over his memory forever." Second Term of the Circuit Court. — The next term of the Circuit Court was held at the residence of Robert Baker on the 23d day of August, 1820. A grand jury of inquest was impaneled and sworn, con- sisting of the following persons, to wit: Williams Armstrong, Sr., fore- man ; Whitmill Holland, John Williams, Abraham McCullom, Joel Wil- son, AshfordD. Gore, James Wallace, William Redd, Richard Davenport, John Wharton, James Jones, John Hanberry, William McWaters Thomas Woosley, Benjamin Wallace and Eleazer Gore. There were but two indictments found at this court, one against Andrew Carter for pettit larceny, and the other against Isaac McCullom for failing to keep a road in order. The latter was dismissed at the next court, and the for- mer continued with an alias process. HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. 23 Rezin Davidge and Matthew Mays, Esqs., produced certificates of their being qualified to practice law, and having taken the prescribed oath were regularly admitted to the bar. The first suit filed was a case of debt of Jeremiah and Moses Brown, assignees of Sherwood Atkinson plaintifis, against John G. Reynolds de- fendant. A demurrer was filed by defendant's attorney and the case thrown out of court. The next case on docket was a suit for debt, Nathan Conduit against John Patts. In this case the defendant did not come oiF so well. In that day a man was liable to imprisonment for debt, and the law seems to have been enforced, as the following order in his suit wil4 show ; " Will- iam B. Bond, special bail for the defendant John Patts in this cause, this day surrendered the body of said Patts into court and the said bond from his undertaking herein is discharged, and on motion of the plaintiff by his attorney it is ordered that the defendant Patts be delivered into the custody of the jailor, and that further proceedings in this cause be stayed and continued until the next term of this court." How long John re- mained in limbo does not appear, but the indications are that it had a tendency to make him keep clear of the court house, for at the November term the cause was again called up, and proceedings continuing, to wit : " This day came the plaintiff by his attorney, but the defendant although solemnly called came not " etc. This is the last that was ever heard of John Patts. The third case at this term was for a similar cause as the ones mentioned. Ezekiel Thomas against John Hambury and James Wim- berly. Court found for plaintiff with interest at the rate of 6 per centum, from the 20th day of March, 1820, until paid, also the costs. The first trial by jury was a cause in covenant, the parties to the suit being Daniel Mays, plaintiff, and Hugh A. Reynolds, defendant. The following jurymen served upon that occasion : John Mc Waters, George Buckner, William Husk, Thomas McFarland, Alexander Wilson, Drew Holland, Thomas Doler, Thomas Young, John Young, William Young, John Patrick and Ambrose Mills. The jury returned a verdict in favor of the defendant, fining the plaintiff $100 and costs. The second petit jury was composed of the following gentlemen, to wit: William Young, Randolph Guinn, Willis Minton, Hampton Wade, Henry McCombe, Thomas Armstrong, Smith Martin, David Mitchell, Abraham Cowley, Baxter Alexander, Richard Jones and John Young. Subsequent Session of the Circuit Court. — The third term of the Cir- cuit Court was held in the month of November, 1820, his Honor, Judge Shackelford, presiding. The following grand jurors were impaneled and duly sworn, viz.: George Street, foreman; Jacob Torian, William Cuu- 24 HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. ningham, Lipscomb Norvell, Ashford D. Gore, Archer Boyd, Luke Thomas, Whitmill Hollapd, Baxter Alexander, Zenas Alexander, James Sevills, Zadeck Thomas, Stephen Peall, Daniel L. Futrell, Jaconias P. Pool, Timothy Jones, William McWaters and Edmund Wells. Indict- ments were returned against Ebenezer Boyd for assault and battery, a true bill : Andrew Carter, for petit larceny ; a presentment against Rezin Davidge for profane cursing, a true bill ; indictment against James Jones, for assault and battery ; presentment against William Adams for profane swearing, and an indictment against Asher C. Davis for assault and bat- tery. Other bills were found against Elijah Ladd for arson ; Ebenezer Boyd, trespass, assault and battery; Robert M. Coleman, George Thrifk, William J. Worthington and Randolph Walker, assault and battery ; Will- iam Murray for swearing ; David Mitchell and Jesse Wormack, for pro- fanity. Our forefathers in those primitive times seem to have had a profound regard for morality and good order. In searching among the musty rec- ords in the clerk's office, the historian's fingers came in contact with a package of old indictments, time-stained and bearing the dates of 1820 and 1821. A few specimens of these quaint and curiously worded docu- ments are given, to show how the minions of the law dealt with offenders sixty-five years ago. One John Wooldridge, in an altercation with a neighbor on the Sab- bath day and yielding to the impulse of a warm temper, violated one of the commandments by assaulting said neighbor, and was held to answer to the following indictment : " Commonwealth of Kentucky, \ „ " Trigg Circuit, / ^°'^- " The Grand Jurors for the Commonwealth aforesaid, impanelled and sworn for the circuit aforesaid, at the November term of the circuit, for said circuit, in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty-one, in the name and by the authority of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, upon their oaths, represent that John Wooldridge, late of the Circuit aforesaid, yeoman, on the fifteenth day of July, in the year one thousand eight liundred and twenty-one, to wit, on the Sabbath day in the Circuit afore- said did assault and beat one James Gillum, which said business of as- saulting and beating the said James Gillum by the said John Wooldridge, on the Sabbath day aforesaid, was not an ordinary household office of daily necessity, or work of necessity or charity, contrary to the form and statute in that case made and provided, and against the peace and dignity of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. "Information given by James Gillum, living in Trigg County, by profession a laborer, and Samuel Moore, living in Trigg County, and by profession a farmer, both not of the grand jury." HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. 25 For the above trifling and uncharitable offense, the pugilistic Wool- dridge was fined the sum of " five shillings, which sum was duly paid and turned over to the proper fund." The next indictment was for profane "cursing," and reads as follows: " Trigg Circuit Court. The grand jurors for the Commonwealth, &c., &c., at the May term of the Circuit Court for said Circuit, in the year 1822, in the name and by the authority of the Commonwealth of Ken- tucky upon their oaths represent that Miles Creekmer, late of the Circuit aforesaid, yeoman, on the 21st day of May, in the year 1822, did pro- fanely curse by then and there profanely uttering and speaking the pro- fane words following, to wit : ' Oh, God damn the fine ' contrary to the form of the statute in that case made and provided, and against the peace and dignity of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Information given by John A. Caudle, Mel Olive and John Craig, all of the grand jury." What was done with the blasphemous wretch is not known, though it is presumed that he met with a summary punishment, as the courts in those days were chary in dealing out mercy to offenders. We cannot forbear giving the substance of another indictment returned against Uncle Gabriel Davy, who offended the dignity of the law by profanity also. It charges that he did " on the 20th day of May, 1822, in the Circuit aforesaid, twice profanely curse by then and there twice profanely uttering and speaking the profane words following, to wit: 'You are a God damned liar,' contrary to the form of the statute, against the peace and dignity of the Commonwealth. Information given by George Grace and John Caldwell." He was tried and fined 10 shillings and costs, which seemed to have a salutary influence upon the old gentleman's morals, and as far as the books show it was his last violation of the decalogue. The third grand jury was composed of the following citizens: Thomas Raleigh, Samuel Orr, Luke Thomas, William F. Dew, Elijah Whitney, Robert Anston, James Puckett, John Patterson, John Breeding, James A. Lindsay, John W. Lindsay, Henry Jones, Baxter Alexander, John Humphries, John Mills, Armstrong Noel, Benjamin Faulkner, Samuel Scott and William McWaters. About the usual number of indictments were returned, the majority of which were for drunkenness. Sabbath break- ing and profane swearing. In May, 1822, the following grand jury was impaneled and sworn : Thomas Raleigh, John A. Caudle, Joel Wilson, John Craig, William Lawrence, Isaac Gray, David Cooper, George Grace, William Young, John Prescott, Henry James, Smith Martin, John Cald- well and M. Oliver. Harmon Alsbury was admitted to the bar in 1823 ; James I. Dozier, 1824 ; James Cartwright, John W. S. Moore and Thomas A- Duncan, in 1821; Matthew D. Patton and Robert A. Patterson, in 1825; Josiah C. 26 HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. Smith, Garrard Pitts, James W. Calloway and Thomas Hammond, in 1824; Richard L. Mays, Thomas Haynes and Gustabus A. Henry, in 1827; Philemon C. Frayeer and Irwin Hallowell, in 1828. The first deed ever admitted to record in this county was from Ezra Cox and Polly, his wife, to Jonathan Ricks for 150 acres of land on the waters of Dry Creek, for which he paid them $1,000. The second deed was recorded May 30, 1820, and was from Thomas 0. Bryant and Anna, his wife, conveying to Philip Ford, James J. Morrison and John G. Rey- nolds a certain tract of land lying on Main Little River, being a part of a 200-acre tract originally granted to George Wilson by the Court of Commissioners in 1798. A third indenture made on the 14th day of June, in the year 1820, between Edwin Noel, of the County of Trigg, and Delila Noel, Frances G. Noel, Emily Noel, Edwin Noel, Caleb Noel and Washington Noel donates, gives and grants to his six children the following property, to wit : One negro man. Will by name, a blacksmith, with his tools ; Phyllis, his wife ; also Levering and Jack, children of the said Will and Phyllis ; and James, another blacksmith ; and McKinsey, a yellow boy ; also a negro girl by name of Nancy ; together with the interest in his mother's estate and a tract of 600 acres of land on Cum- berland River, all of which property to be divided among the children in such a way and manner as to them seems best. Second County Court. — In June, 1820, John McCaughn was appointed Surveyor of Trigg County. At the same term George Daniel was appointed SherifiF to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Thomas Raleigh. Thomas McLean produced to the court his credentials of ordination as a Minister of the Gospel, and was granted a testimonial in due form of his being legally authorized to solemnize the rites of matri- mony. Whereupon he took the oath required by law, and together with James Thomas and Drury Bridges, securities, gave the accustomed bond of £500. At the August term, 1820, James Thompson was appointed jailor. Samuel Orr, Presley Slaughter and James Daniel were appointed Com- missioners to lay ofi" the public square in Cadiz. The order alluded to reads as follows : " It is ordered that the said fifty-two acres of land shall compose and constitute a town, and the same is hereby established as such to be known and called by the name of Cadiz, which shall be contained within the following metes and bounds." Here follows the boundary. " The whole of Said town of Cadiz containing, according to the foregoing metes and bounds, the quantity of fifty-two acres, and the part besides the public square that has by former order of this court been laid oflF, is directed to be laid ofi" into lots of one-fourth of an acre square, being four in a block, and the main and cross streets of the width of sixty feet HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. 27 each, crossing each other at right angles ; and it is further ordered that Sevier Tadlock, William Redd, Charles Jones, Absalom Leavills, David Cooper, Levi Harlan and James Harlan are hereby appointed Trustees of said town." From this date the history of Cadiz proper begins. The county levy at this term was fixed at 75 cents, and the following allowances for the year entered upon record : To the Clerk of the Court for ex-ofiSoio services rendered by him within the lastsii months $ 20 00 To the Commonwealth's Attorney for same time 16 00 To the Sheriff for same time 17 00 ToAbraham Sevills for a Clerk's table 8 00 To Elizabeth Bell for keeping John White, an infant 5 00 To same for keeping, clothing an orphan one year from this date. 60 00 To James Thompson, Jailor, for attending court six days 6 00 To Francis Summers, a Deputy Surveyor, for running this coun- ty's lines as per act. filed 46 60 To Abraham Humphries, Jr., for carrying chain 14 days 14 00 To William Watts for 13 days rendering same service 13 00 To John McCaughn for 10 days making survey 10 00 To Robert Baker for cash paid by him to Commissioners in fixing theseat of justice 102 00 To John McCaughn, Surveyor of the county, for laying off the town of Cadiz and other services rendered as per acts filed 27 50 To Abraham Boyd, Esq., for attending as Judge of the last elec- tion 3 days 3 00 To James Daniel for same service 3 00 ToJames Coleman for same service 8 00 To Commissioners for contracting and superintending the build- ing of the jail of this county 200 00 A deposition of. 76 00 Amount to be collected $630 00 Say 840 tithables in this county for the present year, on which a levy of 76 cents is and shall be laid, making $630. No further business of im- portance was transacted at this term. The following year, 1821, the levy waa fixed at 43f cents, and the number of tithables was 940. The allowances at the October term of 1821 aggregated $411.25, For 1822 the levy was fixed at 43| cents per tithable, and $444. 05f were collected, making the number of tithes that year 1,015. The allowances at the October term amounted to $506. 45|. At the April term, 1821, the county was laid ofi" into four precincts for the purpose of appointing Commissioners of the Tax therein. Abraham Boyd was appointed Sheriff in 1822, with Charles Linn, George H. Gor- don and John Boyd, securities. The following incident is related by Mr. McKinney : " The 16th day of October, 1820, being the regular day in course, court was begun and held at the seat of justice; present, Abraham Boyd, presiding Justice, with 28 HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. his usual attendants. After some minor orders had been made and whilst Matthew Mays, a young man then County Attorney, was making an ex- amination of the conveyances from Robert Baker to the county, the Clerk William Cannon was busily engaged in drawing up the order giving the present boundaries of the town of Cadiz, the proceedings were suddenly in- terrupted by a loud yell and the discharge of a rifle in the bottom just back of the present residence of Ed Summers. The bottom at that time was covered with a heavy growth of beech and cane. For a time little attention was paid to it. By-and-by, however, the cry of "Sear, hear'' was heard. This caused a universal commotion in the court room, all hands rushing to the door, upsetting chairs, stools, tables and inkstands as they went out. Maj. Mays in laughing over it used to say that everybody was excited to death about the animal except the Clerk, who quietly went to. work righting up his table and books and cursing the d — n heathens for upsetting the ink on his papers. There had a very large crowd gathered that day, and on reaching the door a large black bear, badly wounded, suddenly emerging from the thicket came rushing through the crowd, scattering men and horses in promiscuous confusion as he went. He came within thirty yards of the little log room in which they had assembled to hold the court, and passing over the hill he hauled up at the head of the big spring. Here Tommy Wadlington, with- a rifle he had caught up from Baker's store, got in another shot. Finding matters still growing warmer, bruin skipped from there, and crossing the river just below Lindsay's old fishing place, was dispatched by an old hunter on the opposite bank." At the September term of 1820, John Mayberry was recommended to the Judges of the Court of Appeals and the Circuit Court of the Com- monwealth as " a gentleman who intended to apply for a license to prac- tice law, and is a gentleman of property and honest demeanor." Sila^ Alexander was appointed Captain, and Tom Thompson, John Patton, William Smith and Augustine W. Holland his assistants. Linn Boyd having produced his certificate from the Governor, was allowed to qualify as Paymaster of the Seventy-second Regiment of Ken- tucky Militia, after giving bond in penalty of $1,000. On the 15th of December, 1823, he was appointed Deputy Sheriif of Trigg County ; and on the 24th of May, following, on motion of George Boyd, was re- appointed. " What a wonderful incentive this is to young men of the present day. This same Linn Boyd, Deputy Sheriff of Trigg County, served eighteen years as a member of Congress, four years as Speaker of the House of Representatives — third in the regular line of descent from the Presidency of the United States — and died Lieutenant-Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, mourned not only by the people of the State, but the nation." HISTORY OP TRIGG COUNTY. 29 Hon. Linn Boyd. — The following brief sketch of this distinguished gentleman is copied from Collins' History of Kentucky : " Linn Boyd was born in Nashville, Tenn., November 22, 1800. His educational advantages were limited, but he was a man of great force of character and strong native intellect. In early manhood he removed to southern Ken- tucky, and settled on the Cumberland River, in what is now Trigg County. He soon engaged in politics and took an active part in the early political struggles of the county. He was a Representative in the State Legisla- ture in 1827 from the counties of Calloway, Graves, Hickman and McCracken; in 1828, from Calloway, and in 1831, from Trigg County. He represented the First District in Congress in 1835-37, and in 1839 was again elected, serving by regular elections until 1855, in all eighteen years, during four years of which he occupied the distinguished position of Speaker of the House of Representatives — an honor never conferred oftener or longer in eighty-three years except upon Nathaniel Macon, Henry Clay and Andrew Stevenson. In 1859 he was chosen Lieutenant- Governor upon the Democratic ticket, but when the Senate met was too ill to preside over its deliberations and died at Paducah, December 17, 1859. Mr. Boyd was distinguished in politics as a strict Constitutional Democrat." Vote on Relocation of County Seat. — The location of the seat of justice at Cadiz did not meet general approval, and in December, 1821, an act was passed by the General Assembly authorizing the citizens of the county to fix upon a place for the permanent seat of justice, the same to be decided by ballot. At the March term of court, 1822, an election was ordered for the purpose of deciding the matter, and George Street, Richard P. Dawson and Beman Fowler were appointed Judges, and William Cannon Clerk for the same. The places competing for the honor were the following, to wit: Cadiz, Boyd's Landing (now Canton), Warrington and Center. The election was held in Cadiz on the 6th day of March, 1822, the friends of the rival cities being out in full force. The vote stood as follows : Cadiz, 295 ; Boyd's Landing, 204 ; Warrington, 69 ; Center, 59. Thus was the matter of locating the county seat eflfect- ually decided, although the town of Canton made several strenuous efforts to have it changed in later years. Changes in the County Boundary. — As originally surveyed, the north- ern boundary of the county was very irregular — a fact which gave rise to much annoyance and dissatisfaction to the citizens of both Trigg and Caldwell Counties. To adjust the matter several "curtails" were added to Trigg from the former county, the first of which was made on the 17th day of April, 1826. In June, following, a second " curtail " of sixteen miles lying between the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers was added, 30 HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. and in July of the same year a tract of land extending from the mouth of Hurricane Creek six and a half miles to the northeast was also added, thu? making the northern boundary a comparatively straight line. Early Marriages. — During the first two years after the county was created there were twenty-nine marriage licenses issued, as follows : Isaac Lockhart and Polly Williams, June 10, 1820 ; William Bridges and Polly Thomas, Samuel Fowler and Jane Bratton, Matthew Williams and Sally Jones, Thomas Skinner and Susanna Bryant, John Beardon and Nelly Young, John Walker and Sally Tedford, Samuel McCIure and Patsey Bretton, William Miller and Elizabeth Grace, Alison Williams and Sally Barndale, Larkin Gilbert and Valley Coffield, William Clark and Sophia Dawson, William Jones and Nicy Howard, Needham Cole- man and Mary Tart, James Bay less and Delia Noel, Basil Holland, Jr., and Elvira Cooper, Thomas L. Baker and Malinda Cunningham. The contracting parties to the first marriage in 1821 were Perry Thomas and Elizabeth Bridges, both of whom are yet living. Then appear the names of James Tart and Polly Lawrence, Joseph McKinney and Betsey Wick- er, George Bratton and Polly Bratton, Jackson Allen and Susannah Stames, William Daniel and Huldah Chapman, Aaron Collins and Susan- nah Watts, James Knight and Nancy Cotton, Levin Ross and Susan Anderson, Newton Davenport and Ellender Morris, Meredith Brown and Sarah Boyd, William Goode and Gincy Walker. The first license issued in 1822 was to Moses McWaters and Telitha Tanner. Census of the Oounty. — In 1820 the county had a population of 3,870 souls. The population in 1830 was 5,916 ; in 1840, 7,716 ; in 1850, 10,129 ; in 1860, 11,051 ; in 1870, 13,686. The following was the population in 1880 by magisterial districts : District No. 1, 1,995 ; No. 2, including Rock Castle, 1,603 ; No. 3, including Wallonia, 1,788 ; No. 4, 2,259 ; No. 5, including Canton, 1,819 ; No. 6, including Cadiz and Montgomery, 4,220 ; No. 7, 755. Total, 14,489. Statistics. — The total amount of taxables returned by the Assessor in 1820 was 1960,000. The number of tithables in the northern district that year was 422 ; in the southern, 397. In 1883 the legal voters in the county, distributed among the precincts, were as follows : Cadiz , 477 Canton 163 Rock Castle I34 Caledonia IO4 Laura Furnace gg Montgomery 89 Cerulean Springs 164 Linton ]41 Roaring Springs 826 HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. 31 Bethegda 108 Ferguson Springs 184 Golden Pond 189 Wallonia 116 Total 2,279 Number of children in the county between the ages of six and twenty-one 3122 Number of acres returned for taxation 252,592 Assessed value of lands $1,201,823 Number of town lots 228 Value of lots $123,608 Number of horses 2,278 Value of horses $115,296 Number of mules 2,289 Value of mules $188,083 Number of sheep 5,400 Value of sheep $11,777 Number of hogs 13,071 Value of hogs $28,573 Number of hogs over six months old 3,923 Number of cattle 5,206 Value of cattle , $16,198 Number of stores 56 Value of stock carried by stores $81,125 Value of pleasure carriages, barouches, etc $131.46 Value of gold and silverware $12,677 Total value of taxables at 47J per cent per $100 $1,963,667 Number of pounds of tobacco raised 4,724,745 Number tons of hay 973 Number bushels of corn 626,564 Bushels of wheat 125,924 Tons of pig iron 800 County Officers. — Senators — The names of all the Senators for Trigg County were not learned, not do those that are given below appear in their regular order. In the year 1826, George L. Locker was elected State Senator for the Counties Todd, Christian and Trigg. Francis Summers represented the same counties in 1827 and 1831. After Summers, the following persons represented Trigg in the upper house of the Legislature, viz., Alfred Boyd, Isaac Burnett, George W. Barbour, Ira Ellis, T. W. Hammond, James Bryan, Irwin, G. A. C. Holt, James B. Garnett, J. H. Wilkinson and Robert Burnett. Representatives. — The following are the names of the Representatives of the county and the years they served: Thomas Caldwell, 1824-25 ; George Street, 1825-26 ; Abraham Boyd, 1827-28 ; George Venable, 1829 ; Lipscomb Norvell, 1830 ; Linn Boyd, 1831 ; James E. Thomp- son. 1832; Isaac Burnett, 1833-34-51-53 ; Since A. G. Noel, 1835; 32 HISTOKY OF TRIGG COUNTY. Lisenby Nance, 1836-40 ; George W. Barbour, 1837 ; Thomas B. Redd, 1838-39 ; Allen T. Noe, 1841-42-43-48 ; Charles Humphries, 1844- 53-55 ; John C. Whitlock, 1845 ; "William Sorley, 1846-47 ; Stanley Thomas, 1849; Daniel Landes, 1850; Gordon B. Grasty, 1855-57 ; John Roach, 1858-59 ; Young A. Linn, 1859-61 ; John W. Gaines, 1861-62, resigned January 20, 1862, and was succeeded by John Humphries; Samuel Larkins, 1863-65; Fenton Simms, 1865-69; G. W. Quick, 1869-71 ; M. E. McKenzie, 1871-73 ; Matthew McKinney, 1878-75-76 ; R. A. Burnett, 1877-79 ; Jabez Bingham present incum- bent elected in 1882. The representatives from Christian and Trigg Counties in 1820 were James Ruffin and J. C. Cravens. George Daniels represented the same counties in 1821 and 1822. Sheriffs.— Thota&s Raleigh, 1820 ; George Daniel, 1820-21 ; Abra- ham Boyd, 1822-23 ; Ferdinand Wadlington, 1824-25 ; William Scott, 1826-29 ; Presley Slaughter, 1830-31 ; James Daniel, 1832-83 ; R. S. Dawson, 1834; Levi Lancaster from June, 1834 to 1836; William Hop- son, 1837 ; W. C. Haydon, 1838 ; Cullen Thomas, 1840 ; William Mc- Waters, 1842-43 ; T. W. Hammond, 1844-47 ; J. J. Morrison, 1848 ; James Garnett, 1849; John Humphries, 1850; Stanley Thomas, 1851- 52-53-54; A. B. Dyer, 1855-56-57-58-68-64-66-69-70; John L. Humphries, 1867-68 ; John J. Dyer, 1859-60-61-62 ; R. W. Major, 1871-72-73-74; W. M. Campbell, 1875-76-77; William Peal, 1879, short term. The present Sheriff is Thomas Boyd. Circuit Judges. — Benjamin Shackelford, Henry Brown, H. J. Stites, Collins D. Bradley, George B. Cook, N. E. Gray, T. C. Dabney, R. T. Petrie and John R. Grace. Circuit Clerks. — William Cannon, J. E. Thompson, H. C. Burnett, R. A. Burnett, B. J. Wall, Isaac Burnett and John Shaw. County Clerks. — William Cannon, J. E. Thompson, A. S. Dabney, A. B. Dyer, Matthew McKinney, and C. C. Hook. The present in- cumbent is John G. Jefferson who has held the oflBce continuously since 1869. County Judges. — T. C. Dabney, J. E. Thompson, J. R. Grace, J. H. Wilkinson, A. B. Dyer, J. B. Kelly and Robert Crenshaw. County Attorneys. — Matthew Mays, C. G. Bradley, J. M. Burnett, John S. Spiceland, James B. Garnett, Robert Crenshaw, J. E. Kelly, J. R. Averitt and J. C. Dabney. Assessors. — Mayfield Johnson, Alfred M. Brown, Peter Nance, Col- lins D. Bradley, Perry Thomas, Jesse Cameron, C. C. Bogerd, C. Hum- phries, G. B. Grasty, Elliott Grace, Thomas Humphries, B. F. Caldridge, E. Wade, John Dyer, Barnett Guyer, R. H. Averitt, A. J. Cherry, J. F. Green and J. E. Edwards. HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. 33 Jailors. — James Thompson, Carter T. Wood, Jonathan Smith, Par- ham Randall, Moses Barbour, F. Y. Lawson, John D. Searcy, Daniel Davis, John Cameron, Sydney Hopson, T. R. Russell, J. E. Edwards, "W. H. Jefierson and G. J. Shoemaker. Surveyors. — John McCaughan, Kain McCaughan, John Mabry, James Richardson, Henry Burress, B. B. Mart and E. Brandon. School Commissioners. — Thomas C. Dabney, James B. Wallis, M. E. McKenzie, F. F. Jones, John S. Spiceland, James B. Garnett, Robert Crenshaw, J. H. Wilkinson, J. R. Averitt and C. H. Major. First Board of Justices or Magistrates. — Abraham Boyd, Ferdinand Wadlington, John Goode, Samuel Orr, William Scott, Presley Slaughter, James Daniel, Beman Fowler and Richard Dawson. The other magis- trates who served prior to 1830, were the following, to wit.: John P. Wilkinson, George Street, Lipscomb Norvell, Levin Lancaster, George H. Gordon, Stephen Landers, David Glass, John B. Hindley, Nathan Fu- trell, Thomas McFarlan, Philemon C. Frayser, CuUen Thomas, William C. Haydon and James J. Morrison. Present Board. — C. C. Flora, J. W. Nunn, Blake Baker, Jr., Sam- uel F. Baker, John Taylor, T. G. Guthrie, W. G. Blane, Almont Daw- son, Sandy Joiner, Sanford Spiceland, T. N. Ingram, F. T. Watson and Abner W. Tuttle. Early Constables. — Robert Hawkins, Whitmill Shake, Armstrong Noe, Joqah Boyd, Richard Ricks, Starkie Thomas, A. C. Davis, John Jennings, Alfred Boyd, Samuel Northington, Thomas Thompson, Lakin Gilbert, Jonathan Cudd, David Grace, Reulen Linn, William Fowler, Charles G. Linn, Sevier Tadlock, Alfred Wimberly and Alfred Brown. Constables for 1884.. — Henry B. Wilkinson, Thomas Faulkner, W. W. Jones, J. L. Ahart, J. W. Wallace and Lancaster. The fore- going comprises as complete a list of county officers and representatives as it is possible to make it. 83 HISTORY OF TBIGG COUNTY. 35 CHAPTER III. Material Pkosperitt of the CotrNTT— Erection of Public Buildings— The First Court House— Other Temples of Justice— Jails— Attor- neys Past and Present— Matthew Mates— Judge Bradley— Polit- ical History— How the County has Voted from Its Organization TO the Present Time— Aspirants who were Elected and Defeated — KOADS AND Highways— Turnpikes— Some That Have Been Built And Some That Will Not Be— Railroad History, Which is "Short AND Sweet"— Summary, etc., etc. THE county grew in prosperity and developed rapidly under individ- ual organization. Soon after the location of the seat of justice ar- rangements were entered into for the erection of public buildings. To this character of internal improvement, a brief space will now be devoted. Firtt Court Mouse. — OflBcial dignity in the early days was of a home- spun kind, and required no great expense to provide appropriate sur- roundings. The first building in which the Board of Justices met, or, in other words, the first court house, if the term is not too dignified to be applicable, was the log structure at Warrington, occupied as a residence by Samuel Orr. This building was a rude afiair, and was used by the court but a single day. The next house, as already stated, was the dwell- ing of Robert Baker, at Cadiz, which was used for general court and county purposes until the fall of 1821, at which time a temple of justice more in keeping with the dignity and growth of the new county was erected. The order for the first court house bears date of January 21, 1821, and the material part of it reads as follows: " It is ordered that the building of a court bouse for this county be let to the lowest bidder on the first day of the next term of this court, of the following dimensions, to-wit: A frame building of good sound ma- terials, with a floor paved with bricks, the whole house to be 24x36 feet, and 12 feet pitch ; two jury-rooms of 12 feet square, and the court-room to be 22x24 feet of the pitch aforesaid ; to be finished in workmanlike manner, according to the plan then to be furnished." The original plan of the building was subsequently changed, so as to make the length 36 instead of 24 feet. Abraham Boyd, James Daniel, Richard Dawson and Ferdinand Wad- lington were appointed commissioners to let the contract and superintend the construction of the house. As they held out few inducements to 36 HISTOKY OF TRIGG COUNTY. architects, the bidding of contractors was not very lively. William Pat- terson finally made satisfactory arrangements with the board, and was awarded the undertaking, he agreeing to complete the building for the sum of $1,575, the same to be paid out of money arising from the sale of the donation of land to the town of Cadiz. The building was finished and formally received by the commissioners on the 19th day of Novem- ber, 1821. Three years later an addition was made to the southwest cor- ner costing $384, and in 1824 the entire structure was painted, and the windows crossed with heavy wooden bars. From what can be learned of the building, it appears to have been illy arranged and poorly adapted for court purposes, and a few years after its completion the propriety of erecting a more commodious edifice began to be discussed. At th« Octo- ber term of 1831 it was decided to put up a new brick building, and William Haden, James Garnett, Thomas McFarland, Thomas W. Ham- mond, Philemon Frayser, Lipscomb Norvell and William Cannon were appointed commissioners with full powers to fix upon that part of the public square which they should deem most eligible, and to adopt such plans for the building as they should mutually agree upon. The plan adopted by the board was a two-story building 40 feet square containing a court-room and two jury-rooms on the second floor, and the necessary county ofiices below; the entire structure to be completed according to specifications by the 20th day of May, 1833. A number of proposals for the work were made by different architects, the lowest responsible bidder being David Lotspeich, who was awarded the contract for $2,445. The house was ready for use by the time specified, and immediately there- after the old court house was ordered sold, which was done on the 8th of July, 1833, the county realizing from its sale the sum of $70. As the business of the county continued to increase it was found that the oiBces were not suflBciently large, and in 1843 a clerk's office was erected, which is still standing in the rear of the new court house. The second court house served its purpose until during the civil war, when it was burned by a detachment of Confederate troops to pi'event its falling into the hands of the Federals. Before its destruction, however, all the records and papers were removed to a place of safety, and aside from the building the county suffered no serious loss. The house was ordered re- built in June, 1865, and Thomas H. Grinter, K. A. Burnett and M. A. Smith were appointed Commissioners to let the contract and superintend the work. An ad valorem tax of 15 cents on each $100 worth of prop- erty was listed for the year 1866, for the purpose of securing a building fund. Messrs. Pool & Boyd were awarded the contract for $11,950, a sum which was afterward increased, and work on the building went vig- orously forward until its completion in 1866. The house was 52x40 feet HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. 37 in size, two stories high, and surmounted by a dome 24 feet high. Al- though substantially constructed it was a very indifferent building and poorly adapted for the purposes for which it was designed. In 1881 a Committee composed of J. F. Gentry, John G. Jefferson and Fenton Simms was appointed to examine the condition of the building and report the same to the County Court. After a thorough examination they re- ported the house to be both dangerous and inadequate for court purposes, and recommended that steps be taken to rebuild it on a larger and more convenient plan. At the December term of 1881 the following action was taken concerning the matter : " Besolved, that our Representative and Senator in the General Assembly are hereby requested by the Trigg County Court of Claims to procure the passage of an act by the Legisla- ture of Kentucky authorizing this Court to issue and sell the bonds of Trigg County for the purpose of building new clerk's ofiBce by remodel- ing the court house or otherwise. Said bonds not to bear a greater rate of interest than 6 per cent, and to be redeemable at any time after ten years from their issual — to be sold for not less than par or face value; and also authorizing the Court to levy an ad valorem tax not to exceed 10 cents on the $100 worth of taxable property in the county, to pay the interest and redeem said bonds." At the same term W. G. Blane, Fen- ton Simms, John G. Jefferson, J. F. Gentry and F. C. Dabney were ap- pointed a committee for the purpose of ascertaining the best, most prac- tical, economical and substantial plans for the work, and to that end they were authorized to secure the services of some eflBcient architect and builder. On the 11th of February, 1882, an act was passed by the General Assembly authorizing the countj' to issue and sell bonds to the amount of $10,000 for the purpose of securing a building fund. This sum was found to be insufficient, and a bill for an additional $2,500 was afterward passed and work on the house commenced. The design was drawn by D. A. McKinnon, an experienced architect of Paducah, and on the 5th of April, 1883, Thomas E. Morgan, also of Paducah, was awarded the con- tract for $10,250. Mr. Morgan failing to give the necessary bond required by the court, another contract was entered into on the 12th day of March of the same year with Messrs. Cosby & Landrum, of Mayfield, Ky., who agreed to complete the work according to plans and specifica- tions for the sum of $11,400. This sum was afterward increased by the addition of $1,000. The seating and furnishing of the court-room and offices cost the sum of $1,600, and taken all in all the house is one of the most convenient, beautiful and imposing structures of its size and cost in the State. Its extreme length is ninety-five feet ; extreme width, sixty- five feet; size of court-room, 62x62 feet. On the second floor, aside 38 HISTORY OF TKIGG COUNTY. from the court room, are two jury and one consulting rooms, all of which are furnished in the most artistic manner. On the first floor are the six county oflSces, three on each side of a wide hall running the entire length of the building. One of the most pleasing features of the structure is the beautiful tower, in which a magnificent clock has been placed by the citizens of Cadiz at a cost of over $600. The dials, four in number, are plainly visible from every possible approach to the town, and the music of the bell tolling the hours can be heard for many, many miles. The entire building was erected under the personal superintendency of John A. Scott, of Fulton, one of the most skillful practical builders in the State, and is complete in all its parts. The following notice of the building appears in the Old Gruard of May 6, 1884 : The carpenters' work on the new court house at this place is now com- pleted, and the present term of the Trigg Circuit Court is being held in the magnificent court-room above. The rooms of the county oflBcers have not been taken possession of yet, but will be in a few days, or at least so soon as the necessary furniture can be moved into them. The build- ing is one of the most beautiful pieces of architecture in the State, and notwithstanding the work has been all done at less than one-fourth of the cost, it contains the same number of rooms as the court houses at May- field, Paducah, Hopkinsville and Owensboro, and the most inferior is quite superior to the best one of them. The design of the house is sufficient of itself to make a character for Mr. McKinnon its architect, and the good wishes of the county will fol- low Mr. W. L. Landrum the contractor wherever he may go, for the faithful manner in which he has discharged his obligations. Jails. — The county was supplied with a jail some time before a court house was built. At the first session of the County Court, William Husk, Samuel Orr and Abraham Boyd were appointed Commissioners to con- tract for and superintend the construction of a jail, and at the September term following, the contract was awarded to John Williams, who agreed to erect the building for the sum of $500. It was built of hewed logs twelve inches square, and was constructed 26x16 feet in size, ten logs high, and contained two rooms ceiled with two-inch oak plank fastened to the walls with heavy iron spikes. Its architectural plan was simply that of a tight box with one outside door, one inside door and three small windows, each of which was only nine inches square. The two apartments were known as the debtor's and criminal rooms, one leading ofi" from the other. The doors were made of heavy timbers, the windows guarded with strong iron bars, and taken all in all it was a very secure though quite a cramped prison pen. It stood on the northeast corner of the public square, and served its purpose until about the year 1833, when HISTORY OP TRIGG COUNTY. 39 a lot vaa purchased where the present jail stands, and a larger and more substantial hewed-log building erected. The second jail was a square building, and contained the prison rooms, one of which was made very secure by being lined with a heavy iron cage. As the county grew in population and the criminal classes increased in numbers the place of limbo was found inadequate to accommodate the numerous guests that applied for admission, and in 1838 we find that plans and specifications were drawn up for a new stone jail to be eighteen feet square and two stories high. These plans were abandoned at the September term of 1838, and it was decided to remodel the old building by adding extra room and weatherboarding, and otherwise improving the structure. This work was done, and the building thus rendered more secure and comfort- able stood until the year 1857, at which time it was agreed to erect a brick jail, and plans for the same were accordingly drawn up and sub- mitted. The contract was awarded to John McKintry, who for the sum of $1,600 agreed to complete the building according to specifications and have it ready for use by the second Monday in September, 1857. The structure was thirty-four feet in length, fifteen feet four inches in width, one story high and contained three rooms, one of which, the dungeon, was fitted up with the old iron cage between which and the brick walls was built a "pen" of solid post oak logs reaching to the ceiling, thus rendering the apartment doubly secure. The building, though well con- structed and sufficiently secure to prevent the escape of culprits confined within its walls, was found in a short time to be inadequate for prison pur- poses, and ten years after its completion the necessity of having a new jail began to be discussed. At the January term of 1867 it was decided by an almost unanimous vote of the Justices to erect the building, and A. B. Dyer, R. A. Burnett and M. S. Smith were appointed Commis- sioners to let the contract and superintend its construction. They were authorized to sell the bonds of the county to the amount of not more than $10,000, to be redeemed in not less than one year nor more than ten years, in order to secure the necessary funds for the prosecution of the anticipated work. A contract was entered into with F. W. Merz, of Louisville, to furnish the inside iron work for the sum of $4,500, and P. S. Pool being the lowest bidder for the brick and stonework was awarded the contract for the same, he agreeing to complete it for $8,520. The plans of the building were afterward changed so as to include a jailor's residence, the contractor agreeing to remodel the old building for the purpose at an additional cost of $600. According to the terms of the contract the prison was to have been completed ar d ready for occupancy by the 15th day of May, 1867, but owing to some cause unknown it was not received until two years later, the plans in the meantime undergoing 40 HISTORY OF TRIGG CODNTY. several modifications. The building stands on the lot occupied by the old jail, and with the improvements added since its erection answers well the purposes for which it is intended. Attorneyg. — Among the list of prominent attorneys who have prac- ticed at the bar of Trigg County may be mentioned Hon. John J. Crit- tenden, Daniel S. Mayes (a brother of Matthew Mayes), Joseph R. Un- derwood, Charles S. Morehead, Beverly S. Clark, Joseph B. Crockett, Robert A. Patterson, John W. Crockett, George W. Barbour and others. The present bar of the county is comprised of the following lawyers : Cadiz : T. C. Dabney, John R. Grace, W. F. Simms, Robert Crenshaw, J. E. Kelly, James Garnett, E. F. Dabney, Robert A. Burnett and H. B. Wayland. Linton, E. C. Spiceland. Golden Pond, Frank Oakley. Maj. Matthew Mayes. — Prominent among the distinguished lawyers of Trigg County was Maj. Matthew Mayes, without a sketch of whom this history would be incomplete. The following sketch was prepared and kindly furnished by Mr. McKinney: Maj. Mayes was a native of Kentucky, and was born in the shadows of the past or the early dawn of the present century. His father died when he was young, and not having been designed for the legal profession his early educational advantages were somewhat neglected. He lived on his mother's plantation until he arrived at the years of maturity, when, becoming dissatisfied with the drudgery of an agriculturist, he determined to change his vocation. He taught school for a short time, and commenced the study of law in the office of his brother, Daniel Mayes of Hopkinsville. He was not long in preparing for the duties of the profession, and having received his license to practice law in the courts of this Commonwealth, removed to Cadiz on the formation of the new County of Trigg, and was admitted to the bar of this court on the 23d day of August, 1820, and here his long professional career begins. It is not in the language of hyperbole, when his friends claim that he sprang at once to the very first position in the profession. Without the brilliancy of William T. Barry or the burning eloquence of Mr. Crittenden or the two Moreheads, he was the superior of them all not only in the technicalities, but in the broad and comprehensive princi- ples of the common law. As a special pleader, those who were familiar with both, claim that he was the superior of his brother Daniel ; and when we take into consideration the fact that the former practiced law a number of years in Lexington, and held a professorship in the Law Depart- ment of Transylvania University, and afterward, having moved to Jackson, Mississippi, where we have the testimony of Senator Foote and Sargent S. Prentiss, that he was without an equal in the whole State some conception may be had of Maj. Mayes' perfect knowledge of that intricate branch of the profession. HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. 41 As a judge of law it was conceded that he had no equal in southwest- ern Kentucky, and but very few in the State. As a practitioner he was a model of professional decorum, and we have often heard Judge Hise, Mr. Sharp and James F. Buckner remark that they had never sprung a point on him that seemed at all to disconcert him or take him by surprise. As a speaker he was calm, clear and concise, and never at a loss for a word to express himself, but was never ornate nor eloquent. His speeches never were tedious and generally lasted from forty minutes to an hour, and every sentence was a legal maxim. His faithfulness and devotion to his clients amounted almost to stubbornness, so much so that when they found a gentleman who was immovable in his convictions, the members of the profession frequently taunted him with the charge that he adhered to his opinions as tenaciously as Mayes would cling to a client. He was a constant reader, but, having very little taste for poetry, his- tory or the essays of great literary celebrities, confined himself almost exclusively to the Bible, his law books and novels ; the latter he would devour by the armful. He was very decided in his political opinions, despised the very name of Democrat, but it is thought it was more from prejudice than an enlightened conviction, for he frequently confessed that he had no taste and very little knowledge of political questions. He never attempted to make a political speech, except a few in the campaigns of 1844, and never recovered from the mortification excited by the result of the contest. In personal appearance and intellectual vigor we know of no one who reminds us so much of him as the present Speaker of the House of Feder- al Representatives. He had the size, carriage, complexion and every make- up of speaker Carlisle, and we can recall, at this day, but one difierence in the two men. Mr. Carlisle is very calm and deliberate in social disputa- tion, but warms up into a perfect furor of excitement the very moment he mounts the stand ; while Maj. Mayes was fully as excitable in the social circle as Mr. Carlisle is upon the hustings ; he was calm and as gentle when he arose to address the court or jury as if the court-room were a parlor filled with ladies. Judge C. B. Bradley* — The name of but few men living or dead will excite in the people of Trigg County a more pleasant remembrance than that of Judge Bradley. He settled in Cadiz soon after the forma- tion of the county, and up to the breaking out of the war, except when he was on the bench, was the great law rival of Maj. Mayes. They were on one side or the other of all important suits, and all important cases of other courts, and if one chanced to be retained it almost insured a fee for the other on the opposite side, for not withstanding there were better » By Maj. McKinney. 42 HISTORY OF TftIGG COUNTY. speakers, for profound, comprehensive knowledge of the law it was very generally conceded that they ranked all other lawyers in this end of the State. Mr. Bradley was a great favorite in Cadiz ; everybody loved and respected him, and though many differed with him very positively on questions of public policy, there was not a citizen of the town identified with the opposition who would not have risked his own life in his defense. Yet he conceived the idea that there were persons here who were devising means to have him assassinated, and the belief took such possession of his mind that he actually moved away from the town, and was never back here but once afterward. As a matter of course his apprehension was all imaginary, but no one who was at all familiar with him doubted for a moment that he honestly believed that people plotted his death. He was eccentric in all things, but withal the most delightful companion for young men in the world. One would suppose that half the object of his life was devoted t(f devising plans for improving the morals, the intelli- gence, and contributing to the pleasure of the young men of the town. He organized reading clubs, debating societies, moot courts and social games for young people, atid would enter into them with all the enthusiasm and spirit of a boy of eighteen. If an old attorney was leading a young man into a snare in the trial of a case in court, you would find Bradley flying to the assistance of the young attorney, if the old one was representing the cause of one of the most intimate friends he had on earth. He would listen to the story of a school boy who had gotten into trouble with his teacher, and with too much prudence to let the boy know it, he would never lose sight of it until he arrived at the true facts of the case, then if he found the boy in error, he told him of it, and if the fault was the teacher's he was just as sure to hear it as the boy. His excitement was so intense that he took part in every dog fight that occurred upon the street, and if a social game of " seven up " was going on between the boys, he was sure to be one of the party, and would become as much in- terested and excited as if he had £1,000 at stake. He was very systematic and thought himself the most methodical man in the world. He had a theory for everything and arrived at all conclusions purely upon theoretical principle. He had a theory for loading a gun, the scent of a staghound, or the speed of a race-horse, and whenever one of them failed to exemplify itself in practice, he accounted for the failure by its being an exception to the general rule. He had him a rifle made especially for target-shooting, and paid a certain man $1.50 for a scrub colt, because by every principle and theory of locomotion he was compelled to make the fastest running horse in the world. Yet he was always beaten at the shooting matches, and Dr. D. Maxwell, now of Paducah, upon one occasion made a bet with him to run HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. 43 himself a foot-race against the horse, which he did do and actually beat him. Judge Bradley took an active part in political matters, and was a stanch Union man during the war. He served a term on the bench of this district, and no man living or dead ever had a doubt of his splendid capacity and his integrity as an upright and impartial Judge. Political History. — Much of what appears in the following pages is taken from Maj. McKinney's excellent historical sketches, and his accounts of the early elections are appropriated entire. The first recorded vote in the county was for members of Congress and for members of the Legisla- ture at the August election of 1822. The candidates for Congress were Robert P. Henry and Dixon Given. The former received in the county 271 votes, and the latter 107. The candidates for the Legisla- ture were Benjamin Patten, Nathan 0. Haden, Thomas Raleigh and Thomas Barnett. The vote stood as follows: Patten, 233; Haden, 202; Raleigh, 161 and Barnett, 103. Henry was elected to Congress, and Patten and Barnett were elected to represent Christian and Trigg Counties in the Legislature. In the winter of 1823 the Legislature granted to Trigg County a separate representative in the lower house. The contest at the August electign for that year was hotly contested. The candidates for the Legislature were Charles Caldwell and Thomas Raleigh. Caldwell received 250 votes, and Raleigh 248 ; majority for Caldwell two. There were three candidates for Governor that year, and the vote in this county stood as follows : Joseph Desha, 328 votes ; Christopher Thompkins, 136, and William Russell, 4. For Congress, Robert P. Henry received 477 votes. In the year 1826 Maj. George Street, father of John L. Street, defeated Col. Caldwell for the Legislature. There were three voting pre- cincts then, and the vote stood as follows : street. Caldwell. Cadiz 289 30 Canton 60 84 Burnett's Precinct 6 188 355 302 Maj. Street receiving a majority of 53 votes he was re-elected the fol- lowing year over Thomas Raleigh, by a majority of 34 votes. This last election seemed to have stirred up something of a sectional hostility in the county that has continued more or less to the present day. Maj. Street lived in the eastern portion of the county, and Col. Caldwell, near the elbow, on the opposite side of the Cumberland. River. Street was therefore a Cadiz man and Caldwell a Canton man. Street had defeated Caldwell for the Legislature, and the following year defeated his friend 44 HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. Ealeigh for the same office. This, as/was very natural, created animosity between the two sections, and hence arose the question of the removal oi the county seat from Cadiz to Canton. Matters were pretty warm next year, and as both parties were marshaling for a vigorous struggle, they concluded to select from each section new men, against whom no prejudice had been aroused by previous conflicts. The Cadiz people selected George Daniel and the Canton party selected as their champion Abra- ham Boyd, the father of the county, and ancestor of Hon. Linn Boyd. The result was notwithstanding the great personal strength of Mr. Dan- iel that the Canton men were victorious. Boyd was elected by the scant majority of 46 votes. In 1828 the contest between the two contending factions culminated in the re-election of Abraham Boyd over James Coleman, by a majority of 35 votes. But things began to show a change in 1829. The contest that year was between Dr. George Venable and Abraham Boyd. Dr. Venable was elected by only 13 votes. This ended the serious agitation of the removal of the county seat from Cadiz to Canton. The next year Lipscomb Norvell was elected over A. Samuel, by a majority of 82 votes out of the 100 cast. The next year Linn Boyd and Joseph Waddill were candidates for the Legislature, and a full vote of the county was polled, Boyd receiving 543 and Waddill 848. None of the county officers except the members of the Legislature were elected by the people. The magis- trates were commissioned by the Governor, and the oldest in commission succeeded to the Sheriffalty, retaining the office for two years. William Scott by virtue of being the oldest magistrate succeeded to the office twice, the first time in 1826 and again in 1840. Dick Dawson was the Presiding Justice of the County Court up to the year 1831. The year 1832 was the Presidential year of the great contest between Andrew Jackson and Henry Clay. It was the first- year, too, that the parties were distinctly arrayed under the old familiar appellation of Whig and Democrat. No conventions were held those days, but a universal popular applause for great party leaders pointed out the candidates in the place of a convention. Still in that year, to secure a more perfect organiza- tion a congressional caucus had nominated each. Martin Van Buren was on the ticket with Gen. Jackson, as a candidate for Vice President and John Sargent for the same place, on the ticket with Mr. Clay. The pol- iticians of the State seemed to have selected their subordinates with a view of meeting the exigencies of the great struggle that was approaching. Among the distinguished men that appear on the electoral ticket with Mr. Clay, were E. M. Ewing, John J. Marshall, William Ousley, Ben Hardin, Theodore Chilton and M. V. Thompson. On that of Gen. Jackson were found the names of William 0. Butler, John Speed, Smith- HISTORY OF TEIGG COUNTY. 45 James Guthrie, T. S. Slaughter and Matthew Lyon. The vote in Trigg County stood at the close of the polls, November 7, 1832, as follows: _ Jackson. Clay. Cadiz 177 301 Canton 104 20 Koaring Springs 98 53 Totals 439 374 Majority in the county for Jackson, 65 votes. The candidates for the Legislature that year were Judge James E. Thompson and Dr. Isaac Burnett. It was a strictly a political canvass with just enough personal matters thrown in to enable Judge Thompson's great personal popularity to bear him triumphantly through. He was elected by a majority of 52 votes. The next year Burnett was elected by a majority of 159 votes, over two competitors, Robert Baker and Col. T. W. Hammond. In the Presidential campaign of 1836 Harrison and Granger were the candidates of the Whig party, and Martin Van Buren and Richard M. Johnson were candidates of the Democratic party. Van Buren car- ried the county by a majority of eighty-eight votes. The year 1840 was one of the most notable epochs in the history of Kentucky, or perhaps in American annals. The political canvasses were vigorous, impressive, and very aggressive. Public meetings were held in various portions of the county, and clubs were formed, and more than one canoe or log-cabin was placed upon wheels and hauled around, and more than one barrel of hard cider was tapped to elevate the spirits of the en- thusiastic Whigs. John L. Murray and Robert Patterson were the Demo- cratic and Whig electors for the First District that year. Mr. Murray, whose health had already begun to fail, did not participate very actively in the canvass, but Patterson was everywhere, addressing the large audi- ences, giving free rein to acrimonious invective, the e£Fect of which was said to have been wonderful. The result was, at the November election the county showed only a majority of nineteen votes for Van Buren and Johnson over Harrison and Tyler. The latter carried the State by a large majority, and were overwhelmingly elected to the Presidency and Vice-Presidency of the United States. This was the first Whig ticket that had ever been elected since the formation of the party, and unless we claim Gen. Taylor, who was voted for by the Whigs as a " no party man," it was destined to be the last. But few persons living then will fail to recollect the exciting political events of 1844. It was about this time that the question of an increase of slave territory began to warmly interest the citizens of the country, and a limited abolition sentiment began manifesting itself in many of the Northern States. Early in 1844 it was well known that the efforts of the 46 HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. Democracy would be directed in the coming campaign toward the election of a President who favored the admission of Texas into the Union, and thereby an increase of slave territory ; while the Whigs on the contrary took an opposite stand, opposing the admission of Texas, in order to limit the domain of slavery, and they accordingly nominated Henry Clay, while the Democrats selected James K. Polk. These were the principal tickets, though not the only ones. The Liberty party placed in the field Birney and Morris, the platform differing somewhat from that of the Whigs, but resembling it in opposing an increase of slave territory. The vote stood in Trigg County as follows : Polk. Clay. Cadiz •■^65 397 Canton 212 96 Roaring Springs 174 64 Totals 661 557 A majority for Polk of 94 votes. In the Presidential campaign of 1848 the first extensive Free-Soil movement was made. The violent debates in Congress on questions growing out of slavery attracted universal attention and interest. In 1846 David Wilmot, of Pennsylvania, had introduced in Congress what became known as the Wilmot Proviso, which prohibited slavery in any territory which might be acquired from Mexico or elsewhere. Though the measure was defeated finally, some of the most eloquent and passion- ate speeches in American history were delivered in Congress while it was pending. The interest in Trigg County led to the partial organization of a Free-Soil party, many citizens who had formerly figured prominently in both old parties joining its ranks. The Whig candidates were Zachary Taylor and Millard Fillmore. The Democrats nominated Lewis Cass and William 0. Butler, while the Free-Soilers put in nomination Martin Van Buren. Unfortunately no record of the vote of Trigg County for that year was obtained, the poll book having by some me&ns become misplaced. In the year 1850 the present Constitution of Kentucky was adopted, and on Monday, the 12th of May, an election was appointed for the purpose of selecting persons to fill all the civil offices of the State. Previous to this time there had been no election of such officers by the popular voice of the peo- ple. The Judges of the Court of Appeals, Circuit Judges, Commonwealth Attorneys, Justices, etc., were all appointed by the Governor; the Clerk of the Court of Appeals by the Judges of that court ; the Circuit Clerks by the Circuit Judges ; the County Clerk by the Justices comprising that court, and the Jailor, Assessor, Constables, etc., by the same. No elections were held by the people except for President, Vice-Pres- ident, Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, Members of Congress, and of the HISTORY OP TRIGG COUNTY. 47 Senate and Legislature. The following candidates were before the peo- ple at the first election under the new Constitution : Thomas Towles, Fay Henry and J. W. Waddill, for Commonwealth's Attorney ; Towles was elected. Thomas C. Dabney, Mark M. Tyler and T. W. Hammond, candidates for County Judge ; Dabney elected. The candidates for Circuit Clerk were Henry C. Burnett and James E. Thompson. Burnett was elected, and before the expiration of his term of office resigned the position, and was elected to Congress from this district. A. S. Dabney and E. Vinson, Jr., were opposing candidates for County Clerk ; Dabney elected. Candidates for Sheriff were Stanley Thomas, B. J, WaU, John Humphries, Thomas Ingram and Ira Ellis; Thomas elected. Otley Grace, John J. Dyer, Thomas Rogers, Adams and — ^ — Lay ton were candidates for Assessor; Grace elected. James Richardson, A. Thomas, B. B. Mart and Kinchen Battoe for Surveyor; Richardson elected. Daniel Landes was elected to the Legislature, and George W. Barbour to the Senate. After the Presidential election of 1848, there was no abatement of interest throughout the country until the passage of the celebrated " Om- nibus Bill" in 1850. The question of the admission of California into the Union had come up, and had stirred to intense bitterness the senti- ments of both parties in Congress, and in all portions of the country. And when Henry Clay came forward with his celebrated compromise, which provided among other things for the admission of California aa a free State, and for the return of fugitive slaves to their masters, both Clay and his compromise were hailed by all except the Abolitionists with universal joy. The Free-Soil party was determined, and kept the South violently nettled. The Whigs nominated Gen. Winfield Scott, and the Democratic standard-bearer was Franklin Pierce. The vote in this coun- ty was as follows : Pierce and King, 629 votes ; Scott and Graham, 660 ; Pierce's majority, 69 votes. This was the last political struggle of the old Whig party. The agitation of the great principles for which Mr. Clay had so aggressively contended tranquilly subsided, its organization was broken up, and the record of its achievements glided peacefully away into history. The year 1856 was the first year the Abolitionists had ever attempted seriously to extend their views touching slavery into anything like na- tional proportions. The fugitive slave law was intensely odious to all the North except a few who were in sentiment favorably disposed toward slavery. The Republican party sprang into life and conducted one of the 48 HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. most exciting campaigns in the history of the nation. They called a national convention, which had a full representation from the Northern and Western States, and nominated Fremont and Dayton for President and Vice-President. Buchanan and Breckinridge were the names presented by the Demo- cratic, and Fillmore and Donaldson by the American party. " The most prominent candidate for the office of Vice-President this year was a dis- tinguished citizen of Trigg County, and its old Representative in Congress, the Hon. Linn Boyd. Mr. Boyd would surely have been the nominee but for a successful ruse upon the part of the delegation from Virginia. It was pretty well conceded that Mr. Boyd was the strongest man whose name had been mentioned in connection with the office, and unless some- thing was done to arrest the tide in his favor, would most likely receive the nomination on the second or third ballot. Just then the name of John C. Breckinridge was proposed ; and after a number of ineffectual attempts to have his name withdrawn, with the purest motives, the gen- tleman himself, who was present, was called upon the stand for the pur- pose of withdrawing his name in person, which he did, but the fine appearance of the man, the dignity and elegance of his style and the pure disinterestedness of his patriotism and devotion to his party electrified the whole body, and each individual member appearing to rise at once to his feet, he was nominated by acclamation. This was the last election in which all the conflicting elements of the Democratic party have been thoroughly united." The vote of Trigg County was as follows: Votes. Buchanan and Breckinridge 859 Fillmore and Donaldson 581 Fremont and Dayton The Presidential canvass of 1860 was contemplated from the begin- ning by all men of reflection with the most profound solicitude. For a few years preceding 1860 the sentiment on both sides had become so bitter, and the North, and especially the Republican party, had been so outspoken against slavery that the South instinctively felt that the elec- tion of the Republican candidate, Mr. Lincoln, meant serious interference with that institution. The November election was scarcely over ere ordi- nances of secession were passed, and preparations for war began on both sides. The war came, and the Republic was preserved in a modified form. The vote of the county is given as follows by districts : Breckinridge. Douglas. Bell. Lincoln Cadiz 182 3 215 o Canton 65 39 82 o Roaring Springs 120 95 78 i Fergu.son Springs 51 23 58 (| Wallonia 104 1 76 Bethesda 90 61 o FutrtU's 66 16 31 HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. 49 It will thus be perceived that Breckinridge received 675 votes ; Bell, 600 ; Douglas, 175 ; and Lincoln but 1. In 1864 the contest was really upon the question of continuing the war. As the Confederate States were out of the contest, the question was decided wholly by the Northern States. Lincoln's re-election devel- oped the fact that the North was in favor of continuing the war, and the struggle for supremacy was vigorously renewed. The vote of this county, if any at that election, is not accessible. The Presidential election of 1868 placed Gen. Grant at the head of the nation. The election returns for Trigg show the following vote: Seymour and Blair, 1,199 ; Grant and Colfax, 108. In 1872, Grant came up for re-election. The Republicans who opposed him united with the mass of the Democracy and placed Horace Greeley in the field. The straight-out Democrats nominated Charles O'Conor. Trigg Coun- ty voted as follows : Greeley and Blair, 977 ; Grant and Wilson, 928 ; O'Conor, 71. In 1876 Tilden and Hendricks were the nominees of the Democratic party, and Hayes and Wheeler were selected as stand- ard-bearers "bj the Republicans. The events of that celebrated campaign have gone into history and need not be repeated here. The following result shows how Trigg County's vote was divided between the two tickets: Tilden and Hendricks, 1,508 votes ; Hayes and Wheeler, 994 votes. In 1880 three ;iational tickets were put in the field — Hancock and English by the Democrats, Garfield and Arthur by the Republicans, and Weaver and Chambers by the Greenback party. The election in Trigg County gave the following return : Hancock, 1,262 ; Garfield, 873 ; Weaver, 48. Thus it will be seen that the county has been from the first Democratic, and that, too, by a majority which numerous disasters have been unable to overcome. Roads and Trails. — The early lines of travel through this part of Kentucky were along the Indian trails. These were clearly defined paths about eighteen inches wide and worn into the ground, sometimes to the depth of eight or ten inches. They traversed the country in almost every direction, but no traces of them are to be found at the present time. An early trail known as the Bufiialo trace, so called from its having been used by buffaloes as well as by the Indians, led from the Cumberland River to Cerulean Springs, passing through the intervening section of country in a northwesterly and southeasterly direction. This trace was well defined as early as 1790, and was used as a road by the first settlers in traveling to and from the points connected. As the country became more thickly populated and roads tl necessity, it was legally established, and was one of the earliest prominent thoroughfares in Trigg County. Only portions of the original route are used at the present time, the B4 50 HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. greater part having been abandoned many years ago. Another early road, and one that was quite extensively traveled, led from Hopkinsville to the Saline Salt works in Illinois. It passed in a northwesterly course through the northern part of Trigg County, and for many years was one of the principal highways of this section of the State. The most important highway in Trigg County is the Columbus & Bowling Green State road, better known in this part of the country as the Canton & Hopkinsville road, established by an act of the State Leg- islature about the year 1819 or 1820. It leads from Bowling Green to the Mississippi River, passing through this county in a northwesterly direction, and was for many years the principal stage and mail route for Trigg and Christian Counties. The most important section of the road is the part lying between the towns of Canton and Hopkinsville, over which all the merchandise for the two counties was freighted until the construc- tion of the railroad to the latter place. Prior to 1860 Canton was the distributing point for a large area of territory, and on this road could be seen, almost any day, lines of freight wagons, extending a mile or more in length. In the year 1858-59 a stock company, composed of the leading business men of Cadiz and a few from Christian County was organized, for the purpose of constructing a turn- pike from the landing to Hopkinsville, and a charter for the road was accordingly obtained. The stock was placed upon the market in shares of $100 each, and work on the road went briskly forward until a section fourteen miles in length was completed. The part ■ finished extends from the landing to within a few miles of Montgomery Village, and cost the sum of $60,000. The road proved a paying investment, and returned a handsome profit until the completion of the railway to Hopkinsville, when, owing to the serious interference with the freighting interests, the stock began rapidly to decline. The present board of managers consists of the following gentlemen, to wit : J. S. Wharton, President and Collector ; Thomas H. Grinter, Secretary and Treasurer ; John L. Street, M. S. Thompson, W. J. Fuqua and R. Wilford. " The same year the charter was obtained of the Kentucky Legislature to build the Hopkinsville, Cadiz & Canton Turnpike ; one was also ob- tained to build a pike from a point on the Cumberland River, from what was then known as the Old Kelley Furnace Landing to Hopkinsville, and a town was chartered at the latter point. It being near Lineport Tenn. a village through which the line dividing the States of Kentucky and Ten- nessee ran, the new town being near the old one, and also near the line of the two States, was consequently called Linetown on Linton. Sub- scription books for stock began to be circulated, not until some time after the Cadiz & Canton pike had been put under contract, but was prose- HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. 51 cuted with so much more energy that the two pikes were built and com- pleted to the Christian County line about the same time; Hopkinsville and Christian County refusing to give any assistance to continue the road through that county, the work was discontinued at the line between the two counties, nor has it ever been resumed. Dr. John C. Whitlock was the President, and it may be said of a truth that he built and established both the pike and the town." The road never proved a paying venture, and has not been kept up for several years. Railroad. — Hopes of securing a railroad have been entertained by the citizens of Trigg County for a number of years, and several projected lines have been run through the country at different times. The Indiana, Tennessee & Alabama road was surveyed in 1879, and is likely to be completed within the next year. The projected route passes through the northeast corner of the county, and crosses the boundary at the Hopkins- ville road, near Henry Bryant's farm in Montgomery Precinct. This road, when completed, will be of great benefit to the country through which it passes, by affording markets within the easy reach of the citizens of eastern Trigg. It will also enhance the value of the lands lying con- tiguous. To sum up, Trigg County needs railroads to properly develop its rich mines of wealth. With the requisite railroad facilities added to the water highways, Trigg would be fortunate above most of her neighbors. With all her tobacco, grain, stock, timber, rich ores, etc., railroads would soon make Trigg one of the richest counties in southwestern Kentucky. HISTORY OP TRIGG COUNTY. 63 CHAPTER IV. Religious— Synopsis of the Church History of Trigg County— Some OF the Pioneer Preachers of Southern Kentucky— Their Pecul- iar Characteristics — Dudley Williams — Reuben Ross and Others— Number of CnuRcarEs in the County— Schools— Past and Present Institutions of Learning— Teachers— Statistics— The Press— Canton Observer— Yeoman— Cadiz Organ— The Telephone AND Old Guard — Standing Upon a Solid Foundation— Crime and Lawlessness— Convictions and Executions— '■ Obey the Laws"— Trigg County Medical Society, etc., etc. TN the early history of southern Kentucky it was not thought necessary J- that preachers should be educated men. It was sufficient for them to preach the Gospel from their simple understanding of the Bible alone. They have passed away, but they have left behind them the record of a mission well and faithfully performed, and may their sacred ashes repose in pea6e, in the quietude of their lonely graves until awakened by the archangel's trump in the last great day. Among the earliest preachers in the county, of whom there is any record or knowledge, was Elder Dudley Williams, a member of the Bap- tist Church. He was one of the self-appointed missionaries of the fron- tier who went from place to place, intent only to show men the way to life everlasting. Elders Dorris, Brown and Thomas Ross were also early preachers in the county. They were Baptists, and held religious services from house to house during the early days of the county's history. Elder Reuben Ross was a distinguished preacher of the Baptist Church also, and a man of more than ordinary intellectual acquirements and eloquence. He was a man of generous mind, and co-operated freely with ministers of other denominations. He believed that in " things essential there should be unity," and in things not essential there should be liberty, and in all things charity. He was one of the founders of the Dry Creek Church, near Linton, one of the oldest church organizations in the county, and assisted in the establishment of the Donaldson Creek Church as early as 1814. Another Baptist Church, thought by some to be the first in the county, was formed in the year 1806, at Cerulean Springs. Elders Field- ing Wolfe, Reuben Rowland and Peyton Nance, zealous workers in the cause of the Master, ministered to this church for many years during its early history. 64 HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. Following close in the wake of the Baptists came pioneer missionaries of the Methodist Church, and established flourishing societies in various parts of the county. Later the Christians, or Disciples, as they are more familiarly known, obtained firm footing in the southern part of the State, and in Trigg are several of their oldest and most influential organizations. Thus a population increased, churches sprang up in all the different set- tlements of the county. At the present time every village and hamlet, and nearly every neighborhood has its church and Sunday-school. There is no lack of religious facilities, and if the people do not walk in the "straight and narrow way" they have but themselves to blame for any short-comings laid up against them. There are in the county at the present time fifteen Baptist Churches, and about the same number of Methodist. The Christians have five organizations; the Christian Union three ; the Presbyterians one, and the Catholics one. The above are all "white churches. The colored people have several flourishing soci- eties, principally Methodist and Baptist. Schoolt. — Scarcely second of the active forces that influence the de- velopment of society is the public school ; nothing adds so much to the prosperity of a community, or to its civilization and enlightenment as a thorough system of public instruction, and the cause of education should enlist the hearty support of every citizen irrespective of party aflSliations. " The statutes of Kentucky show that the first experiments to extend the fostering aid and care of State patronage to the interests of general edu- cation were made nearly three-quarters of a century ago. An act of the Legislature, approved February 10, 1798, donated and set apart of the pub- lic lands of the Commonwealth 6,000 acres, for the support and benefit of Franklin, Salem and Kentucky Academies, and for Jefi'erson and Lex- ington Seminaries. Similar acts were approved December 21, 1805, and January 27, 1808, embracing like provisions, and extending them to all existing counties of the State."* It would be impossible within reasonable space to trace the course of legislation upon this most important subject of public schools. Almost every session of the Legislature has witnessed the passage of some special or general law in relation to the school interests of the State. The difl5- culties in the way of the early progress of the system were numerous, and for a time insurmountable. Funds for the pay of teachers and for the erection of schoolhouses were lacking, qualified teachers could not be found, the school districts were sparsely settled, much of th(! legislation was impracticable, the funds were mismanaged, and more fatal than all, was the strange prejudice entertained by many against popular education under the name of "free schools." Against the various hindrances, how- ♦From ColllnB' Hiatory. HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. 65 ever, the system has slowly made its way in spite of hostile judicial deci- sions, until now, though far from being perfect, and much inferior to the systems of other and newer States, it is accomplishing the great objects for which it was intended. The early schools of Trigg County, like the whole of Kentucky, were of the commonest kind, and the cause of education for more than a gen- eration was in anything but a flourishing condition. For half a century or more the schoolhouses, books, teachers and manner of itistruction were of the most primitive character, and very different from what they are at the present day. The buildings, as a general thing, were very small log structures, with puncheon or dirt floors, and furnished with rude benches made of the split trunks of trees. A wide board fastened to the 'walls by wooden pins extended around the room, and answered the purpose of a writing desk during certain hours of the day. The apartment was heated by a large fireplace which occupied almost an entire end of the building, and light was admitted through greased paper windows fitted into an opening in the wall. A few of these humble temples of learning — time-worn relics of the early days, are yet to be found in many portions of southern Kentucky — eloquent of an age forever past. The majority of the pioneer schools was maintained altogether by subscription, and it was not until within a comparatively recent period that any substantial good began to be realized from the general system of public instruction. The county is still somewhat backward in the cause of education, and has not made that pro-- grass that it should have done, although much has been accomplished during the last decade toward bringing the common schools up to a higher degree of excellence. New and commodious houses have been erected, old houses have been repaired and refitted, better teachers employed, more liberal salaries paid, and many other needed improvements added. There are in the county at the present time fifty-six public school- houses, only eighteen of which are framed, the others being log, and the majority of them very indifferent structures. During the school year of 1882 and 1883, 3,643 white and 1,395 colored pupils attended the public schools. Sixty-three teachers were employed, and the sum of $7,600 paid them for their services. In addition to the public schools there are several private institutions of learning in the county, where the most thorough and systematic instruction is given by competent teachers. The most important of these schools is the Wallonia Institute. There are also excellent private schools at Cadiz, which are more appropriately mentioned in the history of that town. The Press. — The newspaper is an important factor in American society, and its establishment marks an epoch in the history of a commu- 66 HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. nity. In the main, it reflects the character of its constituency; it leads to a union of sentiment and purpose, and thus renders the moral force of society more efiective. Hand in hand with the church and the school, it comes in the van of civilization, and society in this age cannot afibrd to dispense with its power. Ezekiel Vinson was the first man that had nerve to start a newspaper in this county away back in the fifties. This was a modest six-column long primer independent local sheet called the Canton Observer, from its having been published at that place. After issuing the paper one year at Canton, Mr. Vinson moved his oflSce to Cadiz, and changed the name of his paper to the Cadiz Weekly Observer, under which head it made its regular appearance for about two years, at the end of which time T. N. Ingram & Co. became proprietors. Under their management the oflBce was removed to Canton, and J. S. Spiceland secured as editor. Spice- land afterward purchased the office, which -was again brought to Cadiz, and the paper in 1857 was merged into the Cadiz Organ. Canton Yeoman. — This was venture number two in the way of news- paper enterprises in Canton. The Yeoman was Democratic in politics, and first made its appearance in 1857 under the editorial management of J. T. Ingram. Not meeting with sufficient patronage at Canton, Mr. Ingram, at the breaking out of the war, moved his paper to Mayfield, where it was afterward suppressed for its outspoken Southern senti ments. The Cadiz Organ was published by John S. Spiceland, and was established about the year 1857-68 — a seven-column weekly Democratic paper. Spiceland carried it on about two years, at the end of which time he sold out to J. W. Gobin, who several years later merged it into the Trigg County Democrat. Mr. Gobin published the Democrat about nine months, when he sold to C. T. Wilkinson, under whose management it was regularly issued until April, 1882, at which time it suspended. When Wilkinson became proprietor he secured the services of Judge J. H. Wilkinson as editor, who made it the strongest and ablest paper the county had had up to that time. Judge Wilkinson wrote and published a great deal of matter. His facile pen ran smoothly over the paper, and when he cared he could invest his subject in strong and glowing language. He died in 1882, and in his death the editorial fraternity lost an able and valued member. A small sheet called the Union Democrat was started at Canton in 1861 by E. C. Spiceland. This paper was radical in its adherence to the Federal cause, and met with but little patronage in consequence thereof. Mr. Spiceland published the Democrat but a few months, when it died a natural and easy death. HISTORY OP TRIGG COUNTY. 67 The Kentucky Telephone.* — The first number of the Kentucky Tele- phone was issued January 4, 1882. It was established by A. T. Wimberly, one of the present proprietors. It was a seven-column folio until October 27, 1882, when it was enlarged to eight columns, its patronage being such as to demand it. It is a weekly, and in politics Democratic. Matthew Mc- Kinney and A. T. Wimberly were the editors, the former being the prin- cipal editor until September 7, 1883, when he resigned. A. T. Wim- berly then took charge of the editorial department, and was sole editor and proprietor until January 1, 1884, when he sold a half interest in the oflSce to Webb Watkins, who was at that time foreman of the printing department. It is now published under the firm name of Wimberly & Watkins, with A. T. Wimberly as editor and Webb Watkins as associate. The business of the paper has been very successfully managed. Its circulation has not been less than 950 since the end of the first year's existence, and it has reached 1,800. It now has a circulation of 1,200. Its advertising patronage is liberal, and everything considered, there is not a county paper in southern or western Kentucky that receives a more liberal patronage than the Telephone. Old Guard. — This publication, the latest newspaper venture in Trigg County, was established January, 1884, by G. B. Bingham and Matthew McKinney. It is a seven-column folio, Democratic in politics, and under the able editorial management of Major McKinney has already acquired an extensive circulation, which is constantly increasing. The business of the paper is successfully conducted by Mr. Bingham, while as a writer Maj. McKinney is the peer of any newspaper man in Kentucky. The outlook of the Old Guard is very promising, and its friends predict for it a brilliant future. Trigg County has an able press, and should appreciate it as it deserves. Few counties have two better or more sprightly newspapers. They have prospered through the energy of their owners, and are now upon a solid foundation ; their patrons should see that they continue bo, by supporting them liberally. Crime.f — Notwithstanding the history of Trigg County has been proverbial for its good order and the peacefulness of its population, if we take some other counties as examples her record has been rather a bloody one. It is pretty well conceded now that in most of the counties of Ken- tucky if a criminal is found guilty and the death penalty aflBxed, that public sentiment has driven the jury to the finding of the verdict; but if malefactors will take upon themselves the trouble to look into the county records of Trigg, we think they will come to the conclusion that it is not a very favorabl e location" for the perpetration of their murderous designs. • Prepared by A. T. Wimberly. f rrom UoKInneT'a Sketchei. 58 HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. The death sentence has been pronounced seven times since the county has been organized, and there have been five executions. The firsf was Jerry, a slave of Starkie Thomas, who was arraigned for trial in the Trigg Circuit Court the 7th day of July, 1841. The jury was composed of a lot of stanch old gentlemen, among whom are remembered the fol- lowing: John H. Prescott, George Grace, John Wallis, Sam Stanrod, Thomas H. Young, Alex Wilson, Robert Hawkins, William H. Martin, Z. E. F. Mitchison and William Waldin. He was prosecuted by Iredel Hart and defended by Cormenius Bur- nett. He was found guilty, and executed on the 30th day of July, 1841. The day of Jerry's execution drew the largest crowd to Cadiz that has ever been there from that day to this. The bulk of the population not only of this county but most of the adjoining counties all seemed to have been there. Not only the gentlemen but the ladies turned out in full force, and the most refined and cultivated ladies in the county at that. There was considerable sympathy manifested for Jerry, and most likely if such a case had occurred during Gov. Blackburn's administration, he would have been called upon for an interposition of executive clemency. The prqof was positive, but there were mitigating circumstances, the in- troduction of which the law forbade, that gave the finding of the jury somewliat the appearance of a harsh verdict. The second execution was Minerva, a servant, the property of Mrs. Martha Mayes. Herself and husband, the property of Jane Miller, were tried for arson — the burning of the storehouse of Messrs. Gardner & Ragon. I\ seems to have been the generally received opinion that George, was guilty, but there was always a doubt in the minds of the people as to the guilt of Minerva, except perhaps the knowledge of her husband's in- tention to commit the offense. Public sentiment, however, was wrought up to a high pitch, and notwithstanding the testimony was all circumstan- tial, they were both found guilty. George committed suicide in jail before the day of execution, and Minerva suffered the extremef penalty of the law on the 9th day of February, 1856. Sol Younce was tried and found guilty by a Committee of Vigilance as being a leader in a proposed insurrection of the negroes, and a plot to murder the whites — found guilty, and was executed some time in the spring of 1856. There being no record of this matter kept, we are consequently unable to give the precise date. Anthony, a slave, the property of R. V. Grinter, was regularly in- dicted by the Grand Jury and tried for a similar offense, found guilty and was executed on the 6th day of February, 1857. Anthony had been tried for his life on one occasion previous to this. The first offense was the breaking open and robbing the house of Mrs. Kelly. HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. 59 The next conviction and sentence was Austin Bingham for murder. He was sentenced to be hung, and the day of execution fixed for the 4th of November, 1859. There was a great effort made both in the trial and after judgment by his attorneys to save his life, and finally Gov. Magoffin was prevailed upon to commute his punishment to imprisonment for life. He died in the penitentiary a few years after. Andrew Jackson was tried and found guilty of murder, condemned, and executed on April 12, 1860. John Bridges was tried for murder, and executed on the 30th day of June, 1882. "Let justice be done though the heavens fall," is the motto of our people, but they very much hope at the same time that long years may elapse before another crime will be committed in the county that will de- mand so severe a penalty. Trigg County Medical Society. — The medical fraternity of the county have formed themselves into an organization known as the Trigg County Medical Society. The society was organized in 1 872, any graduate of medicine from a respectable medical college being eligible to membership. The first officers were Dr. Thomas Jefferson, President ; J. S. Lackey, Secretary ; and J. W. Crenshaw, Treasurer. Many of the physicians of the co.unty have since joined the society. Dr. J. W. Johnson is Presi- dent of the organization at this time ; J. L. Trice, Vice-President ; and J. W. Crenshaw, Secretary and Treasurer. The present membership consists of the following physicians : J. W. Johnson, J. L. Trice, Levi Lindsay, J. WL Crenshaw, T. L, Bacon, A. G. P. Good, William Lind- say, J. W. Cullom, Henry Blane, Roscoe and J. H. Lackey. The society is yearly growing in interest, and its meetings are productive of much good to the profession in the county. HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. 61 CHAPTER V. War History— The Revolutionary Patriots— Some Who Settled in Trigg County— Our Second Misunderstanding with England- Battle OF New Orleans— War with Mexico— Trigg County's Part IN It— The Late Civil War— Company G of the Fourth Iitfantry — A Sketch of Their Service— The Handful Who Survived the War— Companies B and D of the Eighth— Their Exploits and Achievements— Company B of the Second Cavalry— Company D of THE Same Regiment— The Federal Side— It is Rather Brief— The Forty-eighth— Other Volunteers— Burning the Cadiz Court House— Murder of a Negro Soldier— A Few Incidents— Peace, ETC., ETC. BUCKLE, in his History of Civilization in England, startles the world with the announcement that the invention of gunpowder, " though a warlike contrivance, ha£ in its results been eminently service- able to the interests of peace." His argument is about as follows : 1. Its invention has made war more destructive to human life, thereby exciting the fears of would-be belligerents, and causing them to dread its issues ; therefore it has been " eminently serviceable to the interests of peace." 2. Its invention has made war more expensive, thereby putting it out of reach as an everyday luxury, and making it only possible to the wealthier nations ; therefore in this respect also it has been " eminently serviceable to the interests of peace." By the same process of reasoning the invention of dynamite should have precipitated the millennium. Its greater destructiveness should have shocked the world into a paralysis of fear, and its greater expensive- ness should have made war forever impossible to the richest. No ; the true solution of the problem of modem civilization lies else- where than in the invention of improved agencies and implements of de- struction. We must go beyond and deeper. War is the outgrowth of human passion and pride, and the true conservators of peace must be sought for and found in those influences and agencies that correct and control these. The Christian religion, reaching down to the very fount- ain-source of man's being, and turning hate to love, covetousness to alms- giving, and selfishness to self-sacrifice, is alone such principle. In its enlightening and ennobling influences are to be found the prime factors of the present civilizations. Its very germ-life is to be found imbedded in the injunction, " Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men 62 HISTORY OP TRIGG COUNTY. should do to you, do ye even so to them." The life and teachings of the Son of Mary are the very incarnation of peace, and under the benign in- fluence of such example and teaching the moral conscience of the world has been educated to look upon war as an unmitigated evil, and its insti- gators as heartless tyrants and oppressors of the race. War is always an aggression upon one side or the other ; the stronger, from motives of cupidity and power, making encroachments upon the rights and privileges of the weaker, or the weaker seeking to revenge themselves upon the stronger. In the war between the mother country and her colonies she was the aggressor. The King, backed by a venal Parliament, sought to impose onerous burthens of taxation upon the struggling colonists, while at the same time persistently refusing to concede to them the just and inalien- able right of representation. The colonies insisted that taxation and rep- resentation were inseparable and should go together, and therefore that " taxes or subsidies of every sort for the support of Government should be the voluntary tribute of the people through their representatives." The insistance upon this principle of taxation without representation by Parliament on the one hand, and its resistance by the colonies on the other, soon brought about the heroic struggle which finally resulted in the complete independence of the latter. It is not the preseht purpose to recount any part of that eventful period — it was over and almost forgotten before this part of " the dark and bloody ground " was thought of as a possible habitation — but to pre- serve to the pages of history the names of some of those who were par- ticipants in its fortunes. After the wp»" was over and the people had again settled down to the more peaceful vocations of life, the growing importance of this portion of Kentucky began to attract the attention of many of the more adventurous spirits of Virginia, Georgia and the Caro- linas. Many of the war-worn veterans of these and other States, by themselves or in groups, began to make their way to this, then a part of Christian County, and the contiguous portions of southwestern Kentucky. A few of these names have been preserved, and it is the pleasure of the historian to spread them upon these pages. In the year 1792, Thomas Wadlington, of North Carolina, who had been a soldier under Gen. Nathaniel Greene, came West with his family and settled near Kent's Bridge on Little River, about five miles from the present site of Cadiz. All that is known of his war record, beside the mere fact that he was one of Greene's men, is that he participated in the battle of Guilford Court House under that distinguished oflScer. No doubt he was in the subsequent engagements at Camden, Ninety-six and Eutaw Springs, but there is no record remaining of the fact, and none living able to decide. HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. 63 Another of Gen. Greene's veterans in the campaigns of North and South Carolina, and who came to the county in 1806, was James Thomas, father of Perry Thomas, now in his eighty-eighth year. James Thomas, beside being a good farmer, was an excellent citizen and full of " the milk of human kindness." He settled on the place adjoining that on which his son Perry now resides, and continued to live there till the year 1832, when he died full of years, and was gathered to his fathers. In 1811 Capt. Thomas Humphries, of Virginia, came to the county with his brother Absalom. He and Absalom and three other brothers had been in the patriot army, and had distinguished themselves on many a hard-fought field. Thomas was a Methodist preacher of much force and eloquence, and perhaps the most cultivated and accomplished scholar in the county at that day. Only one of the veterans who followed the for- tunes of Gen. Francis Marion, " the Swamp Fox," is now recalled. John Grasty, of South Carolina, came to Christian in 1790, and settled in that portion now comprehended within the boundaries of Trigg County. Besides being a scarred and war-worn veteran of the Continental army, like Humphries he was a man of education and refinement, and for a long time taught one of the early schools. The name of but one Kevolutionary soldier appears as such upon the Trigg County records. In 1820, June 19, Thomas Owsley (indexed Woosley) made application for a pension, and produced in open court the following schedule of his property : " An old horse, one cow, one calf, two two-year-old heifers, fourteen sheep, two sows and seventeen pigs, six old pewter plates, five knives, as many forks, and some wooden uten- sils of little or no value." Besides these, the names simply of James Barnum, Miles Hollowell, John Mayberry and Balaam Ezell, an old Baptist preacher, have been preserved. They were among the earlier settlers of Trigg, and were doubtless as gallant in war as they were afterward adventurous and enter- prising in peace. The War of 1812. — The humiliation and defeat of " the mother country" by her rebellious colonies left a bitter sting in her proud, imperious heart. Though acknowledging their independence, and out- wardly maintaining a show of amity and good-fellowship, within their rankled feelings of wounded pride and deep resentment. These exhibited themselves from time to time in overt acts of aggression upon the high seas and elsewhere. In June, 1807, the British man-of-war Leopard fired into the United States frigate Chesapeake, killing three men and wounding eighteen more. This act of unprovoked hostility was, it is true, disavowed by the British Government, but again in 1811 the Little Belt, a British sloop-of-war, fired into the United States frigate President. 64 HISTORY or TRIGG COUNTY. This time they did not fare so well, for the doughty Commodore (Rogers) replied by a broadside, and soon placed his antagonist hors de combat. About this time also the feeling of hostility toward England in this coun- try was much aggravated by the Indian outbreaks in the Northwest, which were attributed directly to her instigation. Gen. William Henry Harrison promptly met and suppressed them for the time, but there was every indication of further trouble in the future, and much uneasiness was felt. At last the emissaries of the British Government became so bold as to seek to corrupt our own citizens, and one John Henry was found try- ing to foment sedition among certain disaffected classes in New England. The fact was communicated by President Madison to Congress in a special message, and taken in conjunction with the other acts of unfriend- liness and aggression, and the frequent and forcible impressment of American seamen upon the high seas, finally led to a declaration of war upon the part of the United States Government. The people were much exasperated against the English, and everywhere the declaration of hos- tilities was received with demonstrations of hearty approval. In Ken- tucky much enthusiasm was manifested. The war spirit blazed forth, and over seven thousand volunteers at once tendered their services to the Gov- ernment. In answer to a call for 1,500 by the Governor to join Gen. Hopkins at Louisville, over 2,000 responded. Among those from Trigg County, then a part of Christian, were Lieut. Hampton Wade (grandfather of Lieut. Robert Major of the late war), James Baradill and Jonas Mitchell, uncles to Perry Thomas, Stephen Boren, William Camp- bell and Asa Reddick. These gallant spirits,- or the most of them, fol- lowed the fortunes of Hopkins in his expeditions against the Kick- apoos in Illinois, and the following November moved against the Indian villages on the Wabash in Indiana. It is not the present pur- pose to follow the varying fortunes of our arms in this war, though Ken- tucky perhaps contributed to its success more than any other State in the Union. Suffice it to say that, in the main, both on land and sea they were crowned with success, and in December, 1814, a treaty of peace was signed at Ghent, conceding to us all the points involved in the controversy. But the news of the treaty did not reach our shores till fifteen days after the battle of New Orleans had been fought and won. On the 8th of January, 1816, Sir Edward Pakenham with some 12,000 soldiers and marines attacked Gen. Jackson, who was entrenched behind cotton bales at New Orleans. The result was a most brilliant vic- tory for our arms. " Two thousand British soldiers led in a charge on Jackson's breastworks were left dead or wounded on the field. Paken- ham himself was killed ; Maj.-Gens. Gibbs and Keane, the two oflScers HISTORY OP TRIGG COUNTY. 65 next in command, were both wounded, the former mortally ; while Jack- son's loss was only seven killed and six wounded."* Here also Trigg County was well represented. Among those of her sons who participated in the fight, under Col. Posey it is thought, were James Wade, a cousin of Hampton Wade ; George Newton, familiarly known as " King Newton ;" James Saltzgiven ; John Jones, an uncle by marriage of John L. Miller ; James, father of Wimberly Thomas, who was wounded and subsequently, on his return home, died of his wounds ; T. W. Hammond ; Barnes and Henry Jones, brothers ; Jerry Saunders, Jack Cotton, Winborn Futrell, William Ramey, David Cahoon, or Cal- houn, Warren Clark, William Pitts, Robert Coleman, Henry Vinson, Christopher Brandon and William Rushing. Sergt. Lunsford Lindsay, father of Dr. Lev Lindsay, went from Orange County, Va., under Capt. William Stevens, and served in the war, but where and under what circumstances is not known. He moved to Trigg a few years after, 1819, and was long identified with her best interests as a good and useful citizen. The Mexican War. — After the termination of this second war with England a long and restful peace smiled upon the country, only inter- rupted from time to time by the fitful outbreaks of the Seminoles in Flor- ida, and in 1832 of the Black Hawk war in the Northwest. Gen. Win- field Scott speedily put down the Winnebagoes under Black Hawk, and in 1837 Col. Zachary Taylor succeeded in bringing the Seminoles to terms. In this latter war with the Florida Indians Trigg County had one representative at least, in the person of Harrison Frizzell, who was also afterward in the war with Mexico. The difference with Mexico had its origin in the openly- expressed sympathy, if not active aid, of the Americans with Texas in her struggle for independence. On the 12th of November, 1835, the latter, through her representatives at San Philipe de Austin, declared her independ- ence of Mexico, and set up a regular State government for herself. This brought on an engagement, first at Bexar, and then at Goliad, in both of which the Mexicans under Gen. Cos were beaten. Gen. Santa Anna, President or Dictator of Mexico, then moved on the Alamo with 7,600 men, and late in February, 1836, attacked the garrison. Col. Travis with 140 brave Texans defended the place, and for eleven days, in which Santa Anna lost 1,600 killed and wounded, succeeded in keeping them at bay. The defense was unprecedented in the annals of war, and at the time thrilled the whole nation with wonder and admiration. The place was finally carried by storm, and on the 16th of March the entire garri- son was cruelly put to the sword by their cowardly captors. Among * Hlltory of the United States: By Alexander H. Stephens. BS 66 HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. those who perished at Alamo were " the brave, eccentric and famous David Crockett, of Tennessee," and one of Trigg County's gallant sons, Jesse Humphries, a descendant of the brothers Thomas and Absalom Hum- phries, of Revolutionary fame. A second butchery followed shortly afterward at Goliad, where Col. Fanning and 300 of his men were cruelly put to death. These enormities upon the part of the Mexicans exasperated the American people to the very highest pitch of indignation. Texas, nothing daunted, and perhaps secretly instigated by the Americans, proceeded to adopt a Constitution for an independent republic, and elected David G. Burnett as President. Commissioners were sent to this and other countries, asking for recogni- tion. In 1837 the United States recognized her independence, and in August of the same year she proposed to annex herself to the United States, but it was not till the 29th of December, 1845, that Congress acceded to her request. The Mexican Minister called for his passport and withdrew from the country, and Gen. Zachary Taylor was sent to the Rio Grande. Here on the 26th of April, 1846, hostilities began with the killing and capturing of Capt. Thornton and sixty-three men. A series of brilliant engagements began under Taylor at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, and later on under Scott at Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo and other places, resulting in the capture of the city of Mexico on the 12th of September, 1847, and the subsequent submission of the Mexican Government to the forces of the United States. In this war, through her Taylors, Clays, Crittendens, Prestons, Breck- inridges. Butlers, Marshalls and others, Kentucky covered herself with glory. More than 13,700 men offered themselves as volunteers, though only about 5,000 or less had been called for as Kentucky's quota and could be accepted. Trigg County tendered one or more companies, but the quota being already made up they were declined. The companies were disbanded, but quite a number of the more adventurous spirits who had composed them hurried off to different points to seek enlistment in other commands. The first man to go was Lycurgus Edrington, now of Missouri, and he is said to have been the first man to volunteer from this Congressional District in any command. He was a man of fine physique, and made a brave and efiicient soldier. Shortly after Wiley Futrell, also in the late war under Col. Suggs of the Fiftieth Tennessee ; James Thomas, Fifer ; Alfred Boyd, Quarter- master, George Boyd, his son ; Reuben Nance, Commissary ; Owen Mc- Ginness, Gilliam M. Ezell, Alfred Martin, Robert and Frank Husk Ezekiel Beard, George Orr, Griffin Lackman and Archie Bowie made application and were accepted in Company E, Fourth Kentucky Infantry, then being organized at Hickman, Ky. The officers of this company HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. 67 were George Cook, Captain ; John Snyder, First Lieutenant ; Edward Barbour, Second Lieutenant ; Benjamin Egan, Third Lieutenant. Six others, Edward Spiceland, Linn Bell, Alfred Sumner, Har- rison Frizzell, John Ward and John Farleigh, arriving shortly afterward and finding the company full, engaged as wagoners, and in this capacity accompanied Gen. Taylor on his campaign into the interior of Mexico. The organization of Capt. Cook's company being complete in October, 1847, it embarked with Company C, of Caldwell County, on board a steamer and proceeded to join Col. John S. Williams, Fourth Regiment of Kentucky Infantry at New Orleans. The officers of the Fourth were John S. Williams, Colonel ; William Preston, Lieutenant-Colonel ; and William T. Ward, Major. From New Orleans without delay, the regiment was embarked on a fast-sailing ship for Vera Cruz, where on their arrival they were assigned to duty in the brigade under Gen. William 0. Butler. Gen. Butler began his march to the City of Mexico in Novem- ber, but before they could reach that point it had surrendered to the forces under Gen. Scott. With the fall of the city the war closed, and after a few days the troops were disbanded and returned home. Though not in any engagement the company lost heavily from measles, dysentery and other "camp" diseases. Griffin Lackman died and was buried at Jalapa, Alfred Martin and Ezekiel Beard died on their return to Vera Cruz, George Orr died and was buried at the head of Wolf Island, and Robert Husk died at Smithland. The body of the latter was brought on to Trigg, where it was buried with appropriate honors by his comrades and a large concourse of sorrowing citizens. The balance of the company was mustered out at Louisville, August, 1848, and on its return was welcomed home with a splendid banquet spread in a grove near the town of Cadiz. The Great Civil War Between the States. — It would be interesting to go back to the beginning and trace out step by step the cause or causes that led up to this great struggle, but this has been done by abler pens, and the reader is referred to Alexander Stephens' History of the United States as a fair and impartial view of the subject. Though there were many secondary causes, the war had its origin primarily in the intro- duction of African slavery into the Colonies. Slavery was the germ- seed of the deadly upas that, planted in the virgin soil of the Colonies, grew with the growth of years and finally spread its blighting shadows over the whole continent. It was the infectious virus that, injected into the veins of that youthful people, ultimately resulted in the poisoning of the whole body politic of the full-grown nation. Nor is it a question of responsibility as to its introduction, nor yet as to its agitation by the friends and champions of either side. The future historian must and 68 HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. will decide that both were wrong ; the North in making war on the reserved rights and constitutional prerogatives of the Southern slave- owner, and the South in resorting t6 questionable and suicidal methods of redress in secession and revolution. It was a fatal mistake on both sides, and entailed great loss and much woe and misery upon the whole race. The years of heated agitation of the subject of slavery both in and out of Congress finally brought matters to the culminating point, when, in 1860, Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois, and Hannibal Hamlin, of Maine, as representatives of the Anti-slavery party of the North, were elected President and Vice-President. The South looked on it as an open declaration of hostilities upon the part of the North, and in the following December the State of South Carolina met in Convention at Charleston and passed an ordinance of secession. This ordinance cited as reasons for the act the fact that " the States of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa" (all of which had voted for Lincoln and Hamlin) " had enacted laws which either nullified the acts of Congress for the rendition of fugitives from service or rendered useless any attempt to execute them, and that Iowa and Ohio had refused to surrender fugitives from justice charged with murder, and with inciting servile insurrection in the John Brown raid, as well as the danger to be apprehended from the centralizing doctrines and principles of the party soon to come into power in the Executive Department of the Federal Government." This act of secession upon the part of South Carolina was. soon followed by similar acts upon the part of Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas. A Congress of Southern States was called to meet at Mont- gomery, Ala., on the 4th day of February, 1861, and on the same day a Peace Congress in Washington City, by the friends of peace in both North and South. In the latter many notable speeches were made by representative men of both sections, but that which produced the profoundest sensation was made by the Hon. Salmon P. Chase, of Ohio, the accredited Secretary of the Treasury of the incoming administration. Speaking for the party that had just elected Mr. Lincoln, he declared that the North would never con- sent to the decision of the Supreme Court in reference to the extension of slavery into the Territories, nor yet to the constitutional provision for the rendition of "fugitives from service" where such fugitives sought asylum within their jurisdiction. The effect of this declaration was a confirma- tion of the fears of the more moderate slave-holding States, and measures were accordingly taken by all of them except Kentucky to follow the example of South Carolina and the other seceding States. HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. 69 The Congress was held at Montgomery also, and a Constitution for one year adopted, with Jeiferson Davis, of Mississippi, as President, and Alexander H. Stephens, of Georgia, as Vice-President of the new Confed- eration. The State of Kentucky was rent and torn by conflicting opin- ions. Three parties sprang up — the Southern, favoring secession, the Northern, favoring union at all hazards, and the Neutrality party, opposing both. The latter were in power, and dictated the policy of the States. But when once hostilities were fairly begun, they found themselves unable to prevent the invasion of the State by the armies of either side. Intense excitement prevailed everywhere; towns, cities, communities, churches, and even families were divided in sentiment. Both Northern and South- ern sympathizers rushed to arms, the former establishing their camps of instruction and rendezvous at " Camp Dick Robinson," Kentucky, and " Camp Joe Holt," near Jefferson, Ind., and the latter at " Camps Boone " and " Burnett " near Clarksville, Tenn. The people of Trigg partook largely of the general excitement, and being mostly Southern, such of them as designed taking part in the com- ing struggle repaired at once to the Southern camps. On the 1st day of July, 1861, a company composed of some of the best young men of Trigg County, rendezvoused at Canton, on the Cumberland River, under the following ofiScers: Dr. J. L. Price, Captain; John Cunningham, First Lieutenant ; John T. Baker, Second Lieutenant, and Francis M. Baker, Third Lieutenant. Thus organized the company numbered about ninety- three men rank and file. Among them were the following-named non- commissioned officers and privates: Robert W. Major, G. M. Ezell, A. L. Wallace, Z. Hughes, A. W. Wadlington, H. D. Wallace, Robert Dew, W. W. Dew, W. L. Durrett, W. H. Anderson, W. A. Atwood, Tandy Battoe, W. H. Braberry, J. W. Bell, J. F. Baker, J. G. Baynham, Linn Boyd, W. T. Boyd, Franc M. Bounds, J. T. Batt, R. A. Batt, William Bridges, M. C. Cunningham, Sr., M. C. Cunningham, Jr., E. A. Cun- ningham, G. G. Cunningham, Robert Calhoun. D. Cannon, W. F. Dew, W. B. Eidson, Franc M. Ferguson, J. 0. Ferguson, F. M. Ferguson, J. Q. Foster, S. P. B. Faughen, J. V. Gant, M. Gresham, G. E. Grace, Richard Grace, S. Hodge, F. M. Hughes, H. Hughes, D. Hale, Riley Herald, F. P. Ingram, G. Johnson, S. A. Jefferson, N. Lyon, J. T. Lan- caster, Richard Mayberry, William Meredith, G. W. Mitchell, J. F. Pritchard, Richard Pogue, H. Pister, W. W. Ryan, M. Rogers, A. P. Rutledge, D. Ray, R. P. Sanford, Monroe Sears, A. Smith, William Sills, T. R. Tyer, E. Timmons, A. C. Thomas, W. S. Williams, H. Williamson, J. B. Winn, W. K. Wallis, Walter Watkins and S. A. Yar- brough. Both officers and men in physique and intelligence were far above 70 HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. the average, and when uniformed and under arms were as fine a looking body of men as ever went on dress parade. As to their prowess in battle the following recital will suffice to show : On the 2d of July, 1861, they took up the line of march to " Camp Burnett," Tenn., where, on August 15, they were mustered into the Confeder&.te service for a period of one year. Here, as Company G, they were assigned to duty in the Fourth Regiment Kentucky Infantry, with Robert P. Trabue, Colonel; Andrew R. Hynes, Lieutenant-Colonel, and Thomas B. Monroe, Major. About the 20th of September, the Fourth moved into Kentucky, and went into camp at Bowling Green where, with the Second, Third, Fifth (afterward Ninth) and Sixth Infantry, Helm's First Regiment of Cavalry, and the batteries of Graves and Cobb, they were brigaded under Gen. Simon Bolivar Buckner. At this point, during the several months of their stay, nothing of con- sequence occurred beyond the usual daily routine of camp-life, guard, drill and picket duty. On the 16th of November Gen. Buckner was promoted to the command of a division, and Brig.-Gen. John C. Breckinridge took command of the brigade. On the 20th of January, 1862, the Second Regiment, under Col. Roger Hanson, with Graves' Battery of Light Ar- tillery, was detached and sent under Buckner to re-inforce the threat- ened garrison at Fort Donelson. Here on the 13th of February, 1862, Gen. Grant made his first attack by land and water, and after three days of stubborn resistance, being entirely surrounded, Gen. Buckner surren- dered the forces under his command. In the meantime, about the first of the month, the disastrous battle of Fishing Creek had occurred, resulting in the defeat of Crittenden and the killing of Zollicoffer, and Kentucky being no longer tenable, on the 11th of February Gen. Johnston began his retreat on Nashville. At Nashville news of the surrender of Forts Donelson and Henry first reached the command, and with bowed heads and heavy hearts they con- tinued their retreat to Burnsville, in northern Mississippi. At Corinth a re-organization of the army took place: Breckinridge was promoted to the command of a division consisting of the "Kentucky Brigade," Statham's Brigade, Bowen's Brigade, Forrest's Regiment of Cavalry, Morgan's Squadron, a company of cavalry under Capt. Phil B. Thomp- son, which had reported to Gen. Breckinridge as a body guard, or head- quarter scouts, and the light artillery pertaining to each organization. It was styled the "Reserve Corps," and as such was to support Gen. Leon- idas Polk in the coming fight. Moving out from camp on Sunday morn- ing, the 6th of April, the enemy were encountered at Shiloh, near Pitts- burg Landing. And here for the first time, this part of the brigade HISTORY OF TBIGG COUNTY. 71 went under fire. They received their "baptism" with all the coolness and self-possession of trained veterans, and it is no exaggeration to say, from the first shock to the last their united charge was never withstood. Early in the action Breckinridge assigned the command of the brigade to Col. Trabue, and himself superintended the movements of the corps on the right. At half-past 9 o'clock A. M., they came under the ene- my's fire in an open field one and a half miles from Pittsburg Landing. The enemy were deploying into line and while so doing the brigade opened upon them. At this point the combat raged with varying suc- cess for one hour and a quarter, when Stewart's and a part of Anderson's Brigades coming up to support, Trabue made a charge completely routing the enemy from his position. The loss of the brigade here in officers and men was very heavy, but that of the enemy was far greater. The com- mand encountered was composed of two Ohio, one Missouri and an Iowa regiment, and their loss in killed, wounded and prisoners was fearful. One regiment alone, the Forty-sixth Ohio, lost in killed and wounded four or five hundred. About four or five hundred yards on a Missouri reg- iment was encountered, charged and dispersed, and a full battery of guns captured. Pressing on through the dense under-growth they soon en- countered Prentiss, who was being pressed on the right by that portion of the corps under Breckinridge, and charging, they both entered his camps about the same time. Completely beaten and hemmed in on all sides, after a desperate struggle the gallant Prentiss surrendered his sword. This action occurred near nightfall, and darkness coming on the brigade returned and occupied his camps. Tired, worn and hungry the men here found plenty to eat and drink, and after much "looting" lay down to rest. In this day's fight seventy-five were killed and about three hundred and fifty wounded. Early the next morning (Monday) the fight was renewed. Moving to the front beyond Shiloh Church, the Fourth together with the Fourth Alabama were ordered by Gen. Bragg to charge the enemy who were in and near a house used as a forage-depot. Four times back and forth was the ground crossed and re-crossed, but all in vain. The enemy were too strong for them, and failing to receive sup- port they were compelled to fall back a short distance to the rear. Re- united to the rest of the command and the enemy moving to the right, they were marched in pursuit, and again engaged them near the Shiloh Church, and about one hundred and fifty yards to the right. And here Col. Trabue in his report says: "The fragmentary forces of both armies had concentrated at this time around Shiloh Church, and worn out as were our troops the field was here successfully contested for two hours, when as if by mutual consent both sides desisted from the struggle." This as recounted was the part taken by the Trigg County boys in 72 HISTORV OF TRIGG COUNTY. their first battle. Their loss in the two days' fight was nine men killed and fourteen wounded. Capt. Trice was injured by the explosion of a shell, and received a minie in his leg, and later on was captured by Capt. Jef- fries, of the Fourth Kentucky, Federal. He was carried to Indianapolis, and after to Johnson Island, where he remained till exchanged at Vicks- burg in the fall of 1862. After the war, Capt. Jeffries magnanimously returned him his sword, having advertised in the Courier -Journal to -find his whereabouts. Re-inforcements for the Federals coming up under Gen. Buell, the Confederates drew off" the next day and returned to Corinth. Breckin- ridge remained behind with his corps and successfully protected the re- treat. After the battle, Lieut. Cunningham resigned, and the company having been so fearfully decimated, was consolidated with Companies K and I of the same regiment. From Corinth the brigade marched to Tupelo, Miss., and thence with the balance of the corps to Vicksburg. Here for two months, exposed to heavy and frequent bombardments, the corps successfully defended the city from the combined attack of both army and fleet. On the 27th of July the enemy disappeared, and after a short rest, Breckinridge, with about 6,000 men, the ram "Arkansas" to co-operate by river, was sent against Baton Rouge. Brig.-Gen. Ben Hardin Helm was placed in com- mand of the brigade, but receiving a severe fall from his horse which dis- abled him, the command devolved upon Col. Thomas H. Hunt of the Ninth. Early in the fight Col. Hunt received a severe wound through both thighs and from this on to the close of the action Capt. Buckner, of Breckinridge's staff, was in command. The Fourth was on the right, and encountering the Fourteenth Maine, drove them under the river bank to the protection of the gun-boats. In this charge one of' Trigg's gallant boys, Douglas Cannon, was killed and several others wounded. The " Arkansas " failed to co-operate, having broken some part of her machin- ery on the way down, and thus, though the land attack was successful, Breckinridge was compelled to draw off". The corps was then moved to Port Hudson, which they commenced to fortify, but in a short time were ordered to Jackson, Miss. Here the sick and wounded who had been left at Vicksburg and elsewhere rejoined the command. The division moved by rail up the Mississippi Central to Cold Water Creek, above Holly Springs, and disembarked at that point on the morning of the 11th of September. From here, by order of Pres- ident Davis, Breckinridge, leaving all but the Fourth, Sixth and Ninth Regiments, -a Tennessee brigade, a company or two of cavalry, and the batteries of Cobb and McClung, started on the 19th of September to over- take Bragg in Kentucky. The Kentucky Brigade was again temporarily HISTOKY OF TRIGG COUNTY. 73 assigned to the command of Col. Trabue, in the absence of Gen. Helm. Reaching Knoxville on the 3d of October they found the Second Regi- ment and Graves' Battery, which had been exchanged, awaiting them. Hanson, being the senior Colonel, took command, and at once pushed on in the direction of the Gap, but when near Maynardsville received intel- ligence of Bragg 's retreat, and at once returned to Knoxville. On the 23d they were moved by rail to Shell Mound, and from thence on the 28th to Murfreesboro, where they went into camp. The nextmovement of the brigade was on Nashville to co-operate with Morgan, who was to destroy the depots, cars and other structures at Edgefield. Morgan was only partially successful, and the force returned. In December the brigade was marched to Baird's Mills on the road to Hartsville, and the Second and Ninth detached and sent with Morgan to attack Hartsville. The movement was successful, the enemy were completely surprised, and more than 2,000 officers and men captured. Returning with these to Baird's Mills, the Fourth was put in charge of the prisoners, and conducted them back to Murfreesboro. Here the company was again re-organized with Trice as Captain, J. F. Baker, First Lieutenant, Robert W. Major, Second Lieutenant, and Gilliam M. Ezell, Brevet Second Lieutenant. On Sunday, the 28th of December, Bragg moved out to the crossing of Stone River to confront Rosecrans. The Kentucky Brigade was thrown forward to take position on a commanding eminence with its left resting on the river. The Fourth reached down to the river's edge, and the other regiments were formed on the right. Company G was sent out in front as skirmishers, and on the day of the general battle (Wednesday) brought on the engagement. Two days after, at the same point, and just before th* Kentucky Brigade was ordered forward into the memorable "Slaughter Pen," Lieut. Major was ordered to take a portion of his company and dislodge the enemy from a house in front near the river bank. Taking H. D. Wallace and William Brayberry with him, he crept along under the bank till within a short distance of the house, and then at a given signal (the firing of a shell into the build- ing), he rushed with his comrades to the house. At the same time Cap- tain Trice with the balance of the company, and Captain Utterback's Company of the Sixth dashed forward upon the building from the front. The enemy were quickly driven out and Major rushed in and set fire to it. Their object accomplished the company returned to the skir- mish line through a perfect hail of bullets. In the charge on the house the gallant Utterback of the Sixth was killed. The next fight in which the brigade participated was at Jackson, Miss., whither, the following spring, Breckinridge had been sent to re- 74 HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. inforce Joe Johnston. After the fall of Vicksburg, Johnston returned to Jackson, and awaited the coming of the enemy. On the 10th he came up, and invested the place, and on the 12th, after more or less desultory fighting, he made a serious charge on Breckinridge's position near Pearl River. The charge was received by the brigade, supported by Stovalt's Brigade and Oobb's Battery, and after a short, sharp fight, in which the enemy were roughly handled, they retired with the loss of 200 killed and 25Q wounded and prisoners. On the 18th Johnston retired to Camp Hurricane, about eight miles from Morton. Here the command rested till the 26th of .August, when they were ordered to proceed by way of Mobile to Tyner's Station, near the Chickamauga. On the 18th of September they bivouacked on the Ohickamauga, and on the next day were led into the fight on the left. Company G here had the honor of assisting in capturing a battery which they charged from the skirmish line. That night they were moved to the right to the support of Gen. Polk, and at daylight went into the fight. The battle raged all day with varying results, but at night it was terminated by the complete route of the enemy. Had there been one hour more of daylight for the pursuit, there is no doubt but the entire army would have been captured. But the victory was not without heavy loss on the part of the brigade. Of 1,300 who went in, sixty-three were killed and 408 wounded. Gen, Helm fell early in the action on the second day, and Col. Joe Lewis of the Sixth took his place. Com- pany G lost, two killed and fourteen wounded. In the battle of Mis- sionary Ridge, which soon followed, the brigade was in the center near Bragg's headquarters on the first day, but moved to the support of Clebum on the right. On the second day it assisted in the repulse of the enemy, but without much loss. Only one man fell in Company G, W. D. Wallace, but that one was a "host within himself." He fell, where he was ever to be found, at his post. On the retreat to Dalton, the brigade, with Cleburn's Division, pro- tected the flying columns of Bragg, and finally succeeded in checking the enemy at Ringgold Gap. At Dalton, Bragg was relieved by Johnston, and the whole army went into winter quarters. The brigade, though much rejoiced, as was, indeed, all the rest of the army, at the exchange of general ofiScers, were much grieved at the loss of their gallant division- commander, John C. Breckinridge, who was transferred to another de- partment. Gen. William B. Bate (Old Grits), of Tennessee, was assigned to the command of the division, and Col. Joe Lewis promoted to the com- mand of the brigade. On the 6th of May, 1864, the campaign opened at Rocky Face Gap, and Sherman began his series of flanking movements. HISTORY OF TRIGG CODNTT. 75 After a few days' skirmishing and maneuvering in front of the Gap, he attempted to turn Johnston's left, but the wily Confederate was in his front awaiting him at Resaca. Here Lewis' brigade received the brunt of the fight, repelling two gallant charges in handsome style, and standing firm under a furious cannonading. The Second and Fourth were prin- cipally engaged and lost heavily. The Trigg boys were among the suffer- ers. Lieut. Major was wounded on the chin by a fragment of shell, two men — Mike, Rogers and Francis M. Ferguson — killed, and five or six wounded. Ferguson was a brave man, and accounted one of the best shots in the division. He was a sharpshooter, and from, the Gap to Resaca is said to have killed twenty-five officers, principally mounted. He had been on the skirmish line sharpshooting, and was returning over the works when shot through the head. He was a cousin of the present Judge J. R. Grace. Major, who had been in command of the company, was sent to the hospital at Newnan, Ga., and Second Lieut. A. L. Wallace took command. He was killed in the next battle, 28th, at Dal- las, leading a charge on the enemy's works. After his fall the command devolved on Orderly-Sergt. W. A. Atwood, who had charge of the company to Kenesaw Mountain. Here both Baker and Major returned from hospital and took their respective places in the company. The com- pany participated in all or most of the engagements of this campaign from Dalton to Atlanta and Jonesboro, Ga., where on the first day Capt. Baker was wounded, and on the second. Major both wounded and taken prisoner. The same ball that wounded Major also wounded Sergt. Wallace, and both fell into the hands of the enemy. Besides several others slightly wounded here, William Meredith was killed. Major made his escape from the cars between Wartrace and Murfreesboro, Tenn., and after many perils and hardships returned to the command at Newnan, Ga. After Jonesboro the brigade, which had been exchanged at Rough- and- Ready, under special cartel, was mounted, and when Sherman started on his "march to the sea," disputed every inch of the way to Savannah, and then through South Carolina, till the final surrender of Lee and John- ston. They were paroled at Washington, Ga., May 7, 1866. Only thirty-seven out of seventy-five — less than half — remained to be paroled, and not a single man of these but had from one to five wounds on his person. Dr. Trice, who had been compelled to resign on account of blindness, superinduced by the shock of the shell at Shiloh, and other causes, had joined his father at Marion, Ala., where he remained till 1866, when he returned to Canton. Companies B and JD, Eighth Regiment Kentucky Infantry. — About the beginning of September, 1861, two other Confederate companies were 76 HISTOKY OF TRIGG CODNTY. organized in the county, one at Noah's Spring, Montgomery Co., Tenn., under the following officers : A. C. Buckner, Captain ; William Henry, First Lieutenant; Preston H. Davis, Second Lieutenant; F. G. Terry, Third Lieutenant, and numbering eighty-five men, rank and file ; the other at Wallonia, under Jabez Bingham, Captain ; J. S. Wall, First Lieutenant ; E. S. Pool, Second Lieutenant ; and William Miller, Third Lieutenant, and numbering 104 men. After remaining at Noah's Spring some two weeks the one under Buckner moved to Hopkinsville and went into camp at the fair grounds, where they were assigned to the Eighth Regiment of Kentucky Infantry as Company D. The other company remained at Wallonia till about the 23d of October, when they also moved to Hopkinsville and joined the Eighth Regiment as Company B. Shortly after the arrival of these two companies the Eighth was re- organized with Henry 0. Burnett as Colonel, Reuben Ross Lieutenant- Colonel, and First Lieutenant William Henry of Company D promoted to Major. On the promotion of Henry, Lieutenants Davis and Terry were promoted in turn, and George Wilford elected Brevet Second Lieutenant. Another change in the regiment took place in a short while. Lieut.-Col. Ross resigned and H. P. Lyon was promoted from Captain of Artillery to fill the vacancy. He joined the regiment at Providence, Tenn., January, 1862, while en route for Fort Donelson, irhere they were ordered to join the brigade under Gen. Clark. Before reaching Fort Donelson First Lieut. Wall, of Company B, died, and J. W. Brown was elected to fill the vacancy. The brigade under Clark was assigned to a position on the left of the " Winne Ferry" road, and for two days were under a heavy and galling fire from the shore batteries. On the morning of the third day, Saturday, they were sent to relieve Floyd's Brigade which had been detached and sent to another part of the field to make a flank movement. The brigade were not long in their new position before they were charged by the enemy in heavy force. Though for the first time face to face with an enemy the men deported themselves with the steadiness of veterans. The charge was gallantly repulsed, and a countercharge made in turn in which the enemy were driven, the famous Swartz's battery captured, and a number of prisoners taken. Among others in this day's fight Lieut. Terry was wounded and sent back to the hospital at Nashville. On Sunday morning before the surrender Capt. Buckner afad Lieut. Davis and some eight or ten men made their escape from the fort, and with Terry fell in with Johnston's army as they retreated through Tennessee. The rest of the command were sent to prison at Camps Morton and Chase, where they remained till the following Septem- ber, when they were exchanged at Vicksburg. At Jackson, Miss., shortly after being exchanged, the Eighth was re-organized with Lyon, Colonel - HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. 77 A. R. Shacklett, Lieutenant-Colonel ; Jabez Bingham, Major ; and John Couch, Adjutant. The companies were re organized as follows : Com- pany D, F. G. Terry, Captain ; George Wilford, First Lieutenant ; Lee Turner, Second Lieutenant ; W. D. Smith, Brevet Lieutenant ; and Joseph H. Mitchell, Orderly Sergeant ; Company B, J. W. Brown, Cap- tain; W. L. Dunning, First Lieutenant; J. E. Kelly, Second Lieuten- ant ; and J. R. Gilfoy, Brevet Second Lieutenant. From Jackson the regiment was ordered to Holly Springs under Gen. Baldwin, Tilghman's Division, to intercept Grant. Grant coming up, Tilghman retreated to CofFeeville, Miss., where he encountered and repulsed the enemy under Gen. Lee. After this the command went into winter quarters at Grenada. In the spring of 1863 they were sent to re-inforce the garrison at Fort Pemberton, at the head of the Yazoo River, where, in about a month, the enemy withdrawing, were sent to the assistance of Gen. Bowen at Grand Gulf. On the march to Grand Gulf the Eighth was assigned to Buford's Brigade of Loring's Division, and on reaching Big Black River found Gen. Bowen, who had been compelled to retreat. Captain Terry's company were mounted at Big Black Bridge, where they had been sent to intercept the enemy's cavalry, and here, until Pemberton had gathered his forces in hand, defended this important crossing. In the general battle which ensued at Champion Hill, the Eighth took an active part, and here Lieut. Kelly of Company B was severely wounded. Pemberton was defeated and fell back on the Big Black. The enemy pursued with vigor, and Pemberton continued his retreat to Vicks- burg. At the "bridge" Col. Lyon gqt possession of a battery, and being an experienced artillerist succeeded in holding the Federals in check till the rest of the army were safely drawn off. This accomplished, he turned and contested the balance of the way to the works at Vicks- burg. The Eighth remained in Vicksburg only about a week, when being mounted Col. Lyon was ordered to make his way through to Grant's rear. This perilous mission was successfully accomplished in the night, and an immediate dash made on Raymond, where a lot of disabled Fed- erals were captured who had been wounded in a recent fight betwen Gens. Lew Wallace and Gregg. Lyon operated on the enemy's rear with much success till Gen. Johnston came up with his forces to relieve the siege of Vicksburg, when he reported to that oflScer. On the latter's advance from Jackson, the Eighth was again dismounted and assigned to Buford's Brigade. At the Big Black, news of the surrender being received, the Confederates fell back on Jackson and awaited the coming of Sherman. Here the command participated in all the engagements pending the in< vestment of the place, and after, near the "Fair Grounds," with two 78 HISTORY OP TRIGG CODNTT. Other regiments of the brigade, made a stand against a much larger force, that elicited the praise of the Commanding General. General Johnston, who witnessed the fight, is said to have pronounced it the most gallant and stubborn resistance he had witnessed during the war. Many of the enemy fell within ten or twenty feet of the Confederate lines. After the evacuation of Jackson, the brigade fell back with the army to Forrest's Station, where they remained inactive till September, when with Gen. Loring they moved to Canton, and afterward, in February, to Demopolis, Ala., to intercept Sherman, who was moving on Meridian. Here the three Kentucky regiments of Buford's Brigade were mounted and sent to Forrest at Gainesville, and Buford being promoted to the Second Divis- ion, Col. A. P. Thompson took command; and here, also, companies D, C, and F, were consolidated, with the following oflBcers : J. W. Brown, Captain ; Logan Field, First Lieutenant ; W. L. Dunning, Second Lieu- tenant ; — Rowland, Third Lieutenant. Capt. Terry was assigned to duty as Ordnance Officer of the brigade. Thus organized, the command moved to join the rest of Forrest's forces at Tupelo, Miss., preparatory to a raid into Kentucky and west Tennessee. On this raid, at Paducah, through some mistake Thompson made an unsupported attack upon the fort with his brigade alone. In the charge. Col. Thompson was killed by a shell, and some 100 were killed and wounded. The fatal shell also killed a horse ridden by Capt. Al. McGoodwin of the Third Kentucky, who was riding on one side of the Colonel, while the Colonel's flesh and blood were scattered over Capt. Terry, who rode on the other. The charge on the fort was repulsed, but Lieut. Logan Field, with a portion of his com- pany, charged and took the Marine Hospital on the right, from which they fired a plunging shot into the fort, till dislodged by the enemy's gun- boats. Night coming on, after supplying themselves plentifully with commissaries', quartermaster's and hospital stores, the brigade drew oflF with Forrest into western Kentucky. Here the Kentuckians were per- mitted to return to their homes to rest, recruit for a time, and afterward rendezvous at Trenton, Tenn. From this point, designing to attack Fort Pillow, Forrest, about the 10th or 12th of April, sent them to make a feint on Paducah. Arriving in front of the town, they made a dash in, capturing a few prisoners and about 100 head of horses and mules, and then rejoined Forrest at Jackson, Tenn. From here, after a short rest, Forrest moved to Tupelo, Miss., and was again about to return into Ten. nessee, when he learned of Sturgis' raid into that part of the State. Turning, he met him at Guntown or Bryce's Cross-Roads, and with his usual impetuosity charged at the head of his columns. Here Lyon who had been on detached service and was promoted, returned in time to command the brigade in the fight. He was the first to 8ti;ike the enemy's HISTOBY OP TRIGG COUNTY. 79 advance, driving them back on the main body, and holdipg them for six or eight hours till the other commands came up. About 1 P. M. the fight became general and the enemy gave way. Brown's company of Trigg boys had the honor of capturing a piece of artillery in their first charge ; also two or three ordnance wagons, which supplied them with necessary ammunition. Capt. Terry, Acting Inspector- General on Buford's staif, and one other were the only staff officers on the field. Sturgis, driven at all points, was soon in complete rout, losing not less than 3,000 killed, wounded and captured, seventeen cannon and eighteen caissons, 450,000 rounds of cartridges, 350 wagons and ambulances, more than 1,000 horses and mules, six months' medical supplies, forty days' rations, and two wagon loads of "John Barleycorn." The latter it is supposed was carried along ab a kind of " spiritual defeme " against the more formidable enemy of that section — malaria. The subsequent operations of the Eighth under Forrest in Mississippi were at Pontotoc, Old Harrisburg and Town Creek, in July. On the 4th October, 1864, they were detached and sent into west Tennessee to gather up the troops under Col. L. A. Sypert, who had been operating in Kentucky, and was then at Paris, Tenn. After this they reported to Forrest at Mt. Pleasant, Tenn., and were permitted by him to return with Col. Lyon into southwestern Kentucky, to rest and recruit. While on this visit, Lyon made an attack on the garrison at Hopkinsville, commanded by Col. Sam Johnson, and captured, with the loss of one man killed, thirty or forty prisoners, and seventy-five or eighty horses and mules. He next attacked and captured the garrison at Eddyville, and then without interruption crossed the Cumberland above Clarksville, and rejoined Forrest at Paris, Tenn. The next move was on Fort Heiman, where four steamboats, one gun and about two companies of furloughed men were captured. Next at Johnsonville, on the Tennessee River, where were captured and destroyed four gun-boats, fifteen steamboats, twenty-three barges, and two warehouses, supposed to contain over two and a half million dollars' worth of army supplies. In November Lyon with a portion of the Eighth was detached and sent into southwestern Kentucky to collect up stragglers and create a divertisement in favor of Hood, who was approaching to the attack of Nashville. During his absence Col. Ed Crossland took command of the balance of the brigade, with Capt. Terry Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen- eral on his staff. Hood starting on the march to Nashville, Forrest moved to join him at Florence, Ala. On this campaign they took part in the fol- lowing engagements : Lawrenceburg, Butler's Creek, where Col. Oross- lanrf'was wounded and the command devolved on Col. W. W. Faulkner, of the Twelfth Kentucky, Campbellsville, Columbia, Maury's Mills, 80 HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. Spring Hill, Franklin, Nashville, Smyrna, Murfreesboro and all the sub- sequent encounters on the retreat. At Corinth, Miss., Forrest halted to rest both Hien and horses, and the Kentucky Brigade went into camp near Okolona at the same time. Here they remained from January to March, 1865, when they rendezvoused at West Point, Miss., and thence moved to intercept the raid of Wilson on Selma and Demopolis, Ala. At Monte- vallo the enemy were encountered and a three-days' running fight en- sued, in which nearly one- half of the Eighth were either killed, wounded or captured. The balance escaping, returned to West Point, Miss., where news of the surrender of Lee and Johnston being received, Forrest sent the Eighth to Columbus to guard stores. And here, on the 15th of May, 1865, the Eighth, decimated by disease, capture and death to a mere skeleton, surrendered to the enemy and were paroled. Of the Trigg boys there remained F. G. Terry, Joseph H. Mitchell, Taylor Ethridge, A. B. Crawley, Joseph Dabney, Zenas Alexander, Reuben Stallions and Richard Lester. The rest were either killed, wounded, captured, or de- serted. Company B, Second Regiment of Kentucky Cavalry. — The next company to organize in Trigg for the Confederate service was at Wallonia, August 1, 1862. This company was composed of about eighty-four men, rank and file, and was oflScered as follows : G. G. Goodwin, Captain ; James Mitchell, First Lieutenant; Samuel Martin, Second Lieutenant, and Walter McChesney, Third Lieutenant. About ten days after being organized they joined the Second Regiment under Col. Thomas Wood- ward, at Clarksville, Tenn, and were with this gallant officer in his sub- sequent operations in southwestern Kentucky and middle Tennessee. Having enlisted for a term of one year, they were so tendered to the Confederate Government by Woodward in December, but being declined, disbanded, and either returned home or scattered out into other com- mands. J. T. Greer of this company, after the disbandment, joined McDon- ald's Battalion of Tennessee Cavalry, which he subsequently commanded, and under Gen. Van Dorn operated in north Mississippi, west Tennessee and Alabama. Was in the battles of Holly Springs, Corinth and luka and after the death of Van Dorn was assigned to Chalmers' Brigade of Forrest's Division. Under Forrest he took part in the battles of Gun- town, Okolona, Memphis, Fort Pjllow, etc. He surrendered with his command at Jackson, Miss., June 5, 1865. Company B, Second Regiment of Kentucky Cavalry. — This was the next company, largely composed of Trigg County boys, to organize for the Confederate service. It was composed of about eighty-seven men rank and file, and rendezvoused on the Summer farm, on the road be- HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. 81 tween Cadiz and Hopkinsville. The organization took place in Septem- ber, 1862, with the following ofiBcers : Captain, E. A. Slaughter ; First Lieutenant, Ben F. Bacon ; Second Lieutenant, William M, Camp- bell ; Third Lieutenant, Wallis. A few days after they joined Woodward at Hopkinsville, and with him operated in southwestern Ken- tucky and middle Tennessee. In December, 1862, Capt. Slaughter and Lieut. Wallis resigned their positions, and Dr. John Cunningham was elected Captain, and R. W. Roach, Third Lieutenant. Shortly after the company was tendered the Confederacy for twelve months, but being de- clined, also disbanded. About thirteen men remained under Lieut. Camp- bell, and enlisted for a period of three years ; the remainder scattered out into other commands or returned home. The little nucleus remain- ing with Campbell from time to time received accessions, till in the fol- lowing February, 1863, they had grown to a full company, and were or- ganized under the following oflScers : Given Campbell, Captain ; J. M. Jones, First Lieutenant; William Campbell, Second Lieutenant, and S. P. Martin, Third Lieutenant. Under Forrest the company took part in the campaign through western Tennessee, and were engaged at Lexing- ton, Jackson, Humboldt and Huntington, Miss. When the Murfreesboro campaign commenced in 1863, they were in front of Rosecrans' army from Nashville to Stone River, disputing every inch of the way, and when the battle came on were on the left of Bragg's army as " flankers." They were subsequently in the battles of Chickamauga, McMinnville, Farming- ton, Dug Gap, Snake Creek Gap, Resaca, Kenesaw and Peach-Tree Creek, and when Stoneman made his bold but unfortunate raid into Georgia went in pursuit, and had the honor of capturing the redoubtable leader himself, who surrendered to Capt. William M. Campbell in person. After this they were at Triune, Tenn., then at Saltville, W. Va., then back to Georgia again to confront Sherman on his march to the sea. On this memorable campaign through Georgia and South Carolina they were in daily conflict with both infantry and cavalry, performing, with the rest of Wheeler's command, perfect prodigies of endurance and valor. On the Congaree, under Col. William C. P. Breckinridge, they made one of the last fights of the war, in which the gallant Captain of the com- pany, Campbell, was severely wounded. At Charlotte, N. C, the command fell in with President Davis and his party, and had the honor of acting as his escort to the final capture. These were the only regular commands supplied by Trigg County to the Confederate cause, but there were many who went out singly or in squads at various times during the progress of the war, of whom no ac- count has been taken. It is estimated that, first and last, between eight hundred and a thousand men took part in the struggle on the south- 82 HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. em side. Notably among those who joined other commands may be men- tioned Capt. Ben D. Terry of Company F, First Regiment of Kentucky Cavalry, afterward Morgan's command, Dr. Livingston Lindsay, Surgeon of the Forty-ninth Regiment Tennessee Infantry, and afterward of McDon- ald's Tennessee Battalion, P. C. Harrell, who went out with a squad of twenty-nine or thirty men in November, 1861, and joined the Fiftieth Tennessee, and afterward promoted to Second Lieutenant of Company F of that regiment, Wiley Futrell, of the same command, Wilson Jackson and Archy W. Clinard. Federal Side. — Of the Federal side little remains to be said. Besides a portion of Company F, Forty-eighth Regiment of Kentucky Infantry, commanded by Capt. Charles E. Van Pelt, and a " Home Guard " com- pany of forty or fifty men under Capt. H. E. Luton, Trigg County had no regular organization in the Federal army. Company F was composed of about 100 men, only a part of whom were from Trigg, and was additionally oflBcered as follows : First Lieu- tenant, Bluford Rogers ; Second Lieutenant, Charles Adams ; Third Lieutenant, not known. The operations of the company were confined to southwestern Kentucky, doing guard and post duty, and, besides a lit- tle skirmish at Hopkinsville, were never in a fight. Capt. Luton's company was raised principally from " between the rivers," and did little other duty than guard the line of telegraph between Fort Donelson and Princeton. They were never engaged in any action of importance. Of course there were others from Trigg County on the Union side, but they were scattered out into other commands, and no record is to be found of them. It is possible as many as 200 in all represented Trigg on the Federal side. Besides those mentioned the Adjutant-General's report gives the names of the following additional oflBcers : Robert V. Grinter, Captain Eighth Regiment Kentucky Cavalry ; W. J. McKee, First Lieutenant Seven- teenth Regiment Kentucky Cavalry ; W. Randolph, Assistant Surgeon Eighth Regiment ; and William Randolph, Surgeon of the Forty-eighth Regiment Kentucky Infantry. Though there were a number of individual or personal encounters on Trigg soil there were no organized fights or important skirmishes, and the only occurrence worth recording was in connection with the burning of the court house at Cadiz. In the month of December, 1864, a small company of Confederates, some forty or fifty in number, under Capt. Cole of Lyon's Brigade, learning of the presence of a detachment of negro troops, who were barricaded in the court house at Cadiz, determined to attack and capture them. Under the escort of an intelligent citizen guide HISTORY OP TRIGG COUNTY. 83 they moved rapidly and quietly on the place from the direction of Canton, but on reaching the Dover road near the town learned that the enemy had already passed down that road. Wheeling down the road they followed in pursuit, and about nightfall came up with them near the J. S. Mc- Calister farm, about two and a half miles from Cadiz. The negroes, some 150 in number, scattered out in every direction, a number of them taking protection in a barn on the premises. A few shots were exchanged, but for some reason not known the Confederates drew off, and beyond a few negroes wounded and the capture of Lieut. Schuyler and twelve or fifteen of his men, there were no other results. Cole rode on into Cadiz, where he spent the night. Next morning, ostensibly to prevent the spread of small-pox, which had been introduced into the building by the negroes, and also prevent the enemy from again using it as a place of defense, he gave orders to his men te fire the court house. A number of negroes were gathered in from the town, and the roof and cupola torn away in or- der to prevent the flames from spreading. On going up into the second story a negro soldier with confluent small-pox, who had been deserted by his comrades and left to die, was found at the head of the stairway where lie had dragged himself. Cole caused the invalid to be shot. The excuse given for the act is that the negro was already in a dying condition, and if left on the sidewalk would spread the loathsome disease among the people. The building was then set fire to, and after its destruction Cole and his men withdrew from the town. It only remains to be said of the people of Trigg who remained at home, both Southern and Union, that they lived in comparative peace with each other. They strove rather to protect than to expose each other to military aggressions and persecutions from either side. The following incident is to the point, and illustrates the spirit of the times in Trigg : Mr. R. D. Baker, of Cadiz, an ardent Union man, was known to have a large sum of money in his possession, and one of his neighbors, Mr. M. A. Smith, an equally ardent Southern man, was approached by a guerilla and desperado, and solicited to assist in its forcible capture. Smith know- ing the desperate character of his tempter, and in order to deceive and throw him off his guard, acceded to the proposition. Seeking Baker at once, he notified him of the danger, and urged him to remove the money from the premises forthwith. This Baker did, and much to Smith's sur- prise and dismay, tendered to him the package with the sententious re- mark: "There, Smith, keep it for me till I call for it." It is needless to say the confidence so frankly reposed was never abused, and the money, every dollar of it, was promptly returned when all danger had passed. The package is said to have contained $10,000. A well-known citizen of Cadiz relates that on one occasion he was 84 HISTORY OP TRIGG COUNTY. arrested by the Federal authorities, and carried to prison at Louisville on a false charge. Without solicitation, one of his Union neighbors, Squire T. H. Grinter, by a little diplomacy, secured the necessary papers for his release and at once followed to thccity. Presenting his credentials to the General in command, and vouching for the character and innocence of his friend, he soon had him released from prison and safely on his way home. When afterward proffered the amount of his expenses to and from the city, he indignantly declined with the remark : " It's apoor friend who would not do as much for his neighbor." The same worthy citizen, with Mr. R. D. Baker, mentioned above, was, on more than one occasion instru- mental in securing the release of Southern sympathizers from Fort Donelson. These friendly and neighborly acts were generously reciprocated by their Southern friends, whenever the Confederates were in possession, and but few instances of reprisal or retaliation against Union people took place during the war. Both sides agreed to disagree in mere matters of opinion, and wisely left the fighting to the soldiers in the field. Had other portions of the State been guided by the same wise counsels, they would have been spared on many occasions the bitterness and humiliation of lex talionis that fell with a heavy hand upon both person and property. All honor to both Union and Southern men of Trigg, for their moderation and for- bearance. Not a dollar of indemnity or blackmail was ever collected from them by the satraps of either side. — J. M. Tydings. CADIZ PRECINCT. 85 CHAPTER VI. Cadiz Pkecinot— Descriptive and Topographical— The First Set- tlers— Wadlington AND THE Indians— Isaac McCullom— Other Early Settlers— APamily Drowned— Mills— Distilleries— 0kg an- izATioN of Churches—" Old Wolf Pen "—Mount Pleasant Church —Building of Church Edifices— Town of Cadiz— Laid out as the Seat of Justice— Report of the Commissioners- Some of the First Inhabitants an.d Business Men of Cadiz— Early Boards of Trust- ees—Pioneer Merchants- Hotels— Professional Men— Tobacco Interest — Business Houses — Religious History— Methodists, Dis- ciples, Baptists, etc. — Colored Churches — Schools— Freemasonry — K. of H., Chosen Friends, etc., etc. CADIZ PRECINCT is irregular in shape and occupies the central part of the county. It is drained by Little River and its tributaries, the most important of which are Muddy Fork and Bird's Creek. The banks of the river are composed of masses of limestone, which, in places, rise to great heights presenting many romantic and picturesque vievffl. Caney Creek is a small stream fed by springs flowing into Little River near Cadiz. Springs of clear, cold water abound in many parts of the precinct, the most noted of which is the large one at Cadiz and Caney Spring. The country is broken, contains forests of very valuable timber and embraces a goodly area of fine farming lands. Agriculture and stock-raising are the chief occupations of the people, and within the precinct are some of the best improved plantations in the county. " One of the oldest settlers of Trigg County, whose descendants still retain a residence here, was Thomas Wadlington, the grandfather of Ferdinand, Thomas and William Wadlington. He moved from North Carolina and settled on the east bank of Little River, at a place now known as Kent's Bridge as early as 1792. He had two sons when he set- tled here — Ferdinand and Thomas — the former sixteen and the latter twelve years of age. His nearest neighbors were a few families at Eddy Grove, near Princeton. Benjamin McCulloch who mWie a small settle- ment not far from the old Dry Fork meeting-house and the Goodwins who lived in the neighborhood of Cerulean Springs." Like the majority of Kentucky pioneers, Mr. Wadlington was skilled in the use of the rifle, and many stories are told of his adventures with wild animals and wild men during the first few years of his residence in the wilderness. We have 86 HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. space for but one incident, which is told as follows : Happening in one of his hunting excursions to pass Oaney Spring, near the site of Cadiz, he found sitting around it a number of Indians, who sprang suspiciously to their feet upon perceiving his approach and beckoned him to come near. They were armed only with tomahawks, and seeing that Wadlington car- ried a long heavy rifle they were desirous of securing it without exciting his suspicion, knowing full well that if they attacked him while he had the gun one of their number at least must die. Wadlington did not fear them, but walked into their midst, and with his finger on the trigger of his trusty weapon asked them what they wanted. One of the red skins stepped to a sapling near by, and blazing a white spot upon it with his tomahawk, replied that he would like to see " white man try skill and shoot at mark." Wadlington knew very well that this was only a ruse to get him to discharge his gun, but he was not to be deceived in any such manner. Stepping back a few paces and bringing his gun to bear he applied several epithets to them, and told them that unless they were gone in five minutes he would send every dirty devil of them to h — 1 where they belonged. This had the desired effect, and the savages left without further ceremony, leaving Wadlington in peaceable possession of the spring. Mr. Wadlington died on the farm he settled as early perhaps as the year 1803 or 1804. His son Ferdinand fell heir to the old place but did not retain it many years. He sold out in an early day and moved to Caldwell County. Thomas, the younger son, remained in the county all his life. He settled the place where his son William Wadlington now lives in Caledonia Precinct, and was one of the oldest men in the county at the time of his death. Another early settler was Isaac McCullom, who located in the eastern part of the precinct prior to 1814. " He had a fight at a gathering of some kind on Little River, and met with the misfortune of having one of his eyes put out in the encounter. Having been a considerahle fighter in his day and being very boastful of his manhood, this defeat so mortified him that he left the country. He went from here to Illinois and has no descendants in Trigg County. Thomas Young, John Young and Thomas Howard settled on Bird's Creek, near the Old Bethel meeting-house, about the year 1813. They earned the reputation of being reputable citizens, and acquired a handsome property during the period of their so- journ. About this time or perhaps a year later came Benjamin Wallis, and settled near the mouth of Bird's Creek. John Gore settled in the same locality some time during the year 1814. John Stacy settled on the river where Joel McKinney now lives, a short distance below the Street Mill, prior to 1816. John Davenport came about the same year, and made a small improvement on the farm now owned by L. Freeman, near CADIZ PRECINCT. 87 Bird's Creek. Levi Harland settled about three miles from Cadiz, where Moses Thompson's tanyard now is, but the date of his arrival could not be ascertained. Marmaduke Ingram came as early as 1813 and cleared a small farm between the two bridges over Little River. David Randolph and his father settled near the mouth of Sinking Fork a few years later, where several of their descendants are still living. Absalom Seavills settled the old Wimberly place in an early day, but prior to his arrival the Husk farm was settled by Sevier Tadlock. This was long before the first cabin was erected within a mile of the town of Cadiz. William Husk afterward bought this tract of land, and can be classed with the early pioneers of Trigg County. Ferman Smith and William Redd were both living within the present boundaries of the pre- cinct as early as 1816, and one year later John Wharton settled near the toll gate on the Canton pike, where his son — George Wharton — lives at the present time. John Langley came as early as 1817 also, and settled near Cadiz on the bottom lands now owned by Robert Wilford. This place was purchased a little later by Thomas Bryant, who in turn dis- posed of it to Robert Baker about the time the county seat was established. Prominent among those who se«jured homes in the vicinity of Cadiz was James Thompson, whose first improvements were made where Robert Wilford lives, within the town limits. He came about the year 1813. An early settlement was made on Caney Creek by Joseph Jones, who opened the farm now owned by Ed Baker; John Williams, a Methodist preacher who settled in the same locality, and Uriah Gordon, who settled near the head of the creek on the place occupied at the present time by William Wallis. The old Carson place was owned by Samuel Orr at the time of the county's formation, and it was at his dwelling that the first courts were held. The place was then known as Warrington, and com- peted with Cadiz for the seat of justice. An old German by name of French lived at the place now owned by Joel McKinney in 1822. There were a number of other families around him, so many indeed that it was regarded as a kind of Dutch settlement. They and their descendants have all moved away from the county. They were regarded as a thrifty, harmless and industrious class of citizens. William Roberts came to the county as early as 1804, and settled in the neighborhood of Cerulean Springs, where he lived until 1811, when he removed to what is now Cadiz Precinct and opened up a farm on Lit- tle River. Other early comers were: Jesse Adams, Wesley Adams, John P. Wilkinson, James Curran, Z. Thomas, Mr. Cook, Mr. McNichols, William Jones, Mr. Minton, Thomas Bryant, William Young, Ferdinand Young and Mr. McCain. It was on the place where the last named lived that one of the first settlements in the precinct was made, but the 88 HISTORY OF TEIGG COUNTY. name of the family could not be learned. " George Harland, son of Levi Harland, owned the old Jackson Mill property in an early day. In attempting to cross the river to visit some sick member of old man French's family in a flat-boat, it was drawn over the mill-dam and him- self and wife, two daughters and a son were drowned. One of his sons — Levi Harland — lived for a number of years at the old tan-yard place. He removed to Illinois, and his family have become prominent among the brightest and most cultured people of that State." Several other prom- ident settlers came in an early day and located within the limits of Cadiz, appropriate mention of whom may be found in the history of the town. Mills were among the earliest industries of the country, and Cadiz Precinct has been blessed with quite a number. Little River affords splendid water power, and as early as 1819 Levi Harland and John P. Wilkinson erected a small combination saw and grist-mill on the spot occupied at the present time by the large flouring-mill of Jefferson & Jones. The first mill, which was composed of logs, stood for several years and did a good business during the time it was in operation. The property was purchased by a Mr. Stewart, who afterward erected a good frame flouring-mill, which was operated until replaced by the present building belonging to Messrs. Jefferson & Jones. One of the earliest mills in the precinct was erected by William Jones on his place near Caney Creek. It was constructed on the most primitive plan and was operated by horse-power. It ceased operations about the time the first water-mills were erected. An early mill was built by Presley Slaughter, on Muddy Fork of Little River, and was in operation until about the year 1858. It was a combination mill, and did a very good business for a number of years. William C. Martin was the last proprietor. In about the year 1821-22 Robert Baker built a saw and grist-mill on Little River, where the Wiiford Mill now stands. It stood until the year 1869, at which time the site was purchased by Messrs'. Jones & Gatewood, who tore down the old structure and commenced the erection of the large one now standing. They were unable to complete the work begun, and in 1870 Robert Wiiford and brother purchased the property, which by a generous outlay of capital they have made the largest and best mill in the county. The mill is a frame structure 40x50 feet in size, four stories high, and has a capacity of eighty barrels of flour per day, and represents a capital of about $30,000. A small mill was built on Muddy Fork as early as 1842 by Messrs. Alexander & Wimberly, who did a thriving business in grinding grain and sawing lumber. It was in operation until about the year 1866. M. A. Smith was the last owner. Among the early industries of Trigg County were distilleries, several of which were in operation in Cadiz Precinct shortly after the settlement CADIZ PRECINCT. 89 of the country. William Jones operated a small still-house on Caney Creek prior to 1820. Z. Thomas had a distillery on his farm two and a half miles from Cadiz ahout the same time, but all traces of it have long since disappeared. In 1819-20 Spotswood Wilkinson started a tannery in the town of Cadiz which was in operation ten or twelve years. An- other tannery was started by Levi Harland on the Thompson place, near the head of Caney Creek, a few years later. Harland operated it for several years and was succeeded by Moses Thompson, who continued the business very successfully until his death in 1884. Religious. — The highest social progress rests in the church and school. Whatever success the individual lacking these influences may achieve, a community can never prosper without them. The early settlers were considerably scattered and it was for some time a difficult matter to get more than two or three families together for religious services. The pioneer preachers were men of limited education and homely address, but were wonderfully effective in their self-denying earnestness. They visited from cabin to cabin, exhorting, counseling, reproving, as occasion might demand. They became in every home welcome guests. Among the names most familiar here were : Dudley Williams, Fielding Wolfe, Sam- uel Ross, Reuben Ross, Jesse Cox and Peyton Nance, of the Baptists, and Robert McCuUom, Thomas Humphries and John Butcher, of the Methodist Church, The earliest religious society was the old Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, organized near the site of Jefferson & Jones' Mill in 1810. Later the organization was moved to the southwest part of the precinct, near the Liberty Point Church, where a little log building was erected some time prior to 1820. This building was torn down within a few years and re- placed by another log structure built on the ground occupied at the present time by the Liberty Point Church. The second house was known throughout the country as the old " Wolf Pen " Church, so named from the fact that Elder Fielding Wolfe was for many years the pastor of the little flock that met for worship within its diminutive walls. In about the year 1832 a third edifice was erected which is still in use, being occu- pied at the present time by the Baptist society known as Liberty Point Church. Mount Pleasant was one of the first societies of the Little River Association. It was not materially affected by the rupture of 1833 be- tween the Old School and Progressive wings, but continued in harmony until 1846, when an unfortunate division occurred resulting in a complete dismemberment of the church, the former faction moving to Canton Pre- cinct, where they effected a re-organization which still meets under the original name, while the non-Progressives remained in possession of the building. The Old School society maintained an existence until 1868, 90 HISTORY OF TBIGG COUNTY. when it was abandoned. Among the pastors during that interval were Elders Reuben Ross, Peyton Nance, Joseph Barnes, John Gammon, Sam- uel Ross and others. An early Methodist class was organized by Rev. John Butcher in the Young settlement on Bird's Creek several years before the formation of the county. A log house of worship was erected on the bank of Little River, near where the Clarksville road crosses the stream, as early as 1818-19, and stood until some time in the thirties. Among the old families connected with the society were the Youngs and Wallises, and among the earliest preachers are remembered Revs. John Ashley, William Young, Thomas Humphries and Corwine. The organization was kept up for a number of years. It was the parent church of the Cadiz society, a history of which will be found further along in this chapter. Rocky Ridge Baptist Church. This society was established at the village of Wallonia on the 24th day of September, 1840, by a Presbytery composed of Elders Jesse Cox, William Morrison and Joel E. Grace. At the first meeting the following brethren and sisters presented their letters of dismission from Harmony Church (Caldwell County) to wit : Benja- min Faulkner, William Boyd, William A. Faulkner, William Snelling, James T. Snelling, Bailie Blanks, Marium Barton, Sarah Barton and Winfrey Bond ; all of whom were given the right hand of fellowship and received into the new organization. William A. Faulkner is the only one of the original members now living. The society was constituted as the Wallonia Baptist Church, and continued to meet as such until April, 1848, when the organization was transferred to a new building erected on the line dividing Cadiz and Wallonia Precincts, and the name changed to Rocky Ridge. This house of worship is a frame building and still used as a meeting place. It has been remodeled at different times, and now has a seating capacity of about 300 persons. John H. Stamps was elected first Church Clerk, and William A. Faulkner, Deacon. The first Pastor was Rev. Joel E. Grace, a man of much more than ordinary natural abilities and an orator of eloquence a»d power. He preached for the con- gregation until some time in 1842, when Elder J. F. White became Pas- tor. With the exception of an interval of three years Elder White has served the church from 1842 to the present time. The interval alluded to was filled by Elder R. W. Moorhead. At the present time there are eighty-six members belonging to the church. The officers are : James H. Blakeley, J. J. Roach and W. Wharton, Deacons : John H. Caldwell, Clerk. Soon after the close of the war letters of dismission were granted to fifty-two colored members, who organized a church of their own in the Wallonia Precinct. They erected a good frame building, which was destroyed by fire in the year 1882, since which time services have been CADIZ PRECINCT. 91 held in a neighboring achoolhouse. They have a strong organization and a very flourishing Sunday-school Elder E. Ladd is their Pastor. Oakland Methodist Episcopal Church, in southern part of the precinct, was organized in 1859 by Rev. Dr. William Alexander. Among the orig- inal members were the following, to wit : David Randolph, Mahlon Belford, Penina Belford, Thomas D. Malone, William Roberts, Nancy Roberts, Thomas Flood, Catherine Flood, J. J. Randolph, J. R. Randolph and T. J. Randolph. The first officers were: Daniel Randolph, Thomas D. Malone and William Roberts, Trustees, they acted as Stewards also ; Mahlon Bel- ford, Class-leader. A house was built about the time the organization was effected on land donated by David Randolph, and is still used as a place of worship. The following pastors have ministered to the church since its organization : Dr. Alexander, John Randolph, Gideon Gooch, James Petrie, J. H. Redford, T. C. Peters, L. B. Davidson, J. R. Ran- dolph, Thomas J. Richardson, W. C. Brandon, James Brandon, J. Dow- ell, Isaac Shelley and John Frayser. Pastor in charge at the present time is Rev. J. L. Reid. Present membership about twenty. The church officers are: J. J. Randolph, Steward and Class-leader, and Drury Sholar, Hawkins Meadow and J. J. Randolph, Trustees. Dyer's Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church was established in the year 1877 by Rev. Thomas Richardson with a membership of about fifty persons. The organization took place in the Guier Schoolbouse, which was used as a meeting-house until 1881, when a substantial frame house of worship costing $900 was erected on ground donated by J. H. Law- rence. Since its organization the society has been ministered to by the following pastors in the order named : . Thomas Richardson, John D. Frayser, S. G. Shelley, Joseph Love, James Brannon and J. L. Reid, the last-named being preacher in charge at the present time. Present church officers are : J. N. Richardson and James Guier, Stewards ; James Battoe, Class-leader ; Rufus Dyer, William McAlister, Edwin Guier and James Battoe, Trustees. The organization is in flourishing condition at the present time, and numbers about sixty communicants. Siloam Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1880 by Rev. James W. Bigham, at that time pastor in charge of the Wallonia Cir- cuit. A frame house of worship was erected the same year at a cost of $1,000. Rev. Bigham preached one year and was succeeded by Rev. P. A. Edwards, who remained two years. The next pastor was Rev. J. L. Edrington, after whom came the present Pastor, Rev. E. E. Pate. Church officers are : W. H. H. Alexander and W. A. Shannon, Stew- ards ; Banister, Class-leader. At the present time there are the names of eighty- three members on the record. A good Sunday-school is maintained under the superintendency of C. L. Russell. 92 HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. Liberty Point Baptist Church was organized on the 2l8t day of August, 1871, by Revs. S. R. McLean and D. S. Hanberry. The names of the original members are as follows : John F. Barnes, W. S. Dismuke,- L. B. Edwards, M. N. Mershon, Sarah Edwards, Kittie Hall, Ellen Boyd, Susan Pallard and Isabell Hendrick. The first ofiBcers elected were : G. P. Dismuke and Perry Thomas, Jr., Deacons, and James Cunningham, Clerk. The organization was effected in the old Mount Pleasant Meeting- house, which is still used as a place of worship. The following preachers have ministered to the congregation at difi'erent times, to wit : D. S. Hanberry seven years; J. W. Oliver two years; C. H. Greystone two years, and J. L. Atwood, present Pastor, who is on his second year's labor. The church has a membership of forty persons, and ia reported in good condition. Perry Thomas, Jr., and E. W. Lanieve are Deacons, the former is Clerk also. Oak Grove Baptist Church was constituted August, 1875, by Revs. George A. Patterson, L. H. Averitt and Daniel Hanberry, with a mem- bership of thirty -nine persons. A house of worship was built the same year on ground deeded by Stanley Thomas and Humphrey Lawrence, and is one of the most comfortable and commodious country church edifices in the precinct. The first pastor of the church was Rev. E. C. Faulkner, who served from 1875 to 1876. Rev. J. H. Spurlin was called the latter year, and has been the regular supply ever since. Under his pastorate the society has increased very largely in numbers and influence, and now has an active membership of 1 30 persons. The officers at the present time are as follows, to wit : J. J. Thomas, Clerk ; W. B. Thomas, Peter Light and J. J. Thomas, Trustees. In addition to the churches enumerated the Methodists have a society known as the Bethel congregation, which is one of the oldest religious organizations in the precinct. The early records not being accessible its history was not learned, although it is reported in excellent condition at the present time, and is one of the aggressive churches of the county. The Town of Cadiz.*— On the 16th day of May, 1820, Mr. Dion, Mr. Givens, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Sharp and Mr. Vance, five Commission- ers appointed by law to locate permanently the seat of justice for Trigg County, made their report, from which the following extract is taken : "After mature and deliberate examination of the many different places proposed as sites for the administration of justice in Trigg County, we are of the opinion that the seat of justice be fixed on the lands of Robert Baker, where he now lives on Main Little River on the top of the emi- nence above the spring, to include the lot whereon his stable now stands, it being the most central, convenient and eligible site for that purpose." • The principal facto and material for this sketch of Oadli were furnished by Uaj. lUcKisney.— Sd. CADIZ PRECINCT. 98 Whereupon the said Robert Baker proceeded to make a deed of transfer of the said stable lot, together with fifty acres of land adjoining, to the newly- organized county. The first court held in the county was held at Warrington, a place known as the old Carson farm, situated on the Canton & Cadiz turnpike about three miles from Cadiz, and owned at present by Alfred Thomas. By reference to the order books we find at this court the followiiSg order, to wit : " It is ordered that the books, papers, etc., of this county be moved to the dwell- ing of Mr. Robert Baker, and that this court be adjourned until court in course, and then to be held at the dwelling house of the said Baker, afore- said." The next term of the court, on the 19th day of June, 1820, was held as directed at Baker's residence, and the order books show that it was continued at that place up to the October term. At that term on the 17th day of October we find the following order made: "It is ordered that the said fifty-two acres of land shall comprise and constitute a town, and the same is hereby established as such, to be known and called by the name of Cadiz, which shall be contained within the following metes and bounds, to wit: Beginning at a white oak standing south of Baker's stable lot, from thence north 52, west 17 poles 14 feet and 8 inches to a stake marked with two notches, thence north 38, east 17 poles 14 feet and 8 inches to a stake marked with three notches, thence south 52, east 17 poles 14 feet 8 inches to a stake standing in Baker's yard northeast of his dwelling-house, thence south 38, west 17 poles 14 feet 8 inches to the place of beginning, containing the public square of 52 acres and 50 acres b esides, which a;re bounded as follows, to wit : Beginning on the north- west comer of the public square, thence south 38, west 46J poles to a gum bush and the black st"mp on Baker's line, thence with said line south 21, east 103 poles to a sugar tree on the south bank of the river, thence north 888, east 117 poles to an ash and two elms, thence north 52, west 70 poles to the east corner of the public square, crossing Little River at 20 poles, thence south 88, west with a line of said public square, thence north 52, west with another of its lines 17 poles 14 feet and 8 inches to the beginning. The whole town of Cadiz aforesaid containing according to the foregoing metes and bounds the quantity of 52 acres and the part besides the said public square that by former order of this court has been laid off into lots of one-fourth of an acre square, being four in a block, and the main and cross streets of the width of sixty feet each, crossing each other at right angles." With the foregoing plat begins the history of the town. The early inhabitants of the place were the two brothers Robert and Alexander Baker, James Thompson, their stepfather, and his sons, Fred- erick Holland his son Austin W. Holland, Wayman Crow, Spotswood 94 HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. Wilkinson, Richard Poston, W. P. M. Scott, M. Mayes and Collins D. Bradley. W. P. M. Scott and Robert Baker were the first merchants. The former occupied a small house not far from the present location of Rash's drug store, and the latter sold goods from the corner house on Main Street just opposite the grocery house of G. W. Lindsay. These stores were stocked with miscellaneous assortments of merchandise, and seem to have been extensively patronized by the early inhabitants of the village and surrounding country. James Thompson kept the first hotel in a two- story log-house situated on the lot where John L. Street's large brick storehouse now stands, and if he failed to accumulate a fortune by plying the occupation of " mine host " we may find a partial elucidation of the mystery in mentioning the fact that law only allowed him to charge 12^ cents for a pint of whisky, 26 cents for a quart of porter, lodging per night 12J cents, and furnishing a stable for a horse twenty-four hours with three feeds, including corn, oats or fodder, 50 cents. We may men- tion too as a singular fact that Sevier Tadlock, William Redd, Charles Jones, Absalom Seavills, David Cooper, Levi Uarland and James Har- land comprised .the first Board of Trustees, and none of them living at the time resided within less than four miles of the town. The second board was composed of the following gentlemen: James Thompson, John A. Caudle, B. Alexander and Richard Gruynn, all residing within the corporate limits of the town. This board continued in office until May, 1828, when the third board was elected, composed of Richard Guynn, James Thompson, Robert Baker, William Mc Waters and George Venable, who continued in office until 1830. The members comprising the fourth board were the following gentlemen, to wit : Philip Frayser, Robert Baker, Henry W. Crow and William Cannon. We have been thus particular in mentioning these early boards, not because their official actions con- nect them with any great public enterprise, but merely to recall and aid in perpetuating the names of respectable bodies of old citizens that few of the present population will remember at all. No positive material improvement of the town was attempted until about 1850, and the entire duty of the Boards of Trustees seemed to be con- fined to a few town ordinances, such for example as imposing a fine of $3 on all shows or exhibitions of any kind that should charge an admission fee within corporate limits of the village ; $3 for showing a horse within 100 yards of the court house ; $5 for delivering a load of tobacco on Sun- day, or if it be a negro, twenty stripes in lieu of money, and $1 for all violations of the ordinance that forbade the washing of clothes within sixty feet of the spring lot. In 1833 the Town Assessor was instructed to make out a full list of all taxable property within the corporate limits of the town and report the CADIZ PKECINCT. 95 same to the Board of Trustees. This he did, the ■whols amounting to $375.90. No tax, however, was imposed on this amount, and the only object in taking the list was doubtless an ambition to make some official record of the immense wealth of the growing city. A town tax, however, was levied the same year, at the rate of $1 on each white tithe. In October, 1820, on application and motion of Robert Baker, a part of his land adjoining the town, containing eighteen acres, was added to the original plat. In January, 1821, John G. Reynolds platted an addi- tion to the town, containing twenty-six acres. The first blacksmithing in the town was carried on by Mr. James Wallis, whose shop was situated where the dwelling house of Mr. M. S. Thompson now stands, and the first cabinet shop was that of Pursley & Gofer, situated on the lot on which the residence of John C. Dabney has been recently erected. Early Business Men. — As already stated, the first merchants who offered goods for sale in Cadiz were W. P. M. Scott and Robert Baker, the latter of whom was identified with the business interests of the town for a period of about five or six years. The third merchant was one John Hill, who opened a store in a little house where the Cadiz House now stands, and sold goods for about five years, when he disposed of his stock to Hiram Thompson, who continued merchandising some years later. James E. Thompson was another early merchant, as was also Wayman Crow, who conducted a successful business in a house which stood on Main Street. Mr. Crow was one of the most successful business men ever identified with Cadiz, and acquired during the period of his residence here a handsome fortune, and is now one of the leading wholesale merchants of St. Louis. Another prominent merchant was Josiah Miller, who also became wealthy during the early days of the town. Among the trades- men of the town deserving special notice may be mentioned, John Roach, now in Evansville ; Josiah Gardner, F. H. Ragon, Q, Miller, Robert D. Baker, Jr., and E. G. Ragon, all of whom were successful business men and added character to the village. The oldest merchants at the present time are John L. Street and J. W. Chappell. The second hotel was kept by Robert Baker. Alexander Baker opened a public house for the entertainment of the traveling public in an early day also, and followed the occupation of " mine host" for a period of about twenty-five years. His house was a frame structure and stood on the corner where the new Cadiz Hotel now stands. James 0. Cooper succeeded Baker, and was in turn succeeded by L. Barnes. The present hotel was built in the year 1880 by Thomas H. Grinter, and is one of the largest and most commodious structures of the kind in southern Ken- tucky. The present proprietor is Abe Quick, Jr., who has achieved an enviable reputation as a successful hotel man. 96 HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. Physicians and Lawyers. — The first doctors, and they were all gen- tlemen of a considerable degree of eminence, were W. B. Dozier, Abram Venable, Thomas B. Jefferson, Isaac Burnett and W. C. Russell. The first resident members of the bar were Major M. Mays, Judge C. D. Bradley and Esq. T. W. Hammond. Tobacco Interest. — A very heavy tobacco trade was always done here and at an early day the great bulk of the crop of the county was shipped from this place. Mr. Robert Baker had a rudely constructed warehouse which he kept for storing tobacco, and himself and brother and Silas Alexander usually shipped the entire lot in flat-boats up to about 1837 to 1841, their principal market being New Orleans. About this time the tobacco business attracted the attention of gentlemen possessed of means, better credit and a more comprehensive business capacity, and the old shipping system was compelled to give way to the buyers and professional tobacconists. The first legitimate operators in this branch of business were the firms of Messrs. Joseph McAlister & Sons, Messrs. Kinson & Street and Mr. Barrett of Henderson, whose business was conducted through his agent Mr. George Robertson, and at his death continued by his son Ed- mund. Various other firms followed who did for a time a very heavy and successful business. The Dupuys, Wesley Gunn, J. S. and J. P. Thomp- son were of Louisville and Cincinnati. But the gentlemen of the long- est continuation in the business and by far the most successful are the Messrs. White, the present operators. Few men have ever been so suc- cessful in any branch of hazardous operation as these gentlemen. They have paid the highest prices, outlived every formidable opposition, gone contrary to the-.advice of all other well-informed men in the business, and have never met with a reverse. The first pretentious business houses that were ever erected in the place were : the old house built for the dry goods business that is still standing on the old Poston corner, the one room of which is now used for a shoe store, and the other for a butcher shop ; and the others the dry goods and grocery houses built by Messrs. Terry & Wilkinson, and which have been so completely surpassed by those of more recent construction, and which for the last three or four years they have not been able to find an occupant for either. During the last ten years most of the old business houses of the town liave been torn away, and in their stead have been erected fine brick blocks which will compare favorably with the buildings of any other town in southern Kentucky. Business Register. — The present business of Cadiz is represented by the following men and firms : John L. Street & Son, dry goods ; J. W. CADIZ PRECINCT. 97 Ghappell & Son, dry goods and general merchandise ; J. J. Garton, dry goods ; M. S. Thompson, dry goods ; Wilford and Jagoe, dry goods ; G. Willis Lindsay, groceries ; G. T. McClain, groceries ; P. S. Jefferson, groceries; Hancock & Bro., groceries; H. M. Garton & Son, hardware; W. F. Hamilton, hardware and saddlery ; Wallace, confectionery ; Newton, confectionery ; Mrs. Rawlins, millinery ; W. L. Hillmau, hoots and shoes ; Theobald & Son, boot and shoe manufacturers ; J. S. Malone & Son, carriage makers and blacksmiths ; T. K. Torian, livery stable ; Walter Gray, livery stable ; Abe Quick, proprietor of the Cadiz House. Methodist Episcopal Church South of Cadiz*. — In making up the history of this church we meet with difficulties hard to surmount, yet by patient inquiry and diligent research we have reached something near the requisite information, as to details not what we desired, but as to general facts sufficient for all ordinary purposes. The territory including the present site of Cadiz was originally em- braced in Christian Circuit. As early as 1811 we note the appointment of Peter Cartwright, Presiding Elder of the above circuit, which at that time was included in the Nashville District of the Western Conference. But there is no indication of the formation of a class at Cadiz as early as that date. Indeed, Cadiz was not then in existence, nor have we any au- thentic account of the organization of a society at or near the present site of the town for several years afterward. In 1812, the notable Peter Cartwright was returned as Presiding Elder, with Jacob Turner as Preacher in charge. Peter Cartwright served until 1816, the Preachers during that time being S. H. Thompson, John Johnson and Claiborne Duval. In 1816 James Axley was Presiding Elder, and Peter Cartwright Preacher in charge. Axley served the following year, with Benjamin Malone and John Davar, Preachers. Marcus Lindsey was Presiding Elder from 1818 to 1820 inclusive, the preachers being John Cragg for the former year, Peter Cartwright and Martin Flint for 1819, and Cartwright and William McReynolds for 1820. This was about the time of the organization of Trigg County, and the location of its seat of justice at Cadiz. The place was visited soon after- ward by circuit riders who held public worship in the little log court house. Tracing the succession of preachers we find from the records the district was regularly supplied as follows: 1821, Charles Holliday was appointed Presiding Elder, and served until the year 1825; T. A. Morris and Philip Kenesly were the Preachers for 1821. In 1822, Morris and * By Rev. E. E. Pate. 98 HISTOKY OF TEIOG COUNTY. Major Stanfield were Preachers in charge ; the following year George McNelly and A. Long had charge of the circuit. Revs. McNelly and N. G. Berryman were the Preachers during 1824. In 1825, T. A. Mor- ris was Presiding Elder, William Peter and B. Ogden Preachers in charge ; T. A. Morris served as Presiding Elder in 1826 also, with William Peter and D. Tunnell, Preachers. G. McNelly was appointed Presiding Elder in 1827, B. C. Wood and Samuel Kenyon serving as Preachers during that year ; 1828, G. McNelly, Presiding Elder, John Sinclair and T. Warren, Preachers ; 1829, McNelly, Presiding Elder,. G. W. Robbinsand William Philips, Preachers in charge; 1830, McNelly, Presiding Elder, I. Denham and C. L. Clifton, Preachers; 1831, John Johnson, Presiding Elder, John Redman and W. S. Evans, Preachers ; 1832, Johnson, Pre- siding Elder, N. G. Berryman and John Redman, Preachers; 1833, Isaac Callard, Presiding Elder, W. S. McMurray and B. Faris, Preachers ; 1834, I. Callard, Presiding Elder, L. Campbell and A. Kelly, Preachers ; 1835, I. Callard, Presiding Elder, L. Campbell and R. W. Landrum, Preachers ; 1836, at this time Cadiz was embraced in the Lafayette Circuit, Isaac Callard being the Presiding Elder, and E. Sutton, Preacher in charge ; R. Corwin was Presiding Elder in 1837, and R. F. Turner, Preacher. About this time the class at Cadiz took permanent form, and a house of worship was built on the ground occupied by the present brick edifice, the title to the property not being secured until some two years later. The Rev. R. F. Turner is still living, and is a local Elder residing near Ce- rulean Springs in Christian County. Coming on down we have the fol- lowing line of succession : 1838 and 1839, R. Carmine, Presiding Elder, and A. Long, Preacher; 1840, R. Carmine, Presiding Elder, and J. J. Ferree, Preacher; 1841, E. Stevenson, Presiding Elder, A. Long and J. J. Ferree, Preachers ; 1842, E. Stevenson, Presiding Elder, and J. E. Nix, Preacher ; Stevenson served as Presiding Elder in 1843, with Z. M. Tay- lor, Preacher. In 1844 the name of the circuit was changed to Cadiz, E. Stevenson still serving as Presiding Elder, with J. H. Bristow, Preacher in charge ; N. B. Lewis was appointed Presiding Elder in 1845, and served until 1847, the Preachers in the meantime being R. Fisk and J. W. Rhodes. In 1847 T. Bottomly was appointed Presiding Elder ; he served until 1850, with the following preachers, to wit : J. W. Rhodes, J. H. Bristow and W. H. Morris; 1851, N. H. Lee was appointed Pre- siding Elder this year, and served until 1854, the Preacher in charge dur- ing that time being A. Quick, who is still living in Trigg County within two miles of Cadiz on the Hopkinsville turnpike. In 1853 the circuit was known as Lafayette and Cadiz Circuit, the preachers during that year being William Neikirk and J. C. Petree ; 1854, Z. M. Taylor, Pre- siding Elder, William Neikirk and C. G. Boggess, Preachers; 1855, Will- CADIZ PRECINCT. 99 iam Randolph, Preacher; 1856, John Randolph; 1857, William Ran- dolph; 1858, A. Aikin, Presiding Elder, A. Quick, Preacher; R. 0. Alexander was Preacher from 1859 to 1861 ; J. G. Petree served from 1861-62 till 1864; W. H. Morrison succeeded Aiken as Presiding Elder in 1862, and served, until 1867; J. F. Redford and H. C. Settle were Preachers in charge from 1864 to 1867 ; T. C. Frogge was appointed Presiding Elder the latter year, and L. B. Davison, Preacher in 1867-68 ; F. G. Peters preached for the circuit. The following list comprises the Presiding Elders ifrom the years 1869-70 to 1883-84, the names being in the order they served : L. B. Davison, H. M. Ford, J. A. Lewis, T. G. Bosley, R. G. Alexander and E. M. Growe. The preachers during that time were T. C. Peters, P. T. Hardison, T. J. Randolph, J. A. Lewis, J. W. Shelton, J. M. Growe and E. Pate, the last named being Pastor in charge at the present time. As before stated, the first house of worship was built where the pres- ent one stands, on Washington between Montgomery and Franklin Streets, the ground being deeded to Robert Baker, W. G. Russell, A. H. Poston, Thomas B. Jefferson and J. E. Thompson, Trustees. The church con- tinued to worship in this house until the year 1870, when the present edifice was erected at a cost of $4,500. It is a neat brick structure, 4Cx 60 feet in size, and will comfortably seat 850 or 400 persons. A parson- age was built in 1855 and used five years, at the end of which time it was sold, and other property lying on Little River purchased. The latter house was used until 1872, when it was exchanged for the present par- sonage by the payment of $800 difference. The number of members belonging to the church at the present time is 130, among whom are many of the leading citizens of the town and surrounding country. From 1813 to 1821, inclusive, this section was embraced in the Tennessee Conference and Green River District. In 1822 it was changed to the Kentucky Gonference in which it has re- mained ever since. Qadiz Christian Church.* — The Ghurch of Christ in Cadiz was organ- ized between the years 1838 and 1840, and was composed of a few scat- tered members in the town and vicinity. Spotswood Wilkinson, a resi- dent merchant and tobacconist of the town, being an earnest, devout and cultivated Christian, gathered these scattered members in the court house, and taught and exhorted them from Lord's day to Lord's day. Elders George P. Street and other transient preachers occasionally visited and preached to this congregation in the court house from its organization until 1842, when Elder Henry T. Anderson was employed as pastor for some years. He being a man of decided ability and culture, and more •By Judge J. G. Dabney. 100 HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. recently the author of " Anderson's New Testament " (a translation from the original Greek) with the aid of Elder G. P. Street, largely built up and increased the membership of the church. The membership during this period and more recent years was composed in part of the following persons : Spotswood Wilkinson and wife, Margaret N. Moore, Mary B. Moore, Maj. M. Mayes and wife and family, James Q. Miller and wife. Dr. Isaac Burnett and wife, Albert S. Dabney, John L. Street, Thomas C. Dabney, Dr. R. A. Amastead and wife, Sydney Hopson and wife, Alexander Baker and wife, Dr. Lunsford Lindsay and wife and family, John S. Fisher and wife, Judge J. J. Harrison, John Cameron and wife, S.W. Van Culin (now of Philadelphia), William Redd and wife and family, Peterfield JeflFerson, Al- bert Jefferson, John Mabry (the old surveyor), Henry C. Burnett, Robert A. Burnett, Capt. R. L. Nance and wife, John H. Boyd, Mrs. Linn Boyd, George L. Torian and wife, and many others. Of these original mem- bers many have died, and many have moved away. The first church edifice was erected in the fall of 1844, on a lot now owned by Moses Thompson, and donated to the church by M. Mayes, in which this congregation continued to meet and worship until the comple- tion of their present brick edifice in the rear of the court house in the fall of 1854. The Pastors of this congregation have been Henry T. Anderson, G. P. Street, W. E. Mobley, W. C. Rogers, R. M. Giddons, Bela Metcalf, R. B. Tremble, J. W. Higbee, Prof B. C. Deweese, H. C. Waddell, and from time to time they have enjoyed the visits and protracted meetings held by many distinguished preachers, such as John T. Johnson, the Fergusons, George W. EUey, Jacob Croath, Brown, Howard, John J, Rogers, G. E. Flower, Prof R. C. Cave, Prof. T. A. Crenshaw, J. t! Hawkins, W. L. Butler, Lipscomb, etc. The Local Elders of the congre- gation at this time are T. C. Dabney, J. L. Street and J. W. Crenshaw. The Deacons are Robert Crenshaw, Henry C. Wilkinson and J. J. Garten. From the organization of the church to the present time, with excep- tions of short intervals before and during the war, the church has kept up in addition to its regular Lord's day meeting for worship, a Bible Class or Sunday-school, and prayer-meeting. Dr. J, W. Crenshaw is the pres- ent Superintendent of the Sunday-school, numbering some forty pupils and six teachers. Various members of the congregation have given much of their time and means in promoting domestic and foreign missions, and the spread of the Gospel of Christ. Baptist Church.* — April 15, 1842, the members of the Baptist de- nomination living in the town and vicinity of Cadiz, according to previous •By H. B. Wayland. CADIZ PRECINCT. 101 appointment, met at the house of brother C. A. Jackson, when, in accord- ance with their request, they were examined by a presbytery composed of Elders William Morrison, John Hubbard, R. W. Nixon and T. G. Keen, who believed them to be orthodox, and were upon their adopting a declara- tion of faith and church covenant constituted into a church under the name of the Cadiz United Baptist Church. Elder Morrison acted as Moder- ator. ChurcTi Covenant. — Having been, as we trust, brought by Divine Grace to embrace the Lord Jesus Christ, and to give up ourselves wholly to Him, we do now solemnly and joyfully covenant with each other to walk togetJier in Sim with brotherly love to His glory as our common Lord. We do, therefore, in His strength engage. That we will exercise a mutual care, as members one of another, to promote the growth of the whole body in Christian knowledge, holiness and comfort ; to the end that we may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. To promote and secure this object we will uphold the public worship of God and the ordinances of His house, and hold constant communion with each other therein ; that we will cheerfully contribute of our prop- erty to the support of the poor, and for the maintenance of a faithful min- istry of the Gospel among us. That we will not omit closet and family religion at home, nor allow ourselves in the too-common neglect of the great duty of religiously train- ing up our children and those under our care, with a view to the service of Christ and the enjoyment of heaven. That we will endeavor to walk circumspectly in the world, that we may win their souls, remembering that God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love, and of a sound mind ; that we are the light of the world and the salt of the earth, and that a city set on a hill cannot be hid. That we will frequently exhort, and if occasion shall require, admon- ish one another according to Matt., 18th, in the spirit of meekness ; con- sidering ourselves lest we be also tempted, and that as in baptism we have been buried with Christ and raised again, so there is on us a special ob- ligation thenceforth to walk in newness of life. And may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make us perfect in every good work, to do His will ; working in us that which is well pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory fprever and ever. Amen. The following brethren having adopted the articles of faith and cove- nant were enrolled as members of this church, viz.: John Jackson, John 102 HISTORY OP TRIGG COUNTY. W. Jackson, Charles A. Jackson, Daniel M. Bagon, George L. Torian, Mrs. Elmira Grilfoj, Catharine Baker, Mary Jackson, Susan E. Jackson, Misses Eliza Jane Kelly, Ann Eliza Thompson, Martha J. Jackson and Nancy Perry. C. A. Jackson was chosen Clerk and John W. Jackson was recognized as Deacon, having previously held that office. In June, the church resolved to apply for admission into Little River Association. D. M. Ragon was appointed Treasurer. At present the total member- ship of the church is thirty-one communicants. Cadiz Methodist Episcopal Church (colored) was organized in the year 1873 by Rev. Christopher Humphries, assisted by Rev. D. Bagby. At the first meeting seventy names were enrolled as members and the fol- lowing officers elected : Handy Wilford, Claas Leader ; Jones Mayze, Eli Early and Harvey Young, Stewards ; and Jacob Young, Handy Wil- ford, Jones Mayze, Henry Carloss and Nelson Morgan, Trustees. Chris- topher Humphries was the first Pastor. He was succeeded by D. A. Bagby, after whom came in regular order the following ministers, viz.: Green Bibb, B. C. Tolbert, Mr. Spurlin, A. Samples, G. W. Landers and D. A. RadliiF, the present incumbent. A neat, frame house of worship was built in 1874 at a cost of $.900. At the present time there are 126 members belonging to the society, which is reputed in flourishing condi- tion. The present officers of the church are the following, to wit : Jones Mayze, Handy Wilford, Joseph Poston, Nathan Martin and Jacob Young, Trustees; Henry Redd, Andrew Stubble, William Wilford and R. Ragon, Stewards ; Handy Wilford, Henry Redd and Joseph Poston, Class- leaders. A fine Sunday-school is maintained under the efiBcient super- intendency of R. Ragon. Second Baptist Church (colored). — This church was organized in the year 1871 by Rev. Mr. Morehead, with a constitutional membership of about twenty persons, a number which has since increased to 230, being one of the strongest religious societies in the county at the present time. A frame house of worship was built shortly after the organization and used jointly by the Methodists and Baptists for a couple of years, at the end of which time the latter denomination disposed of their interest in the building and erected their present edifice, a good frame structure costing the sum of $400. The pastors of the church have been Elders More- head, Waddell, Skinner and Ridley, the last named being the present in- cumbent. The officers of the church are Robert Slaughter, R. Crump and A. Alexander, Deacons ; D. M. Brown, Clerk. Second Methodist Episcopal Church (colored) was established by Revs. Christopher Humphries and D. Bogy in the year 1878. At the first meeting tbe names of seventy persons were enrolled as members and the following officers elected : Handy Wilford, Jacob Young, Jones Mayze CADIZ PRECINCT. 103 Henry Garloss and Nelson Morgan, Trustees; Harvey Young, Jones Mayze and Eli Early, Stewards ; Handy Wilford, Class Leader. The fol- lowing pastors have had charge of the church since its organization, to wit: Christopher Humphries, D. A. Bogy, Green Bihb, B. C. Tolbert, Spurlin, A. Samples and G. W. Landers. Present Pastor is Rev. D. A. Radliff. The house of worship in which the society meets was built in 1874, and cost the sum of $900. The church officials at the present time are as follows : Jones Mayze, Nathan Martin, Handy Wilford, Jacob Young and Joseph Poston, Trust- ees ; Henry Redd, Andrew Stubbles, William Wilford and R. Ragon, Stewards ; Handy Wilford, Henry Redd and Joseph Poston, Class Lead- ers. Present membership 126. Schooh.* — About the year 1840 a Mr. Curlin by will left an estate consisting of land and negroes "/or the benefit of a Seminary." Five Trustees were elected every four years by the legal voters of the county. Property was purchased and the school located in Cadiz, consisting of a male and female department, but in separate buildings. The land was leased for ninety-nine years. The negroes were freed by President Lin- coln's proclamation. From 1860 to 1865 the annual income from this source — $300 — was divided pro rata amongst the pupils who came to the school, by which the subscription was reduced to that extent. The tuition in fall of two female pupils was paid two years after 1860 from the Cur- lin fund. The last of this fund went in part payment for the present High School building. Some of the earlier teachers were Messrs. Ander- son and Rumsey, also Miss Norris, and then her sister. J. Q. A. Tyler taught eleven years in the Male Seminary, ending with the spring term, 1860. H. B. Wayland and his wife, J. S. Way- land, took charge of the Female Seminary in September, 1860, Mrs. Wayland teaching music. In the spring of 1862 they resigned in con- sequence of disturbances resulting from the war. Rev. Petre taught one session. In September they took charge of the Seminary and taught until 1869, when they resigned. During 1863 and 1864 the music class numbered twenty-seven ; number in school about eighty, and at one time there were about forty boarders in the town. Miss Leonora Prescott and Mrs. L. E. Cook were Assistants. During the war board having been raised to $5 a week, and difficult to obtain, H. B. Wayland and wife- purchased land at the cost of nearly $3,000, and put on it improvements at a cost of $8,000. H. B. Way- land took charge of the Male Seminary one year in 1871. He then opened a private school on his premises, and taught until June, 1873. Mrs. Wayland was teacher of music. Her health failed and October 30, * By H. B. Wayland. 104 HISTORY OP TRIGG COUNTY. 1873, she departed this life, and the Cadiz Institute closed. The assist- ants in the Cadiz Institute were Misses Willia Faulkner, Laura Gary, Nannie Duncan and Mary E. Guthrie. Miss Willie Elliot taught in the Female Seminary nine years, beginning with September, 1869. She was succeeded by John C. Dabney, B. C. Dewees and Wyatt. Other teachers since 1860 : Gentlemen — Randolph, Harwood, Jefiferson, Boggs, Jones, Pomroy, Harvey, Hancock, Woodson, Watson. Ladies — Mrs. Dabney, Mrs. Pettis, Misses Poston, Faxon, Pursley, Terry, Pursley, Wilkinson. The present public school building, standing on the principal street of the town, is one of the most commodious and convenient school buildings in southwestern Kentucky. It is a substantial brick edifice and well adapted to school purposes. Excellent schools are taught in it each year and for the usual period by competent teachers. Freema»onry. — The history of Masonry is more or less familiar to all the civilized world, and, as the order claims, to many of the semi-civilized, and even good Masons are to be found among barbarous peoples. Among its claimed chief merits and glories are its great age — the oldest organ- ization in the world — antedating all sects, religions, and even all organ- ized social life since the coming of Adam and Eve. Again, it is some- times given as the history of its foundation that, as its name indicates, it was founded and organized among the workmen for mutual protection, at the building of that historical structure — Solomon's temple. But like everything else it has adapted itself to the inevitable that follows the workings and growth of the human mind, and now they have attached to the order well regulated benefit associations, and distribute much real and beneficial charity and aid to fellow members and the widows and orphans of deceased brethren. The cardinal ideas of Masonry have perhaps always been a high morality founded on the Bible, and a law of mutual protection of a brother toward a brother. A lodge was chartered in Cadiz on the first day of September, 1841, under the name of Cadiz Lodge, No. 121. The first oflBcers were Will- iam C. Grafton, W. M., Matthew Mays, S. W., and Joel Wilson, J. W. The society held meetings at difierent houses until 1850, at which time a large and commodious hall was built in connection with the Christian Church, the Masons occupying the upper story. The society at one time was the strongest in the county, but of recent years, owing to the establishment of other lodges in the neighboring villages, its member- ship has- considerably diminished, until now there are only about thirty- eight names on the roll. The present officers are: A. F. Rash, W. M.; P. H. Allen, S. W.; John C. Curling, J. W.; R. W. Major, Treas.; J. F. Gentry, Sec; J. D. Shaw, S. D.; Armstead Moody, J. D.; John W. Russell, Steward and Tyler. CADIZ PRECINCT. 105 Cadiz Lsdge, No. 1,635, K. of H., was organized on the 19th of August, 1880, with the following charter members, to wit: John Q. Jefferson, J, E. Edwards, John W. Pursley, W. T. Smoot, Thomas L. Bacon, Thomas T. Watson, C. H. Hawkins, John D. Shaw, H. B. Wil- kinson, G. Willis Lindsay, F. G. Terry, W. 0. White, M. S. Thomp- son and R. A. Burnett. The present membership is fifty-six. The present officers (1884) are: G. W. Lindsay, P. D.; John G. Jefferson, D.; W. L. Hillman, V. D.; W. T. Smoot, Assist. D.; M. S. Thomp- son, Sec; F. G. Terry, Financial Reporter; H. B. Wilkinson, Treas.; T. T. Watson, Chaplain; Perry Thomas, Jr. Guide; John D. Shaw, Sr. Guide, and J. W. Russell, Guardians. Ophelia Council, No. 11, Chosen Friends, was established on the 11th day of October, 1882, with thirty-eight charter members, a num- ber in excess of the present membership, which is only thirty-five. The officers of the society at the present time are J. C. Dabney, P. C. C; T. F. McBride, Chief Counselor; John Theobald, Vice-Counselor; John G. Jefferson, Secretary ; H. B. Wilkinson, Treasurer ; J. W. Crenshaw, Medical Examiner ; E. S. Sumner, Prelate ; Robert Crenshaw, Marshal ; W. H. Timmons, Warden ; L. Freeman, Guard. Grood Templars was an older society than the Knights or Chosen Friends, and so far as we can learn deserves the first place in history, but in seeking after the facts of its organization we ascertained that it ceased to exist a few years since. It was organized on the 23d of July, 1876, with twenty-eight charter members, and terminated its existence in 1879. The Hamiltonians. — We go to school from the cradle to the grave, and this is one of the inexorable laws of our being. These schools or fountains of education are nearly infinite in variety, and have little in common save the imperfections that pervade all. A careful investigation of the influences of the mind go far to demonstrate the fact that real edu- cation comes with our joys, our pleasures and the social intercourse of congenial spirits, that is the highest mark of our civilization. The mind must be developed as in the perfect physical nature. It is not hard dull work that molds the child into beauty and strength, perfection and grace, but on the contrary, too much of this dwarfs aftd stunts the young into ungainliness of person and feature. But it is the happy heart, the rip- pling laugh, joined with agreeable mental culture, by which strong, active, graceful and well poised intellects are created. We mean that intense mental activity that comes of keen jest, of mental play work, of that so- cial and intellectual life that is made up of the associations of congenial companions where "youth and pleasure meet " at the weekly assemblings of the Hamillomans, a society of the intelligent and literary young men of Cadiz, organized on the 8th of March, 1884. As best stated by one 106 HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. of its members, the objects of the association are literary and social en- joyment, the promotion of a spirit of good fellowship among the members, the acquirement of the art of public debate, the attainment of a higher mental culture and a steady growth toward enlarged usefulness. The of- ficers of the society are as follows : Webb Watkins, President ; Joseph P. Gill, Vice-President ; Paul A. Curling, Secretary. The following gentlemen comprise the membership, viz.: Paul A. Curling, Muscoe Bur- nett, Joseph P. Gill, Edwin F. Dabney, C. D. McKinney, Webb Wat- kins, J. W. Sawyer, James E. Burnett, J. E. Kelly, A. S. Dabney and Henry Malone. In conclusion of our brief sketch of Cadiz, we will add that it fulfills the scriptural text; it is a "city set on a hill, and cannot be hid." It does stand on a hill, and is one of the handsomest and neatest little cities we have ever become acquainted with. And its people are as courteous as the city is handsome. Among them we have some friends we are proud to reckon as such, and when they read this it will remind them that we shall not soon forget them. CANTON AND LINTON PRECINCTS. 107 CHAPTER VII. Canton and Linton Precincts— Topography of Canton— Its Agricul- tural Resources— Early Settlement— Abraham Boyd— Settle- ment ON Donaldson Creek— The Wilson Family- Other Pioneers —Mills and Distilleries— Births, Deaths and Marriages- Re- ligious, etc.— Town of Canton— Its Birth as a Town— Growth and Development— The Methodists and Baptists— Secret Socie- ties—Physical Features of Linton Precinct— Its Early Occupa- tion BY White People— Sketch of Its Settlers— Masonic— Church History, etc., etc. CANTON PRECINCT lies a little southwest of the geographical center of the county, and is bounded on the north by Little River, on the east by Cadiz Precinct, the south by Linton Precinct, the west by Cumberland River. The faceofthecountryisveryunevenand broken, especially along the rivers, where are high hills and rocky, precipitous bluffs. Back from the river the country is not so abrupt, although the entire precinct possesses but a small area of level land. Among the hills and contiguous to the smaller water-courses are tracts of comparatively even land, possessing a deep allu- vial soil, the fertility of which has been but slightly diminished by seventy years' almost constant tillage. The broken portions of the precinct are not so well adapted to agriculture, many of the hills being characterized by a thin gravelly soil, which a few years' cultivation renders sterile. Conse- quently much of the rolling land has never been cleared, and large areas are covered with a forest growth and present the same appearance they did when seen by the first settlers at the beginning of the present century. The timber embraces the varieties usually found growing in this part of the State, maple, oak, beech, hickory and ash predominating. Lime- stone abounds in all parts of the precinct, and an abundance of excellent sandstone is found in various localities. The water-courses are Donaldson Creek, Craig's Branch, Beech Fork and Muddy Creek, all of which are running streams throughout the greater part of the year. They traverse the country in almost all directions, and empty into Cumberland and Little Rivers. The chief products of the precinct are tobacco, corn, wheat, oats and the usual varieties of vegetables found in this range of climate. Wheat is not found so well adapted to the soil as to form a staple crop in recent years, and while it is still sown to a considerable extent, it is not the crop upon which the farmers place the most dependence. Corn and tobacco 108 HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTS. are the principal crops upon which they rely for revenue, and much of this is sold for exportation. But few attempts have been made as yet to enrich the soil with commercial fertilizers, although some of the farmers are growing clover successfully and turning it under with good effect upon the soil. Settlement by White Men. — The settlement of Canton Precinct dates back prior to the dawning of the present century, though at what year the first pioneers made their appearance is a matter of mere conjecture. Traces of rude log-cabins were found in many places along the Cumber- land River when the first permanent settlers came, and the belief is cur- rent that families of trappers and, adventurers made this a rendezvous many years before any effort was made to open up and improve the cmin- try. " As early as 1799, a party of emigrants called a halt on the river at a point where now is situated the town of Canton, who were destined to leave a record in the public archives of this Commonwealth that has been and will continue to be read from the beginning to the ending of the present century. We allude to the family of Abraham Boyd. He was a native of North Carolina, but had been a resident of Tennessee in the neighborhood of Nashville, a number of years, and removed thence to the point above stated. The trip must have been made in flat-boats, for there were no roads, and an old settler remarked that he assisted them in cut- ting a road through the cane from the river bank to the top of the hill for their wagons, and it took several days to complete it. He erected his first dwelling on the ground where the present church stands. His father-in- law, Adam Linn, accompanied him, and made a settlement three miles out from the river on the Luster place. He was a native of Scotland, and a blood relation of the poet Burns. Abraham Boyd wa»a man of remarkably fine intellect, and for that day a man of considerable culture. He represented the people a number of times in the Legislature when this was a por tion of Christian County and afterward when Trigg was formed into a distinct division. He has been represented as the superior of his afterward distinguished son, Hon. Linn Boyd, upon the stump, was a man of very thorough business training, and the presiding Justice of the County Court in the organization and formation of the county." About the same time of Boyd's arrival, or perhaps a little earlier, a small settlement was made on Donaldson Creek. Among the first to set- tle in this locality were John and Shadrach Futrell, Josiah Lindsay and his brothers James L., Caleb and Carleton. Basil Holland settled near the Perry Thomas farm as early as 1800, and died forty-five years ago. James Dixon and his sons Hiram and James, Jr., made improvements in the Holland neighborhood about the year 1802 or 1803. The Wilson family, consisting of the father, John Wilson, and his sons CANTON AND LINTON PRECINCTS. 109 John, Ben, James, natives of South Carolina, secured homes on Craig's Branch, an affluent of Donaldson Creek, as early as 1803, and John Craig, after whom the stream was named, came a little earlier and settled on the place now used as a poor-farm. In 1804 and 1805 came Joel Cohoun and settled where William Turner lives ; Josiah Outland and Enos Out- land, who improved a part of the Lindsay land ; Charles Boren, Sr., and Charles Boren, Jr., who settled where Blunt Turner lives. About the same time came William Ross and settled on the Whitmill Holland farm. Drury Bridges came as early as 1804 and located near Beech Fork on the place now owned by his grandson, C. T. Bridges. One daughter of this stanch old pioneer, Mrs. Perry Thomas, is still living in the precinct. Mr. Bridges died in 1840. Lawrence Killabrew settled on land adjoining the Bridges farm about the year 1804. He was one of the earliest preachers in the county, and a man of character and influence in the com- munity where he resided. Prominent among the settlers on Donaldson Creek was James Thomas, who moved to the State from North Carolina in 1806, and located where his grandson Peyton Thomas now lives. The following sketch of this noted pioneer is from McKinney's historical articles: " He was born in North Carolina in 1761, when that country was a province of Great Brit- ain, and long before the inhabitants had conceived the thought of throw- ing ofi" the yoke of the British Empire. Living through the storm of the Revolution, he inherited that patriotic devotion to his country so peculiar in those days, and gave as a reason for not moving West earlier than he did, that he recognized the same obligations to the State of North Caro- lina until he was forty-five years of age that he did to his parents until he was twenty-one. Taking leave of the country, then, soon after his second maturity, he turned his face to the great West, and after a long and tedious journey arrived on Donaldson Creek, in what was then Christian County, the latter part of November, 1806. Not possessed of the restless disposition of most men, when they have once torn away from the place of their birth, he felt perfectly satisfied in his new home, and resolved at once to spend the residue of his life there. He never broke the resolution, but died in 1832 where he first settled. Old Uncle James Thomas was a man of more than ordinary ability. He was a man of good morals, and a consistent member of the Baptist Church." In company with Mr. Thomas came his sons, Cullen, Perry and Starkie, all of whom were prominently identified with the early growth and development of the county. Cullen Thomas lived and died on the place settled by his father. Perry Thomas, the second son, is still living, having reached the rare old age of eighty-eight years, in full possession of all his mental and physical powers. He has been a very active business man, and has been 110 HISTORY OP TRIGG COUNTY. called at various times to fill offices of public trust. He was the Assessor of the county for twenty-one consecutive years, and the date of his induc- tion into official life extends away back to the time when two- thirds of the present old men in the county were merely in their swaddling clothes. He is a man of more than ordinary culture, even for the present day, and takes an active part in all measures calculated to benefit the public. Starkie Thomas, the third son, became a very successful business man, and his descendants are among the well-to-do and respectable citizens of the county. James and Stanley Thomas were born after the family came to the State, and were equally prominent with the three described. Other early settlers of the precinct were Alexander George, Edwin Noel, Richard Bell, Joshua Underwood, James Kinchen and Jordan Las- seter. Later came Allan Showier, Joshua Showier, William Barnes, James Barnes, Allen Barnes, Robert Hardin, Luke Thomas and Ezekiel Thomas, all of whom had homes in the precinct prior to 1812. Since that period the influx of population has been steady and constant, and many of the old landmarks have forever disappeared. Early Industries. — The first mill in the precinct was erected about the year 1803 or 1804, and stood on Donaldson Creek, about two miles above its mouth. It was a small log building, contained one buhr operated by a "tub " wheel, and made a coarse article of meal. It was in operation about thirty years, and seems to have been well patronized during the greater part of that period. The last owner waa Henry Hans- barger. Another early mill was built by Cullen Thomas, and operated by horse-power. It was what is termed a "tramp-mill," and did a fair business during the time it was in operation. Abraham Boyd erected a horse-mill at the landing shortly after his arrival, and operated it about twenty years. He constructed a cotton gin about the same time also, with which he did a thriving business during the early days of the county. The second water-mill in the precinct was put in operation by Cullen Thomas about the year 1840. This was a combination mill, manufactured both lumber and meal, but did a limited business, owing to the scarcity of water in the creek. In the year 1811 James Thomas and Shadrach Futrell erected a dis- tillery on the land of Allen Showier, which they operated with fair suc- cess for a period of six or seven years. This was one of the first distil- leries in the county, and early achieved the reputation of turning out the very finest quality of whisky. Cullen Thomas constructed a small dis- tillery on his place in 1815, and ran it until 1835. Later, Hiram Dixon engaged in the distillery business on Craig's Branch, but owing to a want of patronage was obliged to close out in a short time. The distillery of Mize & Cliner was erected near Canton about the year 1864. They did CANTON AND LINTON PRECINCTS. Ill a fair business until 1867, at which time the enterprise was aban- doned. A tannery was started on the Sumner place near Donaldson Creek in 1851 by McReynolds, of Christian County, who ran it until 1854, when George C. Graham became possessor. He operated it until 1868 or 1870, when it passed into other hands, and finally went down. A steam-mill was erected by William Williams near Canton about the year 1869. It was afterward purchased by Peyton Thomas, and moved to his place on Donaldson Creek, where it was in operation about three years. It was afterward purchased by a Mr. Gordon, and moved to the west side of the Cumberland. Mr. Thomas operated a small tannery also, and was well patronized until the yard was overflowed and destroyed by the creek. The first blacksmith in the precinct was Basil Holland. Shadrach Futrell was an early mechanic also. Among the first summoned away by death in the precinct were Dicey Showier, sister of James Thomas in 1806, and Mrs. James Dixon, in the winter of the same year. Other early deaths were Temperance Thomas, Shadrach Futrell and wife, Sarah Futrell, and members of the different families previously referred to. Early Marriages. — Among the early marriages in the precinct are remembered the following: Winborne Futrell and Charity Colston, 1809 ; Stephen Boren and Colston, the same year ; John Allen and Sallie, daughter of John Craig, as early as 1808 ; William Barnes aild Sarah Lawrence, in 1809; Denson Deese and Rachel Holland, 1808 or 1809 ; Ezekiel Thomas and Temperance Thomas, in 1812. Other early marriages were a Mr. Ford to Nellie Craig ; David Cohoun and Rebecca Futrell ; Cullen Thomas and Elizabeth Futrell. Among the earliest births were Stanley Thomas, son of James and Mary Thomas, in 1807, and Mary Thomas, in 1809. The pioneers of Trigg County were a church-going people, and the gospel was introduced in a very early day. The first preachers in this precinct belonged to the Baptist Church, and for several years religious services were held from house to house. Among these pioneer mission- aries are remembered Elders Dudley Williams, Lawrence Killabrew, Thomas Ross, James Dixon and Reuben Ross. The Donaldson Creek Baptist Church was constituted in 1814 by Revs. Thomas Ross, Dudley Williams and Thomas McLean. At the time of its organization it was an arm of the Dry Creek Church in Can- ton Precinct, and numbered twenty-four members. The first house of worship was a little log building erected on one acre of land donated by Basil Holland, and was used as a meeting-place for about twenty years. At the end of that period another log structure, more commodious than 112 HISTORY OP TRIGG COUNTY. the first, was built. It stood until 1854, at which time the present frame edifice was erected. The first regular pastor was Rev. Thomas McLean ; John Mallory and Alfred Lindsay preached for the congregation in an early day. Later came Revs. A. P. Hodges, William Skinner, Trimble, L. McLean and R. Allen. The present incumbent is Rev. Mr. Tidwell. At one time the organization was very strong, but owing to the division between the progressive and conservative wings in an early day the members were greatly diminished. The present membership is about seventy. Early educational facilities were meager, and the children of the pio- neers had few advantages in that direction. A few months in the log- cabin schoolhouse, with its puncheon or dirt floor, and big fire place, was the extent of learning they received, and the advantages the precinct af- forded. For forty years or more after the first settlement education was at a low ebb. Like stagnant water in the creek bottom swamps, it was difiicult to tell whether the current flowed backward or forward. The schoolhouses, school books, teachers and the manner of instruction were of the most primitive character. A man by name of James Gray was one of the first teachers, not only in this precinct but in the county. Wilson Wallis, Christopher Pritch- ard and David Barton were early teachers also. The first public school was taught in the Donaldson Creek Church building by a Mr. Gray, not the one mentioned above. An early schoolhouse stood near Peyton Thomas' residence, and an- other not far from the town of Canton. The precinct is fairly supplied with schools at the present time, and the advantages of an education are within the easy reach of all. Town of Canton. — The first settlement on the present site of Can- ton was made, as before stated, by Abraham Boyd, about the close of the last century. For several years the place was known as Boyd's Land- ing, and early acquired considerable prominence as a shipping point. Up to the completion of the railroad to Hopkinsville more freight was received and more tobacco shipped here than at any other point on the Cumber- land River, with the exception of Clarksville, from Burksville to the mouth. The first road that was opened from the place was before the vil- lage was laid out, and is still known as Old Boyd's Landing road, leading to Hopkinsville by Thompson's tan-yard, Kent's Bridge and Cherry Hill. The second road was between the rivers to the old Pentecost Ferry, They were both opened by order of the County Court of Christian Coun- ty, and the order establishing the ferry across the Cumberland at the landing, and the old Pentecost Ferry across the Tennessee required the consent of the Indians who inhabited the western bank of the latter stream CANTON AND LINTON PRECINCTS. 118 before the privilege was granted or the ferry established. The favorable location early attracted settlers to the vicinity, and as early as the year 1809 or 1810, a small store was started by one James Warren. How long he remained and with how much success he met in his business venture are facts not now known, as all traces of him and his store have long since been forgotten. In the year 1823 the village was regularly laid out and theplatplaced upon record. The order for the town reads as follows : " On motion of Abraham Boyd for the establishment of a town at Boyd's Landing, on Cumberland River, he having produced satisfactory proof to the county of his holding a good and undisputed title to the said land, as also of his having given such notice of this application as required by law. It is therefore ordered that said town be, and the saine is hereby established, to be known and called by the name of Canton, which shall be contained within the following metes and bounds, to wit : Beginning at a sycamore on the bank of Cumberland River, and thence running south 75 degrees, east 120 poles to an elm ; thence south 2S^ degrees west, 150 poles to a stake in the field ; thence north 75 degrees west, 121 poles to a black walnut on the bank of said river at the mouth of Lick Creek ; thence down aforesaid river north 35 degrees, east 82 poles to the landing ; thence north 12 degrees, east 70 poles to the beginning, containing 105 acres. It is further ordered that Ferdinand Wadlington, James Daniel, Lips- comb Norvell, Jesse Wells, Charles Caldwell, Reuben Lynn and William Deason be appointed trustees of said town." Several business men came to the town shortly after it was laid out, and its importance as a trading point continued to grow until the com- pletion of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad to Uopkinsville. This road seriously interfered with the river trade, and since its construction the town has been gradually losing its original vitality, although it is still the distributing point for Cadiz and a number of other places. Among the early merchants were Jesse Wells, William Wells and James Cox. William Durette came later and acquired a competent fortune. James T. Gore & Co. engaged in merchandising in an early day, and conducted a very successful business until the breaking out of the war. Another merchant deserving of special mention was William Soery, who went to the town a poor boy, and by diligent attention to business acquired a hand- some fortune. The firm of Richardson & Ford were successful mer- chants, as were also E. C. Spiceland and John D. Tyler. Philip Anderson sold goods for several years, and afterward moved to Cerulean Springs. The Fuqua Brothers were prominent business men of the place, and W. J. Fuqua, the present merchant, has perhaps amassed a greater fortune than any we have spoken of. A number of warehouses have been built 114 HISTORY OP TRIGG COUNTY. at different times, the most important of which were those belonging to J. F. Dyer, Cobb & Boyd, Ford & Tyler, and a large one owned by a stock company and operated several years by W. D. Grace and later by Col. J. F. Gentry. A steam-mill was erected by W. D. Grace in an early day, and operated several years. His successors were Whitlock, McNichols & Co.; the last ownera were Linson & Clinard. Canton Methodist Episcopal Church South. — This society dates its origin from the year 1845, at which time meetings were held in an old schoolhouse which stood in the northeast part of the town. Among the early members were W. R. Lee, A. J. Lee, M. Adkins and wife, Sandy Wall and wife, and S. Light. Among the pastors prior to 1878 are re- membered Revs. Davidson, King, Redford, Randolph, Hardison, Rhodes and Petrie. Since 1878 the following pastors have had charge of the church, to wit : James Frayser, Thomas Richardson, Joseph Love, James C. Brandon, and J. L. Reid, present incumbent. In 1874 the society united with the Baptists in the erection of their present house of worship. The officers of the church at this time (1884) are as follows : G. W. Cobb, W. M. Brandon, Stewards; J. H. Lackey, Class Leader. The Methodist Episcopal Sunday-school was organized in 1880, and with the exception of one season has been held every Lord's day since. .The first Superintendent was Mr. Chitwood. The present officers are W. M. Brandon, Superintendent ; Dr. J. H. Lackey, Assistant Superintend- ent ; S. E. Lacy, Secretary ; and William Malone, Treasurer. Baptist Church of Canton. — This church was constituted May, 1855, by Elders Meacham and Trimble, with the following members, viz. : S. Finley and wife, E. C. Spiceland and wife, C. H. Major and wife, Wesley Adair and wife, Catherine Durette, William Bell and Ellen Holland. The village schoolhouse was used as a meeting-place until 1874, at which time the Union Church was erected. This house is a handsome structure, representing a capital of about $2,600, and is used by the Baptists and Methodists. The pastors of the church since its organization have been the following : Revs. Trimble, J. H. Spurlin, — Moorhead, C. H. Greg- ston and A. W. Meacham ; A. G. Cobb, T. H. Atwood and C. H. Major are Deacons ; T. H. Atwood, Clerk. The membership is forty. A flour- ishing Sunday-school is sustained, the officers of which are the following : C. H. Major, Superintendent; W. J. Holland, Assistant Superintendetit ; and James Holland, Secretary and Treasurer. Masonic. — Canton Lodge, No. 242, A. F. & A. M., was organized in the fall of 1852, through the instrumentality of J. E. Thompson, of Cadiz, and Mr. Weller, of Princeton. On the charter are the names of the following persons, to wit: Lemuel Sills, Kinchen Battoe, Robert Shaw, A. R. Wallace, N. R. Wallace and W. L. Fuqua. The first of- CANTON AND LINTON PRECINCTS. 115 ficers were Lemuel Sills, W. M. ; K. Battoe, S. W. ; W. L. Fuqua, J. W. ; and Robert Shaw, Sec. An upper room of the village schoolhouse was fitted up for a hall at a cost of $200, and served as a lodge-room un- til 1879, when it was destroyed by fire. The society then purchased a va- cant building, and fitted up a very neat room which is still in use. The present membership is twenty-two, a number much smaller than informer years, owing to the organization of other lodges in the neighboring towns. The following are the officers at the present time : J. H. Lackey, W. M. C. T. Bridges, S. W.; J. N. Haydon, J. W.; L. R. Wallace, Treas. T. N. Ingram, Sec. ; W. D. Lancaster, S. D. ; N. R. Wallace, J. D. Isaac B. Yates, Steward and Tyler. Among the many charitable acts of the lodge may be mentioned the liberal contribution of $300 to the widows' and orphans' fund of Louisville. Cruson Council Chosen Friends, No. 5, was established in 1880 by James Cruson, with twenty charter members, among whom were G. W. Cobb, F. P. Cobb, J. W. Logan, J. D. Logan, Mrs. Myra Hopson, W. J. Hopson, J. W. Chitwood and wife, Mr. and Mrs. John R. Blake, and Dr. J. H. Lackey. The society has a membership of twenty- five at the present time, and holds its meetings at the residence of Dr. J. H. Lackey. The following officers were the last ones electpd ; G. W. Cobb, C. C. ; Dr. J. H. Lackey, P. C. C. and Medical Examiner; W. M. Brandon, Secretary ; and W. J. Hopson, Treasurer. Linton Precinct. — Linton is voting precinct No. 11, and with Canton forms a magisterial district. It lies south of Canton, eaat of the Cum- berland River, west of Roaring Springs, and borders upon Tennessee on the south. The greater part of the precinct is very broken and contains but a small area of good land, which is confined principally to the Cum- berland bottoms and Dry Creek. The latter stream is the most impor- tant water-course, and it was along its banks that one of the oldest and most important settlements in the county was made. " It is a singular fact that the first settlements of this county as in most other counties of Kentucky, were made on the most sterile and unproductive lands, leaving all the rich barrens as comparatively worthless and of no earthly value to the agriculturist." " The time has never been that the lands upon which the first settlements of Trigg County were made could have been sold for 50 per cent above the original cost of the survey, while other lands lying contiguous to them, that could have been obtained for even a less price, have since been sold as high as $75 per acre." " The settle- ment on Dry Creek is an illustration very much in point ; except in nar- row bottoms immediately on the stream the lands for miles around are of the very poorest quality." It is a well authenticated fact that there were a few white people in the county before this division was settled, but the 116 HISTORY OP TRIGG COUNTY. majority of them were transient hunters and had no settled abodes. " Those from whom sprang the present population were a much better and more thrifty class of people." " Restless, daring and uneducated, they had few wants that were higher than an abundant stock of wild meat, a suit of dressed buckskin, or a moderate portion of ' John Barleycorn ' could supply." A large family of the Westers came from North Carolina and settled on the creek as early as 1798. They were a hardy, energetic and up- right people, and loved the excitements of pioneer life. As the popula- tion began to increase they disposed of their little farms, and moved in- to Jackson's purchase, for the purpose they said of securing more " elbow room." The names of the older heads of these families were Fulgrum Wester and Eli Wester. Abel Olive, a brother-in-law of the Westers, came about the same time and settled near the river. He was a man of considerable energy, and opened the first road in the southern part of the county, and established a landing at Linton, which was long knoWn by river men as Olive's Landing. A little later, probably in the year 1802 or 1803, a large family of the Joiners and Pittses settled in the same neighborhood. " Israel Joiner and Thomas Joiner settled farther up the creek toward the neighborhood of Flat Lick, while their mother, who was a widow lady, settled on the place now known as the Pitts farm." The Skinner family, consisting of Samuel, William, Joseph, Theophi- lus and Wiley, all brothers, came about the year 1803 or 1804, and se- cured tracts of land lying along the creek. They were among the sub- stantial citizens of the county, and have a number of descendants living at the present time. " Two of the very oldest %milies, whose descend- ants still remain in the county, were the Carrs and Sheltons. William Carr was a native of Pennsylvania, but moved to Virginia in a very early day. He came to Kentucky and settled in Fayette County, and from thence came to Trigg in 1804, and located on the farm known as the Old Greenwade place." " He is remembered as a very humorous old man, and like all the rest of the early settlers was especially fond of his glass of ' grog.' " " Whenever he took a drink, it seemed to arouse all the mu- sical inspiration of his soul, and he could be heard singing for miles around. On one occasion he was coming home from a still-house on Sa- line Creek with a barrel of whisky, and meeting his old neighbor, Shel- ton, he remarked that there were a thousand good songs headed up in that one cask. Unfortunately, however,- before journeying far, it was accidentally thrown from the wagon, the cask burst, and the whole of the precious contents thrown upon the ground. The old man contem- plated in sullen silence for a while this shipwreck of his Christmas joys CANTON AND- LINTON PRECINCTS. 117 and turning to his old friend remarked that he was a little mistaken in his estimate of the number of songs the barrel contained, for indeed there seemed but one and a d d doleful one at that." His son John came the same time and was a resident of the precinct until 1820, at which time he moved to Mississippi, where he remained until 1824, when he again came back to Trigg County. Dayid Rogers, father of Richard Rogers, waa one of the earliest settlers, and his descendants are among the prominent and well-to-do citizens of the precinct. William Scott set- tled near the site of Linton as early perhaps as 1805 or 1806. He was a native of Virginia and came to this county accompanied by his sons-in-law, John Tinsley, William Bibb and Benjamin Bibb, all of whom secured lands in the neighborhood of the village. A man by name of Ryan came about the same time. He was probably the first mechanic in the precinct, having opened a blacksmith shop soon after his arrival. Village of Linton. — The spot occupied by the village of Linton was formerly known as Olive's Landing, and was a stopping-place for steam- boats as early as 1820. In 1830 the name was changed to Shipsport, and about that time the place acquired some prominence as a shipping and distributing point for a large area of territory lying on the east side of the river. The first store was started in 1830 by a man by name of Good, who kept a small stock of general merchandise in a small log build- ing which stood near where the Stacker furnace was afterward erected. He did a small business and removed from the place in about the year 1832. In 1845 the Stacker iron furnace was built, and soon after quite a number of families settled in the neighborhood, forming the nucleus of a flourishing little village. The furnace was abandoned in 1856, after which nothing of importance transpired in the locality until 1868, when S. A. Lindsay purchased the iron company's survey, consisting of some 11,000 acres. Soon after Dr. Whitlock, of Christian County, and his brother Thomas Whitlock eflfected a partnership with Lindsay and to- gether they laid out seven acres in town lots which were ofiiered for sale. At the same time Joseph Dyer started a small store in a log building that had formerly been used as an oflice by the furnace company. Follow- ing this, in the same year, Lindsay & Whitlock commenced building a large warehouse, but before it was completed, Whitlock purchased Lind- say's interest and continued business until 1859, when Washington Jar- rett was taken in as partner. In 1882 the house was purchased by Frank McRae, who still operates it. In 1869 Whitlock & McNichols put up a dry goods store. They did business as partners until 1882, when Frank McRae purchased Whitlock's interest. In 1863 R. L. Crow opened a store building which he used for a short time, when he sold out to Whit- lock & Co. They afterward disposed of it to C. C. Flore, who sold goods 118 HISTORY OF TBIQG COUNTY. until 1865. J. M. Champion engaged in merchandising about the year 1870, and continued until some time in 1880. In 1873 A. L. Carr started in business and sold goods until 1876. Other merchants of the town were Carr, Rogers & Co., who engaged in business shortly after the town was laid out. They continued until the fall of 1865, at which time E. C. Spiceland & Sons became proprie- tors. They are still in the village and have one of the best country stores in the county. Penner & Northington put up a store in 1864, and con- tinued in business one year, when they were succeeded by Messrs. Carr & Lock, who in turn sold to J. M. Champer in 1871. Mr. Champer is do- ing business at the present time. Linton Lodge, No. 575, A. F. & A. M., was organized November 15, 1874, by C. L. Bacon, of Roaring Springs Lodge. The following are the names of original members : Perry Thomas, A. L. Carr, E. A. Nunn, J. S. McNichols, William Rogers, F. S. Carr, A. S. Ford, J. M. Carr, William Futrell and Dr. Henry Blane. The organization worked two years under dispensation, the charter not being granted until 1876. The present membership is seventeen. The oflBcers at the present time are Jonathan Herndon, W. M. ; A. S. Ford, S. W. ; E. A. Nunn, J. W. ; J. S. McNichols, Treasurer ; F. S. Carr, Secretary ; A. J. Boyd, S. D. ; A. Scott, J. D. ; W. R. Futrell, Steward and Tyler. Ohurches. — The oldest religious organization in Linton Precinct is the Dry Creek Baptist Church, organized aa early as 1805. The first preachers were Elders Dudley Williams, Reuben Ross, Jesse Cox and others. The first house of worship was a log building which stood on land donated by Samuel Skinner. It stood a number of years, and was afterward replaced by another log structure, which was used until about the year 1850, at which time the present frame edifice was erected. The organization is not strong in membership, numbering only about thirty communicants at the present time ; present pastor is Elder William Dyer. Linton Methodist Episcopal Church South was organized in 1867, by Rev. Thomas Randolph. The first members were Mrs. J. F. Gentry, Mr. and Mrs. McNichols, Riley Vinson, E. Shepherd and wife and James Herndon. Meetings were held in a tobacco warehouse until'l869, when a house of worship was erected in the village. Since its organization the society has been ministered to by the following pastors in the order named, to wit : Thomas Randolph, G. T. Cundiff, Thomas Richardson, Carter Brandon, Richard Randolph, John Prayser, James Brandon and Joseph Love. The present pastor is Rev. J. L. Reid. The organization is not very strong, numbering only about twenty-five members at the present time. CANTON AND LINTON PRECINCTS. 119 There have been but two mills in the precinct. The first was built in 1858, by Whitlock & Lindsay, who operated it a couple of years, when they sold out to Thomas Sowell, who ran it until 1866. E. A. Nunn purchased it in 1881 and moved it to Tennessee. Booth, Delaney & Co. erected a mill on Cumberland River in 1877. They moved it to Canton Precinct in 1880, where it is still in operation. CERULEAN SPRINGS AND WALLONIA PRECINCTS. 121 CHAPTER VIII. Cerulean Springs and Wallonia Precincts— DESCRirTioN and Topog- raphy OF Cerulean Springs — Timber— Agriculture, etc.— The PiRST Settlers— Incidents of the Pioneer Days— Church History —The Village of Cerulean Springs— Its Growth, etc.- Medicinal Water of the Springs— Topography of Wallonia— Its Settlement BY White People— Maj. Wall— Other Pioneers— Mills and Distil- leries—Village of Wallonia— Its Churches, Schools, Lodges, etc. CERULEAN SPRINGS is voting precinct No. 7, and occupies the northeast corner of Trigg County, with the following boundaries, to wit : Christian County on the north and east, Montgomery Precinct on the south, and Caldwell County on the west. The general character of the land is what might be termed undulating, and as an agricultural district it stands second to but few divisions of the county. The soil is principally a red loam resting upon an impervious clay subsoil, and well adapted to all the fruits and cereals indigenous to this part of the State. Limestone of a fine quality is found in many parts of the precinct, and along the banks of the streams are large sandstone bluffs which afford an inexhaustible supply of building material. Much of the stone has been utilized by the farmers in the construction of chimneys and in building foundations for houses and barns. The precinct was originally well timbered, the lead- ing varieties being walnut and the several species of oak, with cedar on the rocky knolls and along the bluffs of the water-courses. Much valu- able timber was ruthlessly destroyed in an early day by the settlers in clearing their farms, and a large area of that which is standing at the present time is of comparatively recent growth. The principal water-course is the Muddy Fork of Little River which enters the precinct from the northeast, and flowing in a southwesterly course crosses the southern boundary not far from the Caldwell County line. It is a stream of considerable importance, and receives in its course several small affluents, none of which are designated by any particular name. Farming is the chief occupation of the people, the principal crops being corn, wheat and tobacco. Considerable attention is paid to stock- growing, which promises to become the leading industry at no distant day. Settlement. — The neighborhood of the Springs is one of the oldest settled portions of what is now Trigg County, and must have had a begin- 122 HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. ning at a very early day after the visit of the North Carolina and Vir- ginia Commissioners in 1790 and 1800. The first settlers were attracted thither no doubt by the heavy growth of timber rather than by the pro- ductive properties of the soil, the thick undergrowth of cane, grapevines, haw bushes, etc., affording a fine covert for such game as deer, elk, bear, which afforded the early comers their principal means of subsistence. Early in the year 1789 a small company of emigrants might have been seen making their toilsome journey slowly across the hills and through the unbroken forests of South Carolina and Tennessee toward the then insignificant settlement of Nashville. This little band was well organized and armed in order to repel the attack of savages who at that time were very hostile toward the whites, and gave them every possible annoyance. It might be interesting to state that the leader of this party was a man who afterward became the popular hero of New Orleans and the iron- willed President of the United States — Andrew Jackson. In the same company was one Robert Goodwin, who had been a com- panion of Jackson's in his younger days, and who now under his leader- ship was with his family going to seek a home in the rich and newly-set- tled Tennessee country. After a long and perilous journey the hardy emigrants reached their destination and were obliged to take refuge in the block-house at Nashville until the Indian hostilities ceased, which was not until about a year and a half later. In 1792 or 1793 Samuel Goodwin and his family, together with a few spirits as hardy and daring as himself, left the Nashville settlement and came to Kentucky. Goodwin found his way into what is now Trigg County, and settled a short distance from Cerulean Springs on what is known as the Gardner farm, where he erected a diminutive log-cabin and cleared a small farm. This in all probability was the first permanent white settlement in the county east of the Cumberland River, although it is claimed by some that a few cabins had been built previous to this time near Boyd's Landing or Canton. With Goodwin came his sons Samuel and Jesse, both of whom were men grown. The former settled about one mile above the Springs, where his son Robert Goodwin now lives, while the latter improved the land now known as the Wake place, near the village, on which he resided until the year 1825. Robert Goodwin, Sr., died prior to 1812. Samuel was an honored citizen until the time of his death in the year 1843. His son Robert Goodwin, Jr., was born in the year 1811, and has lived on the old homestead continuously from that time to the present. He is one of the oldest residents of the county, and justly esteemed one of its most intelligent and honored citizens. A man by name of Spencer came to the county a few months after Goodwin's arrival and settled on land adjoining the latter 's place. Spencer was the father of two sons, James CERULEAN SPRINGS AND WALLONIA PRECINCTS. 123 and George, both of whom achieved some reputation in an early day as mechanics, and much of the furniture used by the first settlers was made by them. Another very early settler whose arrival antedates 1795 was James Daniel, who located about one and a half miles east of the farm now owned by J. Stewart. His sons Elijah, John and George came the same time and figured as prominent citizens at a later day. George became Sherifi" of the county in 1830. John Blakely settled two miles southeast of the Springs as early as 1792, and was joined soon after by William Johnson and John Roberts, both of whom came from South Car- olina. Joel Thompson was among the first pioneers, and made a home on land adjoining the old Goodwin farm. John Goode settled on Dry Fork one and a half miles from the Springs prior to 1800, and was one of the earliest magistrates in the county. Jacob Stinebaugh came in an early day and settled where his son Daniel lives, a short distance from the Springs. The latter was born on the place where he now resides, and has been a citizen of the precinct for seventy-five years. Among other very early comers were Benjamin Ladd, Elisha Harber, John Jones, Richard Stowe, Robert Rogers, H. Hayden, John McAtee and James Brownfield, all of whom located within a radius of three miles of the village. Later came David Haggard, John Guthrie and his sons Vincent, Patrick, Jesse and Erby, William, James and John Blanks, Samuel Campbell, Wiley Wilson, Joel Wilson, William Wilson, Seth Pool, Adam Thompson and J. Pool. Early Events. — The first death in this precinct as far as known was a man by name of Upton, who died prior to the year 1804. He was the first person buried in the Guthrie Graveyard. Robert Goodwin, Sr., and Jesse Goodwin died in a very early day, and were among the first laid to rest in what is known as the Military Cemetery. Balaam Izell was the first person interred in the Thomas graveyard, his death having occurred prior to 1820. Among the very early marriages were the following : John Goodwin and Elizabeth Griffith, Joseph Goodwin and a Miss Ed- wards, Gustin Cook and Mary Goodwin, David Martin and Martha Goodwin, Josiah Blakely and Elizabeth Goodwin, Richard McAtee and Anna Goodwin. In the year 1806 Jackson Daniel, son of James Daniel, was born, and a year later Samuel, son of Robert Goodwin, Sr., was ush- ered into the world. These as far as known were the first births that occurred in what is now Cerulean Precinct. Other early births were. Green Daniel born in 1808, Leah Goodwin in 1809, Lewis Daniel in 1810, Benjamin Woodson, John and Harry Goode, sons of John Goode, prior to 1812, and Robert Goodwin, Jr., in 1811. Milh and Other Industries. — The first settlers were obliged to under- go many hardships during the early days of the country, and for a num- 124 HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. ber of years wild game and a coarse bread made from pounded corn was the daily bill of fare. The nearest mill where meal could be obtained was on Red River, fifty miles away, and it was a very rude and imperfect af- fair. Small horse-mills were erected as the population increased, and were kept running constantly in order to supply the growing demand for meal. The first mill of this kind was erected by James Brownfield, and stood on the farm now owned by the Richardson heirs. It was in opera- tion for a number of years, and did a thriving business for a mill of its capacity. The first water-mill in the precinct was built by Jesse Goodwin about one mile above Cerulean Springs, on Muddy Fork. It was erected about the year 1797, and stood until the year 1800, at which time it was washed away by an overflow of the creek. The next water-mill was erected a number of years later by a Mr. Butler, and stood a short dis- tance above the first named. It ground both wheat and corn, and seems to have been extensively patronized in an early day by the settlers in this and adjacent territory. It passed through several hands and underwent many improvements, and was abandoned about sixteen years ago on ac- count of the dam having been destroyed by a freshet. In the year 1870 G. G. Goodwin built a combination saw and grist-mill on Muddy Fork, at a point between the two mentioned. Two years later it was washed out, since which time no mills have been operated in the precinct. Among the early industries of this part of the county was a distillery operated by Jacob Stinebaugh about the year 1800. The first blacksmith in the precinct was one Uriah Cato, who ran a shop on the Goodwin farm a few years after the arrival of the first settlers. A second distillery was started by John Rogers, who did a good local business as early as 181 2. One of the first orchards in the county was set out by Samuel Goodwin soon after he came to the country. Schools. — The early schools of Kentucky were supported by subscrip- tion, and were few and far between. Many of the first settlers were men of limited culture, and did not seem to appreciate the advantages of edu- cation, and as a consequence many years elapsed before schools became general throughout the country. A man by name of Maxwell is thought to have been the first pedagogue in what is now Cerulean Precinct, as it is known that he taught a little school in the winter of 1803-4. Another early teacher was William Bradley, who wielded the birch in the old log church the same year of its erection, 1806. Other schools were taught in private dwellings from time to time, and it was not until a compara- tively recent period that houses were erected especially for school pur- poses. Among the earliest teachers are remembered J. Pool, R. Jones and a man by name of Knight ; the last-named came from Massachusetts CERULEAN SPRINGS AND WALLONIA PRECINCTS. 125 and seems to have been a man of splendid acquirements and an excellent instructor. Beligious. — The pioneer church of Trigg County was the Baptist, and among the earliest Preachers were Elders Dorris and S. Brown, who preached from house to house as early as the years 1795 and 1800. The first society was the Muddy Fork Baptist Church, which dates its organi- zation from the year 1806, at which time it was constituted as an arm of an older organization known as the Eddy Grove Church, in Caldwell County. Among the earliest members were Samuel Goodwin, Jesse Goodwin, Benjamin Ladd, John Goode and wife, Samuel Goodwin, Jr., Robert Rogers and wife, B. Sizemore and wife, Anderson Sizemore, Ben- jamin Vincent and William Snelling. The first house of worship was a small log structure erected in 1806. It stood until 1836, at which time it was torn away and replaced by a substantial frame house, which is still in use. The pastors and regular supplies of the church since its organiza- tion have been the following : Elders Fielding Wolfe, Reuben Rowland, Peyton Nance (who was pastor for over twenty years), John Gammon, and Hezekiah Smith, the present incumbent. It is a point in the Little River Association, and numbers about sixty-five or seventy members at the present time. Cerulean Missionary Baptist Church was organized about the year 1858, with a membership of forty persons, a number which has since in- creased to 160. A beautiful temple of worship was erected soon after the organization on land donated by Col. Philip Anderson, one of the most influential and active members of the society. This house was a frame structure, 40x60 feet, and cost the sum of $3,400. It was burned in the year 1867, and soon thereafter the present edifice was built at a cost of $1,000. The following pastors have ministered to the church in the order named : William Gregston, W. Meacham and James Spurlin, the last named being Preacher in charge at the present time. Village of Cerulean Springs. — This neat little hamlet is situated in the western part of the precinct on Muddy Fork and occupies one of the most romantic and beautiful spots in Trigg County. Indeed, it would be difficult to find within the bounds of the entire state a location embracing as many pleasing features and enjoying such a healthful climate. The chief attraction is a spring of never-failing water of a milky white ap- pearance and strongly impregnated with mineral properties. The follow- ing sketch was written by Maj. McKinney in his reminiscences of the county : " The waters of these springs have attracted the attention of the humble and the scientific from their earliest discovery. The first set- tlers of the county had a high appreciation of them, because, when almost 126 HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. overcome by thirst and heat they could drink to satiety without oppres- sion. Well-beaten tracks, coming from all directions, led to these springs long before there were any distinguishable pathways to any other point in the county, and invalids for their curative properties sought relief from these waters before the beginning of the present century. " A careful analysis of the water has been made by a number of distin- guished chemists. It is highly spoken of by all as a most delightful water, not only as a beverage, but also for its fine medicinal properties. The temperature is fifty-six degrees Fahrenheit, while that of the air is eighty degrees. It issues at the rate of one gallon or one and a half gal- lons per minute. The spring is strongly impregnated with both sulphate and chloride of magnesia with soda, bicarbonate of lime and free sul- phuretted hydrogen. Up to 1812 the water was much more strongly impregnated with iron than it is to-day, and the magnesia that gives it the white milky appearance was never observed until after the ' shakes ' of Februaiy, 1812." " Among the first owners of the old spring tract was Richard Stow, who transferred it to Kinchan Killabrew, and he to Joseph Caldwell. Killabrew erected some rude log-cabins on the premises for the comfort of invalid visitors about 1819, which were added to as necessity required after- ward, until the property, finally falling into the hands of Henry Crow, began about the years 1834-1836 to attain some little celebrity under the more euphonious and pretentious appellation of a watering place. In 1835 Mr. Crow disposed of the property to Col. Philip H. Anderson, who commenced at once a more tasteful and elaborate system of improve- ment, only, however, to be checked again in a very short time by discov- ering a vital defect in his title. This having been at last perfected, the ownership of the property in 1880 passed into the possession of the present owners, Messrs. White and Harper. These gentlemen are both possessed of ample means. They are liberal and enterprising, and are determined to spare no expense in making it one of the most pleasant and attractive places of summer resort in the West." A large, commo- dious hotel capable of receiving several hundred guests has been erected, with a number of outer buildings for servants, washing, cooking, etc., which add very much to the comfort and appearance of the place. The village numbers about 100 inhabitants, and its future outlook is encouraging from the fact that a railroad will soon be completed through the county, thus affording easy communication with the principal cities of the State. The business of the village is represented at the present time by three general stores and one blacksmith shop. Drs. A. B. Cul- lom and B. F. Felix practice the healing art in the town and adjacent country. CERULEAN SPRINGS AND WALLONIA PRECINCTS. 127 Wallonia Precinct. — Wallonia is voting precinct No. 6, and was named in honor of Maj. Braxton Wall, one of the early settlers and prominent citizens of Trigg County. The topographical features of this division of the county are agreeably varied. The surface is undulating or gently rolling and affords ample facilities for drainage without any waste lands, while from the tops of any of the slight knolls or ridges, the eye is delighted with miles of corn, wheat and tobacco fields diversified with rich pastures and beautiful woodland. The soil is mostly a yellow- ish and reddish, clay, the decomposition of carboniferous lime rock im- parted by rivers anciently flowing at this level. It is rich in tree food and was originally clothed in dense forests of oak, hickory, maple and other varieties. Immense quantities of blue limestone are found in vari- ous parts of the precinct, and clear, cold springs are numerous. Beauti- ful cedar groves have of late years sprung up on the rocky knolls, and their brilliant green against the somber trunks of deciduous groves lends a pleasing variety to the scene. Muddy Fork and Dry Creek are the principal water-courses. Bingham's Branch and several small rivulets traverse the country in various directions, but the majority of them con- tain running water only a part of the year. The Pioneers. — It would be diflBcult to determine who was the first white man to settle in this part of the country as there is but little definite information accessible of that early period. It is known that William Barton, Hezekiah Watkins and his father-in-law, Robert Wade, Daniel Cameron, William Hagerty, Maj. Braxton Wall, S. Dunning and Hardi- man Dunning were living within the present boundaries of the precinct as early as 1820. Barton settled on Muddy Fork about one mile below Wallonia Village. Watkins settled where his son now lives, and Cameron located east of the Wade and Watkins settlements. Maj. Wall was perhaps the most prominent man in the neighborhood. He was a native of Virginia, but in an early day emigrated to Tennessee, from which State he moved to this county. He started the first store in Wallonia, and was also the pioneer mill builder in the precinct. He died prior to 1844. A man by name of Hansbarger was one of the earliest comers, and settled near the village. Benjamin Faulkner settled where D. D. Wall now lives ; David Jennings and William McDaniel, on por- tions of what now comprises the present plantation of Thomas Boyd. Levi Dunning, a relative of Hardiman Dunning, settled west of the creek in an early day on the farm still in possession of members of his family. Among others who came when the country was young and who partici- pated in the trials and hardships of pioneer life were Custis Gray, a man by name of Kennedy and his son Josiah, Irwin and John Brandon and John Wall, brother of Braxton Wall ; Thomas and D. D. Wall, sons of 128 HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. John Wall, came with their father to the new country, and for fifty-six years have been leading citizens of the precinct. Other names could be added to those enumerated, but the space of this chapter forbids a further mention. Mills and Distilleries. — The first mill in the precinct was built by Maj. Wall in the year 1825 or 1826, and stood on Muddy Fork ta short distance below Wallonia Village. This was a combination mill — made lumber and ground grain — and did a thriving business during the time it was in operation. A few years after its erection the mill was moved further down the stream under the following circumstances : " Before erecting his mill Mr. Wall made an e£Fort to buy the privilege of building a dam across the mouth of the Lee Dunning Spring, as Bingham & Kevil did before building their mill, but Mr. Kennedy, who owned the property, persistently refused. The result was that upon the completion of the dam at the Wall Mill the whole body of water except at flood time found an outlet through Kennedy's Creek, affording a much better mill seat on the creek than the one Maj. Wall had selected. So old man Ken- nedy immediately went to work and built him a handsome little water-mill on the creek. Old man Wall kept dark until Kennedy got his mill com- pleted and started off in fine style, when all of a sudden he tore away his dam and moved his mill a mile lower down the river. This left Kennedy's Mill high and dry, and the only alternative left was for him to convert it into a horse-mill." The present mill was erected by Messrs. Bingham & Kevil in 1873, and stands on the site of the old Wall Mill. The build- ing is a large two-story frame, and the proprietors are doing an extensive custom and merchant business. The first distillery in the precinct was put in operation by Maj. Wall about the year 1824 or 1825, and stood on what is known as Bingham's Spring Branch. Mr. Wall did a fine local business, and had the reputation of making a fine article of the "0 be joyful ! '" The Dunnings operated a small distillery as early as 1823, but seem to have done but a very lim- ited business. Wallonia Village. — The history of this little city dates from about the year 1837, at which time Maj. Wall erected a commodious storehouse on the lot where the Wallace building now stands, and himself and Will- iam Gray, of Princeton, formed a copartnership under the title of Wall & Gray, and in the spring opened up a heavy stock of miscellaneous mer- chandise. They continued in business until the fall of 1838, when not meeting with the success they anticipated, they disposed of the remnant of the stock to Abner R. Terry and Samuel McKinney. The latter firm with means to prosecute an extensive business for that day, opened up a large stock, and ere long their business swelled in proportion far beyond CERULEAN SPRINGS AND WALLONIA PRECINCTS. 129 their original expectations or hopes. Their sales during the years 1841 and 1842 aggregated $27,000 per year. A postoffice was established and Mr. McKinney appointed Postmaster. The mail route was from Prince- ton by way of Wallonia through Cadiz and on to Clarksville. William Wallace was the contractor and mail carrier. McKinney & Terry sold out to Josiah S. Gardner and Lewis McCain, who did a successful busi- ness for a number of years. About this time John A. McCain com- menced a small grocery business, and in a few years with 0. T. Gardner and J. R. Hays bought out the firm of Gardner & McCain. Mr. McCain remained in active business for a number of years. Among the diflferent merchants of the place were S. W. Gray, Jones & Harper, G. W. Dunning, W. J. Wilson, Mr. Wolfe, D. W. Kennedy and William S. Coy. The present business men of the village are Dyer & Hayden, the Bran- don Brothers, Hopson and W. H. Pomeroy. The medical profession has been represented by the following disciples of Esculapius : Drs. Wall, Allison, Foster, Pool, Standrod and Lindsay. Wallonia Ohristian Church. — The first meetings by the church known as Christians or Disciples were held in the village schoolhouse in 1849 by Elder John Ferguson, who preached at intervals thereafter for sev- eral years. In 1852 a permanent organization was efi"eoted with the fol- lowing members, to wit: J. B. Wall, Harriet C. Wall, A. C. Mart, Eva- line H. Mart, Elizabeth J. Swatswell, William S. Coy, Virginia S. Coy, Elizabeth Wall, D. D. Wall, Mary E. Wall, E. N. Amoss and Ann Amoss. The first officers of the church were J. B. Wall and E. N. Amoss, Bishops ; A. C. Mart and D. D. Wall, Deacons ; William S. Coy, Clerk. The organization was brought about by the labors of Elder Enoch Brown, of Christian County, who preached for the congregation two years. There was no regular preaching there until 1865, the church in the meantime meeting for social service each Lord's day, and depending upon such transient ministers as happened to be passing by. In 1865 steps were taken to build a house of worship. Prior to that time public worship was held in the schoolhouse and private dwellings. In connec- tion with the Masonic Lodge a house was erected at a cost of $1,741. During the year 1865 Elder R. Dulin preached for the congregation once a month. The next pastor was Elder Giddens, who remained but a few months. He was succeeded by Elder B. Metcalf, who preached till 1875. J. W. Higbee came next and remained one year. Other preach- ers who visited the church at different times were Elders Street, Fergu- son, Hancock, Mobley, Howard, Marshall, Anderson, Keith, Albert Mills, James Mills, Long, Hatchett, Gass, Walthall, Lindsay, Lucas, Dimmit, Hardin, Trimble, Johnson and Marshall. Present officers : E. Be 130 HISTORY OP TEIGG COUNTY. N. Amoss, Elder ; Samuel Hopson and Thomas Amoas, Deacons. The society is in good condition, and numbers about seventy members. Mount Zion Methodist Episcopal Qhurch. — The history of this or- ganization dates back to the year 1832, at which time a small class was established at the residence of Robert Hawkins, about two miles from the village of Wallonia. Among the original members of the society were Robert Hawkins and family, Peter Wade and family, Jesse Adams and family, Erwin Brandon and family, Isaac Husk and wife, Lewis Husk and family and Jackson Huston. Meetings were held for four years at the dwellings of Robert Hawkins and Jesse Adams, and at the end of that time a house of worship was erected on a lot donated to the church by Erwin Brandon. This building was a log structure, and stood where the present edifice stands. It was in use until 1848, at which time a new frame building was erected, the same that is still standing. The building is 40x86 feet in size, and with improvements added since its erection rep- resents a capital of about $1,000. The society was first attached to the Little River Circuit, and later became a prominent point on the Circuit of Wallonia. It belongs to the Cadiz Circuit at present. The following preachers have ministered to the church, to wit : Lew- ell Campbell, Elijah Sutton, Robert Turner, James Bristow, Abraham Long, Abraham Quick, Dr. William Randolph, Thomas Randolph, P. T. Harderson, Richard Love, T. Peters, James Bigum, P. E. Edwards and J. C. McDaniel, the last named being pastor in charge at the present time. Present officers are : James Richardson, Robert Wade, David Hancock, T. C. Brandon and J. R. Watkins, Trustees ; James Richardson, Robert Wade, Jabez Bingham and C. R. Watkins, Stewards ; Jesse Cameron and J. R. Watkins, Class Leaders. The organization is in flourishing con- dition at the present time, and numbers about 110 communicants. A good Sunday-school is maintained under the efficient superintendency of H. T. Watkins, assisted by W. H. Rector. There is a Masonic lodge in the village, also a society of the Chosen Friends, both of which are in a healthy condition. We, however, failed to obtain particulars of them. A MODERN COUNTRY SCHOOLHOUSE. CALEDONIA AND MONTGOMEEY PREOINCTS. 133 CHAPTER IX. Caledokia and Montgomery Precincts— I'hysical Features— Bound- aries, ETC — Early Settlers— Mills— Educational and Religious —Caledonia Village— Description AND Topography of Montgom- ery Precinct— Its Agricultural Resources— The First Pioneers —Early Industries and Improvements— Montgomery Village- Churches, Societies, etc. /CALEDONIA PRECINCT lies in the eastern part of the county, V-/ and is bounded as follows : Montgomery and Cadiz Precincts on the north and west, Cadiz and Roaring Springs on the south, and Chris- tian County on the east. The principal water-course is Little River, which flows along the southern boundary. It receives a number of small tributaries which traverse the precinct in various directions, chief of which is Sinking Fork. Along the river the land is broken, but beyond the bluffs north and northeast is a fine undulating region unsurpassed in the county for its agricultural excellence, and is occupied by a class of thrifty and enterprising farmers. Com, wheat and tobacco are chiefly produced, although the soil is well adapted to all the cereals and fruits indigenous to the climate of southern Kentucky. Many farmers, too, devote some attention to stock-raising, a business that is becoming of more importance every year. The original timber was chiefly black and white oak, hick- ory, poplar, gum, dogwood, sassafras, with elm and sycamore along the water-courses. Limestone abounds in immense quantities, and clear, cold springs are to be seen in many places throughout the precinct. The settlement of Caledonia dates back almost to the beginning of the present century, and from the most reliable information accessible, Thomas Wadlington, Jr., appears to have been the first permanent settler. Mr. Wadlington came to Trigg County in company with his father, Thomas Wadlington, Sr., as early as 1792, and lived with the latter on his farm at what is known as Kent's Bridge in Cadiz Precinct, until 1803, at which time he fell heir to a tract of land in this precinct, where his son William Wadlington now lives. He moved to this land the same year, and at once began to improve it, and as early as 1804 he had a goodly number of acres cleared and in cultivation. He was an energetic man, thrifty and impulsive, and loved the wild free exercises of pioneer life as he loved his own being. He killed the last bear and prized the first hogshead of tobacco in Trigg County, and at the time of his death had 134 HISTORY OP TRIGG COUNTY. probably lived here longer than any other man since the country was first settled. His death occurred in the year 1868. He had five sons, three of whom survived him ; Ferdinand, William and Thomas are still living, the first being a resident of Cadiz Precinct while the other two are citi- zens of Caledonia. Jesse Wall settled where William Humphries lives about the year 1804 or 1805. Absalom Humphries came about the same time and was followed shortly afterward by his brother, Capt. Thomas Humphries, both of whom were prominently identified with the early history of the county. They were members of a very prominent Virginia family, and achieved some distinction in the war of the Revolution, Thomas having risen to the position of Captain in the army of Washington. Absalom settled on Sinking Fork, and died on the place first owned by his father- in-law, Jesse Wall, the same farm now owned by William Humphries. Thomas settled on Little River in 1810, on what is known as the Carloss place. He was a Methodist preacher of some note and preached in vari- ous places throughout the county during the early years of its history. Another early pioneer deserving of special mention was William Arm- strong, also a Revolutionary soldier, whose arrival in the precinct is fixed at the year 1808. He located on Sinking Fork and made his first im- provements on the place now in possession of Burnett Wilford. David Macky settled where Thomas Wadlington lives, about the year 1810 ; he sold the place to John Roberts in an early day, and emigrated further West. Other settlers came in from time to time, among whom are remembered Thomas Armstrong, son of William Armstrong, Joel and Alexander Wil- son and James Coleman. " The neighborhood of Caledonia Village was not settled at so early a date as some other sections of the precinct, and consequently the traces of the more prominent families residing there do not lead us so far back into the twilight of the present century. " Judge Jouett, the name more frequently of late years erroneously written Jewett, settled the place and built the residence now owned by John A. Tuggle. Our information relating to this very worthy old citizen is not so satisfac- tory as we could have otherwise wished, but if it can be at all relied upon, he was at one time a prominent officer in the United States Army with the rank of Major, and was commander of the post of Chicago, 111., when that magnificent city of the West could not boast of a population superior to Caledonia. He was a native of Virginia, a gentleman of learning and varied accomplishments, a Chesterfield in manners and a paragon of in- tegrity and kindness; he died about the year 1830." Maj. Dabney, father of Judge J. C. Dabney, and A. S. Dabney were for a number of years residents of this neighborhood. Other prominent early families in CALEDONIA AND MONTGOMERY PRECINCTS. 135 the same locality were the Wilfords, Campbells, Ogles, Cravens, Joneses, Hardys, Sallies, Waterfields, Woodses, Faulkners, Bennetts and Carlosses, several of whom lived across the river in the edge of Roaring Springs Precinct. The first industry of any note in the precinct was a distillery put in operation by William Armstrong about the year 1825. He did a good business until his death, at which time the building was allowed to fall into decay. About the year 1826, Jesse Ogle built a small water-mill near the mouth of Potts Creek on Little River. It was in operation until about the year 1836, at which time the greater part of the building was washed away by a freshet. About the year 1855 or 1856 S. P. Sharp built a flouring-mill on Sinking Fork not far from Caledonia Village. It passed through various hands and underwent many improvements and is at present known as the Peal Mill. A very extensive distillery was start- ed in the same neighborhood some time prior to 1860, by Messrs. Wilford and Lindon, who did a flourishing business for a period of three or four years. At the end of that time they discontinued the business and moved to Cadiz. The first school in the precinct was taught by W. A. Wadlington in a little cabin on the farm where William Wadlington lives. The earliest preachers who visited this section of the county were Dudley Williams, of the Baptist Church ; John Barnett, a Presbyterian ; Jesse Cox and a man by name of Spraggins, both Baptists. The first house erected for public worship stood on the farm of Thomas Wadlington. Mr. Wadlington built the house himself and opened the door to all denominations. The building was a log structure and has been torn away forty-five years. The Cherry Hill Methodist Episcopal Church was organized near the village of Caledonia, some time during the fifties. A neat house of worship was erected and services were regularly held until about the year 1859, at which time the society disbanded. The building was sold to the Baptists, who organized the Locust Grove Church about one year later. This society is an ofishoot of the old Antioch Bap- tist Church in Roaring Springs Precinct, and its organization was brought about chiefly through the efforts of Rev. Mr. Morehead. The original membership numbered something like twenty or thirty persons. The present membership is about sixty. Rev. Morehead was the first pastor. After him came Rev. Mr. Meacham, who preached for several years and was succeeded by Rev. C. H. Gregston. After Gregston's pastorate ex- pired Meacham was again called, and is pastor in charge at the present time. The present officers are Lewis Averitt, Clerk ; Mark Jones and John A. Tuggle, Deacons. 136 HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. The Mount Tabor Church building was erected under the auspices of the Christian Church in the year 1868, and stands on ground donated by Thomas Averitt. The size of the house is 30x40 feet and the original cost was $1,500. The Christians, contrary to their expectations, failed to effect an organization, and the house was generously placed at the disposal of such denominations as saw fit to use it. The various sects have in turn used the building, and the neighbors have had ample opportunities of hearing the Gospel "each in his own tongue." An organization known as the " Christian Union" sprang into existence in 1882, and is now using the house. They have a fair congregation and are accomplishing much good in the community. Qherryville. — This little hamlet, known also as Caledonia, is situated in the eastern part of the precinct and is the youngest village in the county. The first store was started by James B. Carloss and J. H. Hammond. They commenced business under the firm name of Carloss & Hammond, and soon acquired a large and lucrative trade. Mr. Carloss remained only a few years as active partner, closing out to Mr. Hammond about 1878, who continued the business up to the close of 1881. In the meantime a second store was started by Joe Wooten, who sold his building soon after to Carloss & Hammond. The present merchants are Messrs. Wall and Hammond. Montgomery Precinct. — Montgomery Precinct, named in honor of Thomas Montgomery, one of the earliest prominent settlers, lies in the northeast part of Trigg and embraces one of the finest and most product- ive agricultural regions in southern Kentucky. Indeed it would be diflScult to find within the limits of the entire State an area of sidiilar proportions, possessing as rich a soil and combining as many advantages for the agri- culturist as does this banner division of Trigg. The surface of the country is sufficiently undulating to make an easy natural drainage and every acre is susceptible of almost unlimited cultivation. The only broken part of the precinct is along the southern border, the rest being comparatively level and known as "barrens" land. Cultivation has wrought marked changes in the topography of Montgomery during the sixty-five or seventy years which the white man has possessed the land. What appeared to the early settlers an expanse of worthless boggy land is now a pleasant rolling area of thrifty farms. This transformation has been brought about not by physical changes but by the natural efiects of the farmer's occupation. The open land was originally covered with a rank growth of tall grass ; on the high lands the grass did not reach its normal height, while on the lower lands its growth was of astonishing propor- tions, frequently reaching a height which would almost hide a man on horseback, and this would tend to create the illusion of a nearly level CALEDONIA AND MONTGOMERY PRECINCTS. 137 plain. Groves of scraggy oaks were to be seen at intervals, but the greater part of the timber now growing in the precinct has made its appear- ance within the memory of old settlers now living. In the woodlands the change has been very marked also. The dense forests of young growth, underbrush and saplings did not exist fifty years ago. Then the timber, save along the streams, was characterized only by scattered oaks and hickories, which favoring localities preserved from the annual fires that swept over the country. Unlike the experience in a timbered coun- try, here the wooded area has increased. The young growth and sap- lings which the fires of those times kept in check have developed into large trees, and the timber has encroached upon the open lands so that the area of woods is now much larger than fifty years ago. The barren lands were not understood by the early settlers who passed by rich black soil and secured homes among the hills and along the streams of those parts of the county which to-day are of less value then when first opened for cultivation. The agricultural resources of Montgomery are unsurpassed ; the principal crops being wheat, com, oats and the usual varieties of fruits and vegetables found in this range of climate. All classes of stock are found also, but horses and cattle predominate, as the wide ranges of graz- ing are best adapted to raise them with profit. As a stock country this division is without an equal in the county and cannot be easily surpassed. Grass grows in rich abundance, and truly, cattle are made to " lie down in green pastures." Some of the finest stock that goes from grass to market goes from this precinct. Among those who have made stock-rais- ing a profitable business is Henry Bryant, on whose beautiful and well- cultivated farm can be seen some of the finest and most valuable improved herds ever brought to this part of the State. The other leading farmers and stock-raisers of the precinct are the following gentlemen, to wit : Robert Roach, James H. Gaines, Robert Hill, J. J. Gaines, Clarence Blakemore, James Beasley, James Rasco, John Rasco, Tandy Wadling- ton, Jefferson Moore, Wilson Stewart and W. J. Stewart, Early Settlers. — Montgomery was not settled as early as many other portions of the county, owing to the fact that the pioneers did not under- stand the nature of the land, and looked upon it as wholly unfit for agri- cultural purposes. From the most reliable information obtainable, Thomas Montgomery appears to have been one among the first if not the first permanent settler, as he was living within the limits of the present precinct as long ago as the year 1816. He located near the village which bears his name, and secured a large area of grass lands at very moderate figures, and was one of the first stock-raisers in Trigg County. But little is known of this 138 HI8T0EY OP TRIGG COUNTY. stanch old pioneer, save that he was considered a very estimable citizen and did much towards shaping the character of the community in which he lived. The farm on which he settled was always considered and is per- haps the best place of its size in the county, and a simple mention of the fact will be sufficient to show how much even in as small a territory as a precinct the estimated value of a tract of land is governed by its location. In 1839 or 1840 the place was offered for $3.25. At that time land in the neighborhood of Wallonia was valued at double the estimate that was placed on similar lands in Montgomery. Joshua Gates settled near Montgomery Village in a very early day, as did also J. J. Morrison and Dr. Wooldridge. Henry Sheton was an early comer and located not far from the Rocky Ridge Baptist Church. John Stephens and " Ki " Edwards secured homes in the same locality. Another early resident was John Roberson, who made a farm not far from the village. Adam Stinebaugh originally settled in the Cerulean Springs Precinct, but came to this part of the county as soon as the value of the land was ascertained. Jonathan, James and Harrison Stewart were among the pioneers of this section. They purchased land in the vicinity of Montgomery Village and made good farms. Other settlers came in from time to time, and by the year 1846 the precinct was populated by an industrious and thrifty class of citizens. Village of Montgomery. — This most beautiful little village of Trigg County is situated in the eastern part of the precinct and dates its his- tory proper from the year 1866, at which time Gen. John W. Gaines, of Virginia, purchased the land on which the town is situated, and erected a store building and engaged in merchandising. Prior to that date, however, a man by name of Ashford had kept a small stock of general goods in a little house which stood near the cen- tral part of the present village plat, but all traces of his building had disappeared before the place achieved any prominence as a trading point. Mr. Gaines laid the village off into lots on which he erected a num- ber of residences, shops and other buildings for the purpose of attracting people to the place. He conducted a very successful business for about eighteen years, accumulating in the meantime a handsome fortune. He is remembered as one of the most active and enterprising citizens of Trigg County, and died a few years ago, respected and honored by all who knew him. His son J. J. Gaines began business in the village in 1872, and is one of the leading merchants of the county at the present time. In 1880 the McGehee brothers brought a miscellaneous stock of merchandise to the place, and are still in business with a large and constantly increasing trade. CALEDONIA AND MONTGOMERY PRECINCTS. 139 The first mechanics of the town were John Stewart and J. A. Powell. The present mechanic is J. W. Wooten, who runs a wood-working estab- lishment and blacksmith shop. The medical profession has been represented in the village by the fol- lowing gentlemen, to wit : Drs. Withers, Smoot, Allen and Cullom. The present physician is Dr. Henry Blaine, who has a large and lucrative practice. J. 0. Whitlock Lodge, No. 487, A. F. & A. M., was organized at the village of Cherry Hill or Caledonia, and moved to Montgomery sev- eral years ago. It has a good membership at the present time, and is reported in a fair condition. The officers last elected are the following, viz. : Andrew J. Pilkinton, W. M. ; Taylor Tompkins, S. W. ; Jasper J. Roach, J. W. ; R. H. Wilson, Sec. ; A. J. Humphries, Treas. Montgomery Methodist Church South was organized by Rev. J. W. Shelton in the fall of 1879 with a membership of about twelve persons. A beautiful frame house of worship was built in the year 1883 at a cost of $1,100. The second pastor was Rev. T. C. Peters, after whom came Rev. J. M. Crow. Pastor in charge at the present time is Rev. E. E. Pate. The society is not in a very flourishing condition, there being the names of only seven active membeis on the church record at the present time. ROARING SPRINGS PRECINCT. 141 CHAPTER X. EOAKING SpRINOS PbEOINCT— TOPOGRAPHICAL AND PHYSICAL FEATURES— Caves and Caverns— Coming of the Pioneers— Their Settle- ments—Early Industries and Improvements— Educational Fa- cilities — Churches— Sketches of .the Different Organizations- Village OF Roaring Springs— Growth, Development, etc., etc. ROARING SPRINGS is voting precinct No. 10, and embraces a larger geographical area than any other division of the county. It is bounded on the north by Cadiz and Montgomery Precincts, on the east by Christian County, on the south by the State of Tennessee, and on the west by the Precinct of Linton. The surface of the country is agreeably varied, and contains many natural scenes to delight the eye. Casey's Creek rises near the Tennessee line, flows through the central part of the precinct in a northerly direction, and empties into Little River. This is one of the most beautiful and romantic streams in the country, being fed along its entire course by springs of the purest water issuing from rocky blufis and caves, with which the country abounds. One of these caves, called McGovern's Cavern, is a place of some note, and is visited yearly by a great many sight-seers. It is about fifteen feet from the roof to the bottom ; from sixteen to twenty feet wide, and has been explored for a distance of 800 yards, beyond which it is impos- sible to go on account of the depth and coldness of the water which issues from the cave. Little River forms part of the northern boundary of the precinct, and receives in its course a number of small tributaries which traverse the country in various directions. A place of considerable note near the river is a cave on the Garland Jones farm which was used as a place of concealment by runaway negroes during the days of slavery. This cav- ern is twenty feet in height, fifteen feet in width, and extends into the earth for a distance of about two miles. Hardy's Cave, another spot of interest on the river, differs from the ones named on account of the inte- rior being perfectly dry. It has been explored for over a mile, and the supposition is that it extends much further. The southern part of the precinct is drained chiefly by Saline Creek, which rises near the State line, and flowing a northwesterly course empties into the Cumberland River. There are several other small streams in 142 HISTORY OP TRIGG COUNTT. different parts of the precinct, none of which is deserving of special men- tion. Near the State line is the highest part of Trigg County. This region is known as the "flat lick " or "flat woods " and contains a large area of very level land, much of which is too wet for tillage without being artificially drained. Owing to this fact it was not settled in a very early day, and its resources have been developed within a comparatively recent period. Agriculture is carried on very extensively, the best fanning lands being in the northern and central parts of the precinct, and es- pecially along Casey Creek and its tributaries, where can be seen some of the largest and best improved plantations in the county. Perhaps the most interesting spot in the county, and certainly its greatest natural wonder, is the roaring spring which gave name to the village and precinct. This spring, or torrent rather, issues with great rapidity and a loud roar- ing noise from a limestone cavern about one hundred feet below the line of the surrounding country, and After running for a distance of perhaps sixty feet enters an opening in a large rocky cliff opposite the mouth of the cave and is lost sight of. The cavern, which is very broad and high, was explored a few years ago by a party of gentlemen who penetrated it for a distance of three miles without finding the terminus. The atmos- phere of the interior is said to be very invigorating and retains a tem- perature of sixty degrees Fahrenheit throughout the entire year. At one time in the early history of the county the waters of this stream were utilized to operate a small mill built at the mouth of the cave, to reach which it was necessary to descend a flight of steps 100 feet cut in the stone bank. Settlement. — Roaring Springs is one of the original voting precincts of the county, and was settled shortly after the beginning of the present century. Among the first white men who sought hpmes here were Robin and Josiah Boyd. They settled on the farm owned at the present time by Mrs. Robinson, and came perhaps as early as the year 1805. The Joiner famify came about the same time and settled in the southern part of the precinct on Dry Creek, where several descendants are still living. Jesse Cox, a Baptist preacher, came from South Carolina about the year 1803 or 1804 and secured a tract of land lying in the southwest corner of the precinct, on which he lived until the time of his death in 1849. His son, George Cox, was born near the original homestead in 1817, and is still an honored citizen of the precinct. John Potts came in a very early day and located near the creek which bears his name. The place on which he made his first improvements is owned at the present time by Lewis Gamett. Ebenezer Boyd settled in the southwest corner of the precinct as early as 1810. Paul Patrick came the same year and settled the Rasco ROARING SPRINGS PRECINCT. 143 farm^ about three miles from the Springs on Casey Greek. Joseph Led- ford settled in the central part of the precinct about the year 1815-. J. Mills and a man by name of Wood came a few years later and located near Casey Creek, the former on a part of what is now the Crenshaw farm and the latter on the Greenwade place. John Cower settled on the Crenshaw farm about 1817 and remained two years, when he sold out to Cornelius Crenshaw. Thomas Mathers settled in the southeastern part of the precinct in a very early day. The Dawson family became residents aa early as 1817, settling near the head waters of Casey Creek, where several descendants are still living. John Mathers and William Gillum settled on Gillum Creek in the southwest corner of the precinct prior to 1818. A man by name of Greer came about the same time and located on the Widow Dunn's place. Among other families who resided in the precinct anterior to 1820 were those of Elias Burbridge, Lewis Izell, Hugh Gray, William Reed, James Daniel, John Ford, Cornelius Burnett (father of Dr. Isaac Burnett), John Greenwade, the Northingtons, McCuUoms, Lindsays, Blantons, Millers, Torians, Colemans, Cornelius Crenshaw and John H. Scott, Thomas Nance, and in 1820 Thomas Cren- shaw. Later came Lewis and James Garnett, Elder Peyton Nance, Lesen- berry Nance, John T. Hays, Alexsmder Harrell, all of whom were residents prior to the year 1880, many of whom are mentioned in a preceding chapter. Mills, etc. — The honor of erecting the first mill in Roaring Springs Precinct belongs to Saze Lindsay, who in the year 1819 or 1820 built a small structure on Little River. Lindsay operated the mill with tolera- ble success for several years and finally sold out to Jesse Carter, who put up a frame building which he supplied with good machinery, and valued the property at $3,000. At his death Elbridge A. Coleman purchased the mill, which he has continued to improve until it is now one of the best mills in the county, and represents a value of $5,000. The second mill in the precinct was built by Thomas Nance in 1825, and stood at the mouth of Roaring Springs Cave. This has already been alluded to. Mr. Nance built a distillery which he operated in connection with his mill, and with the two did a good business until the time of his death in 1835. For ten years the mill stood idle, but at the end of that time the property was leased by a Mr. Foster, who operated it until about 1849 when it was abandoned and allowed to fall into decay. At the present time no vestige of either mill or distillery is to be seen. Schools. — " The early education of that day was obtained under many disadvantages, and there was very little of it. The spelling book, the English Reader, Pike's Arithmetic and Murray's Grammar were the text books in most of the schools. A session was from ten to twelve weeks 144 HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. with five days in the week and a few hours each day. The houses were made of logs about twenty feet long, with one window between two logs, under which a plank was placed on pins for a writing desk. The seats were made of logs, ten to fifteen inches in diameter, split in two, out of which a pair of benches were made and put on legs about two feet high, 80 the boys' legs could dangle down and be convenient for the teacher's switch. When the hickory failed to secure the proper discipline the ferule was applied to the palm of the left hand, so that the bruises occa- sioned by a too vigorous application would not interfere with the writing lesson. The only retaliation a pupil was allowed for this cruelty was the privilege of ' turning out ' the teacher in order to force him to give a recess during the holidays. In this all the children were allowed to take part, forcing him by threats or the actual administration of a good, sound ducking, which had the efi'ect not only to secure the recess but also a ' treat ' of whisky and egg-nog to boot. Among the early teachers of the precinct was Mrs. Mays, who taught in a little building which stood on the Canton and Lindsay Mill road one mile northeast of the spring. This building was used for school and church purposes until 1849. A schoolhouse was built the latter'year near the spring, and stood on ground now occupied by the Methodist Church. The first pedagogue in the building was Alfred Lindsay. Wesley Warrell and Miss Garland (wife of Thomas Crenshaw) taught here also. Other teachers at the same place were William Glover and Cornelia Auburn." Churches. — ^There are several religious organizations in the precinct, the oldest of which is the Long Water Old School Baptist Church, about three miles south of Roaring Springs. This society was organized in a very early day, and at one time had a good membership, which has greatly diminished of late years. The house of worship is a log structure, which like the organization bears many marks of decay. The Antioch Baptist Church near Little River was perhaps the first religious society organized in the precinct. It was established when there were but few sparse settlements in the county, and during the early days of 8 history supported a membership scattered over many miles of country. A log building was erected and used until about the year 1859, at which time the existence of the society terminated. Among the pastors of the church were Elders Jesse Cox, L. H. Averitt, Reuben Ross and Dudley Williams. The last regular preacher was Elder George Patterson. Roaring Springs Christian Church, as an organization, dates its history as far back as 1833, at which time a meeting was held in what was known as the Buford's Springs Schoolhouse, by Elder George P. Street, of Christian County, and a society established which took upon it- self the name of the Lebanon Christian Church. The original members ROARING SPRINGS PRECINCT 145 were William Northington, John Dawson, E. G. Lewis, L. T. Calloway, Andrew Lewis, Penina Dawson, Mary Calloway, Phebe Garnett and Martha Ledford. The schoolhouse was used as a meeting-place until 1835, when a log building was erected which served the congregation for a num- ber of years. A frame building was afterward built and used until 1878, at which time the present commodious temple of worship was erected at Roaring Springs, at a cost of $1,500. A re-organization wsts effected in 1878, under the name of the Roaring Springs Christian Church, and the following officers elected : Albert Crenshaw, J. W. Hays and William Lewis, Elders; Thomas Crenshaw, Matthew Jones and John Rasco, Deacons ; Thomas Crenshaw, Clerk ; T. P. Campbell, J. W. Hays, Al- bert Crenshaw and M. Jones, Trustees. The ministers of the church have been Elders George P. Street, Samuel Calloway, M. Metcalf, John Ferguson, Jesse Ferguson and W. E. Mobley, the last named being preacher in charge at the present time. A Sunday-school was organized shortly after the church was established at the Springs, which has contin- ued to increase in interest and numbers until it is now one of the most flourishing schools in the county. The first Superintendent was Henry Richards ; present Superintendent is Robert Crenshaw. The present membership of the church is 115, among whom are many of the leading citizens of the community. Shady Grove Baptist Church was organized in 1850 by Rev. George Pat- terson with the following members, to wit : Lee S. Harrell and wife and N. Harrell and wife, formerly members of the old Dry Creek Church on Saline Creek, which ceased to exist in 1849. Of the original organiza- tion nothing could be learned owing to the fact that the early records were not accessible. The four members mentioned formed the nucleus around which a flourishing society soon gathered, and among those who came in shortly after the organization were James Mathers and wife, Mrs. James Hester and daughter, Mrs. William Hester and William Cox and wife. A log-house was built in 1851 and stood until 1873, at which time the present substantial frame edifice was built at a cost of $950. The fol- lowing preachers have ministered to the church at different times : Revs. James Preer, John B. Smith, David Bronsoa, Samuel McClain, L. Mc- Clain and Samuel Sumner. The present incumbent is Rev. W. L. Tidwell. Officers are: L. S. Harrell, N, Harrell, J. Harrell and John McCowen, Deacons ; J. Harrell, Clerk. At present it has 110 members. Methodist Episcopal Church South* at Roaring Springs was organized in July, 1852, by Rev. James R. Dempsey. The following names are those of the original members, viz.: Ephraim Blane, Miss Mary Blane, Miss Bettie Blane, George Blane, James T. Jones and wife, James H. Hamil- * By Dr. Thomas L. BacoD. BIO 146 HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. ton and wife, Thomas M. Ogburn, Charles Ranson, Thomas L. Bacon, Mathew L. Bacon, Charles P. Bacon and William Smith. The first pas- tor was James R. Dempsey in 1851-52 ; in 1852-53, Thomas M. Penick ; in 1853-54, Neikirk and J. C. Petree ; in 1854-55, Neikirk and C. Y. Boggess ; in 1855-56, D. D. Moore ; in 1856-57, J. C. Petree ; in 1857-58, W. W. Lambreth ; in 1858-59 and 1859-60, William Alex- ander ; in 1860-61, Gideon Gooch ; in 1861-62, H. M. Ford was appointed but failed to come and his place was supplied by James Gray. In 1862-63 and 1863-64, Gideon Gooch ; in 1864-65 and 1865-66, J. C. Petree; in 1866-67 and 1867-68, Wilbur L. King; in 1868-69 and 1869-70, Thomas J. Randolph ; in 1870-71 and 1871-72, Bryant A. Cundiff ; in 1872-73, R. B. McCown ; in 1878-74 and 1874-75, Robert C. Alexander, in 1875-76 and 1876-77, John W. Price; in 1877-78, 1878-79 and 1879-80, Joseph F. Bedford ; in 1880-81 and 1881-82 and 1882-88, James W. Bigham, and at present Ben F. Biggs. The membership never increased any till the second pastorate of Gideon Gooch,when there were about fifteen added to it, and again, during the third pastoral term of J. C. Petree there were several more added as also was the case during the terms of Bryant A. Cundiff", J. F. Bedford and James W. Big- ham. When first organized the organization took place in the dwelling house of Ephraim Blane, but a schoolhouse was used as a place of worship until 1865; the present church house was erected at a cost of $2,500, James T. Jones and Thomas L. Bacon constituting the building committee. There is no Sunday-school at present, nor has there been save one or two years a denominational school there; for several years there was a school on the union basis in successful operation. In the southern part of the precinct is a Presbyterian Church which was organized about thirty years ago. The society meets for worship in a neat frame building, and has a good membership. Joiner's Chapel Christian Church was organized about 1869 by Elder James Hester. Present preacher is Elder Smith ; present member- ship about thirty communicants. Village of Roaring Springs. — In 1846 Mr. C, A. Bacon purchased a tract of land from Ed Dawson, and removed to the neighborhood. He erected the first business house in the fall of 1847 and from a "local hab- itation and a name " sprang suddenly into existence an enterprising bus- iness point and one of the most thrifty villages of the county. Captain Bacon continued in the mercantile business until 1852, at which time he sold to Dycus k McNichols. The latter firm remained about two years, when the building was purchased by William Richards, who later took in Thomas Crenshaw, Joseph Ledford and Carter Ledford as partners. This ROARINQ SPRINGS PRECINCT. 147 firm continued in business for several years, and finally failed, owing to some mismanagement on the part of the senior partner. In 1848 William Landrum built a log storehouse and sold goods for a few months. H. Robbing engaged in the grocery business in 1852, but closed out soon after and moved from the place. James Moss started a small store about the same time and ran it until the breaking out of the war. Among the other merchants of the place were A. McKinney, who is now one of the leading business men of St. Joseph, Mo., E. A. Stephens, Ephraim Weeks, H. C. Richards and J. J. Roach. In 1883 William Rasco came to the place, and is running a good family store at the present time. Milton Brandon has a general store also, and Mr. Mc- Graw keeps the village hotel. Roaring Springs Lodge, No. 221, A. F. & A. M., was organized in 1848. The first oflScers were C. M. Bacon, W. M. ; Anthony Garnett, S. W. ; Thomas Garnett, J. W. Present officers: C. M. Bacon, W. M.; James Hamilton, S. W.; .John Donald, J. W.; John A. Bacon, S. D.; W. W. Lewis, J. D.; William Bradshaw, Sec, and Samuel Joiner, Tyler. First meetings were held in Capt. Bacon's office, which was used until 1852, at which time a room was fitted up in a vacant store building at a cost of $200. The present hall was built with the Methodist Church and repre- sents a capital of $2,700. ROCK CASTLE AND BETHESDA PRECINCTS. 149 CHAPTER XI. Rock Castle and Bethesda Pkecincts— General Description, Bound- aries AND Topography— Settlement— A Prolific Family- Other Pioneers— Frontier Hardships— Rock Castle Village— Hurricane Baptist Church— Bethesda Methodist Church, etc., etc. ROCK CASTLE AND BETHESDA PRECINCTS, forming of themselves a magisterial district, lie in the northern part of the coun- ty between Wallonia Precinct on the east, and Cumberland River on the west. Little River flows along the southern border, and Lyon County forms the northern boundary. Contiguous to the Cumberland River the land is undulating, with stretches of bottoms the soil of which is of great depth and fertility. In some places along the stream are large embank- ments of limestone rising to a height of many feet, one of which — Castle Rock — which gave name to the precinct and village, is considered one of the most interesting natural features in the northern part of the county. Back from the river the country is more uneven, stretching away into hills which were originally clothed with a dense forest growth of oak, hickory, maple, poplar, ash and many other varieties of timber found growing in this portion of the State. The soil on the uplands is clay mixed and comparatively fertile, although for general farming purposes it ranks far below the alluvium of the bottoms and creek lands. When first cleared these hill lands are said to have been unexcelled for their productiveness, but as years passed by the soil became thin by continuous tillage, while a great portion of it was washed into the ravines and bot- toms, until now the district is considered about a second-class farming region. The district is principally drained by the Cumberland and Little Rivers, which receive a number of small creeks traversing the country in various directions. The most important of these minor water-courses are Hurricane Creek and Hawkin's Branch, both of which flow a westerly course, and empty into the Cumberland near Rock Castle Village. They are fed principally by springs, many of which are found throughout the precincts. Another small stream known as Dyer's Creek rises near Trigg Furnace and flows through an irregular channel and empties into Cum- berland River a few miles from the village of Rock Castle. Pioneer Settlement. — In tracing the history of the early settlement of 150 HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. this district we have drawn largely from Mr. McKinney's published rem- iniscences, the credibility of which is generally conceded. The settle- ments on Dyer's Creek were among the first in the county and date back as early as the year 1796. At that time or perhaps a little earlier there was living near the head of the stream where the old Trigg Furnace stands, one John Mayberry, who is remembered as one among the very first per- manent settlers of the county. He settled on the farm owned at the present time by Bob Cunningham, and appears to have been a man of considerable intelligence and an honorable and upright citizen. He was a man of some attainments, and filled the office of surveyor in an early day. His descendants are all dead. Near the head of the same creek, on the place now owned by James Burnham, lived an old man by name of Thedford, who came to the country as early as the year 1798. He was the pioneer mill builder of this part of the county, having erected a rudely constructed horse-mill near the site of Trigg Furnace before the beginning of the present century. His brother, James Thedford, who came about the same time, settled where the widow Wallace lives. Their descendants have all died or left the country. Another very early comer was a Mr. Gillahan, grandfather of William Gillahan, who lives between the rivers. Mr. Gillahan settled opposite the old Empire Iron Works at a place known as Ferry Corner, and is supposed to have immigrated to the locality in the year 1798. John Grasty moved from South Carolina and settled not far from the location of Trigg Furnace early in the present century. " He was a man of great industry and manifested a disposition, so far as their meager facilities would allow, to improve the morals and the intelligence of the little community." "He taught near the old Cunningham place perhaps the first school that was ever taught in Trigg County, giving it up to an Englishman by name of Price, who continued to teach it for several years." Mr. Grasty was the father of several sons, one of whom — John M. — is still a resident of the precinct, living at the present time near the old Hurricane meeting-house. Jesse Birdsong, a brother-in-law of Grasty, came about the same time and made his first improvements on the Baker place, settling on a hill not far from the old graveyard. He sold this farm several years later to Blake Baker. Isaac Burnham came from North Carolina and located near Ferry Corner about the year 1805. Isham Osborne, a Virginian, came in a very early day and settled in the same locality. His descend- ants moved West a number of years ago. " What is known as the old Dyer place was first settled by a very indolent old man by name of Curtis, who was the original Izaak Walton of the country. He had no occupation but that of a fisherman, and would do nothing but fish and talk of nothing else. ROCK CASTLE AND BETHESDA PRECINCTS. 151 " In relating the most enjoyable and remarkable episodes of his life they were all connected with the capture of some vast monster in the shape of a seventy-five pound cat-fish, and was never so happy as when snugly settled down with half a dozen fishing poles at some favorite ' hole ' on Little River. He would make a lusty snatch with his ' grabs ' or fight mosquitoes alternately from the rising to the setting of the sun. He sold the place to Gen. John J. Dyer, and moved off in search of a location where fish were more abundant and a gourd of worms could be obtained without digging for them. " Among the most noted families of the early settlers of this neigh- borhood was the old family of Standrods. They were natives of New Jersey, their father moving to North Carolina, and from there here in the year 1805. He settled on the Rock Castle and Princeton road in 1807. He had two sons, Samuel and Basil." The former settled about one mile south- east of Bock Castle, and the latter secured a home a short distance east of the Hurricane Baptist Church. Basil Standrod was a man who did as much if not more toward shaping the character of the early settlement of Rock Castle than any other person who ever resided in the district. Elected to the oflSce of magistrate in an early day he discharged the duties of the position in a manner creditable to himself and satisfactory to th« people, who looked to him as a kind of leader and legal adviser from whose opinion there were few appeals. A son, D. W. Standrod, one of the prominent business men of Trigg County, is living in Rock Castle Village at the present time. " A short distance from the old Hurricane Church and about three hundred yards from the residence of John Grasty, old man James Bourland settled in an early day." His son Andrew K. lived in the same vicinity for a number of years, and was the first shoe- maker in this part of the country. Shadrach Jenkins and Henry Martin were both very early comers. They settled near the present residence of James Holland, but no facts concerning them could be learned. Among those who came in a little later were William Shannon and a Mr. Hawkins, both of whom located in the neighborhood of Hurricane Church, where the former died more than forty-seven years ago. Richard Holland, a Virginian, settled in the northern part of the district, not far from the Caldwell County line in an early day, and became one of the wealthiest men and largest land-owners in the district. His son James M. Holland is a respected resident of the precinct at the present time. Freeman Baker came from North Carolina and settled near Rock Castle Village some time prior to 1820. He lived in the precinct until about the year 1829, at which time he was drowned in the Cumberland River. Blake Baker, a brother of Freeman, came the same time and settled north- east of Rock Castle on land which he purchased from Jesse Birdsoiig. 152 HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. Thomas L. Baker settled in an early day on a place which was afterward bought by the Standrods. " One of the most respected and certainly one of the most fruitful families that ever claimed a residence in the county was that of William Cunningham, a native of Scotland, who settled where Trigg Furnace now stands as early as the year 1817. The mere mention of the fact that within the present century and within the recollection of men still living a pair of old people should have settled in this county whose posterity at this day would number perhaps over 800 living souls, and all of the highest respectability, has a tendency to recall, and without aid of revel- ation, render both possible and probable the promise that God made to Abraham. It is like some indubitable fact clothed in the habiliments of romance, and almost startles at once our reason and our credulity. Still it is but a simple truth without exaggeration or adornment." Mr. Cun- ningham during his lifetime accumulated a handsome competency. The names of his children were as follows : John, Gideon, Buck, Malinda, Andrew, Dabney, James, Mickens, Alexander and Robert, all of whom were heads of large families. Prominent among the early pioneers was Gen. John Dyer, a man whose general character was respected throughout the county as much perhaps as any other citizen who ever claimed a residence in Trigg. He was elected General of Militia in an early day, and was looked upon as a kind of leader by his neighbors, all of whom had unbounded confidence in his abilities. George Creekmer, Malachi Creekmer, Thomas Sevills, Hardy Smith, Thomas Evans and John Curlin were all early settlers in the northern part of the district. Reuben Harris settled at Rock Castle, and Thomas Mitchell secured land about a half mile northeast of the village early in the twenties. William Campbell came from Christian County and settled close to the town of Rock Castle prior to 1826. He married a daughter of Freeman Baker, and was considered one of the leading cit- izens of the district. Thomas Wadlington, another early settler, located on land which he afterward sold to the Standrods. He is remembered as a very singular character, but withal a reputable citizen. Among those who settled back from the river in what is now Bethesda Precinct, were James Caraway, who improved the place where Benjamin Shryer lives, on the Rock Castle and Princeton road, and Stephen Pearl, who settled in the same locality. Abner Crump came in an early day also. Mordecai Fowler settled near the Caldwell County line, in the northern part of the precinct, as did also John Hanberry, both of whom were very early residents. Jarrett Mitchell improved the place where Mollie Mitchell lives, in the southern part of the precinct, and can be classed among the pioneers of the county. The above list, we think KOCK CASTLE AND BETHESDA PRECINCTS. 153 comprises the earliest and most prominent settlers in the two precincts. Other names could be added, but the limits of this chapter forbid a more extended mention. Village of Mock Castle. — " Up to 1842, Old Ferry Corner, opposite Empire Iron Works, was the shipping point for all the northern part of Trigg and the southwestern portion of Caldwell Counties. As a business point it was discontinued after the erection of the furnace on the opposite bank, the property having been purchased by Messrs. Watson & Hill- man, the owners of the iron works." The furnace store was kept in the old storehouse that is yet standing on the east bank of the river, up to 1848 or 1849, but the point from this date was used only 'as a boat land- ing for the individual interest of the furnace. The first store in Rock Castle was kept by Messrs. Marshall & Bradley, who engaged in business as early as 1835 or 1836 ; they kept a general stock of goods, and were well patronized by the citizens of the northern part of Trigg and the southern portion of Caldwell Counties. No great amount of business was done, however, until D. W. Standrod and George Creekmer obtained possession of the property. They continued as partners about four years, at the end of which time King Baker purchased Creekmer's interest, and under the firm name of Baker & Standrod, a successful mercantile and commission business was carried on until 1862. Standrod carried on a commission business until within the last two years, and is still a resident of the village. J. H. Whitney started a store in 1869, and keeps a fine stock of goods at the present time. Several warehouses have been built in the town, the largest of which were those belonging to D. W. Standrod, Jo- seph T. Harris and John Grasty. The first physician of the place was Dr. A. Calloway, who located in the village soon after its settlement; since then the following medical gentlemen have practiced their profes- sion here, to wit : Doctors Inge, Samuel Standrod, K. S. Campbell and Samuel B. Standrod. Hurricane Baptist Church, the only religious organization in Rock Castle Precinct, was established in the year 1845, by Rev. J. F. White. Among the constitutional members were the following : Thomas Wadling- ton and wife. Miles Osborne, and Alexander Cunningham and wife. The first meetings were held in an old log schoolhouse, on Hurricane Creek, which was also used for a preaching place by the Methodists at the same time. A house of worship was afterward erected on John Grasty's land, and cost the sum of $600. Since its organization the church has been ministered to by the following pastors, viz. : J. F. White, George Patter- son, C. Meacham, Elder Rowland, J. H. Spurlin, James Oliver and John Spurlin. The present ofiicers are : Robert Allen and Blake Baker, Dea- 154 HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. cona ; Robert Wallace, Clerk. The society is one of the aggressive or- ganizations of the county, and numbers at the present time about 132 communicants. Bethesda Methodist Episcopal Ohurch. — The society was organized in 1845, with thirty members, among whom were : William Larkins, Pen- elope Larkins, Samuel Larkins, Henry Larkins, Mrs. Sallie Mitchell, David Etheridge, Mrs. Ann Sanders, Mrs. Elizabeth Savilla, D. C. Savills, Miles Savills, Rebecca Hanberry, D. S. Hanberry and J. W. Hanberry. The first Class Leader was Robert Hawkins ; the first Steward was Samuel Larkins. The organization took place in Duvall's Schoolhouse, which was used as a meeting place for about four years, when a frame church was built one mile southwest of the present edifice. It was built on land donated by Col- more Duvall, and stood until 1877. The present temple of worship was erected on ground donated by John Larkins, and cost about $600. The first pastor of the church was Rev. Zachariah M. Taylor. The present pastor is Rev. J. R. McDaniell. There are the names of about 100 members on the church book. Under the labors of Rev. Samuel Feltener in 1877, the church en- joyed a most successful revival and perhaps one of the best ever held in this part of the county ; some sixty persons professed conversion, and more than forty were added to the church. LAURA FURNACE, GOLDEN POND AND FERGUSON SPRINGS PRECINCTS. 155 CHAPTER XII. Between the Kivees — A District that Comprises Laura Furnace, Golden Pond and Ferguson Springs Precincts— Description of the Land— Its Occupation by White People— Some of the Peculiar- ities OF THE Pioneers— "Where thet Located— A Band of Free- booters-Religious History- Sketches of the Numerous Churches —Village of Golden Pond, etc., etc. THE section of country lying between the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers comprises the precincts of Laura Furnace, Golden Pond and Ferguson's Springs, which together form the first magisterial district. The physical features of this region are considerably varied, the coun- try along the Tennessee being high and broken, and in some places rising in precipitous bluffs of sand rock and limestone ; back from the river the land is not so abrupt, but stretches away in undulations covered with a forest growth of deciduous timber of the varieties usually found growing in this latitude. The land lying contiguous to the Cumberland is more " checkered," with sloughs and swamps intervening among the hills, while skirting the water-courses that empty into the rivers are level lands of average fertility and productiveness. Taken all in all it is not what might be termed a good agricultural region, although there are a number of well improved farms in various parts of the district. " Seventy-five years ago 1,000 acres of land between the rivers would not have been exchanged for the same quantity of the richest ' barrens ' in the neighborhood of Montgomery, Wallonia or Roaring Springs. Timber and water regulated the value of real estate in this country then, and in this section of the county the settlers were blessed with an abundance of both. The finest springs, the coolest water gurgled up in the sandy bottoms, or came pour- ing out from the hillsides, and the whole country was covered in a growth of timber as luxuriant as could be found in any other portion of the State, whilst in the other rich ' barren ' sections of the county there were few springs, and scarcely a sufliciency of timber to afford roosts for the wild turkeys at night. " Notwithstanding the gibes and ridicule heaped upon the early settlers for selecting the locations they did, we think it most likely the present population, if thrown into a new country, would do precisely as they did. The cultivation of the soil was not at that time profitable. The settlers had no markets for the products of their farms ; the country afforded an 156 HISTORY OF TEIGG COUNTY. abundant supply of meats in the shape of wild game ; and a spring of cool water, a few acres of Indian corn, filled the measure of both their am- bition and comfort." This region is rich in mineral wealth, the finest quality of iron ore being found from the Tennessee line to the northern boundary of the county. It is easily accessible, and was worked very ex- tensively in an early ,day, several large furnaces having been erected at diflFerent points, some of which are still standing. An account of the iron industry will be found on another page. Pioneers. — The first white men who came to this part of the county were the hardy adventurers from North Carolina already alluded to, who floated down the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers on rafts. They seem to have been actuated by a spirit of adventure, and beyond erecting a few rude huts contiguous to the streams, made no further improvements. Fol- lowing these came a few families of a more thrifty class of people, but these too have disappeared, leaving but faint traces behind them. As early as 1793 there was a small settlement near the present location of Redd's tan-yard, where a block-house was built as a means of defense against the Indians, hostile bands of whom kept the frontier settlers in a con- stant state of alarm. This was the second permanent settlement in this county, the first having been made in the neighborhood of Cerulean Springs a year or two previous. Unfortunately, the names of the persons who constructed the block-house have been forgotten, nor could any facts concerning them be learned. Among the first permanent settlers was Allen Grace, the grandfather of W. D. Grace, who located near the site of Redd's tan-yard some time prior to 1800. He was a man of considerable prominence in the early history of the county, and his descendants are among its most intelligent and substantial citizens at the present time. Moses McWaters settled in the northern part of the district about the year 1802 or 1803, and im- proved a small farm in what is now Ferguson Springs Precinct. He had a family of grown up sons who secured tracts of land in the same vicin- ity. Levi Davis settled a place on Turkey Creek, known as the Vinson farm, about the same time. He earned the reputation of being a good citizen, and was thought well of by his neighbors. He died in a very early day, and most of his descendants moved off to other parts of the country. Robert Fergeson settled in the northern part of the district shortly after the year 1800. Robert Ferguson, after whom the northern precinct was named, came a little later and secured a tract of land lying a short distance from Cumberland River. Another early comer in the northern part was Abraham Lash, who settled near the Tennessee River. Eli Kilgore, Eli Ingram, John Blue, James Blue, Wiley Rhodes, James Barham and a man by name of Gregory were all living in the northern LAURA FURNACE, GOLDEN POND AND FERGUSON SPRINGS PRECINCTS. 157 part of the district as early as 1812. Following close upon these were other settlements extending from the Tennessee line all the way down to the old Fulton Furnace section. Nathan Futrell settled where Laura Furnace has since been located in the southern part of the district. He owned the place for a number of years and planted a large apple orchard, the first in the county, a few trunks of trees of which may be still seen standing above the old furnace property. He was a relative of John Futrell, one of the earliest settlers on Donaldson Creek. Frederick Jones settled the old John Futrell place. He disposed of it a great many years ago and moved to Canton. Few of the old settlers are more kindly remembered. Beman Fowler settled the Andy Gordon farm. He was a resident of the place at the time and long before the formation of the county. He was a man greatly respected, and was for a number of years one of the early Justices of the Peace. He moved away at an early day, his destination being unknown. Bradbury set- tled in an early day on the Cumberland River, in Golden Pond Precinct. An old gentleman by name of Young settled on the place now owned by William Gray. He was regarded as a thrifty, energetic and industrious old man. His death occurred a few years after the formation of the county. Joe Gilbert was an early settler, and lived for a number of years on Elbow Creek. He subsequently moved across the river and settled on Donaldson Creek, where his death occurred many years ago. David Grace, the third son of old man Allen Grace, and uncle of W. D. Grace, settled a short distance up the hollow from the present village of Golden Pond. Charles Anderson, a worthy old gentleman, settled a place on Crooked Creek, not a great distance from Ferguson's Springs. Two or three miles in a northerly direction, at what is now known as the old Foley place, lived in an early day James Cummins and Van Anderson, the grandfather of Hon. Lush Anderson of Graves. " About the same time and in almost the same neighborhood, were a batch of settlers who were not spoken of so kindly. Jake McFadden, Herbert Wood, James Phil- lips and a few kindred satellites, whose names are not remembered, were very bad men. They came to the country as early as the year 1804, and their huts were scattered from the Oakley place to the Tennessee River. They belonged evidently to an organized band of plunderers, and were shrewdly suspected of being partisans of a lot of adventurers who made their appearance in the neighborhood several years before, and abandoned the country because there was nothing in it to make the avocation of the robber profitable." The presence of these characters gave the country an unsavory reputation, and while their depredations were not committed so much upon the people here they made this region a resort to evade the 158 HISTORY OP TRIGG COtJNTY. pursuit from other quarters. For a time their depredations were carried on with impunity, and while they scrupled at the commission of no form of crime, they were especially annoying in their principal business of horse-stealing. Their plan of operations was to run in large numbers of horses and keep them concealed among the hills and ravines until fears of pursuit were ended, when they would take the animals to Nashville and other points, where they were disposed of at good prices. The early set- tlers did not submit to this state of affairs without some eiforts to bring those persons to justice, but singly the pioneers proved poor trappers of this game. The robbers were known to be desperate characters, adepts in the use of weapons, and it often happened that when a party got close upon the thieves " discretion seemed the better part of valor," and the chase was given up. Civil authority seemed hopelessly incapable of remedying the evil, and accordingly the citizens took the matter into their own hands and organized a band of regulators, the effect of whose work was prompt and salutary. The honest residents cordially aided the com- pany, which in a few months rid the country of the gang which infested it. McFadden and his accomplices succeeded in successfully evading the vigilants, and the" reputation of the Jailor of Christian County at that time suffered by reason of a suspicion that he facilitated their escape. The settlement of the country increased but slowly for a number of years, and those who came in belonged chiefly to the poorer classes. Improvements were few and of the most primitive kind. Small horse- mills or corn- crackers were put up in various settlements, but these did but little better work than the mortars with which almost every house was supplied. They did the work quicker, and such a mill was often kept running night and day, while the patrons coming from distances of sever- al miles would wait patiently a day or two to get their grists. One of the two earliest of these primitive mills was erected by Nathan Futrell, and stood near Laura Furnace. It was used by the neighborhood for several years and did a good business for a mill of its capacity. Ohurches. — There are several religious organizations in the district, the oldest of which is Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Laura Furnace Precinct, which dates its history from the year 1842. It was organized by Revs. T. L. Baker, Jesse Cox and Barnes, with helps from the Mount Pleasant and Crooked Creek Churches in Tennessee. The first meeting was held at the dwelling of David Calhoun, and after the society acquired a permanency, religious services were conducted at different res- idences in the neighborhood. In 1844 a log house of worship was erected on land donated by David Calhoun. It has been remodeled since and a second story built for the use of the Patrons of Husbandry, a lodge of which met in the hall LAURA FURNACE, GOLDEN POND AND FERGUSON SPRINGS PRECINCTS. 159 for a couple of years. Since its organization the church has been min- istered to by the following pastors, to wit : T. L. Baker, William Skinner R. R. Allen, S. R. McLane, W. E. McCaulley, D. S. Hanberry and A. J. Bird. The present incumbent is Rev. J. M. Ross, who reports an active membership of seventy-eight persons. Cumberland River Baptist Church in Ferguson Springs Precinct was organized, in 1843, by T. L. Baker and Rev. Mr. Daniel, assisted by others whose names could not be learned. Meetings were held at the dwellings of different members until 1847, in which year a log house of worship was built on the land of Harrison McGregor. This building was used until 1868, when a new and more comfortable frame edifice was erected at a place known as Willow Springs. The following pastors have had charge of the congregation at different times : Revs. T. L. Baker, Jesse Cox, Hanberry, G. A. Patterson, Thomas Montgomery, E. L. McLane, William McCaulley and J. M. Ross. There are sixty communicants at the present time and the church is reported in good condition. Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Golden Pond Precinct was estab- lished in the year 1854, by Revs. T. L. Baker and George Patterson. The constitutional membership consisted of about thirty persons, and services were held for two years at a schoolhouse on Crooked Creek near the residences of Joel Coulsen and E. Grace. A temple of worship was erected in 1856 or 1857 on B. F. Luten's land, and cost the sum of $800. Among the pastors of the church are remembered the following : T. L. Baker, George Patterson, Thomas Montgomery, S. Y. Trimble, S. R. McLane, D. S. Hanberry, F. M. Holland and J. M. Ross, the last named being in charge at the present time. The records show an active mem- bership of seventy persons. Long Creek Old School Baptist Church is in Voting Precinct No. 2, and dates its origin back to an early period of the country's settlement. At one time it was a very active organization, but its strength has dimin- ished considerably of recent years owing to deaths and removals. The Walnut Grove Union Church in the southeastern part of Laura Furnace Precinct was built several years ago, and is used at the present time by the Methodists and Baptists, both of which denominations have small organizations. The house was erected under the auspices of the Christian Union Church, a society of which was kept up for some time, by Rev. J. M. Cress. A society of the Methodist Church was organized at Redd's tan-yard, near the Tennessee River in Laura Furnace Precinct several years ago. Meetings were held in a hall, and for some time the society bid fair to be- 160 HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. come an aggressive organization, but owing to sonje cause unknown, serv- ices are rarely held at the present time. Another Methodist society known as the Indian Springs Church, in Golden Pond Precinct, was established a number of years ago, but like the one mentioned above its strength is gradually decreasing. Turkey Creek Baptist Church, five miles from Laura Furnace, was established by Revs. E. L. McLane, G. A. Patterson and J. Outland. A building was erected one year later at a cost of $1,000. The society is making substantial progress, and the records show an active membership of fifty persons at the present time. The preachers have been Revs. Mc- Lane, Knight, Tidwell and Allen. At the present time the church is without a pastor. Pleasant Hope Baptist Church in the northwestern part of Ferguson Springs Precinct was organized in the year 1880, with a membership of eight, which has since increased to sixteen. F. M. Holland is pastor at the pj-esent time and W. N. Ingram, Clerk. Ferguson Springs Church, which is also a Baptist organization, was established about the year 1879, by Revs. W. L. Rowland and F. M. Holland, with an original membership of about eight persons. The society has increased but slowly since its organization, and numbers only thirteen communicants at the present time. Near Laura Furnace is a Catholic Church organized by a few German families under the supervision of Rev. Father Hasley in 1882. A log- house was built the same year, and the society is now maintained by about eight families, all of whom emigrated from Germany between the years 1880 and 1883. Village of Golden Pond, which gave name to the second voting pre- cinct, is situated a few miles west of the Cumberland, and is the only vil- lage between the rivers. It is a small hamlet of a couple dozen houses and serves as a trading point for a large scope of country. The first store in the place was kept by Frank Ingram, who handled a general assort- ment of merchandise, and for several years did a fair business. There are two stores at the present time kept by Bogard and Haydon respectively. MEMORANDA -OF- HISTORICAL EVENTS OCCURRING SUBSEQUENT TO THE PUBLICATION OF THIS WORK. 162 HISTORICAL MEMORANDA. HISTORICAL MEMORANDA. 163 164 HISTORICAL MEMORANDA. HISTORICAL MEMORANDA. 165 166 HISTORICAL MEHOKANDA. HISTORICAL MEMORANDA. 167 168 HISTOKICAL MEMORANDA. HISTORICAL MEMORANDA. 169 170 HISTORICAL MEMORANDA. HISTORICAL MEMORANDA. 171 172 HISTORICAL MEMORANDA. HISTORICAL MEMORANDA. 173 174 HISTORICAL MEMORANDA. HISTORICAL MEMORANDA. 175 176 HISTOEICAL MEMORANDA. Biographical Sketches, BI2 CADIZ TOWN AND PRECINCT. DR. THOMAS L. BACON was born January 19, 1832, in Halifax County, Va.; he is the eldest child of Charles A. and Susan (Rowlette) Bacon ; the former was born February 15, 1807, in Charlotte County, Va., now a resident of Roaring Springs ; the latter was born in Halifax County, Va.; she died in 1841. In 1832 the parents removed to Mont- gomery County, Tenn., remained there one year, then came to Christian County, where they remained till 1846 ; they then removed to Trigg County where his father now resides. At about the age of twenty-two he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. John C. Metcalf, of Christian County, and later attended the medical department of the Louisville University ; there he graduated in 1855 ; he then commenced the prac- tice of medicine in North Christian ; remained there but a short time, and removed to Princeton, where he practiced about one year. In the fall of 1856 he removed to Henderson County; there practiced his profession till 1860 ; he then went to Philadelphia and received a course of lectures at the University of Pennsylvania, from which he graduated in March, 1861 ; he then returned to Roaring Springs; there continued in the prac- tice of his profession till 1874, when he removed to Cadiz, where he has since resided. Dr. Bacon was married in 1857 to Miss Martha B. Bacon, who was born in Muhlenburg County, Va.; she died in January, 1860, aged thirty ; his second marriage was November 1, 1865, to Miss Eliza- beth E. Edwards ; she was born in Christian County. This union has been blessed with five children, two of whom are now living — one son and one daughter. JAMES BATTOE was born January 30, 1826, in St. Clair County, 111. He is the fourth of a family of seven children, born to John and Annis (Hodges) Battoe. The father was a native of Kentucky ; he died in 1832, aged forty. The mother was born in Trigg County ; she died in 1846, aged forty. Our subject remained with his mother till about the age of ten years, he then worked out by the month and year till 1848, 180 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. when he came to Trigg County ; here he worked on rented farms. In 1869 he bought his present farm of 214 acres, where he has since lived and has cleared about fifty acres ; his buildings which he has placed on this farm cost about $500. Mr. Battoe was married in 1869 to Eliza Lawrence, a native of Trigg County ; two daughters have blessed this union. Mr. and Mrs. Battoe are life-long and devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. THOMAS BOYD was born January 28, 1826, in Halifax County, Va. He is the youngest of a family of four children born to Thomas and Elizabeth (Stamps) Boyd, also natives of Virginia. His father died when the subject was quite young, and in 1838 the mother emigrated with the family to Trigg County where she died in 1877, at the hale old age of eighty-six. The subject of this sketch was raised on his mother's farm, where he remained until the age of twenty-six, and then purchased a farm of 127 acres and commenced life for himself. Through his own exer- tions he has since increased his farm to 500 acres, where he now resides, and also owns 250 acres elsewhere in the county and 180 in Caldwell County. The home place is considered to be one of the best in the county, and he now devotes his main attention to the raising of live stock. He now has from fifty to seventy-five head of short-horn cattle, forty to fifty hogs and about 150 head of sheep on his place. At present his son Charles manages the farm, which lies eight miles northeast of Cadiz. On January 10, 1881, he was appointed to fill the vacancy of Sheriflf, and in the following August was elected to fill the oflSce. He had prior to this time collected the taxes of 1879. In August, 1882, he was re-elected, and has since filled the office. Mr. Boyd was married on Octo- ber 1, 1850, to Miss Martha, daughjier of Maj. George Daniel. Mrs. Boyd is a native of Trigg County, and is the mother of ten children, six of whom — five sons and a daughter — are living. JOHN H. CALDWELL was born August 22, 1842, in Trigg Coun- ty, and is a son of John H. and Martha W. (Barkasdale) Caldwell ; the former was born June 6, 1817, in Halifax County, Va.; he died Decem- ber 27, 1848 ; they were married May 16, 1838, and emigrated to Trigg County in 1841 ; the latter was bom June 11, 1821, also in Halifax County, Va. She died July 18, 1846. The subject of this sketch is the eldest of a family of three. After the death of their parents, they were CADIZ PRECINCT. 181 reared by their guardian, Oapt. C. W. Roach. John's early education was received at Cadiz, Q. M. Tyler and James Rumsey being his teach- ers, after which he attended the Bethel College three years. After five months' study at the Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tenn., he returned to the Bethel College, Russellville, there graduated in the class of 1861 ; he then entered the Confederate Army, Company A, Ninth Kentucky Infantry, commanded by Col. Thomas H. Hunt, of Louisville, and served to the end of the war ; he participated in the battle of Shiloh, was under fire at Vicksburg, battles of Baton Rouge, Murfreesboro, Jackson and all the battles from Dalton to Atlanta, and Jonesboro ; after the battle near Statesboro, S. C, on capitulated terms of sur- render, they were paroled at Washington, Ga., May 6, 1865, and were the last troops that fired a gun east of the Chattahoochee, where they surrendered ; he then returned to Trigg County, where he has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits, except two years as teacher of the Wallonia Institute. He was married December 16, 1868, to Cornelia F. Boyd. She was born June 21, 1848, in Trigg County; she died September 6, 1881, leaving a family of four children — two sons and two daughters. His brother Thomas B. was killed at the battle of Pittsburg Landing, April 6, 1862 ; his brother Dr. J. W. Caldwell served during the late war in Company A, Woodward's Cavalry, after which he attended the University of Virginia, and graduated at the Balti- more Medical College in 1866. He then engaged in the practice of his profession in Belleview, Christian County ; after practicing several years he went to Louisville for the purpose of having an operation performed, from which he died November 4, 1873. JOHN W. CHAPPELL, merchant, Cadiz, was born March 19, 1824, in Christian County, Ky.; he is a son of Dickie and Susan (McCarty) Chappell, who were natives of Halifax County, Va.; they came to Chris- tian County at an early day ; he first engaged in teaching school, and later followed agricultural pursuits. They lived on one farm forty-three years. October 1, 1853, they removed to Washington County, Texas. There his mother died August 10, 1855. His father died in July, 1870. The subject of this sketch was reared on his father's farm, where he remained till January 1, 1844. He then came to Cadiz and was clerk for Hiram Thompson in the dry goods business. November, 1848, he 182 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. opened a general store; with the exception of being interrupted three years during the war, has continued this business since, and with the exception of Mr. Street is now the oldest merchant in Trigg County. He first opened a store in the old Baker Hotel, with a stock of about $4,000, and since this time has done a business of upwards of $35,000 a year ; he continued business at the Baker Hotel eighteen years ; he then removed to Mrs. Terry's storehouse, where he remained five years. In 1873 he removed to his present store, situated on the west side of the court house. Mr. Chappell was Postmaster from 1858 to 1861 ; he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and Chosen Friends. He was married May 21, 1845, to Sarah, daughter of the late Dr. Thomas B. Jefferson. She was born in Sumner County, Tenn. This union has been blessed with seven children, three sons and four daughters. His son, John J., is a partner in this business. JOHN J. CHAPPELL is one of the most promising of the rising young men of the county ; he was born in Cadiz December 16, 1855, and is a son of John W. and Sarah (Jefferson) Chappell ; his education was received in the schools of his native town ; his first instructor was Prof. F. F. Jones ; among his other teachers were J. J. Nail, Prof. .Hancock, Prof. Pomeroy and Prof. H. B. Wayland. In 1873 he was a student at the College of Arts and Sciences at Lexington, Ky., and graduated from this institution of learning in the class of 1875; he then returned to Cadiz and entered his father's store as a clerk in 1876. He served in that capacity until January, 1884, when he became a partner in the firm under the title of J. W. Chappell & Son. This firm is at present one of the leading houses of the place. Mr. Chappell was married in Hopkins- ville, Christian County, March 6, 1884, to Miss Ida, daughter of James 0. Cooper, proprietor of the Phoenix Hotel at that point. JUDGE ROBERT CRENSHAW was born in Trigg County, Roar- ing Springs Precinct, June 4, 1847 ; he is the fourth of a family of six sons born to Robertson and Mary (Walden) Crenshaw. The father was bom in Halifax County, Va., in September, 1816, and was a son of Cor- nelius and Nancy (Kent) Crenshaw ; he came here in 1819 with his par- ents (see sketch of Thomas Crenshaw), grew to manhood, and married here in 1889 ; he resided here until his death, which occurred February 12, 1853 ; he was a member of the Christian Church and of the Masonic CADIZ PRECINCT. 183 fraternity ; the mother was bom in Halifax County, Ya., in 1819, and died in this county December 81, 1851. Our subject was reared by his uncle, Thomas Crenshaw ; he was educated by Prof. Wyatt and Prof. G. P. Street ; at the age of twenty he took up the study of law under the preceptorship of Judge Thomas C. Dabney ; he was licensed to practice in 1868 ; soon afterward he was elected County Attorney for four years, and during this time also held the office of School Commissioner; while serving in the latter office he made the tour of the country, delivering addresses in the interest of education ; he was a candidate in 1878 and also in 1882 for County Judge, but was defeated both times by Judge Dyer by a small majority. At these elections Judge Crenshaw received more votes than had ever been polled for any other defeated candidate prior to that time. In the summer of 1883 he was a candidate for the third time, and at the primary election he defeated Judge Kelley, Squire W. G. Blaine and Prof. H. B, Wayland. At the following general elec- tion in August he was elected over S. I. Spiceland, who was the nominee on the Republican ticket. This position he is still satisfactorily and cred- itably filling. Judge Crenshaw was married, in 1877, to Miss Minnie, daughter of Judge Thomas C. Dabney. Three children — two sons and a daughter — have blessed this union. He is a member of the Christian Church, and of the Odd Fellows and Chosen Friends. JUDGE THOMAS C. DABNEY was born in Louisa County, Va., on September 20, 1823. He is the second son of Albert G. Dabney and Ann Eliza Catlett, his wife, formerly of Louisa County, Va., who came to Christian County in the fall of 1830, with a family of four sons. Albert S. Dabney (now deceased), was the third son and held the offices of County and Circuit Clerk of Trigg County for a number of years, and afterward was cashier of a bank in Hickman, Ky., where he contracted a disease from which he died in Cadiz, leaving three sons and one daughter. The brothers, E. W. and C. J., removed to Austin County, Tex., in 1853, where E. W. Dabney now resides, and C. J. Dabney died in June, 1882, both having large families. The subject of this sketch was educated by Elder George P. Street. After receiving a good education, at the age of eighteen he took up the study of the law and came to Cadiz, and lived with the family of the late J. E. Thompson, who was at that time County and Circuit Clerk. Our subject became the Deputy in both offices, and 184 BIOGRAPHICAL gKETCHES. while discharging these duties continued the ^tudy of law, under the direction of Hon. C. D. Bradley, now deceased. He procured license to practice in the fall of 1844, and located in Cadiz, where he has since fol- lowed the profession. Though at all times decided in his political convictions he has nerer sought any political offices ; he was several times elected and served as County Attorney of Trigg County. Upon the adoption of the new Constitution in 1852, he was elected the first County Judge in Trigg County, under the new Constitution. In July, 1857, he was elected Cir- cuit Judge in the Second Circuit Court, Judicial District in Kentucky, which at that time, extended across the State, and included the counties of Trigg, Christian, Todd, Muhlenburg, Hopkins, Henderson and Caldwell. Judge Dabney's term expired in August, 1862, and he declined to be a candidate for re-election and retired to the practice of his profession, to which he has since devoted his entire attention. On March 7, 1848, Judge Dabney was married, in the city of Hopkinsville, to Miss Susannah, only child of the late James D. Rumsey. Mrs. Dabney was born and reared in Hopkinsville, Ky. Her father was a lawyer by profession, a teacher by occupation, a man of much learning and marked ability and descended from a family noted for their rare talent. He was near kins- man and named after his uncle James Rumsey, who is the first to have discovered and applied steam power to navigation, and experi- mented in propelling a small steamboat on the Potomac in 1784 ; he died in London, England, of apoplexy, while lecturing on the application of steam-power to navigation before the Royal Society. This union has been blessed with nine children, one of whom (Thomas C, Jr.), died at the Kentucky University (at Lexington), on April 13 ,1873. Bight children — four sons and four daughters — are now living. Judge James R., the eldest son, is a lawyer by profession and is now County Judge of Hender- son County, Ky. Lieut. Albert J., the second son, is now a Lieutenant in the United States Navy, where he has been for the past seventeen years. E. F., the third son, is a graduate of the Louisville Law School, and is now a partner with his father in the practice of law. Dr. Archie S., the fourth, has lately graduated at the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, and has since opened dental rooms at Cadiz. Of the daughters, Minnie is now the wife of Judge Robert Crenshaw, now County Judge of Trigg County ; Cornelia, the eldest daughter, was recently made a widow CADIZ PRECINCT. 185 by the death of her husband, John R. Averitt, who was a young lawyer of promising attainments, and waa filling the office of County Attorney at the time of his death ; Misses Annie and Carrie, the two youngest daughters, are still living at home with their parents. JOHN C. DABNEY was born January 14, 1852, in Cadiz. He is the second of five children born to Albert S. and Pamelia (Middelton) Dabney. His father was born in Louisa County, Ya., and emigrated to Trigg County when about fourteen years of age ; he was a highly cul- tivated Christian gentleman, a member of the Christian Church and one of the purest and best men that ever lived ; he was exceedingly popular, and filled with marked ability and credit, for about sixteen years, the office of County Clerk ; he died in Cadiz in 1860, in his thirty-sixth year. His mother was the eldest daughter of the late John Middelton of Shelby County, Ky. She was a lady of superior intelligence and culture , and also possessed rare business qualifications. She is said, by those best acquainted with her, to have been the brightest scholar of her classes. She obtained a profound knowledge of the classics, and as a Latin scholar had but few equals and no superior. She was a faithful and devoted mother, an earnest and conscientious Christian, a member of the church of her husband and brought up her children — three sons and a daughter — " in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." She had the consolation of knowing and seeing her children profess Christ before she was called to her sweet reward ; this estimable lady died in December, 1875. Our subject received his primary education while working on the farm and helping to support his widowed mother and family, and studied night and day at home under the instruction and tutelage of his mother, and later attended the schools in Cadiz, where he won prizes for his studious habits, scholarship and gentlemanly deportment. In 1869 he left Cadiz and went to the Kentucky University at Lexington. There we find him a lad about seventeen years of age, hard at work ; studious, industrious, faithful and punctual in all his school duties, and as a reward for his thorough, faithful work, he was promoted to a Captaincy in the Second Session and had charge of the Military Department, and also received the appointment to West Point from the university as having the highest and best standing in his classes, but he declined to accept this high honor, and continued at the university as a student for two years longer, holding 186 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. the position of Captain and noted for hia competency and strict military discipline. He was also engaged as tutor in the university, by which means he was able to finish his education. Having completed his literary course in June, 1873, he went to teaching school and studying law ; he taught one year longer at Lexington and then took a course of law lectures at Kentucky University, and then returned to Cadiz and took charge of the high school, which position he ably filled as Principal for about eight years. In 1876 he was admitted to practice law in the courts of the State, since which time he has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession (even while teaching), and we predict for him a bright future. In August, 1883, he was elected County Attorney, which office he now honorably fills, and is said to be one of the most active, energetic and competent officers Trigg has had. He is a member of the Board of School Examiners, and also connected with the Society of Chosen Friends. Capt. Dabney was married June 14, 1876, to Miss Mattie, second daughter of J. W. Chappell, of Cadiz. Three bright children gladden their home. Capt. Dabney and wife are both devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He has been Sun- day-school Superintendent for the past six years. WILLIAM L. DUNN was born in Robinson County, Tenn., May 8, 1858. He is a son of Samuel and Victoria: (La Prade) Dunn, also natives of Robinson County, Tenn. At the breaking out of the war Samuel enlisted in the Confederate Army, and was killed at the battle of Chicka- mauga, aged twenty-eight years. The subject of this sketch was reared in his native county, and engaged in agricultural pursuits ; there he con- tinued to reside till January 1, 1883, when he came to Trigg County. He owns 178 acres where he now resides. Mr. Dunn was married December 10, 1879, to Miss Susie B., daughter of John F. White, one of the oldest and wealthiest settlers of Trigg County. J. E. EDWARDS was born December 26, 1842, in Simpson County, Ky. He is a son of Henry M. and Susan (Travis) Edwards ; the former was born in North Carolina in 1811, died in 1866. Our subject at the age of two years was brought by his parents to Graves County, where he was reared. In 1863 he removed to Christian County ; engaged there in farming seven years. In 1870 he came to Cadiz — here kept a hotel four years. In 1876 he was elected Jailor ; held that office four years ; CADIZ PKECmCT. 187 then engaged in the sewing machine business three years. August, 1882, he was elected Assessor, which office he still holds. He owns a farm where he resides, one and one-half miles from Cadiz. He was married in December, 1864, t» Alice B. Arbuckle, who was born in Christian County, by whom he had five children — two daughters and three sons. Mr. Edwards is a member of the Blue Lodge and Chapter, A. F. & A. M., K. of P. and Methodist Episcopal Church South. RICHARD T. ELLIS was born November 10, 1844, in Cadiz: He is the only child of Ira A. and Elizabeth K. (Tyler) Ellis. The father was born in Christian County. He came to Cadiz in 1843 ; kept the Cadiz House about one year ; he then removed to the iron works, where he kept books several years. He also held the office of Sherifif one term. In 1853 he was elected State Senator, and while a member of this body was taken sick and died in Cadiz in 1854. The mother was born on the farm now owned by our subject on March 15, 1825 ; she died in Cadiz May 1, 1846. Subject was married February 25, 1868, to Miranda E. Humphries. She was born in Trigg County. Two children bless this marriage — one son and one daughter. After living three years on this farm, in 1871, they removed to Golden Pond Precinct ; there they remained one year, when they returned to this farm and occupied a house built on this land by his grandfather. In 1880 they removed to their present home. This is one of the oldest settled farms in the neighborhood, and originally contained 675 acres. Mr. Ellis now owns the homestead with 332^ acres. This farm is situated on the Cadiz and Hopkinsville road, and is considered one of the most desirable locations in this county. Mr. Ellis is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. He and wife are also members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. HON. JAMES B. GARNETT was born on July 28, 1845, near Pembroke, Christian County ; he is the youngest of five children born to Eldred and Frances A. (Pendleton) Garnett. The father was born in Abermarle County, Va., in 1813, and died on his farm in Christian County, Ky., in 1870. The mother was born in 1810 in Orange County, Va., and is now living in Christian County. Our subject has three broth- ers in Christian County, two engaged in merchandising at Pembroke, the other in farming and teaching school. His sister is the wife of Rev. R. W. Morehead, of Princeton, Ky. In 1866 Mr. Garnett commenced the 188 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Study of lav at the Lebanon Law School, and graduated at this college of learning in the class of 1868. Immediately after he came to Cadiz and located here, and since that time has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession. In 1870 he was elected County Attorney and served four years. During part of this time he was also Common School Commissioner for two years. In August, 1875, he was elected State Senator from the Third Senatorial District, which was composed of the counties of Trigg, Calloway, Lyon and Livingston. In 1880 he was elected Commonwealth's Attorney for the Second Judicial District, com- prising the counties of Muhlenburg, Christian, Hopkins, Trigg, Caldwell and Lyon, for the term of six years ; this oflSce he still honorably fills. Mr. Gamett was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention at Baltimore in 1872, and at St. Louis in 1876 ; he was married in October, 1877, to Miss Virginia Hewell, of Tuscaloosa, Ala. This lady died on November 30, 1878. JOHN J. GARTON was born in Christian County on July 5, 1827. He is the elder of two sons, now living, born to James C. and Frances (Londerman) Garton. The father was born in Kentucky, and died Jan- uary 24, 1835, aged thirty-nine. The mother was a native of Virginia, and died December 3, 1854, aged fifty-three years. The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm. After attending the usual subscription school, at the age of fifteen he was apprenticed to the saddlery trade. He continued in this business until 1862, when he engaged in general mer- chandising. He first opened a store in Lafayette and afterward at Hop- kinsville. In January, 1867, he came to Cadiz, where he has since been engaged in this business. He began at Lafayette with a stock of about $1,000, and now carries a stock of about $10,000. He has been acting as Postmaster at Cadiz for the past fourteen years. On February 15, 1854, Mr. Garton was married to Miss Fannie E.White, of Lafayette, Christian County. This lady died November 30, 1860, leaving three daughters. Mr. Garton was next married at Cadiz, on December 13, 1864, to Miss Bettie Lindsay, a native of Christian County. Mr. G. is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of the Christian Church. H. M. GARTON waa born in Todd County, Ky., April 16, 1829. He is the third child of a family of four born to James C. and Frances Garton. After the death of his father, which occurred in 1840, his mother CADIZ ri{KOiN<;T. 189 returned with her family to her father, John Londerman ; there the sub- ject of this sketch was reared. After attending school in Christian County, he commenced the study of dentistry, and attended the Balti- more Dental School in 1854-55. In 1856 he located in Cadiz, and opened his dental rooms. This business he continued till 1881. He with his brother, John J., in 1867, opened a general store here, and con- tinued his interest in this business till the fall of 1878, when he sold out to his brother, and built his present spacious store-house, where he with his son, Henry H., is now engaged in the hardware and agricultural implement business. They are carrying a stock of about $5,000. His son, Henry H., was married October 7, 1880, to Miss Blanche, daughter of Col. Gentry. She was born in Trigg County. One daughter has blessed this union. Mr. Garton has held the ofiSce of Postmaster contin- uously since 1866. W. D. GRACE was born January 24, 1813, in Caldwell, now Trigg County, Ey. ; he is the second child of a family of four born to George and Nancy (Williams) Grace ; they were born in North Carolina, and married in Montgomery County, Tenn. ; the father was engaged in agri- culture. On coming to Trigg County they settled on a farm of about 300 acres, three miles west of Canton ; he died in 1850, aged sixty-five. Our subject at the age of nineteen bought a farm on Crooked Creek ; lived there four years, then removed to Canton, where he lived about twenty-five years. He first kept hotel and later engaged in merchandising and commission, also engaged in pork-packing four seasons. In 1861 he removed to Cadiz ; during his stay there he had raised three crops. Jan- uary 1, 1867, he removed to their present farm which consisted at that time of about 1,300 acres; about 800 acres of this land have since been disposed of. Mr. Grace has been three times married ; his first marriage, was July 15, 1832, to Mary Organ. She was born in Wilson County, Tenn. ; died August 30, 1834. They had two children : Frances, wife of D. P. Austin, was born April 28, 1833 ; she died December 28, 1881 ; John R. was bom May 27, 1834 ; he took up the study of law and grad- uated at the Louisville Law College, at the age of twenty -one; he then engaged in the practice of his profession, and soon after became a partner in the law firm of Mayes & Grace ; he has held the office of County Judge, and now serving his third term as Judge of the Second Judicial District. 190 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Mr. Grace was next married, June 11, 1839, to Elizabeth Gough ; she was born February 20, 1820, in Stewart County, Tenn. She died July 6, 1849. They had four children — all deceased. His third marriage was on September 8, 1850, to Sarah Munday ; she was born in Virginia. This union was blessed with two children, one living — Alex. H., who is now the owner of this farm. He was married, February 15, 1882, to Miss Eliza Wharton. She was bom in Trigg County. JUDGE JOHN R. GRACE was bom May 27, 1834, in Trigg County, Ky. He is a son of William D. and Mary (Organ) Grace. The father was born in Caldwell, now Trigg County, January 24, 1813, and is now living on his farm, about three miles from Cadiz. The mother was a native of Wilson County, Tenn. She died August 30^ 1834. John R. was reared in or near Canton, and attended the sub- scription schools of that locality, after which he attended the Lebanon High School one year. At about the age of nineteen he took up the study of law, under the preceptorship of Maj. Matthew Mayes, where he continued one year, after which he went to Louisville, and there entered the law department of the Transylvania College ; there graduated in the class of 1855. He then came to Cadiz and engaged in the practice of his profession. In 1858 he was elected County Judge. Two years later he formed a partnership with Maj. Matthew Mayes, firm of Mayes & Grace. This partnership continued till 1865. He then formed a part- nership with Henry C. Burnett, which continued till the death of the latter, which occurred in September, 1866. He continued the practice of this profession till 1868, when he was elected Curcuit Judge of the Second Judicial District, comprising the counties of Trigg, Christian, Hopkins, Caldwell and Lyon. He was re-elected in 1874, and again in 1880 ; this position he still honorably fills. In 1880 the county of Muhlenburg was added to this circuit. In October, 1882, he was nomi- nated on the Democratic ticket for Congress, representing the First Con- gressional District, and was defeated by Oscar Turner, the Independent candidate, by a small majority. Judge Grace was married in 1859, to Miss Emeline, daughter of Abner Terry, of Trigg County. This lady died in January, 1861, aged twenty-four years. WILLIAM W. GRAY was born in Christian County, on March 25, 1858, and is a son of James and L. (Brown) Gray. His father was a CADIZ PRECINCT. 191 native of North Carolina. When young he removed to Kentucky, and engaged in merchandising at Wallonia. He continued business there until his death, which occurred in 1859. At the time of his death he was the owner of a large farm in Christian County, and two stores, one in Wallonia, the other in Christian County. The mother was a native of Virginia, and after her husband's death, she removed to her farm. In 1866 she was married to Frederick Ronton, who was also a farmer. William W. was reared on his mother's farm. He continued to reside there until June, 1883, when he came to Cadiz. He is the owner of three farms in Christian County, and 250 acres in Trigg County. On January 8, 1881, he was married to Miss Lou Hancock, a native of this county. Two sons have blessed this union. R. J. GRIGSBY was bom February 20, 1834, in Logan County, Ky., and is a son of Jesse and Mary (Moseley) Grigsby. The former was born in Virginia, the latter in Logan County, Ky. The father of our subject when young learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed most of his life. At about the age of twelve he was brought with his parents to this locality, where they settled on a farm ; here he remained till the age of twenty-one. He then bought 200 acres of land where he now resides, and has since been engaged in farming. He has from time to time added other lands by purchase; he now owns from 600 to 700 acres embraced in two farms. He has held the office of Magistrate four years. Mr. Grigsby was married in September, 1866, to Tabitha Rogers. She was born in Trigg County. Two children bless this union — one son and one daughter. THOMAS H. GRINTER, capitalist, was born in Logan County, Ky., September 12, 1823, and is the third of a family of nine children born to Samuel and Nancy (Hill) Grinter, natives of Virginia. His father was a farmer, and our subject grew to manhood on the latter 's farm. When nineteen years old, on January 1, 1842, he came to Cadiz. Here he first clerked in Hiram Thompson's store for three years ; he then bought out J. E. Thompson, and after various changes in the style of the firm, it finally became known as Thompson & Grinter. This partnership continued two years, and at the end of this time the latter sold out. He next purchased the office of SheriiT from James Garnett, which he held for two years; he then engaged in merchandising under the firm name of 192 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Grinter & Baker ; he remained in this business two years, then sold out, and again bought the office of Sheriff from Stanley Thomas. Since then he has been engaged attending to his private affairs, and managing estates for others, also acting as guardian for minors. Probably no other man in Trigg County has made or spent as much money as Mr. Grinter. Coming to Cadiz in 1842, with but $2, he is to day the richest man in Christian or Trigg County ; his wealth in part consists of $120,000 in Govern- ment bonds ; he also owns several stores and residences in Cadiz, among which might be mentioned the Cadiz House, erected in 1880. This building, including the ground on which it stands, cost $18,000. He is by far the largest tax payer of any one in Trigg County. Mr. Grinter was married, in 1850, to Mary, a daughter of William Redd, of Trigg County. This union has been blessed with seven children, two sons and five daughters. Mr. Grinter has been Town Treasurer, Trustee of the Jury Fund, and Master Commissioner of the Circuit Court. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. WESLEY GUNN, deceased, was born May 1, 1819, in Robinson County, Tenn. In 1854 he came to Cadiz, and engaged in the tobacco business ; he also superintended the building of the present stemmery, now owned and operated by Mr. White ; he afterward removed to a farm three miles distant from Cadiz ; there he engaged in agricultural pursuits till his death, which occurred February 22, 1865. He was -married, in 1856, to Miss Addie Grinter. She was born in 1837, in Logan County, Ky. Four children blessed this union — two sons and two daughters. The eldest son, S. Walker Gunn, now engaged with Torian & Barber, of Evansville, Ind. Thomas W. is now employed in the post office at Cadiz. Mrs. Gunn is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. WALTER H. HANCOCK was born on August 24, 1850, in Camp- bell County, Ya.; he is the eldest of a family of ten children born to D. M. Hancock, also a native of Virginia. When subject was six years old his father came to Trigg County, where he farmed. Subject remained at home with his father until he was twenty-six years old. In the meantime he held various local offices until 1882, among which might be mentioned Deputy Sheriff, and Constable. He next came to Cadiz, where he has since been engaged in the grocery and liquor business. Mr. Hancock CADIZ PRECINCT. 193 was married on January 9, 1883, to Miss Ida M. Allen, daughter of William Allen, of Christian County, Ky. He is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church South. WILEY L. HILLMAN was born October 8, 1847, in Hopkinsville ; he is the third child of a family of four born to W. W. and Mary (Lind- say) Hillman ; the former was born in Louisa County, Va., in 1814, died on his farm near Cadiz in 1878, aged sixty-four ; he moved to Christian County in 1832, where he lived till 1848, then came to Trigg County, carrying on his trade, that of contractor and builder ; he built the Canton and Roaring Springs bridges at Cadiz, and various other improvements ; he bought a farm one and one-half miles southeast of Cadiz, where he lived till his death. His mother was a daughter of Dr. Lindsay, a native of Virginia. She died in 1849. When about the age of five our subject was brought by his father to Cadiz, where he was reared. In 1870 he went to Kansas ; there learned the boot and shoe trade, following this business there till January, 1877, when he returned to Cadiz and estab- lished his present business ; he keeps on hand constantly a well selected stock of ready made boots and shoes, also manufactures to order ; he was married in 1879 to Fannie Falkner. She was born in Trigg County. They are members of the Christian Church, and he of the Masonic fra- ternity and K. of H. JOHN G. JEFFERSON is the oldest native bom white child now living in Cadiz ; he was born here on September 21, 1834, and is a son of Dr. Thomas B. and Martha A. (Graves) Jefferson. The father was born in Pittsylvania County, Va., on the 13th of April, 1805, and was a son of Peter F. and Elizabeth (Harrison) Jefferson. The former was a cousin of President Jefferson, the latter a cousin of President Har- rison. When Thomas waa six years old his father moved to Sumner County, Tenn. Here Dr. Jefferson obtained the rudiments of his educa- tion. At the age of eighteen he entered the office of Dr. Rawlings and commenced the study of medicine. After studying there one year he entered the Transylvania University at Lexington. At this institution he remained two terms, and graduated with honor to himself and credit to his preceptors. On his return firom college he settled in the vicinity of Nashville, Tenn. After practicing medicine one year alone he entered into a co-partnership with Dr. Maxey, at Ha^sboro, Davidson Co., Tenn. BI3 194 BIOQRAPHICAL SKETCHES. In 1830 he determined to go to St. Louis, and accordingly started for that place; he was delayed by a severe snowstorm at Hopkinsville, and while stopping there some of the citizens of Cadiz, among them William Gan- non, then Clerk of the Circuit Court, petitioned him to settle at this point. Accordingly in the fall of 1831 he came to Cadiz, and cast his lot with the people of this county. In 1832, when the Asiatic cholera made its appearance in Kentucky, Salem, in Crittenden County, was smit- ten by the epidemic. The people of Cadiz, fearing this disease would appear at that point, solicited Dr. Jefferson to go and investigate the theory of the disease. With commendable zeal and fearlessness he started to Salem, but on his arrival at Princeton he found the scourge had already reached that point. Here the citizens stopped him and insisted that he should take charge of the case of Mr. Peter Simmerman, a merchant of that place, then pronounced by the home physicians to be in a hopeless condition. Our subject now has in his possession two letters concerning his father's treatment of this case ; one written by N. S. Dalman, Esq., the other by Thomas Haynes, Esq., in which the courage, skill and firm- ness of Dr. Jefferson are spoken of in words of deep admiration. Sim- merman although in a collapsed state when Dr. J. reached him, was cured, and as one of the letter writers remarked, " Dp. J. snatched an estimable citizen from the grave and restored him to the bosom of his fam" ily." He continued to make tri-weekly visits to Princeton during the prevalence of the disease, and under the treatment of this physician the disease lost its terrors to some extent. From this time until his death Dr. Jefferson occupied a very high, if not the highest, rank in the medical profession of this and adjoining counties; he died on July 11, 1873, and his loss was severely felt in the community in which he had resided so long, especially by the poorer classes, for whom he had great sympathy. He loved the right, manly and the noble, and detested fraud, meanness and sham. The mother of subject was born in Davidson County, Tenn., and her death occurred in this county in April, 1853. The schools of the county furnished subject's education. When a youth he went to Eddyville, Lyon County, and there taught school for a while, then wrote in the County Clerk's oflSce. While engaged in this latter occupation he also found time to read law some, and in 1855 he entered the Louisville Law School. From this institution he graduated CADIZ PRECINCT. 195 in the class of 1856 ; he came to this county and practiced his pro- fession for a few months, when he became book-keeper at Laura Furnace, where he remained until his marriage. During the war he spent most of the time in the South. In 1866 he returned to Cadiz and remained a short time; he then went to Texas, where he spent several months, and then returned to this county. In January, 1869, he was appointed County Court Clerk, and in the fol- lowing August he was elected to the office for one year, and in August, 1870, he was re-elected for four years, and since that time has held the office continuously, being re-elected in 1874, 1878 and 1882 ; he is an insurance agent, and also, does something in farming, having a tract of land near Cadiz. Mr. Jefferson was married near Nashville, Tenn., on May 17, 1861, to Miss Elizabeth S. Banks, a daughter of Samuel M. and Nancy R. (McCarty) Banks. Mrs. Jefferson was born in Fayette County, Mo., and is the mother of five children — one girl and four boys. Subject and family are all members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Mr. Jefferson is also a member of A. F. & A. M., I. 0. 0. F., K. of H. and Chosen Friends fraternities. PETER S. JEFFERSON was born in Cadiz, Trigg County, on November 21, 1847, and is a son of Dr. Thomas B. Jefferson, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Our subject's early education was received in Cadiz. At the age of fifteen he began to clerk for his brother William (now deceased). He remained with him for about three years. He next clerked for J. W. Chappell for about two years. He then went to Clarksville, and there acted as clerk in a warehouse for about seven months. He afterward returned to Cadiz, and has since been engaged in the grocery and liquor business. Mr. Jefferson was married on January 21, 1883, to Miss Corrie, daughter of Charles Baker, a son of one of the oldest settlers of Cadiz. This lady was born in Princeton. L. LEWIS JOHNSON was born in Canton Precinct on April 23, 1860, and is a son of Levi L. and Mary (Vinson) Johnson. Subject is the sixth of seven children, of whom five are now living: Cyrus, in Lyon County ; Alice, wife of J. M. Carr ; Eliza, wife of Ricks Cal- houn ; Levi Lewis, and Cornelia, wife of Robert Randolph. The schools of the county furnished his education. He remained on the home farm until twenty-one. He then came to Cadiz, and engaged in the grocery 196 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. business three years. Since then he has been engaged in farming ; he is a member of Cadiz Lodge, No. 121, and in politics is a Republican. GEORGE T. McCain was born November 25, 1852, in Trigg County ; he is the third child of a family of five born to John A. and Caroline (Wharton) McCain ; the former was born in North Carolina in 1816; he died in Graves County, Ky., in 1867 ; he had been engaged in merchandising since a boy, and was one of the oldest merchants of Wal- lonia; he was also largely engaged in the tobacco business; his mother was born in Paris, Tenn., in 1821; she died in 1860. The subject of this sketch, after attending school, entered his father's store as a clerk, where he remained till the death of his father. In the fall of 1876, he bought out T. W. Safiarans, who had been engaged in the grocery and liquor business in Cadiz ; his stock amounted to about $1,200 ; since then this business has largely increased ; he now carries a stock of about $4,000. Mr. McCain was married in 1878 to Miss Georgia Grinter, daughter of Thomas H. Grinter. She was born in Cadiz. Two chil- dren bless this union — one son and one daughter. MAT McKINNEY, editor of the Old Ghiard. Samuel McKinney and Charlotte Walker Rowlette were both natives of the State of Vir- ginia. The former was born in Charlotte County and the latter in Prince Edward. They were married in Halifax County in 1821. Mat McKin- ney, their son, subject of this sketch, was born near Appomattox Court House, the 26th day of December, 1825. He labored on a farm until he was a good stout boy, when he was placed in a mercantile establishment as salesman and book-keeper. His health giving way, his father required him to surrender his place in the house and seek employment in some other branch of industry. But little attention up to this time had been paid to his education, and feeling the necessity of a more intimate knowledge of books, desired first the advantages of a few years' schooling. His father being amply able to do so gave a ready and willing assent. He was consequently entered as a student in the male seminary at Cadiz, and afterward at Cumberland College, Princeton, Ky. He continued at school about two years, during which time he had pretty well mastered the Latin language, and made considerable progress in Greek and the higher branches of mathematics. Upon leaving school he commenced the study of law in Cadiz with Judge Collins D. Bradley. Remaining with him CADIZ PRECINCT, 197 for the space of two years he was granted a law license, and commenced the practice. He de voted himself to the profession for about eighteen months, when a severe attack of hemorrhage of the lungs so discouraged him that he abandoned the pursuit of the profession forever. Soon after this resolution was taken we find him formally invested with the duties of an editor, which position he has occupied with occasional intermissions up to the present date. His paper has always been very popular with the masses, and his articles read with more than ordinary interest through- out the entire State. As a journalist, he was ever regarded as polite and conservative, but no one doubted his capacity in the use of harsh terms when the provocation was sufficient to justify them. He was a warm friend and admirer of George D. Prentice, and in turn, very much beloved by him, and retains in his possession more than one invitation from him to take a position on the editorial staff of the old Journal. As a politician he is always firm, sometimes a little disorderly, but never fanatical, and would prefer to see the business interests of his town enhanced and the people of his county more prosperous and more happy than the success of all the parties and politicians in the world. He has never been an office-seeker, but was elected and served from 1861 to 1864 as Clerk of the- County Court of Trigg County, and as a Repre- sentative in the Legislature from 1873 to 1877. He had at one time accumulated quite a handsome little fortune, the bulk of which he spent for negro property, and a few security debts relieved him of the residue. During his whole life it is said that he never refused a friend a favor when he was able to grant it. He is now poor, but, fortunately for him- self in society at least, his vivacity and cheerfulness have never forsaken him. He married Miss Jennie Bell Watson, a lady of great accomplish- ments and goodness, the 28th day of August, 1855. They have three children living : Mollie Walker, Charles Daniel and Jennie Watson. The elder daughter is married to Mr. G. B. Bingham,, a most estimable young gentleman. The other two are still single. He is very proud of his wife, and has high expectations of his children. May the Great Dis- penser of this world's pleasures grant him a full realization of all his hopes ! JOEL McKINNEY was bom in Halifax County, Va., March 25, 1830. He is the fourth child of a family of eight born to Samuel and 198 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Charlotte W. (Rowlette) McKinney. At about the age of three years he was brought with his parents to Kentucky. In 1837 his father, in company with Mr. Terry, engaged in merchandising in Wallonia, and later removed to Cadiz, where they continued this business several years. At about the age of seventeen Joel entered this store as a clerk, where he remained about eight years. In 1853 he removed to this farm, which consists of about 400 acres. This is one of the oldest farms in this county, and at one time was known as having the largest field of any farm between Canton and Hopkinsville. Mr. McKinney was married in 1872 to Miss Susan Crump. She was born in Trigg County. Six children have blessed this union — two sons and four daughters. Mr. and Mrs. McKinney are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. R. W. MAJOR, Cadiz, was born January 13, 1842, in Trigg Coun- ty. He is the second child of a family of eleven born to C. H. and Nancy (Wade) Major, both natives of Halifax County, Va. His father was born in 1817, and came to Trigg County in 1841 ; he first engaged in merchandising in Hopkinsville, where he continued about four years ; he then removed to Trigg County and engaged in farming, continuing till 1875, at which time he moved to Canton, where he has since been engaged in the commission business. His mother died in 1849, aged thirty-two years. The subject of this sketch was reared on his father's farm, and afterward taught school ; he enlisted in August, 1861, Com- pany G, Fourth Kentucky Infantry; was mustered in Second Sergeant, and afterward promoted to Brevet Second Lieutenant, then Second Lieu- tenant, and later to First Lieutenant, and at the close of the war he had command of the company; he participated in the battle of Shiloh ; was under fire at Vicksburg, battles of Baton Rouge, Murfreesboro, Jackson, Lookout Mountain, and all the battles to Dalton. There he was in com- mand of the company, and the last to leave the field ; his next engage- ment was the battle of Resaca ; there he was wounded and was obliged to leave the field. In about forty days he returned to the army and took charge of the company; he then participated in the battles around Atlan- ta, and was wounded at Peach Tree Creek ; also twice, wounded at the battle of Jonesboro and then captured. After being out about twenty- five days he escaped and returned to his regiment, which was afterward mounted and sent to South Carolina. There they were engaged in a CADIZ PRECINOT. 199 number of skirmishes. After the battle of Statesburg, on capitulated terms of surrender, they were paroled at Washington, Ga., and were the last troops that fired a gun east of the Chattahoochee. There they sur- rendered. He then returned to his father's farm, and soon after was appointed Deputy Sheriff, afterward twice elected Sheriff. Since this term of oflBce expired he has been engaged in merchandising. He has held the office of Police Judge two terms. Is a member of the Masonic order and Chosen Friends. Mr. Major was married October 16, 1873, to Miss Emma Chappell. She was born in Trigg County. Four chil- dren bless this union — three sons and one daughter. T. J. MITCHELL was born August 5, 1848, in Trigg County. He is a son of James and Martha (Alexander) Mitchell, who were also born in Trigg County. Mr. Mitchell, Sr., followed the cooper trade when young. T. J. took up this trade when a boy and still carries on this husiness; he is also operating a portable saw-mill and engaged in farm- ing. In the fall of 1879 he removed to this farm, which he owns, con- sisting of 116 acres. Mr. Mitchell was married February 25, 1868, to Miss R. Bell Hawkins ; she was born in Trigg County. Seven children have blessed this union — five sons and two daughters. M. F. PETTY was born in February, 1822, in Morganfield, Union Co., Ky. He is the third child of a family of eight, born to George B. and Maria (Smith) Petty. They were natives of Virginia. The father of our subject learned the tailor trade when young ; this busi- ness he carried on in Princeton, Caldwell County, until his death, which occurred in 1836. M. F. Petty was brought to Trigg County when a child, and has since lived on this farm which was settled by his grand- father Smith, and deeded to him by his Uncle William S. Smith, con- sisting of 300 acres. Mr. Petty was married in 1853 to Martha A. Gray. She was born in Trigg County. She died in October, 1854, aged twenty. Mr. Petty is a member of the Baptist church. JAMES R. PREWETT was born October 7, 1854, in Caldwell County, Kentucky. He is the youngest of four children born to J. S. and Mary A. (Boyd) Prewett. The father was born in 1816, in Tennes- see. He died January 12, 1855, in Caldwell County, Ky. The mother was born November 23, 1818, in Halifax County, Va. The family came to Trigg County, Ky., in 1838, remained twelve years. 200 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. then returned to Caldwell County, Ky., where they lived until 1864, then returned to Trigg County and located on their present farm of 200 acres. Two of our subject's brothers now live in Texas, one of whom, John W., served eight months in the Confederate Army. The only sister, Mrs. Moseley, now lives in Christian County, Ky. JOHN D. SHAW, Circuit Clerk, Cadiz, was born October 23, 1845, in Stewart County, Tenn ; son of Capt. Thomas Shaw, one of the first men employed in running the Cumberland River ; in later years he represented the State in the Legislature, and daring the session he was taken sick and soon after its adjournment he died. The subject of our sketch received a common school education, and was first employed as clerk in a store, also in a warehouse ; here he remained about two years ; he then engaged a short time in merchandising in Henry County, Tenn., after which he came to Trigg County and engaged in farming. August, 1874, he was elected to his present position, and re-elected in 1880. He was married, in 1867, to Miss Ophelia, daughter of Jesse Wallis, and a native of Trigg County, Ky. This union has been blessed with four chil- dren — three sons and one daughter. Mr. Shaw is also Master Commis- sioner of the Circuit Court and Trustee of the Jury Fund of Trigg County. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and Knights of Honor, and is Deputy Grand Master of Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. GEORGE J. SHOEMAKER was born November 30, 1813, in Adams County, Ohio, and is a son of Solomon and Nancy (Carr) Shoe- maker ; the former was born in Virginia, the latter in Ireland. Our sub- ject was reared on his father's, farm, where he remained till the age of twenty-one ; he then removed to the Cumberland Iron Works ; there worked five years. In 1839 he came to Trigg County, engaged in agri- cultural pursuits till 1 878, when he was elected Jailor ; he is now serving on his second term ; he also held the oflSce of Coroner four years. He was married, December 28, 1835, to Malinda Griffin, of Tennessee, Stewart County; she died in January, 1870, aged fifty-six; they had twelve children, seven living — three sons and four daughters. His second marriage was in November, 1870, to Eliza Pallomor, of -Ti-igg County ; four daughters bless this union. JOHN L. STREET, merchant, Cadiz, was born July 7, 1818, in CADIZ PRECINCT. 201 Hanover County, Va. ; son of the Hon. George Street, also a native of Virginia, and an early settler of this locality, coming to Trigg County in 1819, where he remained till his death, which occurred in 1831 ; he rep- resented this county in the Legislature several terms. The subject of this sketch is the youngest child of a family of eight, he being the only remaining one living ; he was raised on his father's farm, where he remained till the age of fifteen ; after attending college in Illinois four years, in 1837 he came to Cadiz and was employed as clerk for John Hill two years ; he then engaged in the tobacco business with his uncle, Spotswood Wilkinson, continuing this business till 1843, at which time he engaged in general merchandising, and which he has since continued, and is now the oldest merchant in Trigg County. On commencing business his sales amounted to about $80 a day ; from this small beginning his business has increased to over three times this amount. Mr. Street has often acted as Town and School Trustee, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Since the age of twenty-one years he has been a member of the Christian Church, and is now the oldest male member of that denom- ination. Mr. Street has been twice married ; his first union was blessed with three children — two sons and one daughter — his son, E. B. Street, being a partner in this business. FRANK T. STREET was born in Trigg County, November 3, 1853. He is a son of John L. Street, the oldest merchant of Trigg County, and a resident of Cadiz. The subject of this sketch, at the age of sixteen, entered his father's store as a clerk ; about six years later he was admitted as a partner ; he continued a member of this firm about two and a half years. September 1, 1883, he boiight a half interest in the Glenwood Mill and has since been engaged in this business. This mill is situated on Little River, and is the oldest mill site in the county. It was rebuilt in 1871, and is valued at about $10,000 ; it has a capacity of about fifty barrels in twenty-four hours. Mr. Street was married February 23, 1881, to Miss Gertrude Hart, who was born in Stewart County, Tenn., and raised in Memphis by her uncle, Capt. James Lee, one of the most suc- cessful men of Memphis. This union has been blessed with one child — James Lee. Mr. Street is a member of the Christian Church, and of the order of Chosen Friends. J. E. SUMMERS was born September 24, 1828, in Christian Coun- 202 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. ty, Ky. He is the eldest child in a family of twelve born to William A. and Harriet A. (Anthony) Summers ; the father was born December 9, 1790, in Fairfax County, Va.; he came to Christian County in 1817 ; first engaged in teaching school. In 1829 he removed to his farm four miles west of Hopkinsville ; there be remained till his death which occurred April 27, 1857. The mother was born in August, 1809, in Sumner County, Tenn.; they were married November 22, 1827, in Mont- gomery County. The subject of this sketch was born on the farm now owned and occupied by his mother ; there he received his early education, and later attended school in Hopkinsville two terms. In 1854 he removed to Texas ; there engaged in farming. In 1857 he was called home on account of his father's death, and superintended this farm five years at a salary of $1,000 a year. During this time, by his judicious management, he made and divided out to the legatees of the estate $21,000. This farm contained about 500 acres improved, and gave employment to about six- teen hands ; this was considered one of the best farms in Christian County. In 1862 he commenced on his own account on a farm of 375 acres ; he later purchased, other lands, making in all 750 acres. There he remained five years. In 1867 he sold part of his land and returned to his mother's farm, which he again took charge of, and where he remained four years. January, 1871, he removed to Cadiz, where he has since resided ; he now owns and occupies the residence formerly owned by the late Matthew Mayes, also a farm of 700 acres adjoining the corporation. Mr. Summers was married October 22, 1861, to Corinne Farley. She was born in Vir- ginia ; she died April 4, 1866, aged twenty-five. Two.daughters and one son blessed this union. His second marriage took place September 26, 1870, to Miss Mattie, daughter of J. F. Gill of Logan County, Ky. The result of this union is three children — one son and two daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Summers are life-long and devoted members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church South. F. G. TERRY was born in Christian County, Ky., April 28, 1838. He is the fifth of nine children born to Abner R. and Eleanor (Dyer) Terry, natives of Virginia. In 1839 his father engaged in merchandis- ing at Wallonia, where he remained until 1844. He then came to Cadiz and continued in business here until his death, which occurred in 1847, aged forty. The subject of this sketch came to Cadiz with his parents CADIZ PRECINCT. 203 when he was six years old. His education was received in the schools of this town. When fifteen he went to Princeton, where he sold goods for about six months. He then attended the naval school at Annapolis, Md., where he remained two years ; he then went to Washington, D. C, and received the appointment of Clerk in the Third Auditor's office. This position he held until the breaking out of the war, when he returned to Cadiz. Soon after his arrival here he enlisted in Company G, of the Eighth Regiment, Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, C. S. A. Went out as Third Lieutenant, and in the fall of 1862 was elected Captain of com- pany. He held this position until May, 1865, when he was paroled with his company. Among the battles in which he participated might be men- tioned Fort Donelson, first siege of Yicksburg, Baton Rouge, Baker's Creek, Jackson, Miss., Guntown, Tupelo, Franklin, Tenn., and in all the engagements from that point on to the retreat of Hood's army to the Tennessee River. He then returned to Cadiz, opened a drug store, and has been engaged in this business ever since. Mr. Terry was married in 1868 to Miss Dannie, a daughter of Judge A. B. Dyer. This lady is a native of this county, and is the mother of two daughters. Among the offices which our subject has held are those of Town Trustee and Trustee of High School, which office he has held since the organization. Is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and of the K. of H. fraternity. J. J. THOMAS was born March 19,-1833, in Trigg County; he is a son of Starkey Thomas, now deceased, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. February, 1857, he settled on his present farm, which was deeded him by his father, consisting of 300 acres. Mr. Thomas was married in July, 1856, to Mary Cunningham ; she was born in this coun- ty ; this marriage has been blessed with nine children — six sons and three daughters. ALFRED THOMAS was born April 29, 1835, in Trigg County; he is a son of Starkey Thomas, who died September 14, 1881, in his eighty- third year. Our subject was raised on his father's farm, where he remained till about the age of twenty-two ; he then came to this land, which was deeded to him by his father, consisting of 248 dcres ; he now owns in all 1,600 acres, which are included in six farms ; he also owns one house and lot in Cadiz ; he employs about sixteen hands and is largely 204 BIOGRAPHICAL SKEl'GHES. engaged in live stock. Mr. Thomas is one of the largest and most suc- cessful farmers in this county; he handles large quantities of tobacco and is the administrator of several estates, having served in this capacity the past eight years ; he was married in 1863 to Eliza Martin ; she was born in Trigg County; they have a family of four children — one son and three daughters. F. M. THOMAS was born August 5, 1839, in Trigg County; he is the seventh child of a family of eleven born to Starkey and Mary (Bridges) Thomas; the former was born in North Carolina June 29, 1799; he died September 14, 1881 ; the latter was bom in North Carolina, July 25, 1807, and now lives with her son Starkey at their old homestead. About 1806 the father of our subject was brought with his parents to Trigg County, where he remained till his death. They first settled on Donald- son Creek; there the family was reared. At about the age of twenty- three, F. M. Thomas settled on his present land, which was deeded him by his father, consisting of 400 acres. His father had owned over 2,000 acres ; before his death it was divided among his children ; he was mar- ried December 21, 1876, to Mary F. Rogers ; she was born January 25, 1862, in Trigg County ; four children have blessed this union — three sons and one daughter. MOSES S. THOMPSON was born April 5, 1849, in Trigg County ; he is the youngest child of a family of seven born to Moses and Clarissa H. (Smith) Thompson, who were both natives of Virginia. His mother waa born in 1813, and when a child came to Trigg County with her par- ents, all coming here on horseback. They settled on a farm about three miles from Cadiz, where she has since lived. His father was born in 1807 ; he died March 16, 1884. When a boy he was apprenticed to the tanner's trade, and this business he followed through life ; also engaged in agricultural pursuits. He owned previous to the war from thirty to forty slaves. Moses S. was reared on his father's farm. After receiving a common school education, at the age of fourteen he attended Asbury University, Indiana, and later the Georgetown College, Georgetown, Ky. After graduating at Eastman's Business College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., he returned t6 Cadiz, and at the age of nineteen he engaged in merchan- dising un his own account. Commencing with a stock of about $3,500, he has since been continually in business here, doing a large and prosper- CADIZ PRECINCT. 205 ous trade, carrying a stock of about $12,000. He occupies one of the finest store-rooms in Cadiz, located in the Hotel Block. This store is 23x90 feet, and well lighted from front and rear. Mr. Thompson was married in 1873 to Miss Nannie, daughter of Thomas H. Grinter. She was born in Cadiz. Five children gladden their home — three sons and two daughters. THOMAS K. TORI AN was born January 31, 1845, in Cadiz, Ky., and is a son of George L. and E. E. (McOarty) Torian, who were natives of Halifax County, Va. His parents emigrated to this county in an early day ; here the father kept hotel. After living here some time he moved to Christian County, and there settled on a farm. After residing there a few years, he sold out his farm and moved to Wallonia. There he bought a farm, but lived on it only about one year ; he then returned to Cadiz. In 1869 he removed to Paducah, Ky., and there engaged in the tobacco business three years. In 1872 he returned to Cadiz and engaged in farming, but is at present living a retired life. Prior to the war Mr. Torian, Sr., was a large slave owner. Thomas K. has during the most of his life had charge of the farm which he has conducted for his father. In the spring of 1883, he opened a livery stable at Cadiz, and is at present still engaged in the business. JESSE WALLIS was born January 7, 1813, in South Carolina. He is the son of James and Winnie (Jones) Wallis. The former was born October 10, 1786, in South Carolina ; he died November 3, 1855. The latter was born August 19, 1791, also in South Carolina ; she died December 17, 1855. The father of our subject learned the blacksmith trade when a boy ; this he followed during life. Jesse remained with his father till the age of twenty-seven, also working at this trade. When they came to Cadiz his father opened a shop. Here he worked six years. In 1841 he went to Canton, there opened a shop and carried on this trade thirty-one years. While in Canton he was elected Town Marshal, and held the oflSce two years. In 1882 he returned to Cadiz, and opened a confectionery and notion store, which he still continues. He was mar- ried in 1840, to Lucinda A. Moore. She was born in North Carolina ; had six children, two living— one son and one daughter. On first coming to Cadiz, he was elected Captain of a nnlitary company which was formed here, and held that office as long as musters were kept up. 206 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. JESSE T. WALLIS was born July 26, 1816, in Trigg County. He is a son of William, Sr. and Ellen (Young) Wallis. They were born in South Carolina. His father followed school teaching, this being his principal occupation ; he died in 1856, aged seventy. Our subject received his first schooling from Smith Martin, then from his father, and later from James B. Wallis. At the age of twenty-two he was placed as overseer for Beverly Dillard. • After remaining one year he bought a farm of 200 acres, where he remained about eight years, after which he removed to his present farm, consisting of 200 acres, where he has since lived. He was married, in 1846, to Mary E. Harris. She was borp in Virginia, and partly reared in Christian County. This marriage has been blessed with eight children — three sons and five daughters : George, now living in Graves County, Ky., engaged in farming ; Miner H. is a clerk in Little Rock ; their youngest son, Charles is at home assisting on the farm. C. H. WALLIS was born July 3, 1827, in Trigg County, about three miles south of Cadiz. He is the eldest of nine children born to William and Elizabeth (Wallis) Wallis. The father was born in South' Carolina, February 2, 1802. He came to Trigg County, in 1824, and now lives on the farm where he first settled. The mother was born April 30, 1809, in Trigg County. She died in 1849, and was buried on their farm. Our subject was brought up on his father's farm. There he remained till the age of twenty, when he removed to the Cumberland River ; there he worked at the carpenter's trade about five years. In 1852, he went to Christian County, where he was overseer of a planta- tion about ten years. He then returned to Trigg County, and worked about three and one-half years in a still-house. In 1865, he removed to his present locality, and opened a wheel-wright shop, and has since been engaged at this business ; he has also been toll-keeper at this point since coming here. Mr. Wallis was married in 1847, to Caroline Stokes. She was born in Tennessee ; she died in 1877, aged forty-seven. They had a family of fourteen children, seven of whom are now living. Mr. Wallis is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. PROF. H. B. WAYLAND, Cadiz, was born July 18, 1820, in Mercer County, Ky. He is the only child of James and Fannie CADIZ PRECINCT. 207 (Burrus) Wayland. His father was bom in 1795, in Madison County, Va. He died October, 1820. His mother died July 1, 1876. Our subject was rearod by his grandfather, Nathaniel Burrus, who participated in the siege of Yorktown in 1781. He removed to Kentucky in 1785, and that year was married to Miss Mary Thelkeld. They lived together until her death, which occurred in 1853, making the remarkable length of their marriage sixty-eight years. Two years later Mr. Burrus died, aged ninety-two years ; our subject received a common school education, and later attended the South Hanover College ; there he graduated. After teaching school one year, he took up the study of law, also practiced a short time. In 1847 he resumed teaching and has since been engaged in this profession. His first teaching was under the direction of Trustees. The past ten years he has taught on his own premises, he having built a school-house on his own grounds and at his own expense. He owns seventy acres of land where he resides ; this he has improved with a very comfortable residence and out-buildings. These improvements cost, includ- ing the school-house, about $9,000. Mr. W. has taught in all thirty-six years, which exceeds all others in this county. He has taught twenty- four years where he now resides, and what is remarkable, there have been in this length of time twenty-four different teachers here, not connected with his sbhool. Prof. Wayland was married in May, 1847, to Jacobina Stuart Drummond. She was born in Scotland ; she died October 30, 1883. Mrs. Wayland had charge of the musical department, and in 1863-64 taught as high as twenty -seven scholars at a time. Prof. H. B. Wayland is now Principal of the Cadiz High School. He is a member and Deacon of the Baptist Church. He has been for seventeen years successively, Clerk for the Little River Association. GEORGE S. WHARTON was born in Trigg County, two miles east of Cadiz, April 22, 1828. He is the youngest child of a family of five, born to John and Eliza (Smith) Wharton. His father was bom Septem- ber 21, 1784, in Fauquier County, Va., he died on this farm May 1, 1872 ; he settled here in 1817, having bought about 700 acres land. At that time there was little or no timber in the country, that which is here now having grown since the coming of Mr. Wharton to this locality ; the timber used for the fi;ame of their residence, which was built in 1 854, was grown on this land. Deer, turkey and other wild game were in 208 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. abundance, but have long since disappeared. Mr. Wharton was married November 5, 1867, to Miss Sallie, daughter of James E. Thompson, who, until the adoption of the new Constitution, long held the oflSce of Circuit and County Clerk of Trigg County ; he died October 5, 1881, aged sev- enty-six ; their union has been blessed with five children — four sons and one daughter. JOHN F. WHITE was born in Mecklenburg County, Va., on Novem- ber 3, 1816, and is a son of Samuel B. and Nancy (Hester) White. When he was two years old his parents came to Montgomery County, Tenn., where they settled. In 1830 the parents came to Christian County and settled in Lafayette Precinct. There the father resided until his death in 1863. The mother died in 1834. John P. came to Trigg County in 1837, and settled on his present farm. He first pur- chased 150 acres, which he afterward increased to about 2,500. A portion of this has since been divided among his children. Starting with but little, Mr. White has, by his own endeavors, amassed one of the largest estates in the county. He began dealing in tobacco, buying and rehandling, about thirty-five years ago, and is to-day one of the most extensive buyers in the county. He has recently associated his son W. C, with him in this business, and the firm is now running a number of warehouses, one being located at Cadiz, another at Canton, another at Lamasco, and a fourth at Highland, Calloway County. When sixteen years old Mr. White joined the Methodist Church, and was licensed to preach. In 1841 he joined the Baptist Church, and has since then served faithfully as pastor at the Rocky Ridge Church. He has been thrice married, the first time being in Trigg County, in 1835, to Miss Susan Wharton, a daughter of John and Eliza Wharton. She was a native of Virginia, and to her were born five children — two sons and three daughters. This lady died in 1855. Mr. White was next married in Stewart County, Tenn., in December, 1858, to Miss Isa- bella Tate, of Lafayette, Christian County. She was the mother of three sons and one daughter, and her death occurred November 2, 1870. Mr. White's third marriage took place September 12, 1883, to Miss Cordelia Hanberry, a daughter of Thomas Hanberry,of Hopkinsville. ROBERT WILFORD was born October 3, 1823, in Trigg County ; he is the oldest child of Bennett and Sarah (Randolph) Wilford, the CADIZ PEECINCT. 209 former was born in North Carolina, the latter in Tennessee. In about 1815 his father came to Trigg County, settled on a farm ; here our sub- ject was born and reared ; at the age o'f twenty-one he was placed as over- seer on the farm of Albert G. Dabney, where he remained one year ; he then returned to his father's farm, where he remained two years ; he then bought a farm of eighty acres, where he lived thirteen years; in 1865 he removed to Cadiz, where he has since resided and largely engaged in agricultural pursuits. His farm consists of 965 acres, adjoining the corpo- ration, and is one of the best improved in the county. Ten hands are constantly employed on this farm. In 1870, he with his brother bought the Cadiz Mill ; this they re-built at a cost of about $12,000. This mill has a capacity of about 160 bushels of wheat a day. Mr. Wilford had pre- viously owned a mill at Little River, four miles east of Cadiz. He has owned as high as 8,500 acres of land ; he now owns in all about 1,500 acres, and is one of the largest tax-payers in the county. He was mar- ried February 1, 1849, to Nancy, daughter of Cornelius Manning, who was born in 1774, in North Carolina; he died in Trigg County, in Septem- ber, 1855. Her mother was born in 1778, in North Carolina ; she died in Trigg County, in 1857. W. W. WILSON was born May 13, 1860, in Trigg County. He is the eldest child of a family of seven, born to William A. and Cynthia (Young) Wilson ; the former was born in August, 1832, near Kent's Bridge, Trigg County; he died April 15, 1878. The latter was born in Trigg County, in 1841 ; she died November 4, 1881. They owned at the time of their death about 900 acres ; the subject of this sketch owns the homestead with 160 acres, and employs about seven hands and four teams on this farm. A. T. WIMBERLY, editor, was born in Trigg County, September 1, 1847, son of Alfred and Maria (Savells) Wimberly. The former was bom in North Carolina, the latter in Virginia. In about 1813 they were brought to this county with their parents. The father was engaged in agricultural pursuits ; he died in 1873, aged seventy-three ; the mother now lives with her son, the subject of this sketch, who was brought up on his father's farm ; there remained till about the age of nineteen, then came to Cadiz ; was clerk for Ragon & Baker about one year ; then removed to Murray, Ky.; remained there one year, then returned BI4 210 BIOQBAPHICAL SKETCHES. and engaged in school teaching at Canton, where he remained about two years; then came to Cadiz and taught school one term. He held the office of Justice of Peace, and during this time took up the study of law ; his father having died in the meantime he gave up the study of law and returned to teaching in Wallonia ; there taught four years. In January, 1872, returned to Cadiz and at once established the Kentucky Telephone, and since has been identified with the paper. He married, May 4, 1882, Miss Lnla Grasty, of Lyon County. One daughter blesses this marriage. CANTON PRECINCT. W. T. CUNNINGHAM was born in Rook Castle Precinct on March 30, 1838, and is a son of William and Virginia (Mitchell) Cunningham. Subject is the third of nine children, of whom eight are living. He remained at home until eighteen, then commenced life for himself, and settled down on a farm of 180 acres in that precinct. He resided there until 1868, when he came to Canton Precinct, and settled at the mouth of Little River. In December, 1883, he came to his present farm, where he now owns 200 acres. Subject was married, in 1868, to Miss Mattie Cameron, a daughter of John and Frances (Daniel) Cameron. Mrs. Cunningham was born in this county, and is the mother of five children — two sons and three daughters. Mr. Cunningham was ti soldier in the late war, having enlisted in Company C, of the First Tennessee Cavalry, in the fall of 1861; remained in service three years; was taken prisoner at Gallatin, and was confined on Johnson's Island for seven months. E. A. CUNNINGHAM was born in Rock Castle Precinct May 12, 1843, a?id is a son of William and Virginia (Mitchell) Cunningham. The father was born in Halifax County, Va., in 1800, and came to this county in 1817 with his father, William Cunningham. He made his home in this county until his death in the fall of 1880. E. A. Cunning- ham is the sixth of nine children, of whom eight are now living. He remained at home until he was of age, and then settled in the Canton Precinct, where he remained two years. He then moved to Cadiz Precinct; resided there five years, and afterward farmed in Rock Castle Precinct for eight years. In the fall of 1880, he came to his present farm, where he now owns about 300 acres. He devotes his atten- tion mainly to tobacco growing. Mr. Cunningham was married in 1866 to Miss Margaret Hendrick, a daughter of George Hendrick. This lady was the mother of five sons, and died in January, 1877. In May fol- lowing he was married to Miss Bettie Stalons, a daughter of Reuben Stalons of Cadiz Precinct. Two daughters bless this union. Mrs. 212 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Cunniagham died in February, 1881, and Mr. Cunningham was next married in April, 1881, to Miss Susan P. Robenson, a daughter of Charles Robenson, of Lyon County. One child blesses this union. Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Cun- ningham was a soldier in the Rebellion, having enlisted in Company G, of the Fourth Kentucky Regiment, Confederate States of America, on August 22, 1861. He served until May 22, 1865. He was a non-com- missioned ofiBcer. Among the battles in which he participated might be mentioned Baton RiDuge, Chickamauga, Dalton, Ga., and many others. He was shot through the knee at the battle of Chickamauga. J. A. FOUTCH was bom what is now De Kalb County (then Smith County) Tenn., on February 17, 1830, and is a son of William and Sallie (Welch) Foutch. The parents were both natives of North Caro- lina. Subject was next to the youngest of a family of six children. He remained at home until twenty-one, and then settled down in his native county. In 1860 he moved to Putnam County, Tenn. He remained there only one year, and then returned to his native county. In 1865 he came to Trigg County, and settled on his present farm. He now owns ninety-nine acres. Mr. Foutch was married, in 1852, to Miss Sarah Washer, a daughter of John and Frankie (Young) Washer. This lady was born in Smith County, Tenn., and was the mother of four (liv- ing) children — one son and three daughters. She died in October, 1880. Mr. Foutch was next married April 4, 1881, to Mrs. E. J. Wallace {nee Gresham), a daughter of James and Betsey (Dunn) Gresham, natives of this county. Mr. Foutch is a member of the Baptist Church. Mrs. Foutch of the Methodist. Mr. Foutch is a member of Canton Lodge, No. 242. Subject was a soldier in the late war, having enlisted in November, 1861, in Gordon's Battalion, Confederate States of America. He was taken prisoner in June, 1863, while on a furlough at home and subsequently confined at Louisville, Camp Chase and Fort Delaware. He remained in prison until February, 1865. ANDREW C. HARRIS was born in this county on August 22, 1854, and is a son of James and Lurania (Cromwell) Harris ; the parents are natives of Tennessee, came to this county about 1854, and are still living. Andrew C. is the fourth of nine children, of whom six are now living ; he remained at home until 1881, helping his fathe r, who is dis- CANTON PRECINCT. 213 abled ; he then came to his present farm, where he now owns 109 acres ; he pays especial attention to stock-raising, handling from twenty to thirty head of cattle per year. Mr. Harris was married on January 5, 1881, to Miss Queen V. Peal, a daughter of Bayley and Frances (Prescott) Peal. Two daughters — Effie May and Arminda — bless this union. Mr. and Mrs. Harris are members of the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church. JAMES A. HOLLAND was born in Golden Pond Precinct June 7, 1848, and is a son of William and Mary (Jones) Holland ; the father was also a native of this county, his grandfather, Basil Holland, having come to this county from North Carolina as early as 1805. The mother was also born in this county, and her people were immigrants from South Carolina. When subject was about a year old his parents came to this precinct, and here the father died in 1882 ; the mother is still living. Subject is the oldest of four children ; he remained at home until twenty-one, and then went to Missouri, where he remained two years ; he next returned to this county and engaged in carpentering. In 1879 he went to Cerulean Springs, where be learned the trade of blacksmith and wagon-maker ; he remained there two years, and then came to this county ; here he has since followed his trade ; he also does something in farming. He was married in 1870 to Miss Margaret Holland, a daughter of Whitmel Holland. This mar- riage has resulted in five children, two of whom are living : Pearlie M. and Julia A. Mr. Holland and wife are members of the Baptist Church. He has been identified with the Good Templar organization. JOSHUA HOPSON, deceased, was born in Halifax County, Va., on January 6, 1812, and was a son of Morgan and Nancy J. (Boyd) Hopson. The father was a son of Joseph Hopson, and was also born in Virginia ; he read law in that State and practiced some. In 1813 he ca me to Christian County and settled near Garrettsburg. There Joseph Hopson died. The father represented Christian County in the Legisla- ture in 1816-17. In 1831 he came to what is now Trigg County, and settled in Canton Precinct ; here he resided until his death, in 1858. Our subject remained at home until he became of age and then settled down in the Canton Precinct, about three miles from the town. There he resided until 1848, and then moved to within a mile of Canton. In 1853 he removed to Golden Pond Precinct, and resided there until 1865 ; he then moved back to Canton Precinct and remained there until his 214 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. death on March 18, 1877. He was one of the most extensive farmers in the county, and at one time owned about 2,500 acres, which he divided among his children prior to his death. In 1855 he began to run a ferry across Cumberland River at Canton. At first he owned only a half interest, but afterward purchased the whole ; his widow still has charge of the ferry. Mr. Hopson was married in 1832 to Miss Leah Wade, a daughter of Hampton and Jane (Simmons) Wade, natives of Virginia. This lady was born in Virginia, and was the mother of six children, three dead and three living — two sons and a daughter. She died in 1846, and Mr. Hopson was next married to Miss Mira Moore, a daughter of Jeffer- son and Mary (Dulin) Moore, natives of Virginia and early settlers of Christian County. Mrs. Hopson was born in Christian County, and is the mother of four living children — one son and three daughters. Mrs. Hopson is a member of the Canton Christian Church, as was also Mr. Hopson prior to his death. MORGAN HOPSON was born in this county October 29, 1833, and is a son of Joshua and Leah (Wade) Hopson. Subject is the eldest of six children, of whom three are now living. He remained at home until the age of sixteen, and then clerked in a store at Canton for about two years ; he next went to Garrettsburg, and clerked one year. In 1853 he moved to Mississippi, and there he engaged in agricultural pur- suits until 1864 ; he then returned to Trigg County, and settled on his present farm. He first inherited 800 acres, and at present owns about 2,500 acres in this county, and 1,000 acres in Mississippi. Of the whole there are about 1,600 acres in cultivation. He pays considerable atten- tion to stock-raising and trading. Mr. Hopson was married in Missis- sippi, January 14, 1858, to Miss Virginia L. Allen, a daughter of David B. Allen. Mrs. Hopson was born in Mississippi, and is the mother of ten living children — five sons and five daughters. Mr. Hopson and family are members of the Baptist Church ; he is a member of the Knights of Honor. THOMAS N. INGRAM was born in Hickman County, Tenn., on March 11, 1815, and is a son of Thomas and Susannah (Gee) Ingram. The parents were natives of Virginia, and came to Tennessee in an early day. The father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was among the soldiers sent to New Orleans to meet Gen. Pakenham; while there he CANTON PRECINCT. 216 was taken sick and died. The mother died in Hickman County, in 1828. Thomas N. is the youngest of four children. His earlier education was received in Carroll County. In 1832 he went to Mississippi, and remained in the State two years clerking and farming. In January, 1835, he returned to Kentucky and settled in Calloway County. There he engaged in merchandising until 1839, when he came to Canton. Here he first sold goods in the building now occupied by W. C. Major as a hotel. He engaged in this business three years, and then bought a farm, which he ran four years. He was then elected Constable, and served in that capacity eight years ; he afterward engaged in driving horses and mules to the South for some time. In 1874 he was elected Magistrate, and is still holding that office. Mr. Ingram was married in Calloway County, in 1838, to Miss Nancy J. Martin, a daughter of James Martin. Mrs. Ingram was born in Hopkins County, Ky., and is the mother of ten children, four of whom are now living — two sons and two daughters. He has been Secretary of Canton Lodge, No. 242, A. F. & A. M., since 1854. In 1857 he and Mr. Young Linn edited a paper at Canton, called the Canton Dispatch. This paper continued in circulation for about one year, and was well patronized. In 1859 he and his son, J. T. Ingram, one of the firm of J. S. Spiceland & Co., who were publishing the South- em Yeoman in Canton at that time, bought the interest of J. S. Spice- land, and published the Southern Yeoman until the fall of 1860 ; sold a half interest to C. C. Coulter, and moved the publication place to the city of Mayfield, where they continued the publication until 1861, when it was suspended on account of the ravages of the war. DR. GEORGE H. JEFFERSON was born in Cadiz, Trigg Co., Ey., on August 31, 1831, and is a son of Dr. Thomas B. and Martha A. (Graves) Jefierson. Subject was the second of a family of eight children, of whom six are living. His education was received in Cadiz. When sixteen years of age he commenced reading medicibe with his father, and attended lectures at Louisville in 1851 and 1852. Returning to Cadiz he entered into partnership with his father, and remained with him three years. He then came to Canton, where he has had a very extensive prac- tice. He owns about 800 acres, and has farming carried on for him. Dr. Jefferson was married, October 18, 1855, to Miss Nancy J. Hopson, a daughter of Joshua and Leah (Wade) Hopson. Mrs. Jefferson was born 216 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. in this county, in 1838, and is the mother of eleven children, of whom six are now living. Subject has been identified with the Canton Masonic Lodge. Is a member of the Trigg County Medical Society, and has served as President of that organization one year. LEVI L. JOHNSON was born in Linton Precinct January 13, 1828, and is a son of Wiley and Margaret (Craig) Johnson. The father was also born in this county ; his father, Bandle Johnson, having come here from South Carolina at a very early day. The latter died here in about 1842. .Mr. Wiley Johnson died in 1834 when subject was but six years old. The mother died in 1879. Subject was the second of a family of five children, of whom four are now living. At the age of thirteen he was apprenticed to Mr. C. B. Senseney, at Linton, to learn the tanner's trade. Remained with him about four and a half years. He then came home and resided with his mother until 1847. In that year he came to his present farm, where he built a tan-yard. This he ran until about 1875 when he was compelled to give it up ; he also has paid some atten- tion to farming, and now owns about 500 acres. Mr. Johnson was mar- ried in January, 1849, to Miss Mary Vinson, a daughter of Ezekiel and Mary (Wallace) Vinson, natives of South Carolina. Mrs. Johnson was born in this county and was the mother of seven children, of whom five are now living — two sons and three daughters. This lady died Novem- ber 23, 1881, and subject was next married November 30, 1882, to Miss Georgia McEntyre, a daughter of Henry and Jane (Middleton) McEntyre. She is a native of this county and the mother of one child. Subject is a member of Cruson Council, No. 5, Chosen Friends. Before the war he was identified with the Whig party ; since then he has given his support to the Republicans. DR. J. H. LACKEY was born in Logan County, Ky., May 26, 1838, and is the son of Edward A. W. and Lucy (Cash) Lackey. The father was a native of Bedford County, Va., the mother of Ainherst County. Both are still living in Canton. Subject is the oldest of nine children ; his education was received in the schools of Logan County. In 1868 he began reading medicine with his uncle, Dr. T. J. Lackey, of Logan County. After three years' study he attended the Louisville Med- ical College, also the Cincinnati Medical College, gradtiating from the lat- ter institution in the class of 1874. He began practicing in Logan CANTON PRECINCT. 217 County, but came to Canton in 1871. Here he first clerked in Mr. Fuqua's drug store, but afterward turned his attention to the practice of his profession, and he has since been engaged in it. In 1882 he attended another course of lectures at Louisville. He is a member of the County Medical Society. Dr. Lackey was married in 1878 to Miss Mollie Major, a daughter of C. H. and Mary Jane (Clark) Major. Mrs. Lackey is a native of this county, and is the mother of five living children— three sons and two daughters. Subject is a member of Methodist Episcopal Church South ; also of Canton Lodge, No. 242, A. F. & A. .M., and Cruson Council, Chosen Friends, No. 6. In politics is a Democrat. F. M. McATEE was born in Logan County, Ky., December 30, 1833, and is a son of Charles M. and Mary (Brashear) McAtee. The father was a native of Kentucky, the mother of Maryland. The father died in this county in 1860, the mother in 1861. F. M. is the second of seven children. He remained at home until twenty-one, then commenced farming for himself; he has resided on several farms in this and Christian County. In 1881 he came to his present place ; he also pays some atten- tion to stock-raising. Mr. McAtee was married, in this county, in 1858, to Miss Margaret Francis, a daughter of James and Ann (Gore) Francis. Eight children have blessed this union, of whom five are now living — four sons and one daughter. Mrs. McAtee is a member of the Christian Church. C. H. MAJOR, Sr., was born in Madison County, Va., on Sep- tember 17, 1817, and is a son of Charles and Mary (Sims) Major. The parents were of Welsh descent. Subject was next to the youngest of a family of nine children, and of this number only two are now living : James, in Missouri, and C. H. When the latter was nine years old the father came to Kentucky, and settled in Christian County eight miles southeast of Hopkinsville. There he resided until his death in 1857. The mother died in 1820. Subject remained at home until eighteen, and then commenced life as a clerk in Hopkinsville. At the end of five years he began merchandising for himself, and was engaged in this business five years. In 1841 he came to Trigg County and began farming, settling on the Cadiz pike. He owned about 1,000 acres, of which 450 acres were in cultivation. In 1873 he lost one of his limbs by falling on a mowing- machine, and in 1879 he sold his farm and came to Canton. Here he 218 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. opened a commission house. He buys and rehandles tobacco, and also acts as forwarding agent for freight. Mr. Major was married in 1839 to Miss Nancy J. Wade, a daughter of Hampton and Jane (Simmons) Wade, natives of Halifax County, Va. This lady was born in Virginia, and came to this county in 1818 with her parents. To her husband were bom three sons, all of whom are now living. Her death occurred in 1848. In Christian County, in 1849, Mr. Major was married to his second wife, Miss Mary J. Clark, a daughter of Thomas P. and Eleanor (Raw- lins) Clark, natives of Maryland and Virginia. Mrs. Major was horn in Christian County, and is the mother of eight children — five sons and three daughters. Mr. Major and family are members of the Baptist Church. He is also a member of the Grange fraternity. Previous to the war he was an old-time Whig ; since that time he has been identified with the Demo- cratic party. MAJOR NOEL was born in this precinct on September 27, 1839, and is a son of Thomas and Nancy (Dew) Noel. The parents were natives of Virginia, and came to this county in about 1810. The father is still living ; the mother died in 1880. Subject was the eldest of three chil- dren. The commom schools of this precinct and Russellville College fur- nished his education. In 1858 he went to Marshall County, and clerked in a grocery store for about twelve months. He then went to Hickman County, and taught school, after which he returned to Trigg County and settled on his present farm. He now owns about 800 acres, 175 acres of which are in cultivation. He also pays some attention to stock-raising. Mr. Noel was married in 1859 to Miss Helen Cunningham, a daughter of James and Sallie (Wimberly) Cunningham, of this county. Mrs. Noel was born in this county, and is the mother of eight children — six sons and two daughters. Mrs. Noel is a member of the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church. EDMUND ROSS was born in Laura Furnace Precinct February 3, 1839, and is a son of Jonathan and Narcissa (Stubblefield) Ross. The parents were natives of Henry County, Tenn., and came to this county in an early day. The mother died in 1862. The father afterward came to this precinct, and resided here until his death in February, 1884. Subject is the third of eight children, of whom four are now living. He assisted on the home farm until the age of twenty-one, and then began CANTON PRECINCT. 219 farming for himself in Laura Furnace Precinct. He remained in that precinct nine years, and then came to his present farm, where he now owns about 500 acres, with 200 acres in cultivation. In April, 1878, he began merchandising, and continued in business for five years. For the past ten years he has been extensively engaged in buying and rehandling tobacco. In 1877 he put up a saw and grist-mill, which is still in opera- tion. Was married in 1861 to Miss Tempie Feutrell, a daughter of Perry Feutrell. Fifteen children have blessed this union, of whom six are still living, all daughters. PEYTON THOMAS was born in this precinct April 6, 1820, and is a son of Cullen and Elizabeth (Feutrell) Thomas. The father was born in Bertie County, N. C, in 1790, and came to this county with his father, James Thomas, in 1805. The grandfather settled on the farm now occupied by Peyton Thomas, where he died in September, 1832. The father grew to manhood here, and settled on a farm to the south of his father. He first inherited seventy-five acres, and by his own exertions finally increased it to 1,000 acres ; be was Magistrate of the county for a number of years under the old Constitution, and held the office of Sher- iff for two years by seniority. His death occurred June 8, 1862, the mother's in 1844. Subject was the second of six children, and is the only one now living ; he worked on the home farm until twen{y-one, and then came to his present farm ; he now owns about 400 acres, of which 100 acres are in cultivation. At the age of eighteen he began black- smithing, and worked at the trade himself for a number of years. After- ward hired hands and had the business carried on. In 1855 he sold goods for one year, and in 1858 he commenced merchandising again, engaging in it until 1862. In April, 1883, he opened his present store, and now carries a stock of about 31»500. In 1865 he began to keep the county poor, and with the exception of seven years he had charge of them up until December, 1883. Mr. Thomas was married December 2, 1841, to Miss Sallie Ethridge, a daughter of David T. Ethridge, of Davidson County, Tenn. Mrs. Thomas was born in the same county, and is the mother of ten children. Of this number nine are now living — four sons and five daughters. Subject and family are members of the Baptist Church, and he has held the office of Church Clerk for many years ; he was Magistrate of the county for twelve years. From 1858 to 1860 he was 220 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Postmaster at Donelson Postoffice ; he is a member of Canton Lodge, No. 242, A. F. & A. M. Peyton Thomas had one married sister, who gave birth to two children and then died of consumption ; his mother died in 1844, and about a year later his father married Drusilla Carter, who bore him two children, who died within four years. James Thomas, brother of our subject, served through the Mexican war. He was subse- quently elected Major of the Kentucky State Militia, and then ranked as Colonel of Trigg County. He once ran for the Legislature on the Whig ticket, but was defeated through the machinations of the Sons of Tem- perance. An incident rather unusual occurred in the deaths of James Thomas (brother of subject) and his father, CuUen.Thomas, which occurred respectively at ten minutes past 12 o'clock P. M., June 8, 1881, and June 8, 1882. WILLIAM F. TURNER was born in Dixon County, Tenn., on September 19, 1819, and is a son of William and Nancy (Hyde) Turner. The father was born in Baltimore, Md., the mofher near Nashville, Tenn. In 1833 the parents came to this county, and first settled in Canton Precinct, where they lived thirty years, and then moved to Bethesda Pre- cinct, where the father died in 1864. The mother died in 18t)5. Subject was the third of five children, of whom three are now living ; he com- menced life for himself when twenty-five years old, and settled in Canton Precinct. At the breaking out of the war he moved to Stewart County, Tenn., and there resided twelve years ; he then moved to Linton Precinct, this county, and in the fall of 1883 came to his present farm, where he now owns 162 acres. Mr. Turner was married in 1843 to Miss Elizabeth Carr, a daughter of John Carr. Mrs. Turner was born in this county, and is the mother of eleven children. Of this number four sons and three daughters are living. QUINTUS M. TYLER was born in Caroline County, Va., August 6, 1816, and is a son of John D. and Harriet (Redd) Tyler. The par- ents were natives of Virginia, and were of English descent. In the fall of 1818 they came to Montgomery County, Tenn. There the father taught school most of his life-time, and his reputation as a teacher was very distinguished. He represented Montgomery County in both Houses of the Tennessee Legislature. He died May 20, 1860. The mother died October 18, 1820. Subject was the second of three children, of whom CANTON PRECINCT. 221 two are living: Mary, widow of Henry H. Bryan, and Quintus. The latter's education was received under the tutorage of his father ; he remained at home until twenty years of age and then commenced life as a salesman in a store at Port Royal. In 1839 he went to Dover, Stewart Co., Tenn., where he also clerked. On January 1, 1840, he returned to Montgomery County and assumed control of his father's business. Here he remained until 1846 ; he then commenced teaching school at the Spring Creek Church and taught three years. In January, 1849, he came to Cadiz, Trigg Co., and taught at this point with the exception of one session until June, 1860. Returning to Montgomery County, he acted as administrator of his father's estate and also taught school. In this county he remained four years and then spent one year in travel. In September, 1866, he went to Garrettsburg, Christian Co., and opening a school there taught until June, 1870. He then taught one session at Glendale, Logan Co. In 1871 he came to Canton, Ky., and entered the mercantile business with John D. Tyler. In this he was engaged five years. In March, 1878, he began teaching again, and has since followed that profession. Mr. Tyler has in his life-time been one of the most suc- cessful teachers in the State. He has taught over fifty different terms, and to him have gone about 670 young ladies and young gentlemen. He was married on January 12, 1843, to Miss Emily B. Waller, a daughter of Richard and Eliza Waller, natives of Virginia. Mrs. Tyler was born on December 19, 1816, and died on August 26, 1851. Mr. Tyler is an Episcopalian in principle; he is a member of Cadiz Lodge, No. 121, A. F. & A. M., Swigert Chapter, No. 40, Eddyville Council and Padu- cah Commandery, No. 11, Knights Templar ; he has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1845 ; has been representative to the Grand Lodge, and has served as Grand Marshal of the State. FERGUSON SPRINGS PRECINCT. WILLIAM M. GILLAHAN, farmer, was born in Trigg County, Ky., June 2, 1818, and is a son of James and Elizabeth (Baker) Gillahan. Subject's grandparents came from North Carolina, and were among the first settlers in Trigg County. His father lived and died near what was the site of the old Empire Furnace ; his mother died in the fall of 1861 by the hand of one of her slaves (Easter Gillahan), whom she had reared from childhood. William M., our subject, has made farming his sole occu- pation. On Christmas, 1859, he settled on the farm which he now owns, and which is one of the best in Ferguson Springs Precinct. In 1843 he married Cecelia Ferguson, a native of Kentucky, by whom he had eight children ; two sons and one daughter are living. Mrs. Gillahan departed this life in March, 1861, and in November, 1862, Mr. G. married Mar- garet Choat ; to this union have been born eight children, seven of whom are living. Three of his children by his first wife and one by his last are married. K. P. was married to Nancy F. Choat March 27, 1863 ; they have two daughters. Robin was married May 9, 1880, to Martha B. Mc- Watters ; they have one son and one daughter. S. R. married Martha Lampkins March 8, 1883 ; Cecelia was married, December 21, 1882, to J. H. Smith ; they have one daughter. The children at home are : R., J. Margaret G., R. M., Christian L., Robert L. and Ellen T. Three grand- children — Lillie Gillahan, William P. and Florence, the last two, orphans of J. C. Gillahan, also make their home with our subject. Mr. Gillahan's aunt was the first white child born in Christian County. K. P. Gillahan's wife and his father's wife are sisters. W. C. HOLLAND, worker in iron, was born in Trigg County, Ky., November 17, 1825, and is a son of A. W. and Jane (Rhodes) Holland ; the former was born in Kentucky and died in 1857, aged fifty-seven. His father (and grandfather of our subject) came to this locality about the year 1790, and settled where Cadiz now stands. Subject's maternal grandfather, Ephraim Rhodes, settled on the land now occupied by W. D. 224 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Grace, and here the mother of our subject was bom in 1810 and died July 20, 1846. Subject was reared on his father's farm, and attended the schools of the neighborhood. At the age of nineteen he engaged in the saw-mill business for William H. Martin ; later he was employed by W. D. Grace for three or four years. In 1852 he went to Texas and remained until 1856, when he returned. Since that time he has been employed by D. Hillman, D. Hillman & Sons, and. now by J. H. Hill- man, of Center Furnace, and also superintends his farming interests in Tennessee. Mr. Holland was married. May 16, 1858, to Maria Cle- ments, a daughter of W. C. Clements, of Huntsville, Ala. To them were born eight children, of whom seven are living. Mr. H. held the office of Justice of the Peace in Calloway County ; he is a member of the I. 0. 0. F., and a consistent member of the Baptist Chyrch. LAURA FURNACE PRECINCT. C. C. FLORA was born February 28, 1837, in Granger County, Tenn ; he was a son of Daniel and Hannah (Blair) Flora. The father was born in Tennessee in 1818 ; he died November 6, 1871. The mother died in Granger County, Tenn., aged thirty-seven. In November, 1844, the family came to Trigg County, and settled in Golden Pond Precinct ; they bought 140 acres of land from George Grace, and engaged in farm- ing. The father was also Postmaster at this point, and held the office from 1853 to 1855. Our subject served as Deputy, and at the age of sixteen opened a grocery store. This business he continued two years, after which he moved to Canton and was clerk in the dry goods store of E. C. Spiceland one year. The business then changed hands; A. G. Cobb became proprietor. After continuing one year, subject and E. C. Spiceland bought out the business, and after various changes he moved to Roaring Springs Precinct and engaged in farming one year ; he then returned to Canton and again clerked for B. C. Spiceland one year. In 1861 he returned to Golden Pond, and was engaged in farming until 1863. In the spring of 1864 he opened a store on these premises, and soon after was robbed by guerrillas of both stock and cash. He soon opened a general store at Linton, which he continued until 1867 ; he then carried on business about two miles north of his late locality. In 1877 he moved to his farm, which consists of 200 acres. In 1881 he opened a general store on this farm, and was appointed Postmaster ; the office is known as Deason Postoffice. In August, 1878, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and was in his second term when he died, July 24, 1884. Mr. Flora was married on December 31, 1857, to Mary H., daughter of J. M. Darnell, of Roaring Springs. Their union was blessed with eight children — four boys and four girls. Mrs. Flora has been a life-long member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and still resides with five of her children at the old home. Mr. Flora lived and died in th« Methodist faith. 226 BIOQEAPHICAL SKETCHES. PHILIP REDD was born October 19, 1819, in Trigg County, Ky. He is the fourth child of a family of eight born to William and Frances (Hackett) Redd, who were reared in Caroline County, Va. The father immigrated to Christian, now Trigg County, in 1818 ; he engaged in farming. Our subject at the age of eighteen was employed as manager on his father's farm — a position he held for three years. In 1840 he went to Eddyville, Caldwell Co., and with his brother, George K., engaged in the tanning business. In 1844 they came to Mr. Redd's present location and purchased about 3,600 acres of land and at once commenced the erection of a tannery. This business they carried on with great success. His brother died in December, 1883, aged seventy-one. Mr. Redd then bought out the entire business, which consists of tannery, saw and grist-mill, a blacksmith-shop and shoe-shop, all of which are inclosed with a substantial board fence twelve feet high. He is also engaged in the cultivation of fish, having a pond for this purpose on his premises. His tanning business at times has been quite extensive, having sold as high as $23,000 worth of leather in a year ; he is also largely engaged in farming, employing from twelve to fifteen hands. His resi- idence was built in 1852 at a cost of about $2,000. Mr. Redd is one of the earliest settlers of this locality. LINTON PRECINCT. J. S. McNICHOLS was born in Montgomery County, Tenn., on October 10, 1828, and is the son of Samuel and Mary (Dycus) McNichols. The father came from Scotland in 1799, and settled in Montgomery County. J. S. remained at home until his father's death, in March, 1846 ; he then attended school in Whitley County for one year and after- ward continued his studies in Montgomery County until 1853 ; he then went to Roaring Springs, Trigg County, where he merchandised until 1855 ; he next went to Lyonport, Tenn., where he remained until 1869. In October of that year he came to Canton and formed a partnership with Dr. J. C. Whitlock. The firm erected a warehouse and store. In 1882 Dr. Whitlock sold his interest to Frank Macrae, and the firm is now doing business under the name of McNichols, Macrae & Co. They now handle about $5,000 worth of merchandise per year, and also deal extensively in tobacco. Mr. McNichols was married at Cadiz, in Novem- ber, 1857, to Miss Cornelia Wilkinson, a daughter of Judge J. H. and Joyce (Tillotson) Wilkinson, natives of Virginia. Mrs. McNichols was born in Montgomery County in 18iJ7. She and husband are members of the Linton Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. McNichols is a member of Linton Lodge, No. 575, A. F. & A, M.; he has served as School Trustee for the precinct. Mr. and Mrs. McNichols are parents of seven children — four sons and three daughters. ELIAS A. NUNN was born in Smith County, Tenn., November 16, 1833, and is a son of Lindsey and Rachel (Coleman) Nunn, natives of Shenandoah County, Va. The father came to the county in 1848, and settled three miles west of Canton, where the mother died in 1852. In 1854 the father moved to Henry County, Tenn., where he died in 1881. Subject is the fourth of seven living children. He began life for himself when twenty years old, and settled at Linton. Here he engaged in the saw-milling business with Messrs. Gentry & Whitlock, 1865, under the title of Gentry, Nunn & Co. He remained in this business until 228 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 1882. He came to his present farm in 1870, where he now owns about 1,800 acres ; has about 200 acres in cultivation. Mr. Nunn was married in 1865 to Miss Margaret Martin, a daughter of John Martin, of Trigg County. Mrs. Nunn is a native of this county, and is the mother of five children — two sons and three daughters. Subject is a member of Linton Lodge No. 575, A. F. & A. M. In politics he is an Independent. E. C. SPICBLAND was born in Stewart County, Tenn., June 1, 1826, and is a son of Sanford and M. (Copeland) Spiceland, natives of Northampton County, N. C. In 1845 our subject went to Canton, and kept the ferry for one year; the following year he ran a saloon. In 1847, he enlisted in the Mexican War and remained about three months ; served, while out, in the Quartermaster Department. On his return to Canton he clerked for W. D. Grace. In 1850 he moved to Cadiz and there clerked for William Sorey & Co. After remaining there one year, he returned to Canton, where he clerked in a warehouse. In 1854 he began merchan- dising for himself, and remained in business at that point until the break- ing out of the war. In 1862, he enlisted in Company L, of the Eighth Kentucky Cavalry. He went out as Lieutenant, and was afterward made Regimental Quartermaster. He returned to Canton in September, 1863, and in partnership with John D. Tyler ran a warehouse. On January 1, 1866, he came to Linton, and began merchandising. At this place he has since been engaged in business. In 1875 he took his son, S. I. Spiceland, into the business as partner. The firm now carry a stock of about $10,000. Soon after he came to Linton, he was appointed Post- master and held the office until about 1875. Since that time the position has been filled by his son. Mr. Spiceland was married in 1848 to Miss Martha Ross, a daughter of Kenneth Ross, of Tennessee. She was born in Stewart County, and died in April, 1866. She left three children one son and two daughters. Mr. S. was next married in July, 1866, to Miss Mary Scudder, a daughter of P. P. Seudder. She died in 1871, and in 1872 Mr. Spiceland married Miss Martha Barte, a daughter of A. J. Barte ; they have five children living — two sons and three daughters. Subject is a member of the Baptist Church ; has served as Magistrate of the county. In politics he is identified with the Republican party. WILLIAM S. TINSLEY was born in Roaring Springs Precinct on March 10, 1824, and is a son of James and Elizabeth (Scott) Tinsley. LINTON PRECINCT. 229 The father was a native of North Carolina, and came to Todd County in 1816. He soon after came to this county, where he died in 1868. The mother waa born in Virginia, and died here in October, 1883. Subject was the third of eleven children. He remained at home until twenty one, when he went to Todd County and remained six years and then settled on Salina Creek, in Roaring Springs Precinct. He lived there until March, 1879, when he moved to McPherson County, Kas. He re- mained there only about sixteen months, and then returned to Kentucky, and settled in Graves County. There he resided until November, 1883, when he came to his present farm where he now owns 31 6 acres. Mr. Tinsley was married in 1855 to Miss Elizabeth J. Carr, a daughter of William and Ann (Rogers) Carr. The following children blessed the marriage: Alice A., James N., Ann, Leemina E., Martha E., Ophelia E. and William S. Mrs. Tinsley died August 10, 1878. Mr. Tinsley and family are members of the Baptist Church. JOHN L. TURNER was born in this precinct and county, on April 9, 1846. He is the second child born to William and Elizabeth (Carr) Turner, who are still living in Canton Precinct. John L. remained at home until the age ol nineteen, when he settled in Canton Precinct and began life for himself. In the fall of 1879 he came to his present farm where he has since resided. He now owns about 250 acres, about 80 of which are in cultivation. In 1883 he was appointed Overseer of the Poor and still holds that position. The farm now contains about twenty- five inmates. Mr. Turner was married in the fall of 1864, to Miss Faith Carr, a daughter of Jackson Carr. She is a native of Stewart County, Tenn., and is the mother of five children — three sons and two daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Turner are both members of the Baptist Church. JOHN H. WOLFE was born in Livingston County, Ky., on June 7, 1836, and is a son of Henry and Julia (Harmon) Wolfe. The father was a native of Columbia, Penn., the mother of Livingston Co., Ky. Subject is the third of four children of whom three are now living. He remained at home until fourteen years of age, and then began life as an engineer on a steamboat. He followed this occupation for about twenty-six years, on boats plying between Nashville and New Orleans. During most of this time he held a license as a first-class engineer. Mr. Wolfe followed engineering until February, 1884, when he came to this county, and 230 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. has since been giving his attention to fanning. Subject is what mignt be called a self-made man. His first schooling was obtained at Louisa College when he was twenty-one years of age. He remained there seven months, and has since prosecuted his studies by himself. He was mar- ried on January 28, 1879, to Mrs. Molly B. Rogers {nee Watwood), daughter of J. F. and Mary A. (Yates) Watwood, natives of Tennessee. Mrs. Rogers is a native of Montgomery County, being born there in 1842. This marriage has resulted in one child : Nep B. Mrs. Wolfe is a mem^ ber of the Oak Grove Baptist Church. Mr. Wolfe is a member of Liver- pool Lodge, No. 175, I. 0. 0. P. ROARING SPRINGS PRECINCT. CHARLES A. BACON was bom in Charlotte County, Va., on February 15, 1807, and is a son of Lyddall and Margaret (Crenshaw) Bacon. The parents were also natives of Charlotte County, and were of English descent. In that county they resided until their death. The father was drafted into the war of 1812, but being a man of family, his place was taken by his brother William. Charles A. remained at home until about twenty-two, and then spent some fifteen months in traveling in the South. Returning to Virginia, he taught school for some five years, and in December, 1832, came to Tennessee. He settled in Mont- gomery County, on a farm which at that time contained the first block- house ever erected in that region. He remained there only one year, and then came to Christian County, Ky. He first settled near Lafayette, and lived there about two years. He next went to Garrettsburg just as the town was being laid out. He remained there until 1838, and then moved to Beverly, where he farmed until the fall of 1839. At that time he sold out his farm and came to Lafayette, where he merchandised until 1842. He then moved to Garrettsburg and sold goods there until 1846. In that year he came to Roaring Springs (this county), and put up the first store ever built here. He merchandised here until 1854, when he sold out his stock and turned his attention to farming. He had prior to this purchased about 100 acres adjoining the town, which he afterward increased to 296. Here he has since resided. Mr. Bacon was married in Halifax County, Va., on February 12, 1832, to Miss Susan Rowlett, a daughter of Matthew J. and Martha (Pleasants) Rowlett, natives of Lunenburg County, Va. Mrs. Bacon waa bom in Halifax County, Va., on February 15, 1808, and to her were bom five children. Of this number three are now living, viz. : Dr. Thomas L. Bacon, in Cadiz ; Lyddall Bacon, a merchant in Memphis, and Dr. C. P. Bacon in Evans- ville. This lady died on October 11, 1841, and Mr. Bacon was next married on December 17, 1844, to Mrs. Margaret Gaines Batclifi" {nee 232 BiUORAPHIOAL SK£TGU£S. Gibson), a daughter of Pitman and Susan Gibson. This lady was born in Christian County on June 7, 1823, and to her were born three chil- dren, all of whom are living: Malcolm M., John A. and Hillery (in Evansville). Mrs. Bacon died on November 13, 1880. The farm is at present carried on by John A. Bacon, who is also devoting some attention to stock-raising, making a specialty of fine Berkshire hogs. This gen- tleman was married on December 21, 1881, to Miss Lelia Sallee, a daughter of Henry and Bettie (Crenshaw) Sallee. Our subject has been identified with the Baptist Church since 1830. Is also a member of Roaring Springs Lodge, No. 221. In politics he has been a Whig since he cast his first vote, but has of late years been voting with the Demo- cratic party. JOSEPH BOYD, Sr., was born in Trigg County on August 2, 1829, and is a son of Ebenezer and Mary (Sparkham) Boyd. The parents were natives of North Carolina. The father came to this State in 1800 with his parents, who first settled near Lexington. In 1810 they came to this county, where the grandmother died. The grandfather moved to Mississippi, where he died in about 1825. In this precinct the father grew to manhood, and settled in the southwest part of it. He lived there until his death, which occurred in April, 1874. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church. The mother died on July 4, 1846. Sub- ject is the sixth of eight children, and of this number but four are living : Elizabeth J. (wife of Martin Campbell, of Christian County) ; Mat- thew H., in Davidson County, Tenn. ; Martha C, wife of Jesse Stamper, of Lafayette, and Joseph. Joseph commenced to learn the carpenter's trade when seventeen years old, and followed it for about fifteen years in Christian, Stewart, Montgomery and Trigg Counties. When about thirty years of age he turned his attention to farming, and settled on his present farm, where he has since resided. He owns about 220 acres, of which 130 acres are in cultivation. Mr. Boyd was married in Chris- tian County on August 14, 1851, to Miss Mary F. Pratt, of Hopkins- ville, a daughter of W. S. Pratt, who was a native of Madison County, Va. This lady was born in Christian County in 1830, and is the mother of five children, of whom four are living : Willie, in Lafayette ; Charles H., Joseph Jr. and Frank C. Mr. Boyd is now acting as trustee of the Lafayette High School, which position he has held for the past ten years. ROAEING SPRINGS PRECINCT. 233 Mrs. Boyd is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Boyd is a mem- ber of Lafayette Masonic Lodge, and is identified with the Democratic party in politics. CHARLES R. CLARK was born in Sussex County, Va., March 10, 1823, and is a son of F. H. and Nancy (Judkins) Clark. They were also natives of Virginia, and came to Stewart County, Tenn., in 1832. There the father died May 20, 1860, the mother August 29, 1851. Sub- ject is the eldest of three living children : Charles R., Marcus L. and Ann E., widow of W. H. A. Pugh, of Stewart County, Tenn. Charles R. remained at home until about the age of twenty-two ; he then came to Trigg County, and settled near the farm on which he now resides. In January, 1857, he came to his present farm, where he now owns about 350 acres. He has about 250 acres in cultivation and ten acres in orchard ; he also pays some attention to stock-raising. Mr. Clark was married in Stewart County, Tenn., on December 14, 1851, to Miss Amanda Cherry, a daughter of Daniel and Rebecca (Stancell) Cherry, of North Carolina. Mrs. Clark is the mother of eleven living children : Thomas H., Jesse H., James M., William M., Amalgus G., M. W., Yateman G., Charles W., Alonzo, Silas W. and Woodsey. Mrs. Clark is a member of the Baptist Church. ELBRIDGE A. COLEMAN was born in what is now Caledonia Precinct, Trigg County, February 6, 1833. He waa a son of James and Nancy (Wooton) Coleman. The parents were natives of Virginia, and came here at an early date. The father died in this county in about 1838, the mother in 1848. Elbridge A. is the second of four children, of whom two are now living: Mrs. Mary F. Wooton, of Caledonia Pre- cinct, and Elbridge, our subject. The latter commenced life for himself at about twenty-one years of age, and settled down in Caledonia Precinct. He lived there until 1877, when he purchased the Lindsey Mill in this precinct, and moved to his present location. The mill, which is now known as " Echo Vale " Mill, is one of the best mills in the county, and is now valued at about $5,000. To the mill Mr. Coleman devotes most of his attention ; he, however, owns a farm of about 675 acres in this and Caledonia Precinct, and has farming carried on for him. He was married in this county on Augupt 27, 1863, to Miss Mary J. Carter, a daughter of Jesse and Emeline (Bailee) Carter. The father was a native 234 BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES. of Virginia, the mother of Montgomery County, Tenn. Her father was of French descent, and settled first in Christian County, but afterward came to Trigg, where he died in 1875. The mother is still living with her daughter. Mrs. Coleman was bom in Christian County on May 17, 1846, and to her and husband have been born twelve children, of whom eight are now living : Alva (wife of Dr. J. A. Miller), James D., Emma A., Anne I., Jesse C, Thomas F., Maud B. and Bettie L. Mr. and Mrs. Coleman are both members of the Little River Baptist Church. In politics he has been identified with the Democratic party. THOMAS CRENSHAW was born in this precinct and county on June 10, 1820 ; he is the only living one of three children born to Cor- nelius and Nancy (Kent) Crenshaw. The parents were natives of Hali- fax County, Va., and emigrated to this county in 1819. The father soon after his arrival here purchased about 440 acres at $5 per acre (the land now forms part of the farm owned by subject), and there resided until his death. In his life-time he was a consistent church member, having been at first identified with the United Baptist denomination, afterward with the Christian Church, to which he belonged at the time of his death. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, having gone out in a Virginia company ; he was stationed at Norfolk and was an officer in the ranks. Our subject at the age of twenty-five assumed control of the home farm for his father, and continued the management of it until the latteir's death. He inherited his father's estate of about 440 acres, which he has since increased to about 1,000 acres. Of this there are about 600 acres in cultivation. He also does something in stock-raising, handling about 100 head yearly. In farming he makes nothing a specialty, but raises all the cereals and also tobacco. Mr. Crenshaw was married in this county on September 22, 1840, to Miss Eliza Ann Greenwade. This lady was a daughter of John and Annie (Thomas) Greenwade, the father being a native of Maryland, the mother of Bourbon County, Ky. This lady was born in Trigg County in 1823, and to her were born eight children, seven of whom are living, viz.: Elizabeth R., wife of Thomas Cochran ; Susan B., wife of Henry Richards ; Malcolm B.; Nancy E., wife of E. M. Jones ; Thomas E., Robert C. in Christian County, and Millard F., in Hopkins- ville. Her death occurred on December 30, 1858, and Mr. Crenshaw was married on May 17, 1860, to Miss Cynthia A. Carland, a daughter of KOARING SPRINGS PRECINCT. 235 Hugh and Nancy (Richards) Garland. The father was a native of Penn- sylvania, the mother of Maryland. Both lived and died in New Brighton, Penn. Mrs. Crenshaw's ancestors were of a patriotic stock. Two of her greatuncles were soldiers in the Revolution, and were killed at the battle of Bunker Hill, and her maternal grandfather was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was killed at the battle of Chippewa. Mrs. Crenshaw was born in Sharon, Penn., on December 30, 1830, and is the mother of one child — Hugh C. Most of Mr. Crenshaw's life has been spent in farming ; he has, however, devoted some attention to merchandising, and has also dealt some in commission business. In politics Mr. Crenshaw was first an old line Whig, during the war a Union man, and since that time he has been identified with the Democratic party. Mr. and Mrs. Crenshaw and family are members of the Christian Church. ALBERT CRENSHAW was born in Trigg County on June 10, 1840, and is a son of Robenson and Mary (Walden) Crenshaw. The father was born in Halifax County, Va., in September, 1816. He was a son of Cornelius and Nancy (Kent) Crenshaw, who came here in 1819. The father grew to manhood in this county, and resided here until his death on February 12, 1853. The mother was also born in this county on September 22, 1820, and died here on December 31, 1851. The parents were both members of the Christian Church. Subject is the eld- est of six children, all of whom are living, viz.: Albert, James, born June 22, 1842, now in Hopkins County ; William B., born November 18, 1844, now in Oxford, Kas.; Robenson, born June 4, 1847, now in Cadiz; John W., born September 27, 1849, also in Cadiz, and Cornelius, born November 6, 1851, and now in Texas. The common schools of this county and Christian furnished his education. After his father's death he made his home with his uncle, Thomas Crenshaw. At the age of nineteen he began clerking in a dry goods store at Roaring Springs, and remained there three years. He next turned his attention to farming and settled in the northwestern part of the precinct, where he resided until 1870. In that year he came to his present farm, where he now owns about 270 acres, of which there are about 250 acres in cultivation. Mr. Crenshaw was married on October 31, 1861, in this county, to Miss Emma Rasco, a daughter of J. M. and Sarah (Johnson) Rasco. The father was a native of this county, the mother of Christian. Mrs. Cren- 236 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. shaw was born in this county on October 26, 1844, and is the mother of nine children, of whom six are now living : Mary F., born January 6, 1863 (now the wife of C. F. Miller); Sallie R., born January 24, 1865 ; Ernest L., born May 24, 1866 ; Emma, born September 30, 1875 ; Albert W., born Febuary 14, 1878 ; Myrtle, born September 14, 1879. Of the deceased ones : James M., born March £0, 1868, died October 11, 1874; George S., born December 14, 1871, died October 10, 1874; Robert, born March 20, 1873, died April 23, 1874. In politics Mr. Crenshaw supports the Democratic party. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cren- shaw are members of the Christian Church, and Mr. Crenshaw is now an Elder in that denomination. SAMUEL J. DAWSON is descended from one of the earliest pio- neer families of the county. He was born in this precinct on January 14, 1837, and is a son of Samuel and Maria (Masonfrith) Dawson. The father was born in Bourbon County, Ky., on August 14, 1800; his father, John Dawson, was born in Virginia, and was of English descent. The latter came to this county in 1817, with his son, and settled on the head waters of Casey Creek. There he died in about 1832 ; his wife in about 1841. Samuel Dawson grew to manhood in this county, and in 1827, he was married to Miss Masonfrith, who was a native of Bedford County, Va., and was born there on May 16, 1805. He inherited 200 acres from his father, and settled down about two miles northwest of Roaring Springs ; he afterward increased the farm to 455 acres, and con- tinued to reside there until his death, which occurred on June 28, 1863. For a short time he served as Constable of the county. He was identified with the Sons of Temperance. He was a man of fair education for his day and time, was well read on all subjects ; was possessed of a fine mem- ory, and was regarded as an authority by his neighbors on all subjects of dispute. The mother is still living on the old home farm. Samuel J. (subject) is the youngest of four living children: Susan E., widow of J. A. Miller ; Rhoda M., John W. and Samuel J. The latter commenced life for himself when about twenty-five years of age, and soon after settled on his present farm. He now owns 175 acres ; has 140 acres in cultiva- tion. Mr. Dawson was married in Lafayette, Christian Co., on April 22, 1862, to Miss Margaret Clardy, a daughter of John H. and Ann Eliza (Watkins) Clardy. The father was born in Mecklenburg County, Va., ROARING SPRINGS PRECINCT. 237 but was reared principally in North Carolina ; the mother was born in Warren County, N. C. Mrs. Dawson was born on October 24, 1843, and to her and husband have been born three living children : Marion, Blanche and Samuel. Mrs. Dawson is a member of the Chris- tian Church. During the war Mr. Dawson was a strong Union man, but since that time he has been identified with the Democratic party. WICKLIFFE DA.WSON was born in this county on March 1, 1853, and is a son of Greenup and Susan J. (Calloway) Dawson. Sub- ject is the youngest living child ; his education was received in the schools of the county. He remained at home until twenty-six, and in 1879, he moved to Roaring Springs where he remained till November, 1881, when he came to his present farm, which consists of 240 acres, of which there are about 160 acres in cultivation. Mr. Dawson was married in Clarks- ville, Montgomery Co., Tenn., on October 29, 1878, to Miss Belle Nance, a daughter of E. T. and Sallie (Snow) Nance, natives of Virginia. Three children have blessed this union, two of whom are now living : Idyle and Effie. Mrs. Dawson is a member of the Christian Church. In politics, Mr. Dawson is identified with the Democratic party. MOSCO GARNETT was born in this precinct on October 8, 1827, and is a son of James and Polly (Brown) Garnett. The father was born in Virginia, on February 23, 1787. He came to Woodford County with his parents in an early day, and in 1823 he settled in this precinct. Here he died on November 5, 1870; he was a member of the Baptist Church. Under the old constitution he was Magistrate of the precinct, and finally, by virtue of priority became SheriflF of the county. The mother died in this county on August 11, 1869. Mosco is the youngest often children, of whom four are now living : Fannie, widow of Charles Humphreys ; Charles W., in Graves County ; Susan, wife of Isaac Dabney, and now in Texas ; and Mosco. The latter remained at home until about the age of twenty-three, and then commencing life for himself, settling on his present farm ; he now owns about 250 acres, of which there are 200 acres in cul- tivation. Mr. Garnett was married in this county October 20, 1853, to Miss Susan Savells, a daughter of Absalom and Lurana (Savells) Savells. The parents were natives of Norfolk County, Va., and were early settlers of Cadiz Precinct. Mrs. Garnett was born in this county February 25, 1823. This union has resulted in eight children, five of whom are now 238 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. living, viz.: Cornelia, wife of G. P. Carloss ; Mary E.; Henry 0.; Susan Dabney, wife of Lesley Tuggle, of Cadiz Precinct, and Lulu. Mr. and Mrs. Garnett are members of the Locust Grove Baptist Church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is identified with the Democratic party. J. W. HAYES, SR., was born in Garrettsburg Precinct, Christian County, May 28, 1824, and is a son of John T. and Elizabeth (Brame) Hayes. The parents were natives of Mecklenburg County, Ya., and came to Christian County in 1823. There the mother died when subject was but an infant, and the father came to Trigg County soon after this event. He settled one mile south' of Roaring Springs, and remained there until his death, which occurred January 19, 1849. Subject is the only living child. He remained at home until twenty-one, and then went to William- son County, Tenn., where he worked at the blacksmith trade for six months, and then returned to the home farm, where he remained two years; he commenced for himself by settling on a farm about one mile west of Roaring Springs. In 1856 he came to his present farm ; he first bought 170 acres, now has about 590 acres, and is at present paying some attention to stock-raising. Mr. Hayes was married in this county, Octo- ber 21, 1848, to Miss Jane Nance, a daughter of L. and Onie (Sims) Nance, natives of Virginia. This lady was born in Trigg County, June, 1827, and died on July 29, 1851. Subject's second marriage took place October 21, 1852, to Miss Lucy A. Ledford, a daughter of Andrew and Martha S. (Lewis) Ledford, both natives of Virginia, and early settlers in the county. Mrs. Hayes was born in this county April 23, 1887, and seven children have been born to her and husband, viz.: Mary L., wife of W. E. Thacker; Martha E., wife of Albert Rasco; James A., John W., Jennie L., Henry T. and Titia C. Mr. Hayes and family are members of the Christian Church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in politics a Democrat. DR. H. L. J. HILLE was born in Oldenburg, Germany, August 26, 1850, and is a son of William and Mary (Lotze) Hille. The father was born in Austria, the mother in Oldenburg, Germany. A brother of hers, Herman Lotze, has achieved considerable notoriety as an author. The parents came to this country in 1842, and first settled in New Orleans. From there they went to West Virginia, and there the father first ROARIKG SPRINGS PRECINCT. 239 followed merchandising, afterward saw-milling. The parents were on a visit to Germany when subject was born, and they returned to this country soon after the latter event. The father continued to reside in West Virginia until his death, which occurred November 3, 1876. The mother died at Roaring Springs December 17, 1883. Subject is the sixth of fifteen children, of whom but five are now living, viz.: Henry (subject), Anna, Dora (wife of Robert Camp, in Texas), Adolph (in Hopkinsville), and Fannie (wife of Dr. Greenwade, of Texas). Our subject's education was received in the schools of Putnam and Mason Counties, W. Va., and at the Gallipolis (Ohio) Academy. He commenced the study of medi- cine when seventeen years old with Dr. A. R. Barbee, of Point Pleasant, W. Va. ; he read with this gentleman four years, and then attended the medical department at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. From this institution he graduated in the class of 1871 ; he began the practice of his profession immediately afterward, and first settled in Kanawha County, W. Va. : he remained at this point two years, and then went to Sherman, Grayson Co., Tex. ; there he remained four years, and then came to Kentucky ; he immediately made Roaring Springs his place of residence, and has since had a fair share of the practice of this part of the country. Dr. Hille was married at Dover, Tenn., October 25, 1875, to Miss Camille Walter, a daughter of Bernard Walter, of Dover, Tenn. ; she was born February 18, 1855, and is the mother of five children, of whom three are now living — Mary, Henry and Mabel. In politics the Doctor votes the Democratic ticket. GARLAND W. JONES was born in Mecklenburg County, Va., July 21, 1837, and is a son of Col. J. T. and Louisa A. (Yancey) Jones ; the father was a native of North Carolina, the mother of Virginia ; they came to Kentucky in 1847, and settled in Montgomery County in 1848 ; in the following year they came to Trigg County, and settled one mile north of Roaring Springs ; there he resided until he died, July 19, 1874 ; when he came to the county he first purchased 200 acres, which he after- ward increased to about 1,000, which after his death was divided and a part of it sold. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church ; the mother is still living on part of the home farm. Subject is the eldest of five living children : Garland W., Amos K. (in Graves County), Malinda E. (wife of D. A. McKennon, of Paducah, Ky.), Tillman G. and 240 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Carrie V. (wife of Lee Hutchingson) ; he remained at home until twenly- one ; he then received about 280 acres from his father, and commenced life for himself ; this farm he afterward increased to 430 acres, on which he now resides. Mr. Jones was married, in Graves County, Ky., October 21, 1880, to Miss Bettie Houston, a daughter of George and Louisa (Moore) Houston. The father was a native of Virginia, the mother of Todd County, Ky. ; both parents are still living in this precinct. Mrs. Jones was born in Todd County September 20, 1857 ; this union was blessed with two children, one of whom. Garland H., is living. Mr. Jones was a soldier in the late war. He enlisted in November, 1862, in Col. Woodwatd's regiment, but was only out a short time. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are both members of the Methodist Church. In politics Mr. Jones gives his support to the Democratic party. TILLMAN G. JONES was born in Pearson County, N. C, on February 9, 1845, and is the sixth of nine children, born to Col. J. T. and Louisa A. (Yancey) Jones. Tillman G. remained at home until the age of twenty-two, and then began clerking for Richards, Crenshaw & Co., at Roaring Springs. He remained there about six months, and then came to Cadiz and clerked a short time. He next bought tobacco for parties at Newburg, Tenn. In 1868 he was appointed Deputy Sheriff, and served for about three months under SheriflF Dyer. He then returned home, and taking charge of his father's business managed it until the latter's death. He then ran the farm for four -years for his mother, and in 1878 came to his present location. He now owns 190 acres, cultivates about 140 acres, and is also doing considerable in stock- raising. Mr. Jones was married in this county on Oct. 14, 1874, to Miss Julia Greenwade, a daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth (Kane) Greenwade. This family was one of the earliest pioneer families in the county. Isaac Greenwade was bom here, and his father John Greenwade came from Virginia in a very early day. His people were of English descent. Mrs. Greenwade was also a native of this county, and is still living at Lafay- ette. Mrs. Jones was born in this county on July 14, 1846, and to her and husband have been born six children, of whom four are now living : Herbert C, Bertha M., James G. and Goatney E. Mr. Jones is a mem- ber of the Methodist Church ; his wife of the Christian Church. In politics Mr. Jones is a Democrat. ROARING SPRINGS PRECINCT. 241 JOSEPH LEDFORD was born in this precinct and county on Feb- ruary 16, 1816, and was a son of Joseph, Sr., and Jane (Smith) Ledford. The parents were natives of South Carolina, and came to this county in the fall of 1815. Here the father resided until his death, which occurred in October, 1845. He was a member of the Baptist Church. Joseph Ledford is the third of six children, and is the only one now living. He remained at home until about twenty-five and then settled on his present farm. He now owns about 800 acres, and has about 400 acres in culti- vation. Mr. Ledford was married in this county on December 7, 1843, to Miss Onie D. Nance, a daughter of Peyton and Nellie (Sims) Nance. The parents were natives of Virginia, and came to this county in 1826. Mrs. Ledford was born in Virginia on August 2, 1824, and was the mother of five children: T. P. D., Alice E. L. (wife of W. A. Ledford), George, E. J. A., and Annie. Mrs. Ledford died on March 2, 1862. Mr. Ledford was a Union man during the war, and is at present iden- tified with the Democratic party. W. W. LEWIS was born in Lafayette Precinct, Christian County, on November 28, 1849, and is a son of P. M. and M. J. (Ledford) Lewis. The father was born in Charlotte County, N. C, on May 2, 1812, and was of English and Welsh descent ; he came to Lexington, Ky., in 1812, with his parents ; he came to Christian County in 1820, and resided there until 1853, when he came to Trigg County. In this county he lived until his death, which occurred on January 14, 1884 ; he was a Mason and a member of the Christian Church. The mother was born in Trigg'County on July 30, 1820, and died here on November 20, 1876. Subject is the oldest of five children, four of whom are now living : Will- iam W., Mattie J., George P. and Henry. Subject was educated in the common schools of the county, and also attended the academy at Elkton, Todd County, for a short time. He commenced farming on the home place in 1870, and now owns 200 acres. Has about 125 acres in culti- vation ; he is a member of the Christian Church, and of Roaring Springs Lodge, No. 221, A. F. & A. M. In politics he is a Democrat. G. W. McORAW was born in Montgomery County, Tenn., on Feb- ruary 22, 1848, and is a son of William and Thetus (Hill) McCraw. The father is a native of Charlotte County, Va., the mother of Mont- gomery County, Tenn. They came to this county in 1859, and are still Bte 242 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. living here. Subject is the fifth of thirteen children, of whom nine are now living. When twenty-two years of age he began working at the sad- dler's trade, but only followed this industry about twelve months ; he next turned his attention to farming, and first settled near Fairview, Todd County, From there he moved to Christian County, settled near Lafay- ette, and in 1877 he came to his present farm. He now owns about seventy-three acres. Mr. McCraw was married in Todd County on December 10, 1872, to Miss Mary E. Fulcher, a daughter of Joseph and Mary A. (Nichols) Fulcher. Mrs. McCraw was born in Todd County on May 10, 1843, and is the mother of four living children: Jennie B., Mack H., Joseph R. and Bennie. Mr. McCraw is a member of the Methodist Church. WILLIAM ROBERTS was born on July 18, 1810, on Little River in what waa then Christian County, now Cadiz Precinct, Trigg Co. He is a son of John and Nancy (Atkins) Roberts. The father was born in Buckingham County, Ya., in 1759. His father died when he was quite young. At the age of sixteen John Roberts volunteered to go as a guard to a party who were coming West. The party came to what is now Nash- ville, Tenn., and Mr. Roberts was one of a number who helped erect the block-house that stood where the capitol building now stands. He lived at this point for some time, and there his first wife was killed and scalped by the Indians. He came to this county in 1804, and settled near Cerulean Springs. In the early part of the year 1814 he came to Little River, and purchased a tract of land from David McKee, and which is now included in the Cadiz Precinct. Here he resided until his death which occurred on January 7, 1833. The mother died here on October 7, 1837. She was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. , Our subject was the eldest of four brothers : William, Robert R., David L. and Phineas E. Of this number, David L., now in Mississippi, and William (subject), are the only ones living. William remained at home until after his mother's death and then commenced life for. him- self and settled on Little River in this precinct. In 1841 he came to his present farm, where he has since resided. He now owns 220 acres, of which eighty-five are in cultivation. Mr. Roberts was married on July 9, 1833, to Miss Nancy Malone, a daughter of Booth and Martha A. (Darnell) Malone, natives of Montgomery County, Tenn. Mrs. Roberts ROARING SPRINGS PRECINCT. 243 was bora in that county in 1813. To her and husband have been born eight children, of whom three are now living: John W. (at home), Richard R. Roberts (a merchant in St. Louis, Mo.), and Susan A. (wife of Irving Branden, of Wallonia). Mrs. Roberts died on January 7, 1859, and subject was next married to Mrs. Medas J. Nelson, a daughter of Mahala and Rebecca (Randolph) Ingram. Mrs. Roberts was born in Claiborne County, Miss., on August 15, 1822. Mr. Roberts is a mem- ber of Roaring Springs Lodge, A. F. M., also a member of the Meth- odist Church. He cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson for President, and has since then been a strong Democrat. WILLIAM S. ROGERS was born in this precinct on October 29, 1824, and is a son of John and Martha (Scott) Rogers. The grandfather, John Rogers Sr., came here at an early date and settled on the farm now owned by subject, where he died. There the father was probably born, and died in about 1841. The mother was a daughter of William Scott, who came here from Virginia. She died in about .1876. Subject is the fourth of six children, of whom but two are now living : Mrs. Telitha J. Sholer and William S. (subject). The latter remained at home until about twenty-five, and then settled on the farm where he now resides ; he owns 279 acres, of which about 160 are in cultivation; he was married in this county on January 15, 1846, to Matilda Tart, a daughter of James and Mary (Lawrence) Tart, natives of North Carolina. Mrs. Rogers is a native of this county, and is the mother of eleven children, of whom seven are now living : Joseph G., in Texas ; William H., Cyrus W., in Texas ; Mary E., wife of J. P. Joiner, of Texas ; Franklin H., Freeman T., in Texas ; Ira B. William S. is a member of the Baptist Church. In politics he is a Republican. U. L. ROGERS was born in this county on September 14, 1846, and is the next to the youngest of a family of six children born to Ben- jamin S. and Polly (Lancaster) Rogers. The father was a native of North Carolina. The mother was born in this county ; her people were also from North Carolina. The father died in 1849, but the mother is still living with subject. The latter took charge of the home farm in 1865, which now contains about 400 acres, of which 250 are in cultivation. He also does something in stock-rasing. He is a member of Linton Lodge, No. 676, A. F. & A. M. 244 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. SAMUEL SUMNER was born in Canton Precinct, Trigg County, on May 27, 1845. He is a son of Joel and Catherine (Miles) Sumner. His grandfather, Isaac Sumner, was one of the first settlers of the county. He came here from North Carolina in an early day, and made a settle- ment on Donaldson Creek. There the father of subject was bom, and lived until his death in the spring of 1852. The mother was also a native of this county, and died here in May, 1863. Subject is the youngest of eleven children, of whom six are now living: James, in Canton Precinct ; Alfred, in the same precinct ; Green, in Stewart County, Tenn.; Ben* in Texas; Mary E., wife of Lafayette Ricks ; and Samuel, oar subject. The latter remained at home until the age of eighteen, and then, soon after the breaking-out of the war, he enlisted in Capt. Slaughter's com- pany of Col. Woodward's regiment. He had been out about four months when he was taken prisoner, and sent to Louisville. After being confined there for some little time betook the oath of allegience and was permitted to return home. He next began working at the carpenter's trade, and followed it in Canton and vicinity for about eighteen months. He then began farming near the home place. In 1872 he came to his present farm, where he now owns about 210 acres, of which about eighty-five acres are in cultivation. On November 3, 1863, Mr. Sumner was mar- ried to Miss Lucy L. Rogers, a daughter of Joseph Rogers, one of the pioneer settlers here. Mrs. Sumner was born in this county, and is the mother of seven children, of whom five are now living, viz.: Elizabeth C, Joseph A., Jesse F., Addison B. and Olive T. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sumner are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Sumner is an ordained preacher of this church, and is at present acting as pastor of the Baptist Church ; is also a member of Canton Lodge, No-. 242, A. P. & A. M. He has served as Coroner of the county for four years. In poli- tics he is a Democrat. DR. J. A. WHITLOCK was born in Union Schoolhouse Precinct, Christian County, on May 1, 1850, and is a son of Dr. J. C. and Maria F. (Withrow) Whitlock. The father was a native of Louisa County, Va.; was born there in 1818, and was of English descent. He came to this county when a boy, and lived in Caledonia Precinct. He took up the study of medicine and graduated at the Philadelphia Medical College. Returning to this State, he settled in Union Schoolhouse Precinct, and is ROARING SPRINGS PRECINCT. 245 to-day one of the most successful practitioners of Christian County. The mother is also still living. Our subject is the second of a family of fire children, three of whom are now living, viz.: Lucy, Kate (wife of Alfred Wallace) and John A. The latter received his, literary education at the Washington College at Lexington. Returning to this county, he began the study of medicine with his father ; he read with him two years, and then attended the University of Medicine at Louisville. From this insti- tution he graduated in the class of 1873. He returned to Christian County and first settled at Newstead ; he remained there five years, and then came to Caledonia, Trigg Co.; he resided at this point one year and next moved to Bennettstown, Christian Co. There he remained two years, and then went to Pee Dee, Christian Co. On October, 1883, he came to Roaring Springs, where he now has a fair practice. On July 13, 1873, Dr. Whitlock was married in Christian County to Miss Mary L. McReynolds. a daughter of 0. G. and Sarah L. (McCallister) McRey- nolds, natives of Virginia and early settlers of Christian County. Mrs. Whitlock was born in that county on April 13, 1853. Dr. Whitlock is a member of the State Medical Society, and of the Christian County Medical Society. Is also a member of the Presbyterian Church, his wife of the Christian. Subject is a member of James Moore Lodge, No. 230, A. F. & A. M., and Locust Grove, No. 127, I. 0. 0. F. In politics he is identified with the Democratic party. GOLDEN POND PRECINCT. JOSEPH AH ART was bora May 28, 1837, in Smith County, Tenn.; he is the eldest child of a family of six born to George and Sarah (Han- kins) Ahart. The father was born in Virginia in 1808 ; he died in Trigg County in 1876. The mother was born in oast Tennessee in 1814 ; she died in March, 1882. On coming to this county they settled two miles west of Canton ; there our subject was reared ; at the age of twenty-two he commenced farming on land given him by his father ; this he afterward sold to his brother. In the fall of 1863 he came to this farm, which he rents, consisting of about 100 acres, and where he has since resided. He enlisted in August, 1862, in Company L, Eighth Kentucky Cavalry (Union), and served his enlistment. He was married in February, 1859, to Nancy E. Bell ; she was born May 12, 1845, in this county; she died August 31, 1883, leaving three children: James M., Henry J. and Mar- tha L. Mr. Ahart's second marriage was on January 13, 1884, to Mrs. Mary U. Ricks. She was born in this county; she has three children by a former marriage i George R., Leona A. and Fredonia A. Ricks. Mr. Ahart is the agent of the Fungo Landing for all shipments for Golden Pond ; he is a member of the Masonic order. CHARLES 0. BOGARD, deceased, was born in Stewart County, Tenn., in 1814 ; he came to Golden Pond, Ky., in 1841, and engaged in farming and trading extensively till his death, which occurred in 1855. He was married to Elitha Griffin, January 12, 1840. She was born in Hampton County, N. C, February 27, 1819 ; she came with her parents when an infant to Tennessee. There she was reared. They have had seven children, five of whom are now living : William A., Hester A., Z. T,, Sarah E. and Mary A. John D. died in 1882, aged forty-two. Joseph B. died in 1864, aged eighteen. Mrs. Bogard now owns over 400 acres of land, part of which she haa rented out. J. M. CRASS was bom April 5, 1854, in Trigg County. He is a son of Elisha Crass and Sallie Ross. His parents came to Trigg County 248 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. in about 1824 ; they died in 1859. Subject was reared by his brother- in-law, W. D. Vickers. At the age of eighteen he commenced selling groceries and farming ; after selling goods two years, he secured a con- tract to carry the mail from Aurora to Cadiz ; this contract continued two years. Later he engaged in milling and ran a steam ferry. In 1880 he built his present corn-mill, which has a capacity of 150 bushels a day. Mr. Crass took up preaching in 1880, in connection with the Christian Union Church, and in October of the same year he was ordained a min- ister of that denomination. He has charge of Averett's Chapel, Walnut Grove Church, and Flint Valley Church, Calloway County ; he also preaches at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Calloway and Mar- shall Counties. Mr. Crass was married, in 1870, to Mrs. Mary F. Bur- row, of Todd County. Mr. Crass was a member of the first Christian Union Council held in Trigg County, October, 1878. He was also a member of the first Christian Union Council held in Illinois, in Fayette County. It was held at Bethel Church, twelve miles south of Nokomis. Mr. Crass is still a Christian Union Preacher, and his prayer is that all Christians may be united in Christian union upon the grand principle of the Bible. There are now 130,000 souls united on the grand principle of union, taking the Bible for their rule of faith and practice, renounc- ing all creeds and confession of faith. PERRY FUTRELL, farmer, was born in Trigg County, Ky., Octo- ber 23, 1814, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Deloach) Futrell, both natives of North Carolina and of English descent. John Futrell emi- grated to Kentucky about the year 1800, and settled on Donaldson Creek. He was a farmer ; was engaged in the Indian war in Indiana ; was a devoted member of the Baptist Church, and died about the year 1873. Perry Futrell was educated in Trigg County, and remained with his parents until 1836, when he was married to Elizabeth Colson, a native of Kentucky. Eleven children were born to this union, of whom seven are living. Mr. Futrell has followed farming all his life. He began life with nothing, and now owns 280 acres, 120 of which are under cultiva- tion. Mr. Futrell is one of the oldest and most highly esteemed citizens of the precinct and county. SOLOMON D. FUTRELL was born June 4, 1820, in Trigg County. He is a son of John and Elizabeth (Deloach) Futrell ; his parents were GOLDEN POND PRECINCT. 249 born in North Carolina ; there they were married and came to Christian, now Trigg County, at an early date. The father died in 1873, at the advanced age of ninety-four. The mother died in 1828, aged forty-five. On coming here the courts in Hopkinsville were held in blackjack poles. From Hopkinsville to Donaldson's Creek there was no growth of timber ; a riding switch could not even be obtained. On their arrival at Nash- vile there were but three stores, and but one in Hopkinsville. Our sub- ject, at the age of twenty-one rented a farm, and there he remained eight years. He then bought eighty acres of land, which he improved and sold. He now owns 213 acres largely improved, all of which he has acquired by his attention to business and judicious management. He married, in 1846, Clarissa Futrell. She was born in Trigg County. They have had ten children, seven of whom are now living — four sons and three daughters. CASWELL FUTRELL was born April 30, 1830, in Trigg County. He is a son of Perry and Betsey (Colson) Futrell. The father and mother were both born in Trigg County. Our subject was reared on his father's farm. On arriving at his majority he bought a farm of 106 acres ; he has since increased this to 154 acres, well improved, all of which has been done by his own industry. Mr. Futrell was married to Caroline Colson. She was born in Trigg County. He enlisted in 1862 in Company D, Second Kentucky Cavalry, and served his enlistment. WILLIAM G. GORDON was born in Rome County, Tenn., in 1889. At about the age of six years he came with his parents to Trigg County, where he has since lived. He first purchased 212J acres of land, and now owns about 310 acres, largely improved. He was mar- ried in 1861 to Eliza J. Choat. She was born in Stewart County, Tenn. They have one son — William J. — who was born in 1863, and works this farm with his father. He was married in 1880 to Mattie Wallace. She was born in Trigg County. They have two children— one son and one daughter. DR. J. W. JOHNSON was bom November 6, 1850, in Robertson County, Tenn. He is a son of William and Polly (Dunnington) John- son. The parents are natives of Tennessee. The former was born in 1812, and is now living on his farm in Robertson County. The latter died in 1877, aged sixty years. Our subject was reared on his father's 250 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. farm, and attended the subscription schools of that locality. At the age of fifteen he entered the Neaphogen College, Cross Plains, Tenn., where he remained four years. He then attended the East Tennessee Univer- sity one term, and the Stonewall College one term, after which he came to Crittenden County. There he studied medicine under the preceptor- ship of Dr. J. R. Clark two years. He then moved to Lyon County, where he practiced medicine about seven months. Then removed to Golden Pond, where he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession, except one term spent at the Medical Department of the Louisville University. In 1883 the Doctor was a candidate for the Legislature, and was defeated by 39 rotes. A. D. MATHENY was born May 25, 1828, in East Tennessee. He is the son of James and Elizabeth (Deatherage) Matheny. Subject was reared on his father's farm. In 1845 he tramped to Trigg County, and settled in Golden Pond Precinct, where he remained till his marriage in 1850. He then lived in the Canton District seven years, then returned to the Golden Pond District where he still lives on the farm he first pur- chased. He has since added other lands, and now owns 600 acres of poor land, all of which he has acquired by strict attention to business and hard work. Mr. Matheny was married in 1850 to Miss L. A. C. Ross, of Trigg County, born in Stewart County, Tenn., May 25, 1826. To them have been born seven children, of whom six are living — ifour boys and two girls. DAVID MATES was born November 6, 1826, in Granger County, east Tenn. He is the ninth of a family of ten children born to John and Nancy (Mayes) Mayes. The father was born in Virginia ; he died in Granger County, Tenn., in 1850, aged seventy-six. The mother was born in Granger County. She died in about 1834, aged sixty. In 1846 our subject came to Trigg County, and worked at various kinds of employ- ments till 1852, when he bought 119 acres where he now resides ; he has since increased this to 211 acres. This farm lies on Turkey Creek bot- tom, and is one of the finest and most productive farms in the county, and by far surpasses any other farm between the rivers. Mr. Mayes was mar- ried August 5, 1853, to Catharine Vinson. She was born in Trigg County on December 8, 1836. This union has been blessed with eight children, six of whom are living : Fathey E., wife of Albert Calhoun ; GOLDEN POND PRECINCT. 261 Caroline, now Mrs. Miller ; Nancy J., now Mrs. William May ; Jose- phus ; Rebecca, now Mrs. Flinn and Rufas ; John D., died November 13, 1880, aged sixteen ; Bedie Ann, died in October, 1869, aged two years. Mr. and Mrs. Mayes are life-long and devoted members, of the Missionary Baptist Church. J. W. ROSS was bom May 8, 1829, in Henry County, Tenn. He is a son of Jonathan and Narcissa (Stubblefield) Ross, both natives of Tennessee. In 1880 he was brought with his parents to Trigg County, where he has since lived. The father died November, 1883, aged eighty years. The mother died in 1861, aged sixty. Subject was reared on his father's farm. He owns 200 acfes of land, and is engaged in agricul- tural pursuits ; also owns and operates a sawmill on his land; he was engaged in merchandising from 1876-78, at Golden Pond and Maple Grove, Ky. He enlisted in 1862 in Company L, Eighth Kentucky Cav- alry ; served about six months, and was discharged on account of phy- sical disability. He was married in 1848, to Mrs. Mary A. Ritch, of Rome County, Tenn.; they have one daughter — Martha A., now Mrs. Ahart. Mrs. Ross has two children by a former marriage. C. H. SMITH was bom June 20, 1820, in Wilson County, middle Tenn. He is the son of James and Martha (Johnson) Smith. The par- ents were also natives of the same county and State ; the father died in 1876, aged seventy-five; the mother died in 1855, aged forty-nine. Subject was reared on his father's farm. He enlisted in 1846, in the Mexican war ; served part of two years. He then returned to Wilson County, and in the fall of 1847, he was married to Miss Matilda Vaughn. She was bom in the same county. This marriage has been blessed with five children — two daughters and three sons. In 1859 they moved to Trigg County, and settled where they now live on the Tennessee River. Mr. Smith owns 300 acres of land, about 150 acres of which are improved. Since coming to this land he has placed himself in comforta- ble circumstances by his constant and strict attention to business. RICHARD T. SOLOMON was bora August 27, 1857, in Trigg County, He is the fourth of a family of eight children born to John and Sallie (Meredith) Solomon. The father was born in Granger County, east Tenn., and served in the Mexican war. The mother died in 1866, aged about thirty-five. Our subject commenced working out at about the 252 BIOQKAPHICAL SKETCHES. age of twelve, and since this time has taken care of himself. He was married, in 1877, to Mrs. Polly Joyce, of Granger County. Three children have blessed this marriage : Cora, Josie and_03car. Mrs. Solomon has six children by a former marriage : Mary, Manda, John, Eliza, Elfie and Allie. DR. A. THOMAS was born in Trigg County, Ky., April 8, 1822. He is a son of Perry and Elizabeth (Bridges) Thomas. The father was born in Bertie County, N. C. ; came with his parents to Christian, now Trigg County, in 1806, and is still living in Canton Precinct, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. He still enjoys remarkably good health. The mother is also living and enjoying good health, now in her eightieth year. Subject at the age of twenty-one took up the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. Thomas B. Jeiferson. After studying four years he attended the Medical Depart- ment of the Louisville University, and graduated in the class of 1848. He then returned to Trigg County, where he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession. The Doctor is the oldest practicing phy- sician now in this county. He practiced at the Stacker Iron Works five years, and two years in Canton. In 1856 he came to Golden Pond, where he has since resided, except the two years he was Assistant Surgeon in the Union Army, stationed at Smithland, Ky. On his return from the army he was appointed Postmaster, which oflBce he still holds. Ho was married, in 1866, to Mrs. Mary J. Frazelle, a native of Trigg County. JOHN B. WILLIAMS, farmer, was born in Trigg County, Ky., May 16, 1832, and, is a son of Futrell and Frances E. (Craig) Williams ; the former a native of North Carolina, and of Scotch descent ; the latter a native of South Carolina, and of Irish descent. Futrell Williams, in youth learned the wagon-maker's trade, and followed it in connection with farming. He emigrated to Kentucky in the year 1807, with his parents. John Craig, grandfather of our subject, came to Kentucky in 1799, landed at Donaldson Creek, and built his camp-fire against a small Cottonwood tree. It is now one of the largest trees in the county, and still bears the marks of his camp-fire. It stands near the mouth of Craig's Branch, named in honor of John Craig, the pioneer. Futrell Williams, subject's father, was born in 1805, and died in 1862. His wife Frances was born August 27, 1797, and died 1878 ; she was a con- GOLDEN POND PRECINCT. 253 sistant member of the Missionary Baptist Church. John B. Williams received his education in his native county. He remained with his par- ents until March 4, 1852, when he was married to Temperance E. Ricka, daughter of John and Charity Ricks, and a native of Kentucky. To Mr. and Mrs. Williams were born ten children, of whom six sons and one daughter are living. Mr. Williams has held the office of Constable and Magistrate. He belongs to the Blue Lodge, A. F. & A. M., No. 567, at Golden Pond, and was connected with the P. of H. He is a member of the Baptist Church. DR. G. P. YARBROUGH was born July 21, 1851, in Golden Pond Precinct. He is a son of Asa and Temperence (McGregor) Yar- brough. The parents were natives of Stewart County, Tenn. The father died May 19, 1872, aged fifty-eight years. The mother died in August, 1883, aged fifty-nine. Our subject was reared on his father's farm. At the age of twenty he engaged in school teaching, and during this time he studied medicine. After teaching about ten months he studied under the preceptership of Dr. Benj. Franklin three years. During the winter of 1872 and 1873 he took a course of lectures at the Medical Department of the University of Tennessee, after which he returned home and raised a crop on his father's farm. In June, 1874, he received a certificate from the Judicial Medical Board at Hopkinsville, and since that time has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession at this point. He was married, in 1876, to Sarah H. Malone. She was born in Ferguson Springs Precinct, a daughter of W. B. Malone, now engaged in the tobacco business at Canton. ROCK CASTL^ PRECINCT. BLAKE BAKER, Jk., farmer, was born in Trigg County, Ky., February 19, 1837, and is a son of Blake and Edna (Gressham) Baker ; the former a native of North Carolina and of English descent, the latter a native of Virginia and of Scotch descent. Blake Baker, St., was edu- cated in Kentucky, to which State he removed when quite young. He made farming his sole occupation. He first settled in Lyon County, then Caldwell County, and finally located in Trigg County, where he died August 29, 1852. He was a member of the Baptist Church, and served as Magistrate for a number of years. Blake Baker, Jr., remained at the homestead until January 30, 1859, when he was married to Elizabeth J. Grasty, a native of Kentucky. Seven children bless their union — four sons and three daughters. Mr. Baker has filled the ofiSce of Magis- trate since 1872, and is a Democrat in politics. He owns and operates a farm in Rock Castle Precinct, Trigg County. Mr. and Mrs. Baker are devoted members of the Baptist Church. SAMUEL F. BAKER, farmer, was born in Trigg County, Ky., May 17, 1842, and is a son of Blake and Clarinda E. (Standrod) Baker, both natives of Kentucky and of Scotch-English descent. The former died about the year 1845. S. F. Baker received a good education in the schools of his locality; his father died when he (Samuel) was very young, and he was taken and reared by his grandfather Standrod, with whom he remained until his marriage, which took place February 15, 1861, to Sarah A. Hendrick, a native of Kentucky. To them were born three children, of whom one son and one daughter are living. Mrs. Baker died in Sep- tember, 1865. Mr. Baker's second marriage was on October 15, 1868, to Sarah A. Thomas, a native of Kentucky. Seven children were born to this union, of whom two sons and three daughters are living : Mar- garet E., Mark S., Nancy I., Lulu B. and Zee. Mr. Baker has followed farming all his life, and at present fills the office of Magistrate for the precinct. He owns and operates a farm near Rock Castle Precinct. Mrs. B. is a devoted member of the Baptist Church. 256 BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES. J. R. BURNAM was born in North Carolina, October 4, 1823, and is a son of Wilson and Elizabeth (Gambrel) Burnam, both natives of North Carolina and of English descent, respectively. Wilson Burnam emigrated to Kentucky about the year 1830, and settled in Trigg County; he was a carpenter, and worked at his trade in connection with farming until his death in 1877. J. R. Burnam was educated in Trigg County and remained with his parents until 1850, when he was married to Sarah J. Holly, a native of Kentucky; to them were born two sons and one daughter. Mrs. Burnam died some seventeen years ago, and Mr. B. next married Lucy Hyden, a native of Tennessee. Two children bless this union — one son and one daughter. Mr. Burnam is by trade a brick- layer, and follows this business in connection with farming. He is a member of the I, 0. 0. F. at Rock Castle, also of the Blue Lodge, A. F. & A. M. at Parkersville, Ky., and is one of the leading men of the precinct and county. JOHN F. CAMPBELL was born in Trigg County, Ky., December 17, 1830, and is a sod of William and Sarah Campbell. John F. remained with his parents until twenty years of age, when he entered the employ of Hillman, Van Lear & Co., as book-keeper and salesman ; with them he remained four years, and after spending some time at home, again en- tered their employ. In 1860 he began business for himself at Rock Cas- tle ; one year later he began farming, which he has since followed, with the exception of three years, when he was engaged in the milling busi- ness. At present he resides near Rock Castle, west of the Cumberland. Mr. Campbell was married February 14, 1861, to Sarah Cunningham, a native of Tennessee. To them were born eight children, of whom Joseph N., William J., James S., Charles, Alice B. and George G. are living. Mr. C. is a member of the Blue Lodge, A. F. & A. M., Joppa, No. 167. He owns one of the best farms between the Cumberland and Tennessee- Rivers; he is one of the leading citizens of the precinct and county. WILLIAM M. CAMPBELL was born in Trigg County, Ky., October 8, 1842, and is a son of William and Sarah J. (Baker) Campbell, both natives of Kentucky, the former of Scotch and the latter of French descent. William Campbell, Sr., was born in Bourbon County, Ky., October 26, 1797, where he lived for some time, then removed to Ten- nessee, where he spent one year, then came to Christian County, and ROCK CASTLE PKECINCT. 257 thence to Trigg County, where he still resides at the advanced age of eighty-seven years, the oldest man in Rock Castle Precinct and the second oldest in the county. When Mr. Campbell came to Trigg County it was unoccupied save by wolves, bears and wild game. In youth he learned the tanner's trade, but made farming his occupation instead. William M. Campbell (our subject) received a good common school education, but was forced to leave school early owing to ill health. At the beginning of the war troubles, though barely old enough for enrollment, he was elected Captain of Company A, First Regiment Kentucky Volun- teers. In September, 1861, he enlisted in Capt. T. G. Woodward's squadron, Kentucky Cavalry, C. S. A., which subsequently composed Companies A and B, First Kentucky Cavalry, commanded by Gen. Ben Hardin Helm. Mr. Campbell served throughout the war, rising through successive grades from private to Lieutenant commanding company. He was desperately wounded in front of Columbia, S. C, on the 15th of Feb- ruary, 1865. After the war he taught school one year. He was mar- ried, November 16, 1865, to Rebecca C. Holland, a native of Kentucky, by whom he has had nine children, of whom Nannie, John S. David W., William M., Jr., and Richard G. are living. After his marriage Mr. Camp- bell engaged in merchandising ; later was employed as head salesman for Hillman & Son's Iron Works, and at present is head salesman for Ewald & Co.'s store (iron works), and also superintends his farm. He is a mem- ber of the P. of H. and A. F. & A. M., and of the Missionary Baptist Church. Has served as Sheriff of Trigg County four years ; has also figured conspicuously in politics, and is one of the leading influential business men of the county. THOMAS W. FINLEY, farmer, was born in De Kalb County, Tenn., January 10, 1847, and is a son of Henry and Permelia Finley, natives respectively of Tennessee and Georgia, and of Irish descent. Thomas W. remained on the homestead until August 14, 1864, when he was married to Meridian Walker, a native of Tennessee. They had five children, of whom two sons and two daughters are living. In 1867 Mr. Finley emigrated to Kentucky, settled in Trigg County and followed farming ; December 16, 1875, his wife died, and June 11, 1876, he mar- ried Mary Powell, a native of .Kentucky; to them were born two chil- dren. His third marriage was December 20, 1881, to Nancy Keil, a BI7 258 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. native of Tennessee. Mr. Finley is a member of the Baptist Church ; he owns and operates a farm in Rock Castle Precinct, where he is a rep- resentative citizen. DANIEL HILLMAN, proprietor of a smelting furnace and rolling-mill, was born in New Jersey, February 26, 1807, and is a son of Daniel and Grace (Huston) Hillman. They were natives of New Jersey and are sup- posed to be of English descent. Daniel Hillman, Sr., was largely engaged in the iron business in New Jersey, and also engaged in the same busi- ness for eight or nine years in Greenupsburg, Ky., after his removal to that place ; there also Mrs. Hillman died. Some years after, Mr. Hill- man, in company with another party, built the first smelting fur- nace in the neighborhood of Birmingham, Ala. Daniel Hillman, Jr., received a good common school education in Kentucky, to which State he came with his parents, when he was quite young. He went into business with Van Lear at Cumberland Furnace, Dixon Co., Tenn. ; from there he came to Empire Furnace in Trigg County, Ky., and entered into partnership with Dr. Watson. While at the Cumberland Furnace he was married to a daughter of Dr. J. Hart Marible, member of Con- gress. To their union were born four children — two sons and two daugh- ters — all of whom are living. While engaged at the Empire Furnace, he built the Fulton Furnace in Trigg County, moved the rolling mill from Nashville to Lyon County, and put it up across the river from the Empire Furnace. On the death of his partner, he bought the latter's interest and controlled the business. He afterward took his two brothers as part- ners, and the firm was known as D. Hillman & Bros. He had large commission houses all over the country, and before the war, built what is known as Center Furnace, which is now operated by one of his sons ; he also owned a furnace in Hickman County, Tenn. At the breaking out of the war these furnaces were closed, the Center Furnace being now the only one in operation. Before the war Mr. Hillman was also owner of 72,000 acres of land. In 1870 or 1871 he purchased property in Alabama, both coal and iron — the Alice Furnace Company which is now consolidated with the Pratt Coal Company. The Trigg Furnace was built in 1871 and was operated for some three and a half years, when Mr. Hillman's health began to fail, and it is now idle. Mrs. Hillman died in 1861. His second marriage, took place in the fall of 1865, to ROCK CASTLE PRECINCT. 259 Mary A. Gentry, a daughter of Meredith P. Gentry, Member of Congress from Tennessee. To this union have been born four sons, three of whom are living. Mr. Hillman is a member of the Nashville, Tenn., Lodge, A. F. & A. M., also a Knight Templar. Since the failing of his health, he has sold some of his property. He is one of the leading, influential citizens and business men of Trigg County. SAMUEL M. HOLLAND was born in Trigg County, Ky., Novem- ber 7, 1857, and is a son of J. A. and Minerva (Standrod) Holland, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter a native of Kentucky, of English descent respectively; the father emigrated to Kentucky at an early age, and settled in what was then Caldwell County, but now Trigg County ; he was a farmer ; he was married October 10, 1844 ; he was a member of the Blue Lodge, A. F. & A. M., Joppa, No. 167, in Lyon County, Ky. Mr. and Mrs. Holland were life-long members of the Baptist Church ; the former died February 15, 1877, the latter January 31, 1884. Samuel M., our subject, remained with his parents on the homestead until November 4, 1880, when he was married to Lucy K. Baker, a native of Kentucky. To them have been born two children : Albert B. and Pearl. In connection with farming Mr. Holland owns and operates a cotton-gin, grist-mill, smith and wagon-shop. He owns a beautiful farm in Rock Castle, Trigg County, where he resides ; he is one of the influential men of the county. WILLIAM LITCHFIELD, farmer, was born in Lyon County (then Caldwell) November 20, 1820, and is a son of James and Nancy (Wim- berly) Litchfield, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of North Carolina, and were of English descent respectively. James Litchfield migrated to Kentucky in 1818, his first wife having died some time before. His second marriage was to the mother of our subject ; he purchased a farm in Lyon County, then Caldwell County, Ky., where he died at the advanced age of ninety-four. William Litchfield remained with his par- ents in youth, and in 1844 was married to Elizabeth Oliver, a native of Kentucky. Five children bless their union, two sons and three daugh- ter, all living. Mrs. L. died some years ago. She was a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. L. next married Mrs. Alzadie M. Dunn, a native of Kentucky, on March 3, 1880. They have one child — Carrie M. M. R. M. Dunn. Mr. Litchfield is a Democrat in politics, and is one of the pioneer citizens of the county. In religion he is a Baptist. 260 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. EPHRAIM D. OSBURN, fanner, was born in Trigg County, Ky., May 4, 1842, and is a son of Miles and Margaret (Sanders) Os- burn, the former a native of Mississippi, the latter a native of Ken- tucky, of English descent, respectively. Miles Osburn came to Kentucky when quite young ; was reared by his half-brother, and remained with him till he was married ; he then settled in Rock Castle Precinct, and followed farming ; he remained there till the fall of 1883, when he sold out and moved to Illinois, where he now resides ; he is a member of the church, and one of the leading citizens of Trigg County. Ephraim D . Osburn remained with his parents until January 16, 1864, when he was married to Sarah E. Luttrell, a native of Kentucky. Nine children blessed their union, of whom five sons and one daughter are living. At about the age of eighteen Mr. Osburn learned the carpenter trade, and follows it in connection with farming, his principal occupation. In 1862 he enlisted in the Eighth Kentucky Regiment, Company B, and served three years. Mr. Osburn is a firm believer in the doctrines of the Baptist Church ; he owns a farm in Rock Castle Precinct, and is one of the rep- resentative men in the county. Politically he is a Democrat. WILEY PEAL, farmer, was born in Trigg County, Ky., No- vember 19, 1849, .and is a son of Harvey and Emily Creekmore) Peal, both natives of Trigg County. Harvey Peal was born July 11, 1820, in Trigg County, and owns the farm on which he now resides in Rock Castle Precinct. Wiley Peal remained with his parents until February 8, 1872, when he was married to Mattie Merrifield, a native of Kentucky. Three children bless their union : Anna, William R. and Daisy D. Mr. Peal follows farming, and frequently teaches school in the winter season, and for a time was clerk in the Tennessee Rolling Mills. He has held the office of Town Trustee. Mr. and Mrs. Peal are devoted members of the Baptist Church. WILLIAM M. PEAL, farmer, was born in Trigg County, Ky., November 13, 1857, and is a son of Harvey and Emily Peal. He remained on the farm with his parents until March 7, 1876, when he was married to Sarah E. Creekmore, a daughter of George Creekmore, and a native of Kentucky. They have one child — Ida Lee. After his mar- riage Mr. Peal purchased a farm, on which he resides. In politics he is Republican, and leads the quiet but industrious life of a farmer in Rock Castle Precinct, where he is one of the representative citizens. ROCK CASTLE PRECINCT. 261 DRURY W. STANDROD, farmer, was born in Trigg County, Ky., February 23, 1822, and is a son of Bazzel and Rebecca (Rogers) Standrod, the former of German descent, the latter not known ; the former died March 11, 1869 ; the latter March 28 1867. Drury W. Standrod was educated at the subscription schools of his native county ; he was married October 14, 1853, to Catherine F. Campbell, a native of Kentucky. To them were born seven children, of whom three are living: Rebecca Frances, Samuel Ewing and Mary Elizabeth. Mr. Standrod followed farming until 1847, when he engaged in the mercantile business at Rock Castle ; continued in the same until 1870, during which time he was and is still connected with the warehouse. He has held the oflBce of Post- master almost continuously since 1854 ; he is a member of the Blue Lodge, A. F. & A. M. Since 1870 he has principally been engaged in farming, and owns a farm of 225 acres, 175 of which are in cultivation. Mr. Standrod is one of the highly respected citizens of Rock Castle Precinct. The original family were all members of the Lutheran order of Baptists, and died in that faith, in which Mr. Standrod is also a believer. S. E. STANDROD, physician, was born in Rock Castle, Trigg Co., Ky., June 7, 1857, and is a son of D. W. and C. F. Standrod. S. E. Standrod received a good education in his native county ; he then attended the Nashville and Vanderbilt University of Medicine, where he will grad- uate this year. He is one of the promising young men of the county, is a devoted member of the Baptist Church, and bids fair to soon appear among the leading men of his chosen profession. JOHN JAMES WALLACE, farmer, was born in Trigg County, Ky., and is a son of J. L. and Caroline (Prescott) Wallace, the former a native of Stewart County, Tenn., and the latter a native of Kentucky . J. L. Wallace began life at the age of thirteen, working by the month on a farm for very small wages. In 1839 he came to Kentucky, and in 1854 purchased a farm in Trigg County, which he still owns. He spent some three years in Texas, one year in Arkansas, then returned to Trigg County, where he now resides. He was married April 1, 1850. He is a member of the'Blue Lodge, A. F. & A. M., Joppa, No. 167, and is a believer in the doctrines of the Baptist Church. J. J. Wallace, our sub- ject, received a good education in youth in his native county. He remained with his parents, engaged on the farm until December 16, 1876, 262 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. when he was married to Jane McConnell, a native of Kentucky. To them were born four children, of whom two sons and one daughter are yet living. Mr. Wallace owns a nice farm, and bids fair to become one of the leading farmers of the county. ALVIN G. WALLACE was born in Trigg County, April 28, 1861, and is a son of James and Martha (Whithurst) Wallace, both natives of Tennessee, and of English descent. James Wallace was by trade a cab- inet-maker, at which he worked in connection with farming. In 1856 he emigrated to Trigg County, Ky., where he bought a farm on which he resided during the remainder of his life. He served some two years in the Confederate Army during the late war. He was a member of the Blue Lodge, A. F. & A. M., Joppa, No. 167, in Lyon County. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace were life-long members of the Baptist Church. Mr. W. died October 26, 1879, loved by all who knew him. Alvin G., our sub- ject, has always lived on the farm which he operates since the death of his father, and takes care of his only sister — Mary C. and his widowed mother. Mr. Wallace is twenty-three years old, a man of good habits, enterprising, industrious, and one of the promising young men of the county. WALLONIA PRECINCT. RICHARD BLANKS was born September 10, 1818, in Mecklen- burg County, Va. He is a son of James and Sallie Blanks. The father was born in the same county and State January 15, 1769 ; he died July 10, 1852, at the mature age of eighty-three years, five months and twenty-five days. The mother was born in Mecklenburg County, Va. ; she died July 5, 1859, aged eighty-five years, three months and eight days. In 1835 the family came to Trigg County ; they settled on the farm now owned by subject ; it consists of 156 acres of land ; he also owns forty-eight and one-half acres on the Muddy Fork. Mr. Blanks was married on November 13, 1851, to Lucy Falkner. She was born in Trigg County. This marriage has been blessed with two daughters. JOHN M. BOYD was born April 2, 1846, in Trigg County. He is the eldest of a family of nine children born to William and Harriet (Gray) Boyd. The father was born in Halifax County, Va.; he died November 18, 1877, aged sixty-three. The mother was born in 1826, in Tennessee, and is now living in this precinct. John M., in 1869, secured a position as clerk in a warehouse at Canton, where he remained about one year. He then bought an interest in a saw-mill in Canton, and operated it about four years ; after which, a grist-mill was attached and run about three years. He then engaged in merchandising about four years. In September, 1882, he removed to his present locality, having built a grist-mill that fall at a cost of about $6,000. Mr. Boyd was mar- ried, in 1871, to Miss Marion Hopson, of Trigg County. This union has been blessed with two daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd are members of the Baptist Church. GEORGE W. BOYD was born in Christian County on August 3, 1846, and is a son of John W. and Polly (Anderson) Boyd. The father was born in Halifax County, Va., in 1813 : he died in Christian County in 1865. The mother was born in Christian County, and died in 1854. Our subject at the age of nineteen secured employment in the County Clerk's office, also in the Circuit Clerk's office, and later engaged in 264 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. school teaching ; the latter position he held about ten years. He then engaged in farming, which he still continues. He owns a farm of 200 acres, located about one and a half miles southwest of Wallonia. Mr. Boyd was married in 1871 to Virginia Wall. This lady was bom in this county. Their union has been blessed with one son — Walter S. Mr. Boyd is a member of the Christian Church. ED. BRANDON, firm of Brandon Brothers, proprietors of saw-mill, and merchants, was born January 10, 1842, in Trigg County. He is the fifth child of a family of seven born to John L. and Eliza A. (Howell) Brandon ; the former was born October 22, 1810, in Halifax County, Va. At about the age of seventeen, he came with his parents to Trigg County, and is now living with his sons. Mrs. Eliza A. Brandon was born in North Carolina in 1809. She died in May, 1874. Our subject was brought up on his father's farm ; he followed farming till March, 1883, when he engaged in his present business. In the spring of 1879, he was appointed County Surveyor, and in August, 1879, he was elected to this oflSce to fill an unexpired term, and again re-elected in 1883. He, with his brother, in 1879, bought what was known as the Larkin's saw- mill and which they have since operated. Mr. Brandon was married, June 4, 1863, to Louisa A. Larkins. She was born in Trigg County and is a daughter of William Larkins who died September, 1875, aged seventy-six. L. S. DUNNING was born on the Muddy Fork of Little River, Trigg County, Ky., December 25, 1839, and is the ninth child of a fam- ily of thirteen born to Levi and Jeanette M. (Carney) Dunning. This family are of English origin ; they immigrated to North Carolina at an early day. Shadrach Dunning, the great-grandfather of our subject came to Kentucky. He settled in what is now Trigg County, as early as 1803, and selected for bis home a tract of land lying on the Muddy Fork of Little River, where he followed the vocation of a farmer until the time of his death. After coming to this county his descendants became scat- tered, part of them going to Missouri and part to Texas. The father of subject was born in Bertie County, N. C, Octo- ber 3, 1797, and died in Trigg County, April 16, 1853. The mother was born in the same county and State, on the 24th of November, 1803, and died in Trigg County on her farm April 3, 1877. In many respects WALLONIA PRECINCT. 265 Mrs. Dunning was a very remarkable woman. Left in moderate circum- stances at the death of her husband, she, by close application to business, succeeded in a few years in acquiring a competency ; confining her atten- tion to agricultural pursuits, she increased the original homestead from about 600 or 800 acres to over 1,500 acres, and was considered the most successful woman in the county. Mr. L. S. Dunning enlisted in 1862, in Company B, Eighth Kentucky Regiment, Confederate Army, and served till May, 1865 ; he participated in the siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, Guntown and in the charge on Paduoah, where Col. Thompson lost his life, and served in other engagements. At the close of the war he returned to his mother's farm, where he remained several years. In 1871 he removed to his present farm, which at that time contained 120 acres ; this he has increased to over 600 acres and is one of the best improved farms in the neighborhood, and speaks well for his success as an agriculturist. Mr. Dunning was married in 1871 to Miss Henrie, daughter of the late Dr. L. D. Shelton, of Christian County. They have a family of four children — three sons and one daughter. JAMES H. GLOVER was born August 19, 1847, in Appomattox County, Va. He is a son of A. P. and Mary (Dickerson) Glover, also natives of Virginia. The father of subject owned a farm of 452 acres in Virginia ; this he disposed of, and in 1869 removed to Christian County, where he now resides. Our subject came to this farm in 1881, having purchased it from W. W. Carney. It consists of 240 acres ; he formerly owned a farm in Caldwell County where he resided about twelve years. He was married in 1872 to Miss Sallie B. Terry ; she was born in Hali- fax County, Va. This marriage has been blessed with five children, three sons and two daughters. W. J. GRAY was born July 29, 1839, in Caldwell County, Ky. He is a son of Nathan and Lydia (Green) Gray. The father was born in Caldwell County ; he died in 1867, aged fifty-four. The mother was born in the same county and State ; she died in 1857, aged thirty-eight. Our subject came to this farm in 1872 ; it consists of 207 acres of land. Mr. Gray was married March 16, 1862, to Martha B. Kanedy. She was born on this farm. Their union has been blessed with seven children — three sons and four daughters. Mr. Gray is a life-long and devoted member of the Baptist Church. He is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity and Chosen Friends. 266 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. W. C. HAYDON was born April 12, 1826, in Trigg County. He is a son of Dr. William C. Haydon who was born in 1782 in Virginia, and was brought with his parents to Clark County, Ky., when quite young ; there he grew to manhood ; he then attended the Philadelphia Medical College, and graduated from that school of learning. On his return to Clark County, he engaged in the practice of his profession. He married in Mt. Sterling, Ky. Soon after moved to Princeton ; while practicing he secured the contract and built the first courthouse erected in Prince- ton. After a residence of a few years there, he removed to Trigg County, where he engaged in the practice of his profession till death. He also engaged in agricultural pursuits. He had served as magistrate several years, and held the office of Sheriff two years. The Doctor was usually called upon to prepare deeds, mortgages and other legal instruments, and was recognized as one of the leading men of this locality. Our subject now owns and occupies the homestead where he was born, consisting of 420 acres. He was married in January, 1855, to Miss Eliza A. Robert- son. She was born in Virginia. Nine children have blessed this union — three sons and six daughters. DR. W. A. LINDSEY was born at Lindsey's Mills, Trigg County, March 24, 1857 ; he is the son of James A. and Mary E. (Garnett) Lindsey. The father was bom in 1833, also at these mills, which had been erected by his father, S. S. Lindsey, at an early day. James A. died in 1860, aged twenty-seven years ; he had opened a store at the mills, where he was engaged in merchandising at the time of his death. The mother was born in 1838, on Little River, in this county, and now lives with her son in Wallonia. At the age of twenty-three, subject took up the study of medicine, under the preceptorship of Dr. J. W. Crenshaw, of Cadiz. In 1881 he attended the Louisville Medical College ; he grad- uated from this school of learning in the class of 1883 ; he then went to Roaring Springs, where he practiced a short time. In May, 1883, he located at Wallonia, where he is now actively engaged in the practice of his profession. The Doctor is a member of the Trigg County Medical Society. W. J. MOORE was born in Mecklenburg County, Va., August 24, 1835. He is the third child of a family of six born to Henderson and Margaret (Owen) Moore. The former was born September 6, 1806, in WALLONIA PKECINCT. 267 Mecklenburg County, Va.; he died in 1878, in Trigg County. The latter was born in the same locality, January 6, 1807, and is now living in this county with her son, James H. Moore. Our subject was reared on his father's farm ; at the age of twenty he secured employment as clerk in a store ; he continued in this capacity till 1875, when he established him- self in business; he continued merchandising till March 1, 1883, at which time he retired, and is now settling up his book and other accounts. DR. A. G. P'POOL was born February 27, 1849, in Mecklenburg County, Va. He is a son of Dr. B. F. and Sarah (Gregory) P'Pool. The father was born November 6, 1814, in the same county. He there followed the medical profession, and was also a planter till 1857, when he removed to Nashville, and engaged in the publishing of the Tennes- see Baptist, and later attended the Nashville Medical College, from which he graduated in 1861 or 1862. He then resumed the practice of medi- cine, and continued this profession till his death, which occurred in May, 1880. The mother was born in 1820, and now lives in Nashville, Tenn. Our subject in 1868 commenced the study of medicine, under the pre- ceptorship of his brother, Dr. E. S. P'Pool, after which he attended the Louisville Medical College. He graduated from the University of Naahville in the class of 1872, and at once commenced the practice of his profession at Nashville, and in the fall of 1872 removed to Caldwell County, where he continued his practice till 1877 ; he then came to Wallonia. Here he remained till 1880, when he returned to Nashville, Tenn., on account of the death of his father. In Nashville he practiced but a short time, and again returned to Wallonia, where he has since been actively engaged at his profession. He now occupies the premises formerly owned by his brother. He was married in 1874 to Susan M., daughter of E. M. Wood, of Caldwell County. Five children bless this union — three sons and two daughters. The Doctor is a member of the Trigg County Medical Society. Was Vice-President of this body in 1883. ROBERT WADE was born December 29, 1824, in Montgomery County, Tenn. He is the seventh child of a family of twelve born to Peter and Elizabeth (Wortham) Wade. The former was born in Halifax County, Va.; he died in October, 1860, aged seventy-two. The mother was born in the same county and State in 1796 ; she died in 1866. Our 268 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. subject was brought to this county with his parents in 1832. He assisted on their farm till the age of twenty-one, since which time he has been carrying on business on his own account. He lived on a rented farm from 1860 to 1863, and then bought his present farm, which consists of 216^ acres. Mr. Wade was married in September, 1861, to Miss Nancy J. Brandon. She was born in Trigg County. They have four children — three sons and one daughter. They lost William Lee September 1, 1883, aged seventeen. Lucy Jane died in 1881. Mr. Wade is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity, and a life-long and devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. ABITHAL WALLACE was born March 18, 1839, in Stewart County, Tenn. He is the eldest child of a family of ten born to James Wallace and Martha Whitehurst; the former was born in 1815, in Stew- art County, Tenn. He died in 1880, aged sixty-three. The latter is the daughter of Joshua Whitehurst, who was born in Martin County, N. C, in 1776, and now a resident of Stewart County, Tenn., where he is enjoying a reasonable degree of health, at the advanced age of one hundred and eight years. Our subject came with his parents to Trigg County, in 1855. He assisted on their farm till the age of twenty- one, since which time he has been engaged at contracting and building. In 1860, he built a residence in Cadiz, now occupied by W. C. White. He owns a store room in Wallonia, and other property in the village. He in company with Maj. Bingham built several bridges in this county. From 1876 to 1882 he was engaged in merchandising in Wallonia. He now has an interest in a drug store in Princeton, Ky. Mr. Wallace enlisted in 1862, Company D, Col. Woodard's Second Regiment of Cav- alry ; served about nine months, after which the regiment was disbanded near Columbia, Tenn. He was married February 7, 1861, to Mary D. Cameron. She was born in this county ; two sons bless this union — Alexander and James D. Wallace. E. E. WASH was born April 3, 1843, in Simpson County, Ky. He is a son of W. 0. and Frances B. (Goodlette) Wash. The former was born in 1808, in Kentucky ; he died November 21, 1880. The latter was also born in Kentucky. She died January 17, 1876, in Wall- onia, aged sixty-one. Our subject was brought to Trigg County with his parents when young, and on attaining his majority, engaged in agricult- WALLONIA PRECINCT. 269 ural pursuits on his own account. In 1876 he came to his present farm, consisting then of 125 acres. He has since added to these possessions as his circumstances would admit, and now owns about 400 acres, and is con- sidered one of the best farmers in the precinct. Mr. Wash was married May 2, 1877, to Miss Nannie Boyd, daughter of William Boyd. This union has been blessed with two children. J. R. WATKINS was born in Trigg County June 1, 1828 ; he is the eldest of a family of fifteen children born to H. B. and Diana F. (Wade) Watkins. The father was born November 1, 1806, in Mont- gomery County, Tenn.; he died November 27, 1874. The mother was born in Halifax County, Va., November 27, 1807 ; she died April 2, 1868. They immigrated to Trigg County in December, 1827. Our sub- ject was reared on his father's farm, and from 1860 to 1870 he held the position of overseer; he then bought a farm, which he has since improved and where he now resides. He owns in all 380 acres. Mr. Watkins was married, in 1873, to Miss Mildred Husk. She was born in Trigg County. S. M. WATKINS was born December 11, 1848, in Christian Coun- ty ; he is a son of Samuel M. and Sarah (Hawkins) Watkins ; the former was born in Tennessee, and died in August, 1873, aged fifty -six ; the latter was born in Christian County in 1821. Our subject after arriving at man- hood removed to the Purchase, where he remained one year ; he then came to Trigg County and worked for his uncle, Hezekiah T. Watkins, from 1870 to 1874, when he was married to Susan A., daughter of S. J. Watkins. He then lived on his father-in-law's farm one year, and then returned to his uncle's farm, where he worked two years. In the fall of 1877 he came to his present farm, consisting of 100 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Watkins have four bright children — three sons and one daughter. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. CERULEAN SPRINGS PRECINCT. M. E. BAREFIELD was born in Campbell County, Ga., December 26, 1845 ; he is the fourteenth child in a family of fifteen children born to John and Anna (Parker) Barefield. The father was born in Georgia, and died December 27, 1883, at the advanced age of ninety-six years. The mother was born in North Carolina, and is now living in Georgia with one of her sons. Our subject enlisted, in 1863, in Company K, Thirtieth Georgia Regiment, Capt. H. B. Morris. He served until the close of the war. In 1867 he came to his present farm ; his first pur- chase was 100 acres. By his economy, good management and industry he has increased this farm to 278 acres ; his farm is well improved, with a comfortable residence, which he built at a cost of about $1,500 ; his other buildings cost about $300. He was married, in 1868, to Mary E. Ladd, of this county. Two sons have blessed this marriage. Mr. Bare- field is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. DR. JOHN J. BLAKELEY was born March 26, 1834, in Trigg County ; he is the second of a family of nine children born to Will- iam S. and Louisa (Haggard) Blakeley. The father was born in North Carolina in 1801, and died in Trigg County, Ky., in 1865; the mother was a native of Virginia, and was born in 1811. They were among the earliest settlers of this county. Our subject, at about the age of thirty- three, commenced the study of medicine under the preceptorship of his brother. Dr. W. H. Blakeley ; having studied four years, he went to Cin- cinnati and attended the Pulte Medical College, after which he went to St. Louis and attended the Hahnemann Medical College, and graduated in the class of 1872 ; he then returned to Trigg County, at which time his brother, Dr. Blakeley, removed to Bowling Green ; he at once assumed his brother's practice, and has since been engaged in the practice of his chosen profession. He owns a farm of 125 acres, where he now resides, and is also engaged in agriculture. He was married in June, 1858, to Almira E. Blakeley, a native of Trigg County. Four children have 272 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. blessed this union — two sons and two daughters. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, also a member of the Baptist Church. C. M. COX was born February 2, 1855, in Cerulean Springs Pre- cinct, Trigg County. He is a son of C. M. R. and Nancy 0. (Moore) Cox, both natives of Mecklenburg County, Va. The father was born March 18, 1818 : at the age of seventeen he started on foot for Ken- tucky, with $20 in his pocket. Trigg County was his first stopping place ; here he remained three years, when he returned to his native State and county, and was married in 1838, after which he returned to Trigg County, and bought a farm of 100 acres, which he afterward sold. After serving as overseer for four years he bought his present farm of 100 acres. Our subject also owns 100 acres which he cultivates in connec- tion with his father's. He has recently completed a comfortable house at a cost of about $1,400, also a barn at a cost of $250. Mr. C. M. Cox was married in 1872 to Miss Frances Ladd, of Trigg County. Their union has been blessed with three children — one son and two daughters. His uncle, Lanson Cox, is still carrying on his farm in Mecklenburg County, Va., at the advanced age of ninety-one years. A. B. CULLOM, M. D., was born in Davidson County, Tenn., July 16, 1839. His parents were Jesse P. and Susan A. (Hooper) Cul- lom, the former born in same county and State in 1815, and died March 28, 1851, in Lexington, Mo. The mother was born in Dixon County, Tenn., August 29, 1815, and is now living with her son, Dr. CuUom, who at the age of sixteen commenced the watch-making trade, which he fol- lowed five years. He enlisted in 1861 in Capt. Crenshaw's company, under Gen. Price, of Missouri. He served until the close of the war. Soon after enlistment he was commissioned First Lieutenant and partici- pated in the battles of Carthage, Springfield and Pea Ridge. He was then detailed on scout duty in which he continued until the close of the war, when he returned to Nashville and followed his former trade one year. He then secured a position as clerk in the dry goods store of J. M. Hooper, where he continued one year, after which he took up the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. J. P. Cullom. He remained with the Doctor three years. He then attended the Medical Department of the Nashville University and graduated in the class of 1870. He then moved to Calloway County and commenced the practice of medicine. In CERULEAN SPRINGS PRECINCT. 273 1879 he moved to Cerulian Springs, where he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession with good success. He was married Novem- ber 9, 1876, to Miss S. A. Brown, of Calloway County, Ky. Three children have blessed this union. The Doctor is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Blue Lodge, and Chapter at Murray, Ky. ; also is a member of the Baptist Church, and has been Superintendent of the Sunday- school of that place since his arrival here in 1879. DR. B. F. FELIX was born in Wayne County, 111., November 29, 1844. His parents are D. K. and Susan Ann (Mansfield) Felix; the father is a native of Ohio County, Ky., and now lives on his farm in Wayne County, 111. The mother was born in Logan County, Ky. Our subject was reared on his father's farm, and attended the district schools of the county. In 1876 he commenced the study of medicine; two years he continued under the preceptorship of Dr. P. J. Puckett, of White Coun- ty, 111. He then attended the Pulte Medical College at Cincinnati, during the fall and winter of 1877 and 1878, and after leaving college moved to Stewart County, Tenn., where he practiced but a short time, then went to Elkton in Todd County, Ky., and entered into practice with Dr. C. T. Lewis, continuing about six months. March 5, 1879, he came to Cerulean Springs, where he has since been engaged in the practice of his chosen profession. He was married October 5, 1864, to Miss Olive Butler, a native of Wayne County, 111. She was born September 21, 1848, and died May 17, 1877, leaving three daughters. His second mar- riage occurred December 11, 1879, to Miss Jennie Hester, a native of Caldwell County, Ky. They are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. W. S. GOODWIN was born on this farm July 18, 1823 ; he is the fifth child of a family of six bom to Samuel and Mary (Griffith) Good- win. The father was born in South Carolina September 2, 1785; when a child, Jesse Goodwin, his father, moved to Nashville, Tenn., and after raising one crop removed to Christian, now Trigg County, Ky., and located near Cerulean Springs — the Goodwin family being the earliest settlers of the county. This farm, now owned by subject, was deeded to his father, Samuel, by his grandfather in 1804 ; here he continued to reside till his death, which occurred December 5, 1862, at the age of seventy-eight. This farm now consists of 200 acres and is very pleasantly 274 BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCHES. situated about one mile from Cerulean Springs. Mr. W- S. Goodwin was married, May 4, 1848, to Miss Martha Wilson. She was born in Caldwell County, June 3, 1823, and reared in Trigg County. This mar- riage was blessed with nine children ; six are now living — three sons and three daughters. Mr. Goodwin was Deputy Sheriff from 1844 to 1848 ; he is also a member of the Masonic fraternity, and he, with Mrs. Good- win, are life-long and devoted members of the Baptist Church. The land where the Baptist Church now stands was deeded to this denomination by Jesse Goodwin, and is the oldest church in this part of the State. B. F. GOODWIN was born September 8, 1850, in Trigg County ; he is a son of Robert S. and Nancy (Blakely) Goodwin. The father was born March 29, 1811, in Christian, now Trigg County, and is a son of Samuel and Sarah (Brown) Goodwin. They emigrated from North Carolina to Nashville, Tenn., in 1782 ; then soon after removed to what is now Trigg County, and were the earliest settlers of the county. Samuel Goodwin died here, July 26, 1844, in his seventy-eighth year ; his wife died in February, 1842, aged sixty-seven. Robert S. Goodwin now resides on and owns part of the land which was entered by his father, and for which he holds a patent from the United States. Our subject received his early education at the subscription schools of this locality, after which he went to Cadiz and continued his studies under Prof. Wayland ; he then secured a position as clerk for G. W. Lindsey, where he remained six years ; and later with G. T. McCain, with whom he clerked two years. In 1882, he, with J. T. Ilarper, opened a general store at Cerulean Springs, and is doing a business of about $10,000 a year. Mr. Good- win is Postmaster at this point, having been appointed in January, 1882. J. T. HARPER was born July 7, 1831, in Pittsylvania County, Va.; his parents were L. B. and Lucy (Stamps) Harper. The father was a native of South Carolina, and died in Trigg County in 1859 ; the mother was born in Pittsylvania County, Va., and died in this county in 1855, at the age of sixty-two years. Our subject, in 1848, came with his parents to Trigg County and engaged in farming ; in 1860 he settled on a farm of 420 acres in Cadiz Precinct, which he has since owned and improved. He recently bought the Cerulean Springs Hotel and grounds, where he now acts as " mine host." A notice of these springs will be found in the general history of Cerulean Springs, in this work. He owns, in com- CERULEAN SPRINGS PREClNCT, 275 pany with Mr. J. F. White, 140 acres adjoining the Springs. Mr. Har- per is also engaged in general merchandising with Mr. B. F. Goodwin, at Cerulean Springs. In 1857 he married Miss Eliza, daughter of John F. White, who is well and favorably known. To them were born two children — a son and daughter. The parents are life-long members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Harper is a member of the K. of H. WILLIAM B. LADD was born August 11, 1830, in Trigg County, Ky. ; he is the seventh child in a family of eight children born to John and Mary (Jones) Ladd. The father was born in North Carolina in 1793, and died in Trigg County in 1868. The mother was born in South Carolina, and died December 10, 1880, at the advanced age of ninety-three years. In 1852 subject bought 100 acres of land where his residence now stands. He has since increased this farm until he now owns 360 acres ; he has cleared about 160 acres of this farm ; in 1878 he built his present residence, which is one of the finest in the precinct, at a cost of about $2,000 ; he has placed other buildings on the farm at a cost of about $800 ; he has a nice farm, and is numbered among the most industrious and worthy men of his precinct; he also owns a farm of 123 acres of well-improved land in Caldwell County, which is now rented. He was married, in 1852, to Mary Dyer, a native of Trigg County ; these parents have seven children — five sons and two daughters. The parents and six of the children are members of the Baptist Church. ELIJAH LADD was born on the farm where he now resides March 10, 1857 ; he is the eldest child and only son in a family of four children born to W. H. and Jemima (Guthrie) Ladd ; the parents are both natives of this county ; the father was born on this farm in 1826 ; he died here in 1881 ; the mother was born in 1827, and now resides on the home farm. Our subject owns 360 acres of land which was formerly a part of his father's farm ; about 200 acres of his land is well improved. He was married, March 8, 1883, to Miss Celia Mitchell, a native of Trigg County, Ky. WILLIAM D. LANDER (deceased) was born December 13, 1818, in Christian County, Ky. ; his death occurred November 5, 1878, at Ceru- lian Springs ; he went to Graves County, Ky., in 1858 ; two years later he moved to Trigg County ; in 1862 he located on this farm consisting of about 400 acres ; he was largely engaged in buying and shipping live 276 BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCHES. stock, in which business and farming he was eminently successful ; he was landlord of the Cerulean Springs at the time of his death. His marriage occurred November 5, 1843, to Annie W., daughter of Robert and Dicey (Baker) Rogers. Mr. Rogers was born in Virginia, and died in 1852, aged fifty-four years ; Mrs. Rogers was born in Caldwell County, Ky., and died in 1850, aged fifty-two. Our subject has two children — Julia P. (now Mrs. John D. Gardner) and Robert Short (now in the livery business in Eddyville). W. F. READ was born in Caldwell County, Ky., June 30, 1849; his parents are James and Frances (Headspeth) Read, both natives of Taylor County, Ky. The former was born in 1880, the latter in 1832. Subject was brought up on his father's farm, where he received an educa- tion from subscription schools. In October, 1882, he opened a store at Friendship, Caldwell County, and continued it about a year, when he moved to Cerulean Springs, where he keeps a store and carries a stock of about $3,000, and is doing a fair and increasing business. He was mar- ried in 1870 to Miss Jennie Goodwin, a native of Trigg County. This union has been blessed with five children: Edgar L., born October 22, 1871; James G., March 13, 1873; Viola, September 28,1876; Neville, September 3, 1878 ; Blanche, August 17, 1881. JOHN H. ROGERS was born in Trigg County, May 21, 1823 ; he is the eldest of four children born to Robert and Nancy (Baker) Rogers. The father was born in 1798 in Virginia, and died in Christian County, Ky., in 1852. The mother was born in 1802, in Caldwell County, Ky.; she died in Christian County in 1854. Our subject was reared on his father's farm, and at the age of twenty-three rented a farm in Christian County where he remained three years. After the death of his father he bought out the heirs and took possession of the farm, where he remained four years. He then moved to Graves County, Ky., and remained five years. In 1863 he removed to Trigg County and lived on a rented farm near the Springs one year. He then returned to Christian County and farmed there two years. In 1881 he came to his present farm of 125 acres, which he rents. He was married January 1, 1846, to Elizabeth H. Hicks, a native of Springfield, Robinson Co., Tenn. This lady died May 22, 1875, aged forty-six years. Ten children (five boys and five girls) have blessed this union. Mr. Rogers is a member of the Masonic fraternity. CERULEAN SPRINGS PRECINCT. 277 HEZEKIAH SMITH was born September 19, 1830, in Hopkins County, Ky. His parents were Austin P. and Myra (Sisk) Smith, both natives of North Carolina ; the former died in 1875, at the age of seventy- six years ; the latter was born in May, 1801, and died in Hopkins County, Ky., in 1866. Hezekiah was reared on his father's farm, where he remained until 1852, when he bought a farnl of 115 acres in Hopkins County where he resided until 1869, when he sold his farm and moved to his present location ; he owns 165 acres 110 of which are improved. For the past twenty years he has been engaged in preaching for the Baptist Church, and for the past fourteen years has had charge of the church at Muddy Fork, of the same denomination. He was married in 1854 to Dorcas Stanley of Hopkins County, Ky. Mr. and Mrs. Smith had ten children, eight of whom are living. Their son, Eden H., died in August, 1883, at the age of twenty-four ; he had recently graduated with dis- tinguished honors from the Je£ferson Medical College, and was about entering upon the duties of his chosen profession, with bright prospects, when death, who " always likes a shining mark," claimed him as a victim. J. F. SMITH was born July 12, 1832, in Williamson County, Tenn. His parents are B. and Rebecca (Boyd) Smith ; they were born in east Tennessee ; the former in 1802, the latter in 1798 ; she died in Christian County March 8, 1882. In December, 1859, our subject came to Chris- tian County and lived on a leased farm there for ten years. In 1869 he moved to Trigg County and rented a farm from Mrs. West for two years. In 1871 he purchased 129 acres where he now lives ; he has since in- creased this farm to 195 acres, about 115 of which he has cleared. On his coming here he found it a dense wood. Mr. Smith was married Jan- uary 8, 1857, to Miss Martha E. McPeak, who was born in Bedford County, Tenn. To them were born twelve children, of whom six daugh- ters and four sons are living. Mr. S. is a member of the Masonic fraternity. ANDERSON STEWART was born September 8, 1837, in Trigg County, Ky. He is the eighth in a family of nine children born to James and Jemima (Good) Stewart. The father was born in Virginia, Septem- ber 80, 1799, and died February 2, 1872. The mother was born in Vir- ginia, January 2, 1800, and died October 4, 1876. She is the daughter of John S. Wood. James Stewart came with his family to Trigg County 278 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. in 1822. Anderson Stewart was married December 27, 1859, to Lucy Wood, a native of Georgia. These parents have two sons and two daugh- ters. After marriage Mr. Stewart worked on a farm, receiving part of the crop as his compensation. He then lived on a rented farm for three years. In 1864 he removed to his present farm consisting of 274 acres and is known as the " Wiley Wilson " farm. Mr. Stewart is a self-made man, having no advantages in early life for education. He began with- out means, but by his industry and close attention to duty, has placed him- self in very comfortable circumstances, and is one of the leading farmers in the community where he lives. His residence is one of the finest of his neighborhood, and his farm is well stocked; his out-buildings are commodious and well arranged ; his farm is located one and a half miles from Cerulean Springs. T. R. STEWART was born September 8, 1845, in Trigg County. He is a son of Johnson and Susan (Good) Stewart, both natives of Vir- ginia. In July, 1824, they moved to Christian County, remained there but one year, then came to Trigg County, where the father died in April, 1883, at the advanced age of eighty years. The mother is now living with her son Mitchell in Cerulean Springs Precinct. Our subject owns an interest in 150 acres of land ; part is included in the John McGhee farm where he now resides ; also part of the old homestead formerly owned by his father. Mr. Stewart was married, in 1878, to Eliza J. Warren, a native of Christian County. These parents have three children — two sons and one daughter. Mr. Stewart has also one son by a former marriage. Mr. Stewart is a member of the Baptist Church. ROBERT R. TURNER was born in Christian (now Trigg) County, Ky., February 8, 1812, and died August 9, 1884 ; he wasthe second child in a fiimily of eleven, born to James W. and Jane (Rogers) Turner. The father was born in South Carolina. Our subject's grandfather and two uncles served the in Revolutionary War. James W. emigrated to Christian County from South Carolina about the year 1808, and located about one and one-half miles from Cerulean Springs, on a farm, where he died in 1856, at the age of seventy-seven years. His wife was born in Virginia. She died in 1864, aged seventy-two. Our subject was married, in 1834, to Leah Goodwin. She was bom on this farm in 1809, and is a daughter of the late John Goodwin of this county. Our subject has nine children. CERULEAN SPETNGS PRECINCT. 279 six of whom are now living. His son, Robert P., enlisted in the late war, and died in the hospital at Hopkinsville soon after enlistment. John J. served throughout the war. David R. enlisted and served about seven weeks, when he was discharged on account of physical disability. Mr. Turner held the office of Magistrate continuously for forty years. His continuous re-election evinced the high esteem in which his services were held by his constituency; his term expired June, 1883, when he positively declined a re-election. He was a life-long and devoted member of the Baptist Church. MONTGOMERY PRECINCT. CAPT. EDMUND BACON (deceased) was born March 28, 1786, within a few miles of the old home of Thomas Jefferson. His father was a descendant of one of the best families in Virginia. His brother William had the management of Jefferson's estate during his four years' absence as Minister to France, and so satisfactory was his management, that upon the latter's election to the presidency, he naturally turned to the same family to find one capable of managing his large estate. Notwithstanding our subject's youth he was selected for the difiBcult task, and during his twenty years in that position he was Jefferson's adviser in all things pertaining to his finances, and often went to Washington to consult him and he frequently received long letters from him. He moved Mr. Jefferson to the capital and at the expiration of his term of oflSce, moved him back to Monticello. Capt. Bacon was familiar with the appearance of many of the prominent men connected with the early history of the country, such as Patrick Henry, Madison, Monroe, the Leighs, Barbours and Randolphs, who were frequent visitors at Monticello. Mr. Jefferson's two daughters were fond of visit- ing Capt. Bacon's house and were as much at home there as at Monticello. He purchased the land upon which the University of Virginia stands, and assisted Mr. Jefferson in laying off the site for that institution. In 1818, seeing that Mr. Jefferson's financial ruin was only a question of a few months and knowing he could be of no further service to him, he deter- mined upon emigrating to the West. Accordingly in August, of that year, he started upon his journey, stopping at the Warm Springs to pay a visit to Mr. Jefferson, who was sojourning there at the time. Upon his departure Mr. Jefferson gave him the following letter : Warm Spkinqs, August 18, 1818. The bearer, Mr. E. Bacon, hag lived with me a number of years as manager of my farm at Monticello. He goes to Missouri to look out for lands to which he means to remove. He is an honest, correct man in his conduct and worthy of confidence in his engagements. Any information or instruction which any person may give him, will be 282 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. worthily bestowed, and if he should apply particularly to Got. Clark on his way, the Governor will especially oblige me by imparting to him his information and advice. Thomas Jeffekson. On his journey he passed through Louisville, then an insignificant set- tlement, also Vincennes, Ind., and arrived at St. Louis where he met Gov. Clark. The Governor wished him to settle there, but he was not very favorably impressed with the country. He therefore returned to Virginia, and again had charge of Mr. Jefferson's farm for a year or two, after which he again visited Missouri, but at last decided to settle in Kentucky, and accordingly bought 1,000 acres of land, at $2 per acre, in Trigg County, where he spent the remainder of his life. Here he gave almost his entire attention to stock-raising, and was recognized as one of the most successful stock-raisers in the country. He had but three sons : Thomas, Fielding and William, all of whom preceded him to the grave. He was kind, courteous and agreeable to everybody, was much beloved by his neighbors and would have attracted the attention of a stranger as a remarkable man and a specimen of a perfect gentleman. He died in February, 1866. WILLIAM J. BACON, grandson of the above, and one of the heirs to his estate, was born September 16, 1832, in Christian County, Ky., and is a son of Fielding W. and Sicily (Radford) Bacon. He received his education in the schools of his native county ; he remained at home until attaining his majority ; he then began life for himself by engaging in the tobacco business and farming, which he continiied until 1863, when he went to New York City and entered into the firm of Bacon, Clardy & Co., of which he was the senior member. At this time there were 116 firms engaged in the business (tobacco and cotton commission), and at the end of two years Bacon, Clardy & Co. stood first in the amount of the former article handled. At this time, during the busy season, their acceptances averaged $750,000 per month. In 1867, on account of the failure of Mr. Clardy's health, the firm dissolved partnership, and Mr. Bacon returned to Trigg County, where he has since been engaged in farming and stock-raising. He gives the greater part of his attention to breeding and training trotting and fancy road horses. He has been the owner of several that have attained national celebrity, such as Exchequer, Lucille, Rigolette and others. Mr. Bacon was married November 13, 1867, to Miss 'Delia, daughter of Col. Joseph L. Carrington, of Richmond, MONTGOMERY PRECINCT. 283 Va. Bight children have been born to them, three of whom — Oarring- ton, William J. and Ada M. are living. HENRY BLANE, M. D. Among the skilled members of the medical profession in Trigg County, we would mention the name at the head of this sketch. He was born September 27, 1837, in Halifax County, Va., and is a son of John and Sarah (Tilson) Blane, both of Scotch-Irish descent, and natives of Virginia. In 1888 they removed to Tennessee, where the former still lives. His wife died in December, 1881. Subject received his early education in the common schools. In 1859 he entered the Shelby Medical College, at Nashville, Tenn., from which he graduated, standing first in a large class. In May, 1861, he entered Company D, Fourteenth Tennessee Regiment, as Assistant Surgeon, with which regiment he served nine months. He then began the practice of his profession in Stewart County, Tenn., where he remained until 1866, since which time he has been in Trigg County, the past two years at Montgomery, where he has a large and increasing practice. Dr. Blane was married, October 15, 1863, to Alpha Griffin, of Stewart County, Tenn., who died December 25, 1868, leaving two children : Robert L. and Aurelius. The Doctor was next married, December 21, 1871, to Lucy B. Dyer, of Trigg County, and daughter of John Dyer. Three children have been born to them : Homer, Plomer and Verner, all of whom are living. Dr. Blane is a member of the Masonic order, and of the Knights of Honor. He has ever been a strong advocate of temperance principles, and holds a high place in the confidence of the people, both as a man and a physician. JOHN E. RICKETTS, a native of Montgomery, Trigg Co., Ky., was born November 26, 1851. He is the only child of G. W. and Elvira (Lewis) Ricketts. The former was born in Maryland, September 27, 1822. When about one year old he came with his parents to Christian County, where he grew to manhood. He came to Trigg County in 1850. He was married January 28, 1850, and soon after bought a farm, a part of which our subject still owns. By untiring energy and close attention to business, he accumulated a large fortune, owning at the time of his death over 1,300 acres of as good land as there is in the State. He was a member of the Baptist Church and the Masonic order. John E. received his early education in the common schools and afterward took a 284 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHBS. classical course at Bethel College, which he entered in 1864. He also attended the Commercial College at Louisville, Kj.; he then kept books for a short time in that city. In 1882 he went to- Cadiz and engaged in the grocery business, which at the death of his father he sold out and took charge of the farm, which business he still continues. BETHESDA PRECINCT. FRANCIS M. ATWOOD was born December 4, 1851, in Trigg Oounty, Ky. John H. and Martha (Forguson) Atwood, are his parents. The father is a native of Tennessee ; he came to this county in boyhood and settled on a farm ; he served as private in the late war under Gen. Huel and others ; he is living on the farm with Francis and is fifty-five years of age ; he is a member of the United Baptist Church. The mother was a native of Kentucky. She died in 1871, aged thirty-five years. She was also a member of the Baptist Church. These parents had eight children, five brothers still living. Farming has always been the occu- pation of our subject, and he has been very successful in business. He now owns 250 acres of land, 125 of which are well improved. He raises principally corn, tobacco, wheat and potatoes. He deals moderately in stock, having at present thirty-five head of cattle, fifty head each of hogs and sheep, besides five mules and horses Altogether his outlook is encouraging. He was married December 16, 1874, to Miss Martha A. Jones, of this county. She is daughter of Pressly and Sallie (Mitchell) Jones. The latter's father and mother are still living. Martha A. Jones' great-grandmother, Sallie Mitchell, died the past August aged eighty-six years. This family is noted for its longevity. Henry P. Atwood, our subject's eldest son, has seen his mother, his grandmother, his great- grandmother, and his great-great-grandmother all at the same time. To Francis and Martha A. Atwood were born five children, viz.: Henry P., Julian L., Nora B., Naomi L. and Flora B. Both parents are members of the United Baptist Church. JAMES B. HOLLOMAN was born October 2, 1827, in Obion County, Tenn. His parents are J. B. and Sarah Holloman, both natives of Kentucky. They went to Tennessee after marriage. The father was one of the most extensive farmers of the neighborhood. His death took place in 1865, on his sixty-fifth birthday. He was a devoted and life- long member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The mother is still living in Tennessee at the advanced age of eighty-two. These 286 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. parents had seven children — four boys and three girls. Four of the chil- dren are yet living. Our subject was married November 6, 1849, to Ailcy M. Oaborn, of Kentucky. After marriage he began farming for himself. He had but a small start in beginning, but by industry, econ- omy and good management he has secured a nice home of 100 acres, seventy-five of which are improved. He has been reasonably successful in business. His children were : Isam (deceased), Lucy A., Mary W. (deceased), Sarah (died the past February at the age of twenty-five years ; she was for twelve years a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South), William B. (living in Texas), Susan C, Robert L., James I. (deceased). Both parents are members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church South. SAMUEL LAEKINS was born January 24,1822, in Graves County, Ky. He is a son of William and Penelope (HoUowell) Larkins, both natives of North Carolina. The father came to this county from Caldwell County in 1841, and settled on 1,100 acres of land. He was married in Trigg County about the year 1819. These parents had eleven children, nine of whom are now living. The father died in 1866, at the age of seventy-seven years. The mother's death occurred at the age of sixty-eight. Both parents were for many years zealous and influential members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. They reared eleven children, who reached the years of maturity, and before the parents died, they had the pleasure of seeing their children all members of the church of their choice. Our subject began for himself at the age of twenty-one years.. Hcf has been quite successful in business. He was Magistrate of this county for fourteen years. He was a member of the State Legisla- ture from 1863 to 1865. He has held other county and precinct offices, quite to the satisfaction of his constituency. He was commissioned by Gov. Powell, Major of Kentucky Militia. He now owns 300 acres of land, about one-half of which is improved. The Hollowell marble monu- ment cost $2,500, is twenty-five feet high, and is upon Mr. Larkin's farm. His land is perhaps among the best in the precinct. He raises corn, wheat and tobacco, and can raise almost anything that can be grown in this latitude. He was married in 1858, to Josephine Brandon, of this county. Severn J., Mattie A., Mollie J., Robert S., Anna E. P. and Charles T., are their children. Miss Anna B. is a teacher of experience ; BETHESDA PRECINCT. 287 her services are in good demand in that calling. Both parents are prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Mr. Lar- kin was County Elector on the Fillmore and Donelson ticket in 1866, and for Bell and Everett in 1860, and canvassed the county for these officers. He was candidate for the Legislature several times, and once for the Sen- ate, and was defeated in the latter contest. He has left the political arena, prefering to engage in other business more congenial to his nature. Mr. Larkins is a practical surveyor and engineer, and has sawed and sold more plank and lumber than any man in the county. HENRY LARKINS was born January 27, 1824, in Caldwell (now Lyon) County, Ky. His parents are William and Penelope Larkins. Subject had fair school advantages, and began for himself at the age of twenty-one years. He has been very successful in business, now owning 370 acres of land in Trigg and 254 acres in Caldwell County. He has 280 acres of well-improved land in the two counties. He raises stock and grain, changing from one to the other. He raises all the products grown in this part of the country. His farms are in a good state of cul- tivation. He was married, in 1850, to Miss Lucy A. Wilcox, of Caldwell County, Ky. Their children are: Charles C, Mary A., Susan F., Sarah E., L. Alice, Henry F., William S., Walter B., Laura E., Albert E. Mary is the wife of John R. Carney; Charles C. is married to Mary G. Hayden ; their children are Edna G. and Lucy M. The Misses Sallie and Alice are both teachers of several years' experience. They have had good success in teaching, and like the business very well. Their services have given general satisfaction to employers, parents, pupils and all concerned. Both Mr. and Mrs. Larkins, with six children, are members of Bethesda Methodist Episcopal Church South. JOHN C. LARKINS, son of William and Penelope Larkins, was born in Trigg County, in 1843. His parents were well and favorably known as among the best people of the county. Though dead many years, their good influence still lives. Our subject began for himself at the age of twenty-one; farming and carpentering have engaged his attention. He, with his sisters, Martha and Eliza live at the home farm. The good influences and generous hospitality that characterized the parents still follow the children. The brother and sisters are members of the Bethesda Methodist Episcopal Church South. John has about seventy-five 288 ^BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. acres of land under cultivation. He is farming about twenty-two acres of corn, ten of tobacco and eight acres of wheat. His outlook is very encouraging. BENJAMIN P. MITCHELL was born February 7, 1844, in Trigg County, Ky. He is a son of James and Celia (Pearl) Mitchell. The father was a native of North Carolina. He was a farmer, carpenter and wheel-wright ; he came to this country in early childhood. He died in this county in 1873, aged sixty-nine years. These parents had seven children, five of whom are now living. The mother is still living with her son Benjamin. Her general health is very good, and her powers of mind and body well preserved. Benjamin began for himself on the farm at the age of nineteen years. He now owns about 175 acres, 120 of which are well improved. He has been quite successful, and is counted among the good business men of the precinct. The past year he raised 1,800 pounds of tobacco, 100 barrels of corn, 150 bushels of wheat, 210 bushels of oats, besides hay. He has been raising cattle the past year. His outlook is very encouraging. He was married, August, 1863, to Lindsey A. Smith, of this county. Her parents are James and Lucinda (Pitkins) Smith. Six children have blessed this union, viz. : Amos, Celia, Iceloan Mark, Cerona and Willa R. Celia is the wife of Elijah Ladd. Both Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are members of the Baptist Church. CALEDONIA PRECINCT. WALTER C. ANDERSON was born September 27, 1846, in Hanover County, Va. His parents are Dr. Monroe and Nancy E. (Har- ris) Anderson, elsewhere mentioned. Our subject began for himself at the age of twenty-one years. He has been very successful in farming, and his farm of 182 acres is well improved. He raises generally about 30,000 pounds of tobacco, 250 barrels of Corn, and an average of about 500 bushels of wheat. His farm is located on the Christian County line one mile southeast from Caledonia, and about due south from the road leading from Caledonia to Hopkinsville. His farm is among the best of its size of any in Trigg County. He is counted among the extensive farmers of the county. His present prospect for wheat is excellent, bet- ter than it has been since 1874. Few persons in the county have so flat- tering a prospect for wheat as Mr. Anderson. He was married November 16, 1868, to Miss Susan V. Baker, of Christian County. Her parents are Ellison C. and Betsie (Quisenberry) Baker. The father was a native of Kentucky, the mother of Illinois. The father died October 20, 1862, aged fifty years. The mother died January 12, 1867, aged fifty-four years. To Mr. and Mrs. Anderson were born seven children, viz.: Dovie, Daisey (deceased), Monroe, Ellison (deceased), Mattie, Nettie and Alex. Mrs. Anderson is a member of the Christian Church. E. I. ANDERSON, farmer, was born January 26, 1860, in Chris- tian County, Ky. His parents are Dr. Monroe and Nancy E. (Harris) Anderson, both natives of Virginia. The father was a farmer and trader in cotton. He practiced medicine for many years and was a most suc- cessful physician and surgeon. His death took place in St. Louis in 1863, aged forty-five years. The mother died in 1871, at the age of fifty-three years. These parents had eight children, seven of whom are now living. Monroe, the sixth child, came to his death by the accidental discharge of a pistol on Christmas day. Our subject began for himself at the age of twenty years. Farming has been his business. He now owns 200 acres of land, besides horses, mules and sheep. He depends on BI0 290 BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES. raising crops rather than stock. He raised 1,300 bushels of potatoes, 25,000 pounds of tobacco, 400 barrels of corn, and ten acres of oats the past year. His outlook is most encouraging. He was married January 7, 1880, to Miss Nannie Coflfey, daughter of Acey and Sidney Coffey, natives of Kentucky. They were married here and settled in Washing- ton County, 111. Later they moved to Christian County, Ky. To Mr. and Mrs. Anderson is born one child — Charles Bascoe. Mrs. Anderson is a member of the Christian Church. WILLIAM G. BLAIN, farmer, was born July 27, 1829, in Hali- fax County, Ya. His parents are Ephriam and Keziah Blain, both natives of same county and State. The father was second cousin of Hon. James G. Blaine. He was a farmer and came to Montgomery County, Tenn., in 1838, and settled, in 1847, at Roaring Springs, Ky. He left and went to Graves County, Ky., in 1857, and there yet lives at the age of seventy-eight. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. The mother died while in Tennessee, in 1844, aged thirty- two; she was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject began for himself at the age of nineteen, not having a dollar. He farmed two years, and procured money enough to attend school for sev- eral years. He then taught school for nine years with good success. Farming next engaged his attention, in which he has been attended with good success. He now owns a comfortable home and has reared a family of twelve children. He was married in 1856 to Mary E. Smith, of this county. They have had seventeen children, viz. : George W., Will- iam B., Joseph B. (deceased), Jefferson D. (deceased), Julia A. (de- ceased), John T., Mattie P. and Robert P. (twins), Adam C, Charles W. (twins, deceased), Lizzie 0. Martha C. (deceased), (twins, un- named, deceased). Commie H., Mellie B. and Benjamin B. George W. is married to Fanny E. Averitt. Mina D. is their only child. Mr. and Mrs. Blain are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. The former is also a member of the Masonic order. He has been Justice of the Peace twelve years. Mr. Blain is a prac- tical surveyor, and has followed that calling the past thirty years, in Trigg and surrounding counties. He has the best reputation as a sur- veyor of any man in this part of the State. He frequently has calls to Montgomery and Stewart Counties in Tennessee. CALEDONIA PRECINCT. 291 THOMAS J. HAMMOND, merchant and farmer, was born August 24, 1835. He is a son of Thomas W. and Margaret R. (Daniel) Hammond, natives respecti/ely of Virginia and North Carolina. The father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and took part in the battle of New Orleans. He was a farmer and an early pioneer settler in the county. He studied law in early manhood and practiced successfully for some years. He took quite an interest in the afifairs of the county. In politics he was a Clay Whig. He was Sheriff of this county in 1844- 1845. He served in the State Senate from 1862 to 1866. He possessed the happy faculty of being able to make a speech and talk to the point on almost any subject. It was generally conceded that his official career was one of brilliancy, usefulness and very satisfactory to his constituency. He and his wife were worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. His death occurred in March, 1872, at the age of seventy-nine years. His wife died in May, 1871, at the age of seventy-one years. They had eight children, only two of whom are now living. Our sub- ject, on reaching his majority, began for himself on the farm. He has been in the mercantile business the past eighteen years. He now owns a store in Caledonia ; also one in Pee Dee. In the latter Mr. Wall is his partner. In Caledonia he keeps a stock of staple and fancy dry goods, notions, queensware, etc. In the Pee Dee store is kept the same with the addition of family groceries, farming implements, etc. In both stores he is doing a good and increasing business. Mr. Hammond also owns a nice farm of 250 acres where he lives, and his . business outlook is most encouraging. He is classed among the best men in the county. May 24, 1871, he was joined in wedlock to Miss Josephine Cunningham of this county. Three children have blessed this union, viz. : Willie R., Walter and Hugh. Mrs. Hammond is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Hammond is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South ; also of the I. 0. 0. F. R. S. LEWIS was born in 1834, November 26, in Trigg County, Ky. His parents are Leonard Mary (Sims) Lewis, both natives of Vir- ginia. The father was a farmer, also a teacher. His mortality ended in 1879, at the age of eighty-three. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. The mother died with the closing hours of 1834, aged thirty-two years. She was a member of the Presbyterian 292 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Church. These parents had nine children, four of whom are now living. Our subject was an orphan at an early age. He made his home with his grandparents — Richard and Margaret Sims. To these aged people he feels that he owes a debt of gratitude that would be diflScult to pay. Richard Sims was a soldier in the war of 1812. He was strictly honest and a man pf unflinching integrity. He was born July, 1776, being con- tempory with the Declaration of Independence. He died in June, 1857, his age, eighty-one years. His wife died in 1864, at the age of eighty- six years. Mr, Lewis' business has been teacliing and farming. He has taught about ten years and in that profession has an enviable reputation, having in the main given general satisfaction. He owns 100 acres of some of the very best land in Trigg County. This competence he has accumulated largely by his own exertions. His outlook is very encourag- ing, and he has a host of good friends. His farm is located on the Sink- ing Fork of Little River. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South ; also of the Masonic order. WILLIAM R. PEAL was born August 28, 1839, in Trigg County, Ky. His parents are Dennis and Eugene (Ramey) Peal, both natives of Caldwell, now Trigg County, Ky. The father was a farmer ; his death occurred in 1870, aged fifty-eight years. He was a member of the Bap- tist Church, also of the Masonic order. The mother died in 1858, aged forty-two years ; she was a member of the Baptist Church. Our subject began for himself at the age of twenty-one ; he farmed for five years, was in the mercantile business two years, then clerked for E. B. Jones at Paducah, Ky., four years, then taught school in Trigg County for sev- eral years with good success. Not liking the business, he kept books and was salesman for D. Hillman & Sons five years, at Trigg Furnace. He was Deputy Sheriff under Capt. W. M. Campbell, of Trigg County, in 1875. During the year 1876 he drummed for G. Magee & Co., Bvans- ville, Ind., then returned to Empire Furnace and kept books for one year. In 1878 he was candidate for Sheriff of Trigg County, and was elected by a large majority. He served in that capacity two years, and later kept books at the flouring-mill at Cadiz. Last year he leased the mill on Sink- ing Fork. He has bought property and will move to Caledonia soon, and open out cabinet business and cooper shop ; he has been quite successful in business. He was married, in 1863, to Miss Lucy A. Childress, a CALEDONIA PKECINCT. 293 native of Trigg County, Ky. Three children have blessed this union, viz.: James E., George H. and Minnie 0. Both parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Mr. Peal is a member of the Masonic order, also of the I. 0. 0. F. Their son, George Hilson, died of cholera in 1873, at Rock Castle, aged five years. DAVID C. WOOTTON was born July 16, 1824, in Virginia. His parents are David C. and Frances (Brame) Wootton, both natives of Vir- ginia. The father was a farmer, and came to Christian County, Ky., in 1830. His death occurred in 1864, aged seventy-six years. He and wife were both devoted members of the Presbyterian Church. The mother died in 1868, aged about seventy-two years. Twelve children were born to these parents, only five of whom are now living. Our subject, the sixth child, began for himself at the age of eighteen years ; he had a small start ; he engaged in the mercantile business for a time, subsequently in the farming business. He has made farming a good success, but has lost money by paying security debts ; he now owns 500 acres of land, and is counted among the good men of the precinct. In December, 1849, he was married to Miss Mary F. Coleman, of this county. These parents had six children, viz.: James D., deceased; Thomas W.; Joseph I., deceased; Jefi" D., deceased ; Nannie C. and Fannie. James D., at the time of his death, was a practicing physician of much promise ; he had previously married Miss Lydia Malone. Thomas is engaged in the drug business in Christian County. Nannie C. is the wife of Joseph Ledford, of this county ; Nellie is their only child. Miss Fannie is living with her parents, at home. Thomas married Miss Ozella Tuggle, of Trigg County; James and Thomas C. are their children. MEMORANDA -OF- BIOGRAPHICAL EVENTS OCCURRING SUBSEQUENT TO THE PUBLICATION OF THIS WORK. BIOGRAPHICAL MEMORANDA. 297 298 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMORANDA. BIOGRAPHICAL MEMORANDA. 299 300 BidGRAPHICAl. MEMORANDA. BIOGRAPHICAL MEMORANDA. 301 302 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMORANDA. BIOGRAPHICAL MEMORANDA. 803 304 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMORANDA. BIOGRAPHICAL MEMORANDA. 306 306 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMORANDA. BIOGRAPHICAL MEMORANDA. 807 308 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMORANDA. INDEX. PART L-HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY. CHAPTER I. P\UE. Gkology, Climatology, Indians, etc 19 Climatology 28 Coal 25 Dark and Bloody Ground, The 35 Geology in General 19 Geology, Local 24 Indians, The 32 Indian Extermination 33 Limestonej The Cavernous 23 Mound Builders 29 Mounds in Kentucky 30 Mounds, Loc^ 31 Natural Bridge 28 Pilot Rock 27 Soils 25 Soil, Effects of the 21 Streams. 27 Timber 26 CHAPTER II. Early Sbttlement, Pioneers, etc 39 Abraham Stitcs 55 Assessors 57 Census, The 59 Circuit Court 53 Coroners 57 County Court 49 County Judges 57 County Levy for 1797 57 County Officers 55 Court Hous^ 57 Court of Quarter Sessions 5% Election Precincts 60 Hardships 45 Jails 59 James Robinson 44 Name, Origin of. 48 Organization of County 46 Pioneers, First 40 Poor-Farm, The 61 Privations 45 Seat of Justice, Locating the 50 Settlers, The 43 Sheriffs 56 CHAPTER III. Later Settlers, Land Speculations, etc.... 62 Additional of the Settlers 64 Crime 72 Following the Footsteps of the Pioneers 62 Joshua Gates 67 Laud Speculations and Troubles 70 Lawlessness 72 Pennington Family, The 72 Pennington's Last Game 76 Pioneer Pastimes 69 Regulators, The 81 Settlers, Later 65 Sharp Practices 75 CHAPTER IV. Court and Bar, Politics, etc 83 Bench and Bar 83 George W. Barbour 101 William B. Blackburn 86 James Breathitt 94 PAGE. Thomas Chilton 101 Robert Coleman 97 James Cravens 96 Joseph B. Crockett 90 John W. Crockett 93 Rezin Davidge 85 Jefferson Davis 116 James I. Dozier 100 Joseph Duncan 115 Ninian Edwards 83 James W. Ewing 100 Young Ewing 106 W. W. Fry 99 Ninian E. Grey 98 Daniel S. Hays 95 Gustavus A. Henry 98 Robert P. Henry 98 Robert McKee lui John McLarning 99 Charles S. Morenead 89 John G. Page 100 Benjamin W. Patton 97 Davids. Patton 97 Edward Rumsey 96 Benjamin Shackelford 87 Fidelio C. Sharp 94 Robert L. Waddill 99 County Patronage 110 Organization of Political Parties 108 Political History 102 State Representatives 113 State Senators 113 CHAPTER V. Internal Improvements 119 Agriculture 132 Agricultural Associations 140 Bridges 122 Crop Statistics 139 First General Road Law 120 Henderson^ Nashville Road 130 Hopkinsville Tobacco Trade 138 Horticulture 143 Indian Trails 119 Live Stock 139 Mills 136 Negro Slavery 13-1 Railroads 129 Roads 1^0 Tobacco 138 Turnpikes 124 CHAPTER VI. Religious History 145 Compulsory Education 158 Education 149 Green River Whig 1(13 Hopkinsville GonservcUive 1G5 Hopkinsville Oazette 162 Hopkinsville Sepublican 164 Kentucky New Era^ The 165 KerUucky Republican 160 Kentucky Rtjie 163 Mercury, The 164 Ptm*, The 159 People^s Press, The 164 School Fund Statistics 152 810 INDEX. PAGE. Schools of the County 155 Schools and Schoolbouses 155 School System, Present 149 South Kentuckian, The 166 Spy, The 162 State Patronage (Educational) 150 CHAPTER VII. War History 167 Cavalry, C. S. A., Eighth Kentucky 177 Col. L. A. Sypert. 178 Confederates 175 Edmund Alexander Starlings 186 Federals 183 Gen. James S. Jackson 188 John D.Morris 182 Pensions 169 War Between the Sections 173 Warof 1812 171 War with Mexico 173 CHAPTER VIII. HOPKIHBVILLK CiTIf AND PRECINCT 191 Banking 210 Bartholomew Wood 191 City GoTcrnment 213 Crescent Mills, The 208 Early Tradesmen 201 Eugene Mills, The 208 Fires 214 General Business 212 Gen. Hopkins 200 Great Butter Company, The 210 Growth of Hopkinsville 202 Hopkinsville Mills.. 209 Hopkinsville Precinct 197 Judge Lindsay's Recollections of Hopkins- ville 205 Laying out Hopkinsville 199 Learned Professions 205 Manufacturing Industries 208 Merchants - 204 PostofBce, The~ 203 Press, The 204 Settlers, Early 192 Taverns 202 Western Lunatic Asylum 197 CHAPTER IX. Hopkinsville Churches, etc 217 Baptist Church 225 Catholic Church 239 Cemeteries 240 Christian Church 232 Colored Methodist Church 239 Cumberland Presbyterian Church 236 Episcopal Church 238 Methodist Church 217-220 Presbyterian Church 230-232 Rev. Henry Anderson 236 CHAPTER X. Educational, etc 243 Benevolent Institutions 256 Bethel Female College 265 Colored Schools 252 Free Masons 257 Hopkinsville High School 244 Horticultural Gardens 258 Knights of Pythias 258 Odd Fellows 258 Opera House 259 Prof.C. H. Dietrich 251 Public Schools 244 Samuel R. Crumbaugh 254 School District Boundaries 247 South Kentucky College 262 CHAPTER XI. Casky, Pembroke and Longview Precincts.. 261 Bethel Baptist Church 271 Casky Grange, No. 38 274 Cumberland Presbyterian Church 271 Early Preachers 271 Early Schools and Teachers 270 PAGE. Early Settlers 261 General Description 261 Geology, etc 273 Industries 273 Negroes, The 268 Pembroke, Town of 273 Professional Men 273 Reformed Church 272 Salubria M. E. Church 272 Villages 273 CHAPTER XIL Union Schoolhouse Precinct 277 Churches 281 Colored Families 287 Conconi Church 285 Earliest Settlers 277 Fevers 286 General Description 277 Indian Mounds 287 Newstead Presbyterian Church 285 Patrons of Husbandry •• 286 Pee Dee M. E. Church South 286 Shiloh Methodist Church 281 South Union Baptist Church 285 The Unitarians 284 Villages i286 CHAPTER XIII. Lafayette and Gaerettsbueg Precincts 289 Bennettstown 291 Church History 294 Early Settlers of Garrettshurg 293 First Birth in Flat Lick 290 First Postofflce 293 First Settlers of Lafayette 289 First Wedding in Flat Lick 290 Flat Lick : 290 Garrettshurg:. 293 Garrettshurg Schools 296 Garretteburg Village 296 General Description 289 Incorporation ot Lafayette 290 Lafayette Precinct 289 McKenzie Kirk 292-295 Merchants and Professionals 291 Pleasant Valley Church 292 Pleasant Valley School 292 Terrible Tragedy 292 The Baptist Church 294 The Methodist Church 294 The Presbyterian Church 294 Town of Lafayette 290 War Incident 296 CHAPTER XIV. Mount Vernon, Fruit Hill, Stewart and Wilson Precincts 299 Coal Deposits 306 Early Settlers of Fruit Hill , 302 Early Settlers of Mount Vernon 299 Early Settlers of Stewart .■ 304 Early Settlers of Wilson ,303 Fairview Methodist Church 305 Fruit Hill Precinct 302 Natural or Rock Bridge 306 Pleasant Hill Baptist Church 305 Revolutionary Soldiers 304 Rock Bridge Baptist Church 306 Schools 306 Stewart Precinct 304 The Old Baptists 30G The Universalists 305 Vaughn's Chapel 305 Wilson Precinct 303 CHAPTER XV. Baihbridge, Hamby and Scates' Mill Pre- cincts 309 An Old Soldier 313 Bear Story 313 Churches 315 Consolation Universalist Church 3]8 Crofton 3J9 Crofton Male and Female Academy 320 First Comers to Bainbridge 310 INDEX. 311 PAOB. General Description 309 Hamby Precinct 312 Methodist Episcopal Cliurch South 319-320 Philip Hamby 312 Beformers or Christians 319 Seminiscences 314 Rev. J. E. MoCord 312 Schools 320 West Union Baptist Church 316 ILLUSTEATIONS. Court Houses between pages 18 and 19 Hopkinsvllle Public School Building between pages 242 and 243 Modern Schoolhouse between pages 306 and 807 Primitive Schoolhouse 154 Scene at a Schoolhouse, Christmas 246 PART II.-HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY. CHAPTER I. PAGE. Introductory 6 Between the Rivers IS} Boyd's Landing 12 Dry Creek 11 Dyer*s Creek 11 Fish and Game 16 Iron Furnaces 6 Iron Ore 6 Mills 14 Mounds 9 Pioneer Hardships 12 Productions 8 Settlement 9-11 Soil 8 Streams 7 Tobacco. 8 Topography 5 CHAPTER II. Orgajiization 17 Act of Formation 17 Admissions to the Bar 25 Assessors 32 Bear Story 27 Boards of Justices 33 Boundary Changes. 29 Census, County 30 Circuit Clerks 32 Circuit Court, First Term of. 21 Circuit Court, Second Term of. 22 Circuit Court, Subsequent Term of. 23 Circuit Judges 32 Constables 33 County Attorneys 32 County Clerk, First 18 County Court, Second Term 26 County Judges 32 JaUors 33 Judiciary, Early 22 Juries, £arly 23 . Jury Trials, First 23 Land Deeds, Early 26 Law Suits, First 23 Linn Boyd 29 Locating the Seat of Justice 19-21 Marriages, Early 30 Mill, First 21 Officers, County 31 Officers, County, First 19-20 Origin of Name 19 Profanity. Early 25 Public Roads, First 21 Re-location of County Seat 29 Representatives 31 School Commissioners 33 Sheriff 32 Statistics 30 Surveyors 33 Tavern Rates, Early 20 Taxl>evies, 1820-21 27 CHAPTER III. Matbbial Prosperity 35 Attorneys - 40 Building Fund 37 Court House, First 35 Court House, Second 36 Court House, Third 36 PAGE. Court House, Fourth 37 First Election under the New Constitution.. 47 Jails 38 Judge C. D. Bradley 41 Maj. Matthew Mayes 40 Political History 43 Presidential Campaign of 1832 44 Presidential Campaign of 1836 45 Presidential Campaign of 1840 45 Presidential Campaign of 1844 45 Presidential Campaign of 1848 46 Presidential Campaign of 1852 _ 47 Presidential Campaign of 1856 47 Presidential Campaign of I860.. 48 Presidential Campaign of 1864 49 Presidential Campaign of 1868-72-76-80 49 Railroads 61 Boadsand Trails 49 CHAPTER IV. Church History, Schools, Press, etc 53 Cadiz Observer 56 Cadiz Organ 56 Canton Observer 56 Canton Yeoman 56 Crime 57 Death Sentences , 58 Kentucky Telephone 57 Medical Society 59 OU euord. The , 57 Preachers, Earliest 53 Press, The 56 Schools 54 Trigg QmrUy Democrat 56 Union Dem.ocral 66 CHAPTER V. War History 61 Battle of New Orleans 64 Battle of Shiloh 70 Cavalry, Second Kentucky, C. S. A «...- 80 Company F, Forty-eighth Kentucky Inf..... 82 Federal Side 82 Infantry, Fourth Kentucky. C. S. A 70 Infantry, Eighth Kentucky, C. S. A 75 Kentucky Brigade 70 Mexican War 65 Revolutionary Soldiers ™ Trigg's First Confederate Company 69 Trigg Men in the Mexican War 66 War Between the States J' War of 1812 63 CHAPTER VI. Cadiz Precinct J^ Bethel Methodist Episcopal Congregation... 92 Bird's Creek Methodist Church 90 Boards of Trustees, Early 94 Boundaries of the Town of Cadiz »3 Business Men, Early 9' Business Register 96 Cadiz Baptist Church lj» Cadiz Christian Church 99 Cadiz Colored Baptist Church 102 Cadiz Colored Methodist Episcopal Church... 102 Churches ^9 Chosen Friends *••■ 105 Drainage 3° Dyer's Chapel, Methodist Episcopal Church.. 91 312 INDEX. PAGE. Early Courts 93 Early Settlers 85 First iDhabitanta of the Towd of Cadiz 93 Free Masonry 104 General Description 85 Good Templars 105 Hotels, Early 94-95 Hamiltouians, The 105 Industries, Early 88 Knights of Honor 105 Liberty Point Baptist Church 92 Methodist Episcopal Church South, of Cadiz 97 Mount Pleasant Baptist Church 89 Oak Grove Baptist Church 92 Oakland Methodist Episcopal Church 91 Physicians and Lawyers 96 Rocky Ridge BaptlstChurch 90 Seat of Justice 92 Schools 103 Siloam Methodist Episcopal Church 91 Tobacco Interest 96 Town of Cadiz 92 Wallonia Baptist Church 90 CHAPTER VII. Canton AKD Linton Precincts 107 Business Men of Canton 113 Canton Baptist Church 114 Canton Methodist Episcopal (.httrch South... 114 Chosen Friends of Canton 115 Churches of Linton 118 Description of Canton Precinct 107 Description of Linton 115 Donaldson Creek Baptist Church Ill Early Events in the Town of Canton 112 Early Names of Linton Village 117 Free Masons of Canton 114 Free Masons of Linton 118 Industries, Early, in Canton 110 Linton Precinct 115 Marriages in Canton, Early Ill Mills of Linton 119 Preachers of Canton, Early Ill Products of»Canton 107 Schools and Teachers of Canton 112 Settlement of Canton 108 Settlers of Linton 115-116 Town of Canton 112 Trade and Industries of Linton 117 Village of Linton 117 CHAPTER VIIL Cerulean Springs and Wallonia Precincts.. 121 Analysis of Water 126 Business of Wallonia Village 128 Cerulean Missionary Baptist Church 125 Description of Cerulean Springs 121 Description of Wallonia 127 Distilleries of Wallonia 128 Early Comers to Cerulean Springs 122 Early Events in Cerulean Springs 123 Early Industries of (.'erulean Springs 124 Mills in Cerulean Springs 123 Mills of Wallonia 128 Mt. Zion Methodist Episcopal Church 139 Muddy Fork Baptist Church 125 Pioneers of Wallonia 127 Schools of Cerulean Springs 124 Settlement of Cerulean Springs 121 Village of Cerulean Springs 125 Wallonia Christian Church i;i9 Wallonia Precinct 127 Wallonia Societies 130 Wallonia Village 128 CHAPTER IX. Caledonia and Montgomery Precincts 133 Business of Montgomery Village 138 Cherryville 136 Cherry Hill Methodist Episcopal Church 135 Christians, The 130 Churches and Preachers, Earliest, in Cale- donia 135 Description of Caledonia 133 Description of Montgomery Precinct 136 PAQE. Early Settlers of Montgomery 137 First Industries of Caledonia 135 Free Masons of Montgomery 139 Montgomery Precinct 136 Montgomery Methodist Episcopal Church South 139 Mount Tabor Church 136 Montgomery Village 138 Resources of Montgomery 137 School, First in Caledonia 135 Settlement of Caledonia 133 CHAPTER X. Roaring Springs Precinct 141 Antioch Baptist Church 144 Boundaries 141 Churches 144 Free Mason Lodge 147 Joiners Chapel, Christian Church 146 Lebanon Christian Church 144 Long Water Baptist Church 144 McGovern's Cavern 141 Methodist Episcopal Church South 145 Mills, Etc 143 Presbyterian Church 146 Roaring Spring, The 142 Schools 143 Settlement 142 Shady Grove Baptist Church 145 Surface Features 141 Teachers, Early 144 Village of Roaring Springs 146 CHAPTER XL Rock Castle and Bethesda Precincts 149 Bethesd a Methodist Episcopal Church 154 Business Men of Rock Castle 153 General Description 149 Hurricane Baptist Church 153 Proliiic Family, A 152 Rock Castle Village 153 Settlement 149 CHAPTER :!^II. Laura Furnace, Golden Pond and Fergu- son Springs Precincts 155 Between the Rivers .- 155 Catholic Church 160 Churches 158 Cumberland River Baptist Church 159 Early Condition 155 Ferguson Springs Church 160 Golden Pond Village 160 Increase of Settlement 158 Long Creek Old School Baptist Church 159 Methodist Church 159-160 Patrons ofHusbandry 158 Pioneers 156 Pleasant Hill Baptist Church 158 Pleasant Hope Baptist Church 160 Pleasant Valley BaptistChurch 159 Turkey Creek Baptist Church 16U Walnut (irove Baptist Church 159 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Bethesda Precinct 285 Cadiz City Precinct 179 Caledonia Precinct 289 Canton Precinct 211 Cerulean Springs Precinct 271 Ferguson Springs Precinct 223 Golden Pond I'reclnct 247 Laura Furnace Precinct 225 Linton I*recinct 227 Montgomery l-'recinct 281 Roaring Springs Precinct 231 Rock Castle Precinct 255 Wallonia Precinct 263 MEMORANDA. Historical 161 Biographical 295 Biographical Index. PAGE. Ahart, J 247 Atwood, F. M 285 Anderson, W. C 289 Anderson, E. 1 289 Bacon, T. L 179 Battoe, J 179 Boyd, T 180 Bacon, C. A 231 Boyd, J., Sr 232 Bogard,'C. C 247 Baker, B., Jr 255 Baker, S. F 255 Burnam, J. K 256 Blanks, R 263 Boyd, J. M 263 Boyd, G. W 263 Brandon, E 264 Barefield, M. E 271 Blakeley, J. J 271 Bacon, E 281 Bacon, W. J 282 Blane, H 283 Blain.W. G 290 Caldwell, J. H 180 Chappell, J. W 181 Chappell, J. J 182 Crenshaw, R 182 Cunningham, W. T 211 Cunningham, E. A 211 Clark, C. R 233 Coleman, E. A 233 Crenshaw, T 234 Crenshaw, A 235 Campbell, J. F 256 316 BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX, FAOB. Campbell, W. M 256 Cox, C. M 272 Cullom, A. B 272 Crass, J. M 247 Dabney, T. C 183 Dabney, J. C 185 Dunn, W. L 186 Dawson, S. J 236 Dawson, W 237 Dunning, L. S 264 Edwards, J. E 186 Ellis, R. T 187 Foutch, J. A 212 Flora, C. C 225 Futrell, P 248 Futrell, S. D 248 Futrell, C 249 Finley, T. W 257 Felix, B. F 273 Garton, H. M 188 Garton, J. J 188 Garnett, J. B 187 Grace, W. D 189 Grace, J. R 190 Gray, W.W 190 Grigsby, R. J 191 Grinter, T. H 191 Gunn, W 192 Gillahan, W. M 223 Garnett, M 237 Gordon, W. G 249 GloTer, J. H 265 Gray, W. J 265 Goodwin, W. 8 273 Goodwin, B. F 274 Hancock, W. H 192 Hillman, W. L 193 Harris, A. C 212 Hopson, J 213 Hopson, M 214 Holland, J. A 213 Holland, W. C 223 Hayes, J. W., Sr 238 Hille, H. L. J 238 Hillman, D 258 Missing Page Missing Page BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX. 317 PAGE. Holland, S. M 259 Haydon, W. C 266 Harper, J. T 274 HoUoman, J. B 285 Hammond, T. J 291 Ingram, T. N 214 Jefferson, J. G I93 Jefferson, P. S I95 Johnson,L. L 195 Jefferson, 6. H 215 Johnson, L. L 216 Jones, G. W 239 Jones, Tillman G 240 Johnson, J. W 249 Lackey, J. H 216 Ledford, J 241 Lewis, W. W 241 Litchfield, W 259 Lindsey, W. A 266 Ladd, W. B 275 Ladd, E 275 Lander, W. D 275 Larkins, S 286 Larkins, H 287 Larkins, J. C 287 Lewis, R. S 291 McCain, G. T 196 McKinney, M 196 McKinney, J 197 Major, R. W 198 Mitchell, T. J 199 McAtee, F. M 217 Major, C. H., Sr 217 McNichols, J. S 227 McCraw, G. W 241 Matheny, A. D 250 Mayes, D 250 Moore, W. J 266 Mitchell, B. P 288 Noel, M 218 Nunn, E. A 227 Osburn, E. D 260 Petty, M. F 199 Prewett, J. R 199 Peal, W 260 316 BIOGRAPIIICAIi INDEX. PAOB. Campbell, W. M 256 Cox, C. M 272 Cullom, A. B 272 Crass, J. M 247 Dabney, T. C , 183 Dabney, J. C 185 Dunn, W. L 186 Dawson, S. J 236 Dawson, W 237 Dunning, L. S 264 Edwards, J. E 186 Ellis, E. T 187 Foutch, J. A 212 Flora, C. C 225 Futrell, P 248 Futrell, S. D 248 Futrell, C 249 Finley, T. W 257 Felix, B. F 273 Garton, H. M 188 Garton, J. J 188 Garnett, J. B 187 Grace, W. D 189 Grace, J. R 190 Gray, W. W 190 Grlgsby, R. J 191 Grinter, T. H 191 Gunn, W 192 Gillahan, W. M 223 Garnett, M 237 Gordon, W. G 249 GloTer, J. H 265 Gray, W. J 265 Goodwin, W. S 273 Goodwin, B. F 274 Hancock, W. H 192 Hillman, W. L I93 Harris, A. C 212 Hopson, J 213 Hopson, M 214 Holland, J. A 213 Holland, W. C ."...........!"! 223 Hayes, J. W., Sr 238 HiUe, H. L. J 238 Hillman, D 258 BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX, 317 rAOE. Holland, S. M 259 Haydon, W. 266 Harper, J. T 274 HoUoman, J. B 285 Hammond, T. J 291 Ingram, T. N 214 Jefferson, J. Q 193 Jefferson, P. S 195 Johnson,L. L 195 Jefferson, G. H 216 Johnson, L. L 216 Jones, Qt. W 239 Jones, Tillman G 240 Johnson, J. W 249 Lackey, J. H 216 Ledford, J 241 Lewis, W. W 241 Litchfield, W 259 Lindsey, W. A 266 Ladd, W. B 275 Ladd, B 275 Lander, W. D 275 Larkins, S 286 Larkins, H 287 Larkins, J. C 287 Lewis, R. S 291 McCain, G. T 196 McKinney, M 196 McKinney, J 197 Major, K W 198 Mitchell, T. J 199 McAtee, F. M 217 Major, C. H., Sr 217 McNichols, J. S 227 McCraw, G. W 241 Matheny, A. D 250 Mayes, D 250 Moore, W. J 266 Mitchell, B. P 288 Noel, M 218 Nunn, B.A 227 Osbum, E. D 260 Petty, M. F 199 Prewett, J. R 199 Peal, W 260 318 BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX. PAQE. Peal, W. M 260 FPool, A.G 267 Peal, W. R 292 Ross, B 218 Redd, P 226 Roberto, W 242 Rogers, W. 8 243 Rogers, U. L 243 Ross, J. W 251 Read, W.F 276 Rogers, J. H 276 Ricketts, J. E 283 Shaw, J. D 200 Shoemaker, G. J 200 Street, J. L 200 Street, F. T 201 Summers, J. B 201 Spiceland, B. C 228 Sumner, S 244 Smith, C. H 251 Solomon, R. T 251 Standrod, D. W 261 Standrod, S. E 261 Smith, H , 277 Smith, J. F 277 Stewart, A 277 Stewart, T. R 278 Terry, F. G 202 Thomas, J. J 203 Thomas, A 203 Thomas, F. M 204 Thompson, M. S 204 Torian, T. K 205 Thomas, P 219 Turner, W. P 220 Tyler, Q. M 220 Tinsley, W. S 228 Turner, J. L 229 Thomas, A 252 Turner, R. R 278 Wallis, J 205 Wallis, J. T 206 Wallis, C. H 206 Wayland, H. B 206 Wharton, G. S 207 BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX. 319 PAGE. White, J. F 208 Wilford, R 208 Wilson, W. W 209 Wimberly, A. T 209 Wolfe, J. H 229 Whitlock, J. A 244 Williams, J. B 252 WaUace, J. J 261 Wallace, A. G 262 Wade, R 267 Wallace, A 268 Wash, E. E 268 Watkins, J. R 269 Watkins, S. M 269 Wootton, D. C 293 Yarbrough, G. P 253 Index to History of Christian County ABBOTT, 184, 319 ABERNATHY, 138, 139, 143, 210, 257 ADAIR, 104, 302 ADAMS, 108, 109, 233, 294, 312 AGNEW, 124, 205 AKERS, 65, 193 AKIN, 223 ALBES, 130 ALBRO, 254 ALEXANDER, 223, 224, 256, 279, 280, 284, 286, 305, 312 ALLAN, 104 ALLEN, 193, 220, 221, 232, 240 ALLSBURY, 65, 171, 193, 196, 202, 313 ANDERSON, 65, 88, 123, 124, 169, 171, 183, 185, 204, 212, 215, 227, 234, 236, 256, 257, 258, 273, 285, 291, 294, 313 ANDREW, 258 ANDREWS, 319 ANGUS, 67 ANNAN, 198 ARBUCKLE, 170, 281, 284 ARISTA, 182 ARMSTRONG, 43, 56, 121, 124, 146, 168, 185, 312 ASBURY, 215 ASHFORD, 184 ASHLEY, 238 ATKINSON, 124, 294, 304 ATTERBERRY, 204 AXLEY, 222 B BACON, 125, 141, 176, 293, 296, 317 BAILEY, 125, 201, 254 BAIRD, 237 BAKER, 176, 184, 209, 227, 238, 248 BALLARD, 225, 265 BANKS, 238, 240 BARBEE, 234 BARBOUR, 101 BARGER, 222 BARKER, 176, 261 BARKLEY, 93 BARNES, 234, 253, 306 BARNETT, 43, 49, 50, 53, 57, 64, 121, 176, 184, 237, 272, 302 BARROW, 306 BARRY, 86, 96, 104, 105, 243 BASS, 303, 304 BAYNE, 270 BAZLEY, 296 BEACH, 247 BEARD, 124, 214, 224, 225, 238, 258 BEATTY, 223 BECKETT, 238, 239, 244 BELL, 40, 41, 50, 86, 142, 175, 193, 196, 204, 207, 240, 241, 263, 270, 273, 291, 296 BENHAM, 266 BENNETT, 185, 271, 291 BERNARD, 253 BERRY, 114, 140, 219, 237, 305 BERRYMAN, 222, 223 BEST, 209 BEVERLY, 131 BIBB, 125 BIDDLE, 236, 238 BIGGERSTAPF, 214 BINGHAM, 286 BIRNEY, 109, 186 BLACHARD, 185 BLACK, 75, 79 BLACKBURN, 57, 83, 86, 231 BLACKMAN, 220 BLAINE, 286 BLAKEMORE, 175 BLANKENSHIP, 175, 184, 285 BLANKS, 176 BLEDSOE, 281 BLOOMFIELD, 284 BLUE, 43, 65, 67, 262 BLUMENSTIEL, 248 BOBBITT, 184, 319 BOLLINGER, 265, 272 BONAPARTE, 67, 161 BOND, 219 BOOKER, 222 BOONE, 39, 42, 65, 163, 233, 234, 293 BONTE, 209, 232, 258 BOSTICK, 284 BOTTOMLEY, 219, 223, 224, 284, 305 BOULAND, 79, 185 Index to BOWEN, 184 BOWLAND, 79 BOWLES, 267, 274, 275 BOWLING, 142, 283 BOXLEY, 233, 275 BOYD, 88, 113, 123, 142, 185, 193, 281, 283, 290, 291, 293, 294, 295, 296, 310, 312 BOYER, 251 BOYLE, 104, 131 BOZARTH, 278, 281, 311 BRACKEN, 295 BRADEN, 238 BRADLEY, 53, 56, 57, 121, 123, 193, 219, 225, 271 BRADLY, 43 BRADSHAW, 52, 57, 58, 65, 67, 113, 139, 265, 266, 268, 274, 285 BRAGG, 177, 179 BRAKEN, 285 BRAME, 176, 293 BRANHAM, 250 BRASER, 57 BRASHER, 114, 129, 185, 214, 319 BREATHITT, 55, 83, 94, 101, 113, 114, 129, 184, 207, 256 BRECKINRIDGE, 141, 183 BRENTS, 52 BREWER, 43, 50, 137, 167, 169, 184, 224, 286 BRIGGS, 286 BRISTOW, 53, 83, 101, 111, 112, 113, 125 BRONAUGH, 136, 176, 274, 294 BROOKING, 223 BROOKS, 176, 225, 271 BROWDER, 223, 224 BROWN, 57, 86, 88, 114, 142, 155, 185, 203, 211, 219, 238, 270, 273, 305, 312 BROWNELL, 124, 137, 208, 209, 212, 214, 257 BRYAN, 55, 57, 91, 140, 168, 179, 200, 213 BRYANT, 241, 317 BUCHANAN, 169, 243 BUCK, 230, 255 BUCKLY, 317 BUCKNER, 36, 55, 57, 76, 77, 78, 85, 93, 95, 97, 101, 102, 113, 114, 128, 141, 143, 175, 176, 178, 183, 184, 199, 201, 207, 213, 229, 236, 242, 243, 255, 256, 257, 274 BUFORD, 186, 189 BULLOCK, 48 BUMPUS, 258 BURBRIDGE, 183, 258 BURGE, 187 BURGESS, 210, 220, 221 BURKE, 218 BURNETT, 49, 143, 177, 179 BURNEY, 237 BURRUSS, 319 BUSHYHEAD, 38 BUTCHER, 286 BUTLER, 303 BYRON, 160 CALDWELL, 53, 83, 140, 176, 177, 201, 210, 224, 231, 253, 257, 295 CALLISON, 294 CALLOWAY, 233, 281, 284 CALMESE, 311 CAMPBELL, 38, 39, 43, 48, 52, 53, 54, 59, 64, 86, 88, 111 113, 124, 125, 126, 129, 130, 131, 137, 142, 168, 169, 175, 176, 179, 193, 195, 199, 201, 202, 207, 210, 214, 215, 223, 224, 225, 229, 233, 234, 235, 238, 242, 243, 253, 255, 256, 257, 274, 281, 285, 294, 304, 305 CANNON, 300 CANSLER, 57, 184, 215 CAPE, 53, 83 CARLOSS, 284 CARNAHAN, 193, 201, 237 CARNEAL, 88 CARNES, 163, 166 CARPENTER, 41, 43 CARR, 305 CARROLL, 176 CARTER, 193, 290 CARTWRIGHT, 55, 65, 138, 149, 185, 191, 193, 195, 196, 220, 221, 222, 243 CARUTH, 102, 165 CARUTHERS, 53, 291 GARY, 290 CASH, 306 CASKY, 170, 268, 270, 292 CASON, 267 GATES, 62, 65, 67, 68, 193, 263, 311 History of Christian County CAUDLE, 129, 281 CAUDRY, 43 GAUDY, 121 CAVANAUGH, 184 CAVE, 234, 253, 254 CAVENAUGH, 176 CAVENDER, 65, 167 CAYCE, 139 CESSANA, 77 CESSNA, 78, 81 CHAD WICK, 111 CHAMBERS, 243 CHAMPLIN, 155, 156, 232, 248, 249, 252 CHANDLER, 223 CH A STAIN, 258, 273 CHEANEY, 215, 229, 255, 258 CHENOWETH, 174, 181 CHESTERFIELD, 184 CHILTON, 101, 114, 296 CHINN, 129 CHIPP, 254 CHRISMAN, 312 CHRISTIAN, 39, 48, 49 CLARDY, 129, 139, 142, 143, 175, 281, 294, 297 CLARK, 43, 49, 52, 55, 57, 58, 59, 64, 65, 66, 67, 90, 92, 113, 121, 126, 128, 142, 146, 167, 168, 184, 193, 195, 199, 212, 226, 230, 241, 248, 257, 270, 272, 275, 304, 305, 309, 312, 313, 318, 319 CLARKE, 113, 124 CLAY, 98, 108, 160 CLEVELAND, 168 CLIFTON, 223 COBB, 272 COCKE, 123, 280, 285 COFFEE, 286 COFFEY, 210, 211 COLEMAN, 53, 83, 97, 113, 213, 264, 270, 272, 295 COLLARD, 223 COLLEY, 311 COLLIER, 303 COLLINS, 27, 28, 40, 71, 151, 184, 198, 218, 312 COLVER, 232 COMFORT, 91 CONNELLY, 123 CONNER, 111 COOK, 115, 140, 142, 143, 185, 274, 281 COOMES, 155 COON, 282, 283, 312 COOPER, 183, 184, 291 CORBIN, 281 CORDERY, 137 CORDIER, 185 CORNELIUS, 43, 64, 279 CORREL, 248 CORWIN, 70 CORWINE, 222, 223 COSLEY, 272 COTE, 164 COULTER, 232 COURTNEY, 185 COVINGTON, 292 COWEN, 240 COX, 137, 142 CRABB, 142 CRABTREE, 52, 65, 67, 30.0 CRAG, 185 CRAGG, 222 CRAVEN, 279 CRAVENS, 43, 49, 53, 58, 64, 96, 137, 169, 193, 196, 278 CRAWFORD, 108, 109 CRENSHAW, 223, 234, 253 CRITTENDEN, 94, 96, 105, 184, 185, 187, 188 CROCKETT, 83, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 111, 113, 124, 125, 207 CROFT, 110 CROFTON, 320 CROGHAN, 115, 171 CROSS, 235, 239, 240, 258 CROW, 54, 200, 202, 205 CROWE, 284 CRUMBAUGH, 236, 254, 255 CRUMP, 244 CUNDIFF, 286 CUNNINGHAM, 168 CURRY, 319 CURTIS, 238, 244 CUSHMAN, 62, 65, 66, 128, 231, 300 CUSTER, 33 CUVILIER, 93 D DABNEY, 286 Index to DAGG, 256 DALLAM, 55, 86, 89, 105, 113, 193, 195, 251, 257 DANGERPIELD, 285 DANIEL, 53, 65, 67 DAVENPORT, 29, 113, 233, 294 DAVIDGE, 53, 54, 58, 65, 83, 85, 86, 94, 97, 100, 105, 194, 195, 242, 243, 257 DAVIDSON, 108, 223, 224, 284 DAVIE, 83, 111, 293, 296 DAVIESS, 36, 171 DAVIS, 27, 36, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 50, 65, 66, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 83, 87, 114, 116, 117, 119, 218, 261, 266, 267, 268, 271, 285, 301, 319 DAY, 131, 234, 273 DECON, 43, 50, 121 DEITRICH, 244, 250, 251 DEMOSTHENES, 160 DENHAM, 223 DENNIS, 43 DESHA, 104 DETREVILLE, 239 DEVAR, 222 DEVINA, 304 DEWEESE, 254 DICKENS, 160, 271 DICKINSON, 313 DILLARA, 139 DILLARD, 176, 255 DILLINGHAM, 43, 64, 121 DINNEEN, 215 DINSMORE, 232 DIXON, 130, 296 DODD, 165, 166 DOOM, 137 DOSS, 185 DOULIN, 285 DOW, 147, 148, 195 DOZIER, 83, 100 DRAKE, 223 DRANE, 126 DRINKARD, 292 DRYDEN, 137, 250, 281 DRYER, 209, 212 DUCKER, 209, 257, 258 DUDLEY, 267 DUERSON, 262 DUKE, 111, 296 DULIN, 65, 67, 140, 168, 170, 233, 273, 285, 300, 304, 319 DUNCAN, 67, 83, 114, 115, 116, 250, 285, 295 DUNKERSON, 171 DUNLAP, 290, 291 DUNNAVAN, 219 DUPUY, 65, 167, 168 DURRETT, 131 DUVAL, 222 EAGER, 199 ECHBAUM, 234 EDEN, 115 EDGE, 220 EDMONDS, 253, 254 EDMUNDS, 140, 142 EDWARDS, 53, 54, 83, 84, 123, 136, 237, 238, 274, 275 EGGLESTON, 193, 194, 241 ELB, 242, 258 ELGIN, 305 ELIOT, 160 ELLIOTT, 43, 175, 176, 219, 236, 237 ELLIS, 57, 124, 137, 141, 142, 193, 195, 209, 214, 224, 225 ELLY, 234 EMERSON, 224, 284, 305 ENGLISH, 223, 282, 283 ENLOE, 139 ENNIS, 258 ENSMINGER, 209 EVANS, 113, 114, 125, 223, 243, 266, 270 EWING, 43, 49, 50, 52, 53, 54, 55, 64, 66, 83, 100, 101, 106, 1.07, 108, 113, 185, 191, 193, 196, 199, 207, 210, 294, 295 EZELL, 65, 66 E FAGIN, 138 PAIRLEIGH, 188, 248, 257, 258 FARMING, 234 PARRIS, 223 FATMAN, 139 FAULKNER, 65 PEATHERSTON, 54 4 History of Christian County FELAND, 114, 128, 165, 199, 224, 225 FERGUSON, 234, 237 FERRELL, 244 FIELDS, 140, 210, 211, 274, 283 FINCH, 270 PINLEY, 65, 193, 204, 257, 272 FINLY, 236 FITSWORTH, 43, 121 FITZHUGH, 121 FLEMING, 294 FLETCHER, 185 FLINT, 222 FLIPPO, 248 FLOYD, 49 PLYNN, 123 FOARD, 141, 142 FORBES, 129, 163, 209 FORD, 140, 224, 285, 294 PORGY, 317 FORMAN, 38 FORREST, 176 FORREY, 258 FORT, 149, 289, 290, 292, 293 FORTNER, 185 FORTSON, 266 FOSTER, 193, 201 FOULKS, 211, 225 FOUNTAIN, 313 FOX, 85, 139, 141, 142, 293 FRANCIS, 238 FRASER, 291, 292, 295 FRAZER, 285 FREEMAN, 240 FREMONT, 110 FRICK, 59 FRITZ, 299 FROGGE, 224, 312 FRUIT, 183, 185, 318 FRY, 99, 100, 207 FULLER, 184 FUQUA, 291 FURGUSON, 272 GABERT, 185 GAINES, 138, 165, 220, 221, 222, 243 GAITHER, 55, 239, 257 GALBRAITH, 62, 66, 67, 147, 261, 293 GANT, 128, 139, 140, 141, 201, 204, 212, 233, 240, 242, 243, 257, 273, 279, 311 GARNER, 176, 257 GARNETT, 176, 214, 265, 267, 268, 273, 274 GARRARD, 48, 53 GARROTT, 126 GARTH, 57, 177 GARVIN, 204 GATEWOOD, 141 GEDDINGE, 244 GHOLSON, 113 GHOULSON, 293 GIBSON, 37, 184, 185, 193, 194, 241 GIDDINGS, 238 GILBERT, 146 GILKEY, 65 GILL, 237 GILLEHAN, 60 GILLILAND, 185 GILLUM, 88 GILMORE, 263, 282 GILMOUR, 294, 295 GISH, 233, 254 GLASS, 88, 124, 201, 207, 211, 213, 230, 238, 240, 241, 268, 285 GOGIN, 166 GOOCH, 54, 223 GOODALL, 162, 166 GOODE, 66, 123, 184 GORDON, 125, 126, 130, 263 GOSS, 253 GOUCH, 286 GOWAN, 124, 140, 204, 213 GOWEN, 57, 88, 224 GRACE, 185 GRAHAM, 125, 220, 275 GRANT, 291 GRAVES, 88, 141, 142, 274, 278 GRAY, 54, 65, 89, 125, 160, 167, 168, 174, 175, 219, 233, 247, 248, 274, 305 GREEN, 128, 140, 142, 232, 239, 274 GREENE, 70, 169, 266 GREY, 83, 87, 98, 112, 113, 182 GRIBBEY, 293 GRISHAM, 285 GRISSAM, 219 GRISSOM, 184 GROVE, 242 GRUBBS, 272, 273 GUTHRIE, 123 GWYNN, 210 Index to H HAGGARD, 316 HAGGIN, 86, 105 HALE, 304 HALL, 124, 219, 225, 231, 232, 266, 268, 285, 291 HAMBY, 146, 184, 185, 312, 313 HAMILTON, 295 HAMLIN, 311 HAMMOND, 185, 270 HANCOCK, 131, 285, 320 HANNA, 209, 266 HANSON, 131 HANY, 284 HARDIN, 43, 50, 52, 53, 54, 60, 64, 83, 121, 176, 243 HARDING, 257 HARDY, 319, 273 HARGIS, 57 HARLAN, 267 HARNED, 211, 300, 301, 302 HARPER, 220 HARRIS, 219, 250, 282, 292 HARRISON, 28, 55, 111, 113, 114, 115, 140, 169, 171, 172, 211, 219, 220, 221, 247, 266, 272, 273, 280, 281, 300, 301 HARRY, 233, 281 HART, 124, 137, 177 HARVEY, 289, 290 HARVIE, 94 HAW, 146, 215, 218 HAWKINS, 201, 210, 230, 240 HAWLEY, 202 HAY, 248 HAYDEN, 284 HAYES, 53, 241, 247 HAYS, 57, 83, 95, 121, 125, 126, 169, 300 HEGANS, 239 HELM, 176, 182 HENDERSON, 43, 49, 57, 64, 157, 169, 215, 224, 248, 318 HENDRICK, 271 HENRY, 83, 91, 94, 98, 111, 113, 140, 142, 163, 166, 177, 178, 182, 207, 257, 258, 274, 275, 278, 280, 285 HERMANN, 238 HESTER, 223, 290, 319 HICKS, 43, 121, 311 HILL, 256 HILLION, 170 HISE, 93, 99, 100 HOBSON, 186 HOGAN, 43, 121 HOLDING, 223 HOLIDAY, 222 HOLLAND, 259, 305 HOMER, 160 HOOD, 160, 176 HOOSER, 225 HOPKINS, 65, 130, 171, 191, 200, 243 HOPPER, 139, 212, 233, 247, 257 HOPSON, 88, 113, 210, 219, 224, 234, 238, 244, 282, 283, 293, 312 HORD, 215, 265, 266, 267 HOUSTON, 35, 220 HOWARD, 114, 196 HOWELL, 110 HOXIE, 281 HUBBARD, 227, 230, 240 HUGHES, 271 HULL, 171, 172 HUMPHREY, 213 HUMPHREYS, 240, 279 HUNT, 124, 271, 293 HUNTER, 184 HURT, 247, 248 HUSK, 53 HUTCHISON, 294 HYDE, 123, 304 INGOLDSBY, 184 INGRAHAM, 320 INGRAM, 124 INNES, 250 IRVINE, 186 J JACKSON, 33, 37, 44, 62, 65, 66, 96, 108, 1.09, 110, 111, 114, 116, 140, 172, 184, 188, 189, 242, 271, 281, 313 JAMESON, 263, 273 JANSEN, 238, 244 JARRETT, 143, 232 JEFFERSON, 84, 102, 108 JEFFREYS, 139 JENNINGS, 108, 113 JESUP, 139, 142, 176, 196, 199, 211, 233 History op Christian County JOHNSON, 53, 55, 56, 65, 95, 149, 167, 170, 177, 179, 180, 181, 182, 184, 185, 186, 203, 219, 222, 223, 243, 273, 281, 283, 285, 286, 293, 296, 303, 304, 305 JOHNSTON, 129, 178 JONES, 88, 175, 184, 231, 234, 240, 247, 263, 290, 293 295, 296, 316, 318 JOUETTE, 129 JUNEY, 244 K KALFUS, 112 KASEY, 223 KAY, 294, 296 KEATS, 160 KEELER, 141 KEEN, 225, 227, 228, 256, 257, 271, 317 KELLY, 57, 65, 113, 156, 174, 188, 196, 213, 215, 223, 232, 243, 263, 264, 291, 316 KENDALL, 294 KENDRICK, 234 KENNEDY, 164, 185, 250, 301 KENNER, 265, 270, 272 KENT, 110 KENYON, 220, 223 KERR, 43, 50, 121 KEYS, 312, 318 KIDD, 176 KILLEBREW, 140 KILLEN, 211 KINCAID, 121 KING, 250, 286 KINKEAD, 281 KINKEADE, 43, 50 KINNEY, 116 KIRBEN, 184 KIRK, 291, 292 KIRKMAN, 121, 220, 221 KNIGHT, 167, 169, 184, 213, 247, 253, 304 KNOX, 43, 49, 5.0, 64, 121 KUYKENDALL, 43, 49, 64, 113 LACEY, 56, 285, 304 LACKEY, 176, 219, 266 LACKY, 176 LACY, 43, 64, 294, 303, 306 LADD, 185, 312 LAFAYETTE, 70, 291 LAMB, 160 LAMBERT, 130, 131 LANDER, 140, 141, 142, 250, 251, 257, 272, 274, 281, 311, 317 LANDES, 88, 212, 232, 241 LANDRUM, 223 LANE, 176 LANSDEN, 241 LAPSLEY, 231, 243 LASKIN, 224 LASLEY, 220, 283 LATHAM, 55, 128, 140, 141, 210, 214, 256 LAWSON, 55 LEACH, 255 LEAVELL, 113, 125, 126, 130, 175, 176, 177, 273 LEE, 218, 223, 224 LEOFFTUS, 43 LETCHER, 129 LEWIS, 43, 140, 142, 193, 195, 223, 224, 281, 284, 304, 305 LINCOLN, 188 LINDEN, 209 LINDON, 209 LINDSAY, 162, 166, 191, 205, 207, 238 LINDSEY, 102, 222, 270 LINN, 83 LINSEY, 184 LIPSCOMB, 254 LIPSTINE, 214 LITTELL, 128, 214 LITTLEFIELD, 185 LIVERMORE, 129 LOCKARD, 43, 53 LOCKETT, 107 LODGE, 53, 83 LOFTUS, 280 LOGAN, 43, 49, 50, 56, 64, 121 LONG, 57, 61, 65, 66, 108, 120, 140, 156, 161, 184, 185, 191, 193, 194, 196, 200, 212, 214, 222, 223, 233, 234, 241, 243, 247, 249, 282, 283, 312 LOPTSPEICH, 244 LORIN, 247 LOVE, 185, 274 LOVIN, 184 Index to LOWE, 177, 318 LUCK, 287 LUCKETT, 285, 295 LURTON, 218 LUTTEELL, 286 LYLE, 175 LYNCH, 240 LYNN (LINN), 43, 52, 64, 185 LYON, 125, 174, 177, 182 M MABERRY, 56 MACAULAY, 160 MACRAL, 285 MADDOX, 142 MADISON, 84, 102 MAJOR, 267 MALLORY, 290, 315 MALLOY, 223 MALONE, 222, 247 MANN, 219, 223 MARION, 70 MARQUESS, 176 MARSHALL, 186, 188, 234, 273, 290, 293 MARTIN, 53, 184, 204 MASON, 174, 175, 177, 247, 266, 284 MASSEY, 317 MASSIE, 176, 218, 265 MATHENY, 184 MATTHEWS, 240 MAXEY, 292 MAXWELL, 223 MAYBERRY, 43 MAYES, 83, 94, 99, 105, 106 MAYO, 250 MAYS, 113 McATEE, 185 McCALLISTER, 125 McCARNEY, 209, 258 McCARNY, 214 McCARROLL, 57, 163, 164, 172, 173, 186, 215, 225, 247, 258, 281, 283, 284 McCARTY, 285, 310 McCAUGHEY, 280, 285 McCHESNEY, 273 McCLELLAN, 219, 247, 305 McCLELLAND, 124 McCLENDON, 53 McCLUNG, 186 McCLURE, 98 McCOMB, 140, 141 McCOMBS, 275, 281 McCOOK, 174 McCORD, 305, 312, 319 McCOWN, 231, 295 McCREARY, 112 McCULLOCH, 204 McCULLOUGH, 184, 232 McDANIEL, 43, 57, 64, 212, 215, 249, 250, 279 McDowell, i86 McFADDEN, 62, 65, 147, 262, 266 McPADIN, 121 McFARLAND, 250, 303, 306 McGARVEY, 234, 247 McGARVIE, 204 McGAUGHEY, 285 McGAVICH, 186 McGEE, 254, 289, 290, 293 McGOWAN, 250 McGREGORY, 210 McGREW, 202 McGUIRE, 175 McHENRY, 185, 218 McINTOSH, 184 McKEE, 56, 101, 250 McKENNON, 141 McKENZIE, 65, 66, 111, 113, 114, 232, 250, 263, 278, 285, 289, 290, 292, 294, 295, 296 Mcknight, 65, 66, 312 McLAIN, 24 McLARNING, 83, 99, 113 McLAUGHAM, 67 McLAUGHAN, 83, 111, 115, 223, 241 McLAUGHIN, 65 McLAUGHLAN, 63, 54, 55, 58, 66, 193, 196, 257 Mclaughlin, 62 McLEAN, 54, 88, 304 McMillan, 238 McMULLIN, 124 McMURRY, 223 McNEIL, 172, 310, 311 McNELLY, 222, 223 McPHERSON, 114, 142, 143, 232, 254, 258 McRAE, 176, 272 McREYNOLDS, 222, 223, 281, 285 History of Christian County MEACHAM, 57, 65, 161, 170, 199, 303, 306, 317 MEANS, 43, 56, 57, 60, 64, 141, 142, 143, 199, 213, 224, 277, 278, 280, 281, 284, 285 MEDLEY, 126, 305, 319 MENSER, 186 MERCER, 164, 208 MERRITT, 210, 211, 286, 290 MERRIWETHER, 140, 176 METCALF, 65, 273, 295, 296, 319 METCALFE, 66 MILLER, 184, 198, 195, 209, 210, 241 MILLIKIN, 250 MILLS, 57, 104, 139, 162, 199, 211, 225, 249, 250, 256 MIMMS, 278, 281 MITCLUNN, 305 MONROE, 222 MONTGOMERY, 36, 40, 41, 44, 67, 119, 129, 130, 140, 207, 218, 242, 258, 301 MOORE, 36, 56, 121, 123, 140, 156, 204, 223, 232, 240, 242, 243, 257, 258, 263, 280, 284, 286, 290, 294, 305 MOREHEAD, 83, 89, 90, 91, 100, 111, 113, 207, 271, 317 MORELAND, 184 MORGAN, 184, 185, 257 MORRIS, 62, 65, 66, 89, 91, 92, 99, 109, 113, 166, 182, 183, 185, 222, 223, 224, 238, 279, 283, 285, 293, 313 MORRISON, 115, 125, 273 MORRISS, 165 MORROW, 113, 300 MORTON, 176, 224, 234, 284 MOSS, 294 MULHATTON, 42, 100 MULKEY, 291 MULLEN, 164 MUNSELL, 243 MURDOCK, 303 MURPHY, 271, 273, 303 MURRAY, 121, 176, 188 MURRELL, 81, 201, 202, 284 MYERS, 184, 303, 305, 306 MYRICK, 258 N NANCE, 280 NAPOLEON, 70 NASH, 238 NELSON, 142, 238, 239 NEVILLE, 170 NEVIUS, 231 NEWMAN, 88 NEWTON, 240 NICHOL, 193, 204, 219, 241, 293 NICHOLS, 175, 193 NICKERSON, 111 NIXON, 294, 305 NOBLE, 164 NOFFLETT, 123 NOLL, 270 NORTH, 167 NORTHINGTON, 240, 281, 291 NORTON, 250 NORWOOD, 257 o GATES, 75 OFFUTT, 281 OGDEN, 146, 215, 218, 222 OGLESBY, 57 O'ROARK, 185 ORR, 113, 161, 209, 233, 284, 305 OSTON, 250 OVERSHINER, 193, 257 OWEN, 27, 143 OWENS, 125, 175, 223 OWSLEY, 104, 140 PADFIELD, 57, 59, 65, 66, 193 PAGE, 93, 100, 207, 218, 238, 271 PAINTER, 232 PALMER, 65, 66, 83, 114, 115, 141, 213, 230, 284, 310 PARISH, 263 PARK, 204 PARKER, 114, 200, 312 PARRISH, 124, 125, 126, 140, 141, 143 PARSLEY, 176 PATRICK, 290 PATTERSON, 204, 210 PATTON, 65, 83, 86, 97, 105, 113, 140, 161, 162, 166, 193, 196, 206, 207, 241, 243, 250, 264 INPEX TO PAYNE, 57, 130, 165, 214, 225, 237, 266, 272, 281, 296 PEABODY, 244 PEAY, 113, 175, 256, 271, 273, 296 PENDEEGAST, 250 PENDLETON, 113, 227, 247, 271, 273 PENICK, 237 PENNINGTON, 57, 72, 73, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 303 PERKIN, 168 PERKINS, 184, 264 PERRIN, 39, 62, 82, 117, 215, 242, 259, 297 PERRINGTON, 273 PERRY, 223, 238, 242, 247, 291, 292 PETER, 23, 222 PETERS, 284, 305 PETREE, 184, 199, 213, 224, 256, 284, 286 PETTY, 303 PEYTON, 274, 275 PHAMP, 184 PHAUP, 241 PHELPS, 55, 135, 140, 184, 193, 195, 201, 210, 214, 240, 248, 255, 256 PHILIP, 33 PHILLIPS, 112, 184, 223, 240 PICKETT, 31, 35 PIERCE, 116 PIKE, 161 PIRTLE, 43, 121 PITT, 85 PITTS, 162 PITZER, 219 PITZERS, 303 PLASTERS, 285 POE, 160 POINDEXTER, 114, 171, 199, 209, 232, 233, 234, 237, 257, 258, 293, 294, 296 POLK, 293 POLO, 120 POOL, 318, 319 POOLE, 294, 312 POPE, 160, 238, 319 PORTER, 272 POSEY, 172 POSTELL, 240 POSTON, 204 POWELL, 184, 219, 234 POWERS, 70, 184 POYTHRESS, 218 PRENTICE, 160, 163 PRENTISS, 179 PRESTON, 123, 186 PRICE, 131, 179, 224, 225, 286 PRINCE, 43, 60, 121 PRITCHETT, 143, 215, 257 PROCTOR, 171 PRYOR, 185 PUCKETT, 219 PURSLEY, 68, 191, 193, 225 PYLE, 60, 170, 185, 219 PYLES, 301 QUARLES, 213, 293, 294, 296 QUICK, 284 QUIGLEY, 204 QUISENBERRY, 139, 176 R RABBETH, 137 RABETH, 208 RADFORD, 141, 175, 176, 274, 275, 285 RAPINESQUE, 31 RAMSEY, 43 RANDOLPH, 187, 286 RANKIN, 179, 180, 181 RANSOM, 297 RASCO, 280 RATCLIFPE, 184, 240 RAWLINS, 176, 238, 268 RAY, 184 RAZOR, 312 READER, 238 RADING, 107 REDD, 170, 304 REDFIELD, 111 REDFORD, 62, 218, 221, 223, 224, 284, 286, 305 REDMAN, 223 REED, 121 REEVES, 43, 49, 50, 64, 118, 121, 286 REMBROUGH, 247 RENSHAW, 184, 318 REYNOLDS, 116 RICE, 146, 205, 243 RICHARDSON, 230, 248, 255 10 History op Christian County RICHEY, 43, 50, 121, 204, 240 RICHIE, 176 RICKETTS, 282, 283, 312 RIDGELY, 111 RING, 255 RITTER, 140, 141, 142, 156, 183 RIVES, 211, 274, 275, 293, 294 ROACH, 316 ROBBINS, 219, 223, 285 ROBERTS, 43, 49, 64, 121, 168, 202, 223, 229, 291 ROBERTSON, 104, 130, 131 ROBINSON, 39, 43, 44, 50, 60, 77, 80, 121, 168, 170, 172, 302, 303 ROBISON, 273, 306 RODGERS, 241 RODMAN, 198, 199, 256, 257 ROGERS, 57, 140, 176, 234, 247, 285 RONDEAU, 316 ROSE, 185, 290 ROSENPLANTER, 249 ROSS, 149, 225, 271 ROSSINGTON, 247, 254 ROUSSEAU, 100 ROWAN, 104 ROWLAND, 82, 210, 225, 233, 241 RUBY, 184 RUDDER, 270, 292 RUMSEY, 58, 65, 83, 96, 97, 111, 207, 243, 244, 248, 263, 264 RUSSELL, 53, 83, 185, 212, 219, 291 RUST, 225, 228, 244, 256 RUTHERFORD, 227, 250 SAFFERANCE, 201 SALTER, 257 SAMUEL, 254 SAMUELS, 301 SANDERS, 267 SASEEN, 57 SASSEEN, 210 SAUNDERS, 43, 50, 121, 176 SAXE, 160 SCATES, 65, 111, 112, 278, 312, 313, 319 SCHMIDT, 215 SCOTT, 37, 160, 305, 319 SEARCY, 175 SEARS, 227 SEBREE, 127, 131 SEERY, 181 SELLERS, 210 SEWARD, 176 SHACKELFORD, 55, 89, 94, 99, 102, 108, 125, 172, 185, 193, 196, 242, 248 SHAFFER, 43 SHAKESPEARE, 160 SHARP, 83, 89, 94, 95, 101, 104, 105, 124, 130, 179, 207, 213, 241 SHAW, 43, 49, 137, 234, 300, 305 SHEFFIELD, 77, 79, 81 SHELBY, 43, 49, 50, 64, 87, 89, 121, 168, 186 SHELTON, 65, 138 SHEPHERD, 158, 247, 290 SHERIDAN, 219, 220 SHERRILL, 290, 294, 295 SHIELDS, 233 SHIP, 65 SHIPLEY, 248 SHIPP, 193, 196, 214, 233, 234 SHOAT, 43, 121 SHORT, 94, 205, 210, 241 SHRYOCK, 89, 204 SHYROCK, 257 SIMS, 294 SINCLAIR, 223 SINK, 219 SINTON, 204 SIVELY, 219, 284 SIVLEY, 281 SIZEMORE, 185 SKACKLEFORD, 65, 66, 68, 83, 86, 87, 88 SKEHAN, 248 SKERRITT, 248, 257 SLAUGHTER, 225, 226, 229, 241, 255 SMITH, 38, 43, 121, 168, 175, 184, 215, 225, 238, 267, 278, 283, 284, 286 SMITHSON, 233 SMOOT, 284 SOLOMON, 303 SPEAK, 258 SPEER, 218, 224 SPURLIN, 303, 305, 306 SPURRIER, 224, 284, 305 STACKERS, 137 STANFIELD, 222 STANLEY, 120 STARKLEY, 53 11 Index to STAEKS, 300 STARLING, 49, 142, 143, 166, 183, 186, 187, 193, 232, 248 STATON, 43, 50, 121 STEELE, 57, 183, 191, 193, 194, 205, 211, 233, 238, 241, 281, 285, 300, 305 STEMMONS, 223 STEPHENSON, 184, 247 STEVENS, 247, 272, 283 STEVENSON, 213, 223, 247, 278, 290, 292, 294, 295 STEWART, 231, 233, 303, 304, 306 STHRESHLEY, 188 STINE, 234 STITES, 55, 56, 87, 102, 125, 140, 202, 242, 253 STONE, 199, 233, 234, 257 STOUT, 185 STOWE, 317 STRAHAN, 231, 285, 295 STREET, 234, 285 STROUD, 43, 53, 240 STUART, 43, 57, 275, 295 SUGG, 218 SULLIVANT, 186 SUMMERS, 282, 284 SUTCLIPF, 257 SYPERT, 142, 143, 174, 178, 179, 181, 182, 291 TADLOCD, 193 TADLOCK, 53, 281 TALBOTT, 224, 254 TALLY, 225 TANDY, 126, 140, 176, 213, 226, 270, 271 TARDWIN, 49 TATE, 199, 232, 285, 291 TAYLOR, 43, 53, 111, 181, 223, 281, 290, 293 TEAGUE, 185 TEMPLE, 223 TERRY, 291 THACKER, 290 THACKERAY, 160 THOMAS, 114, 140, 209, 240, 272, 297 THOMPSON, 43, 53, 54, 56, 131, 139, 172, ]99, 212, 220, 222, 247, 258, 312 THRIFT, 225 TILGHMAN, 300 TODD, 101 TODEVINE, 147 TOMILSON, 283 TOMPKINS, 270 TOREE, 254 TORIAN, 131, 140, 141, 179, 229, 253, 281, 284 TORREY, 209 TOULMAN, 64 TOWNES, 166 TRABUE, 236 TRIBLE, 294 TRICE, 129, 199, 247, 256 TRIMBLE, 86, 105, 283 TROTTER, 185 TRUITT, 57 TRUMBULL, 115 TUNNELL, 222 TURMAN, 222 TURNER, 219, 240 TURNLEY, 176 TUTT, 247 TWYMAN, 201, 238, 247, 258 TYDINGS, 144, 275, 287, 306, 320 U UNDERWOOD, 55, 65, 183, 184, 185, 258, 318 USHER, 236, 272, 281 V VAIL, 202 VAN BERGEN, 131 VAN BUSSUM, 165 VANCE, 237 VAN CULIN, 210 VAN ESS, 182 VANMETER, 255 VARDEMAN, 149, 222 VAUGHAN, 250, 274 VAUGHN, 43, 53, 219, 300, 305 VENABLE, 176, 239 VINE, 184 VINSON, 176, 184 w WADDILL, 89, 99, 113, 125, 253, 266 12 History of Christian County WADDLETON, 43, 50, 121 WADE, 237, 238 WADLINGTON, 121 WALKER, 65, 113, 143, 184, 185, 188, 194, 220, 240, 274, 275, 283 WALL, 247 WALLACE, 54, 57, 65, 83, 86, 87, 94, 126, 140, 141, 142, 165, 238, 248, 249, 281 WALLER, 198, 199, 211, 257, 258 WALLIS, 164, 169, 232 WALSH, 266 WALTHALL, 234 WARD, 124, 131, 204, 238 WARDROPER, 250 WARE, 130, 213, 243, 247, 248, 256 WAREPIELD, 165, 173, 226, 227, 240, 275, 294 WARING, 223 WARNER, 65, 167, 169 WARREN, 108, 300 WASHINGTON, 70, 311 WATSON, 176, 272, 290 WEATHERS, 306 WEAVER, 270 WEBB, 238 WEBBER, 129, 193, 196, 205, 207, 210, 225, 226, 227, 228, 255 WEBSTER, 160 WEIR, 27, 70 WELCH, 220, 266 WELDON, 53 WELLER, 125 WESFALL, 256 WEST, 139, 184, 185, 247, 305, 306 WETHERS, 272 WHARTON, 139 WHEATLEY, 179, 204, 210, 257 WHEELER, 126, 142, 143, 176, 179, 239 WHELAN, 146 WHITAKER, 125, 184, 247, 274, 275 WHITE, 184, 248, 250, 293, 294, 296, 317, 319 WHITEPATH, 38 WHITFIELD, 294 WHITLOCK, 126, 140, 141, 142, 143, 281, 285, 286 WICKLIFFE, 104 WICKS, 306 WiLCOXON, 43 WILCOXSON, 194, 201 WILEY, 57, 238 WILGUS, 166 WILKERSON, 179, 220 WILKINS, 185, 296, 303 WILKINSON, 224 WILLIAMS, 65, 66, 75, 176, 182, 184, 185, 220, 233, 238, 240, 250, 267, 272, 312, 315, 316 WILLIS, 143, 238 WILLS, 293, 297 WILSON, 43, 53, 54, 56, 83, 113, 182, 195, 204, 302, 303, 316, 317 WILTSHIRE, 176 WINFIELD, 183 WINPREE, 142, 176, 233 WING, 97 WINIFREE, 57 WINSLOW, 131 WITHERS, 140, 239 WITTY, 185 WOLF, 43, 53, 242 WOOD, 43, 49, 51, 53, 57, 59, 64, 65, 85, 121, 123, 143, 165, 191, 193, 199, 200, 202, 209, 213, 223, 224, 233, 239, 241, 247, 250, 257, 262, 267, 300, 311 WOODSON, 294 WOODWARD, 174, 175, 177, 179, 296, 297 WOOLDRIDGE, 57, 114, 143, 294, 316, 319 WOOLFOLK, 124, 131 WOOLS, 223 WOOSLEY, 184 WOOTON, 291, 293 WORK, 54 WORKMAN, 282 WORLD, 295 WORTMAN, 43 WRIGHT, 168, 184, 258 WYATT, 185, 285 WYLEY, 237 YANCEY, 185 YEARGIN, 320 YORK, 193, 201 YOUNG, 173, 220, 223, 254 YOUNGLOVE, 57, 170, 171 YOUNGS, 136 13 Index to History of Trigg County ADAIR, 114 ADAMS, 24, 47, 82, 87, 130 ADKINS, 114 AHART, 33, 247, 251 AIKIN, 99 ALBERTSON, 129 ALEXANDER, 21, 23, 24, 25, 80, 88, 91, 94, 96, 99, 102, 146, 199 ALLEN, 30, 104, 111, 112, 139, 153, 159, 160, 193, 214 ALLISON, 129 ALSBURY, 25 AMASTEAD, 100 AMOSS, 129, 130 ANDERSON, 30, 69, 71, 99, 100, 103, 113, 125, 126, 129, 157, 263, 289 ANTHONY, 202 ANSTON, 25 ARBUCKLE, 187 ARMSTRONG, 18, 22, 23, 134, 135 ARTHUR, 49 ASBURY, 19 ASHFORD, 138 ASHLEY, 90 ATKINS, 242 ATKINSON, 23 ATWOOD, 69, 75, 92, 114, 285 AUBURN, 144 AUSTIN, 189 AVERETT, 248 AVERITT, 32, 33, 92, 135, 136, 144, 185, 290 AXLEY, 97 B BACON, 58, 81, 105, 118, 146, 147, 179, 231, 281, 282 BAGBY, 102 BAIRD, 73 BAKER, 12, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 33, 35, 45, 69, 73, 75, 83, 84, 87, 88, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 99, 100, 102, 150, 151, 152, 153, 158, 159, 182, 192, 195, 209, 223, 255, 256, 276, 289 BALDWIN, 77 BANISTER, 91 BANKS, 195 BARADILL, 64 BARBEE, 239 BARBER, 192 BARBOUR, 31, 32, 33, 40, 47, 67, 281 BAREFIELD, 271 BARHAM, 156 BARKSDALE, 180 BARNDALE, 30 BARNES, 65, 90, 92, 95, 110 BARNETT, 43, 135 BARNUM, 63 BARRETT, 96 BARRY, 40 BARTE, 228 BARTON, 90, 112, 127 BATE, 74 BATT, 69 BATTOE, 47, 69, 91, 114, 115, 179, 180 BAYNHAM, 69 BEARD, 66, 67 BEARDON, 30 BEASLEY, 29 BELFORD, 91 BELL, 27, 49, 67, 69, 110, 114, 247, 287 BENHAM, 11 BENINGER, 7 BENNETT, 135 BERRYMAN, 98 BIBB, 11, 102, 103, 117 BIGGS, 146 BIGHAM, 91, 146 BIGUM, 130 BINGHAM, 12, 32, 57, 76, 77, 127, 128, 130, 197, 268 BIRD, 159 BIRDSONG, 150, 151 BLACKBURN, 58 BLAIN, 290 BLAINE, 139, 183 BLAIR, 49, 225 BLAKE, 115 BLAKELEY, 90, 271 BLAKELY, 10, 123, 274 BLAKEMORE, 137 Index to BLANE, 33, 37, 58, 145, 283 BLANKS, 90, 123, 263 BLANTON, 12, 143 BLUE, 156 BOGARD, 160, 247 BOGERD, 32 BOGGESS, 98, 146 BOGGS, 104 BOGY, 102, 103 BOND, 23, 90 BOOTH, 119 BOREN, 64, 109, 111 BOSLEY, 99 BOTTOMLY, 98 BOUNDS, 69 BOURLAND, 151 BOWEN, 70, 77 BOWIE, 66 BOYD, 12, 18, 20, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 38, 44, 48, 66, 69, 90, 92, 100, 108, 110, 112, 113, 114, 118, 127, 141, 180, 181, 199, 213, 232, 233, 263, 269, 277 BRABERRY, 69 BRADBURY, 157 BRADLEY, 19, 32, 41, 43, 96, 124, 153, 184, 196 BRADSHAW, 147 BRAGG, 71, 72, 73, 74, 81 BRAME, 293 BRANDON, 33, 65, 91, 114, 115, 118, 127, 129, 130, 147, 243, 264, 268, 286 BRANNON, 21, 91 BRASHEAR, 217 BRATTON, 30 BRAYBERRY, 73 BREATHITT, 22 BRECKINRIDGE, 48, 49, 66, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 81 BREEDING, 25 BRETTON, 30 BRIDGES, 11, 26, 30, 58, 69, 109, 115, 2,04, 252 BRISTOW, 98, 130 BRONSON, 145 BROWN, 23, 30, 32, 33, 53, 68, 76, 77, 78, 79, 100, 102, 125, 190, 237, 273, 274 BROWNPIELD, 123, 124 BRYAN, 221 BRYANT, 26, 30, 51, 87, 137 BUCHANAN, 48 BUCKNER, 23, 41, 70, 76 BUELL, 72 BUFORD, 77, 78 BURBRIDGE, 12, 143 BURNAM, 256 BURNETT, 12, 31, 32, 33, 36, 40, 45, 47, 58, 66, 69, 70, 76, 96, 100, 105, 106, 143, 190 BURNHAM, 150 BURNS, 108 BURRESS, 33 BURROW, 248 BURRUS, 207 BUTCHER, 89, 90 BUTLER, 44, 46, 66, 67, 100, 124, 273 BYRN, 31 CAIN, 87 CALDRIDGE, 32 CALDWELL, 25, 31, 43, 90, 113, 126, 180, 181 CALHOUN, 65, 69, 109, 158, 195, 250 CALLARD, 98 GALLEY, 18 CALLOWAY, 26, 145, 153, 237 CAMERON, 32, 33, 100, 127, 130, 211, 268 CAMP, 9 CAMPBELL, 10, 12, 20, 32, 64, 81, 98, 123, 130, 135, 145, 152, 153, 232, 256, 257, 261, 292 CANNON, 18, 19, 21, 28, 32, 36, 69, 72, 94, 194 CARAWAY, 152 GARLAND, 144, 235 CARLISLE, 41 CARNEY, 287 CARR, 12, 116, 117, 118, 195, 200, 220, 229 CARLOSS, 102, 134, 135, 136, 238 CARMINE, 98 CARNEY, 264, 265 CARRINGTON, 282, 283 CARSON, 87, 93 CARTER, 22, 24, 143, 22,0, 233 CARTWRIGHT, 25, 97 CASEY, 143 CASH, 216 HiSTOKY OF Trigg County CASS, 46 GATES, 138 CATLETT, 183 CATO, 124 CAUDLE, 25, 94 CAVE, 100 CHAMBERS, 49 CHAMFER, 118 CHAMPION, 118 CHAPMAN, 30 CHAPPELL, 95, 97, 181, 182, 186, 195, 199 CHASE, 68 CHERRY, 32, 233 CHILDRESS, 292 CHILTON, 44 CHITWOOD, 115 CHOAT, 223, 249 CLARDY, 236, 282 CLARK, 30, 40, 65, 76, 217, 218, 233, 250, 282 CLAY, 44, 46, 47, 66, 291 CLEBURN, 74 CLEMENTS, 224 CLIFTON, 98 CUNARD, 82, 114 CLINER, 110 COBB, 70, 72, 74, 114, 115 COCHRAN, 234 COFFEY, 290 COFFIELD, 30 COHOON, 12, 65 COHOUN, 111 COLE, 57 COLEMAN, 12, 24, 27, 30, 44, 65, 134, 143, 227, 233, 293 COLFAX, 49 COFER, 95 COLLINS, 29, 30 COLSON, 248 COLSTON, 111 CONDUIT, 23 COOK, 12, 32, 67, 87, 103, 123 COOPER, 21, 25, 27, 94, 95, 182 COPELAND, 228 CORWIN, 98 CORWINE, 90 COTTON, 30, 65 COUCH, 77 COULTER, 215 COULSEN, 159 COWER, 142 COWLEY, 23 COX, 11, 26, 89, 90, 113, 118, 135, 142, 144, 145, 158, 159, 272 COY, 129 CRAGG, 97 CRAIG, 12, 25, 107, 109, 110, 111, 216, 252 CRASS, 247, 248 CRAVEN, 135 CRAVENS, 32 CRAWLEY, 80 CREEKMORE, 260 CREEKMUR, 25, 152, 153 CRENSHAW, 12, 32, 33, 40, 58, 100, 105, 143, 145, 146, 182, 183, 184, 231, 232, 234, 235, 236, 240, 266, 272 CRESS, 159 CRITTENDEN, 40, 66 CROCKETT, 40, 66 CROMWELL, 212 CROSSLAND, 79 CROW, 93, 94, 95, 117, 126, 139 CROWE, 99 CRUMP, 102, 152, 198 CRUSON, 115 CUDD, 33 CULLOM, 58, 126, 139, 272 CUMMINS, 157 CUNDIFF, 118, 146 CUNNINGHAM, 12, 23, 69, 72, 81, 92, 150, 152, 153, 203, 211, 212, 218, 256, 291 CURLIN, 103, 152 CURLING, 104, 106 CURRAN, 87 CURTIS, 150 D DABNEY, 32, 33, 37, 40, 47, 80, 95, 100, 104, 105, 106, 134, 183, 184, 185, 186, 209, 237 DALMAN, 194 DANIEL, 10, 12, 18, 19, 26, 27, 30, 32, 33, 35, 44, 113, 123, 143, 159, 180, 197, 211, 291 DANIELS, 32 DARNELL, 225, 242 DAVAR, 97 DAVENPORT, 22, 30, 86 Index to DAVIDGE, 23, 24 DAVIDSON, 91, 99, 114 DAVIS, 17, 24, 33, 69, 72, 76, 81 DAVY, 25 DAWSON, 12, 18, 29, 30, 32, 33, 35, 44, 143, 145, 146, 236, 237 DAYTON, 48 DEASON, 113, 225 DEATHERAGE, 250 DEESE, 111 DELANEY, 119 DELOACH, 248 DEMPSEY, 145, 146 DENHAM, 98 DESHA, 43 DEW, 25, 69, 218 DEWEES, 104 DEWEESE, 10.0 DIGKERSON, 265 DILLARD, 206 DIMMIT, 129 DION, 92 DISMUKE, 92 DIXON, 12, 108, 110, 111 DOLER, 23 DONALD, 147 DONALDSON, 48 DONELSON, 287 DORRIS, 53, 125 DOUGLAS, 49 DOWELL, 91 DOZIER, 25, 96 DRUMMOND, 207 DULIN, 129, 214 DUNCAN, 25, 104 DUNN, 143, 186, 212, 259 DUNNING, 77, 78, 127, 128, 129, 264, 265 DUNNINGTON, 249 DUPUY, 96 DURETTE, 113, 114 DURRETT, 69 DUVAL, 97 DUVALL, 154 DYCUS, 146, 227 DYER, 32, 39, 47, 114, 117, 118, 129, 150, 151, 152, 183, 202, 203, 275, 283 EARLY, 102, 103 EDRINGTON, 66, 91 EDWARDS, 32, 33, 92, 105, 123, 130, 138, 179, 186 EGAN, 67 EIDSON, 69 ELLEY, 100 ELLIOT, 104 ELLIS, 31, 47, 187 ERUM, 7 ETHERDIGE, 154 ETHRIDGE, 80, 219 EVANS, 98, 152 EVERETT, 287 EWALD, 257 EWING, 6, 33 EZELL, 63, 66, 69, 73 PARIS, 98 FARLEIGH, 67 FARLEY, 202 PAUGHEN, 69 FAULKNER, 25, 33, 79, 90, 92, 104, 127, 135, 193, 263 FAXON, 104 FELIX, 126, 273 FELTENER, 154 FERGUSON, 11, 69, 100, 129, 145, 155, 156, 157, 223 FERREE, 98 FEUTRELL, 219 FIELD, 78 FILLMORE, 46, 48, 287 FINLEY, 114, 257, 258 FISHER, 100 FISK, 98 FLINN, 251 FLINT, 97 FLOOD, 91 FLORA, 33, 225 FLORE, 117 FLOWER, 100 FLOYD, 76 FOLEY, 157 FOOTE, 40 FORD, 12, 26, 99, 111, 113, 114, 143, 146 FORGESON, 11 FORGUSON, 75, 285 FORREST, 70, 78, 79, 80, 81 History of Trigg County FOSTER, 69, 129, 143 FOUTCH, 212 FOWLER, 18, 20, 29, 30, 33, 152, 157 FRANKLIN, 253 FRAYEER, 26 FRAYSER, 33, 36, 91, 94, 114 FRAZELLE, 252 FREEMAN, 86, 105 FREMONT, 48 FRIZZELL, 65, 67 FROGGE, 99 FULCHER, 242 FULTON, 157 FUQUA, 50, 113, 114, 115, 217 FUTRELL, 11, 12, 24, 33, 65, 66, 82, 108, 110, 111, 118, 157, 158, 248, 249 GAINES, 32, 137, 138 GAMBREL, 256 GAMMON, 90, 125 GARDNER, 58, 95, 129, 276 GARFIELD, 49 GARNETT, 31, 32, 33, 36, 40, 142, 143, 145, 147, 187, 188, 191, 237, 266 GARTON, 97, 100, 188 GARY, 104 GASS, 129 GATEWOOD, 88 GEE, 214 GENTRY, 7, 37, 104, 114, 118, 189, 227, 259 GEORGE, 110 GIBSON, 232 GIBBS, 64 GIDDENS, 129 GIDDONS, 100 GILBERT, 30, 33, 157 GILFOY, 77, 102 GILL, 106, 202 GILLAHAN, 11, 150, 222 GILLUM, 24, 143 GIVEN, 43 GIVENS, 19, 20, 92 GLASS, 33 GLOVER, 144, 265 GOBIN, 56 GORDON, 27, 33, 87, 111, 157, 212, 249 GORE, 22, 24, 86, 113, 217 GOOCH, 91, 146 GOOD, 58, 117, 277, 278 GOODE, 10, 18, 20, 30, 33, 123, 125 GOODLETTE, 268 GOODWIN, 10, 15, 80, 85, 122, 124, 125, 273, 274, 275, 278 GOUGH, 190 GRACE, 11, 19, 25, 30, 32, 33, 40, 47, 58, 69, 75, 90, 114, 156, 157, 159, 189, 190, 224, 225, 228 GRAFTON, 104 GRAHAM, 47, 111 GRANGER, 45 GRANT, 49, 69, 70, 77 GRASTY, 11, 32, 63, 150, 161, 153, 210, 255 GRAVES, 70, 73, 193, 215 GRAY, 25, 32, 97, 112, 127, 128, 129, 143, 146, 157, 190, 199, 263, 265 GREELEY, 49 GREEN, 32, 265 GREENWADE, 12, 142, 234, 239, 240 GREER, 80, 143 GREGG, 77 GREGORY, 156, 267 GREGSTON, 114, 125, 135 GREYSTONE, 92 GRESHAM, 69, 212 GRESSHAM, 255 GRIGSBY, 191 GRIFFIN, 200, 247, 283 GRIFFITH, 123, 273 GRINTER, 36, 50, 58, 82, 84, 95, 191, 192, 196, 205 GUIDE, 105 GUIER, 91 GUINN, 23 GUNN, 7, 96, 192 GUTHRIE, 10, 33, 45, 104, 123, 275 GUYER, 32 GUYNN, 94 H HACKETT, 226 HADEN, 36, 43 HAGERTY, 127 HAGGARD, 123, 271 HAGGERD, 10 HALE, 69 HALL, 92 Index to HALLOWELL, 26 HAMILTON, 97, 145, 147 HAMLIN, 68 HAMMOND, 26, 31, 32, 36, 45, 47, 65, 96, 136, 291 HANBERRY, 22, 92, 152, 154, 159, 208 HANBURY, 23 HANCOCK, 49, 97, 104, 129, 130, 182, 191 192 HANKINS, 247 HANSBARGER, 110, 127 HANSON, 70, 73 HARBER, 123 HARDERSON, 130 HARDIN, 44, 110, 129 HARDISON, 99, 114 HARDY, 135, 141 HARLAN, 27 HARLAND, 87, 88, 89, 94 HARMON, 229 HARPER, 126, 129, 274 HARRELL, 82, 143, 145 HARRIS, 152, 153, 206, 212, 213, 289 HARRISON, 19, 45, 64, 100, 193 HARSBERGER, 19 HART, 58, 201 HARVEY, 104 HARWOOD, 104 HASBER, 10 HASLEY, 160 HATCHETT, 129 HAWKINS, 20, 33, 58, 100, 1.05, 130, 149, 151, 154, 199, 269 HAYDEN, 123, 129 HAYDON, 32, S3, 115, 160, 266 HAYES, 238 HAYNES, 26, 194 HAYS, 49, 129, 143, 145 HEADSPETH, 276 HELM, 70, 72, 73, 74, 257 HENDRICK, 92, 211 HENDRICKS, 49 HENRY, 26, 43, 47, 65, 76, 281 HERALD, 69 HERNDON, 118 HESTER, 145, 146, 208, 273 HEWELL, 188 HICKS, 276 HIGBEE, 100, 129 HILL, 21, 95, 137, 191, 201, 241 HILLE, 238, 239 HILLMAN, 6, 7, 97, 105, 153, 193, 224, 256, 257, 258, 292 HINDLEY, 33 HISE, 41 HODGES, 112, 179 HOLLAND, 12, 22, 23, 24, 28, 93, 108, 109, 111, 114, 151, 159, 160, 213, 223, 257, 259 HOLLIDAY, 97 HOLLOMAN, 285 HOLLOWELL, 63, 286 HOLLY, 256 HOLT, 31, 69 HOOD, 79, 203 HOOK, 32 HOOPER, 272 HOPKINS, 64 HOPSON, 32, 33, 100, 115, 129, 130, 213, 214, 263 HOUSTON, 24.0 HOWARD, 30, 86, 100, 129 HOWELL, 264 HUBBARD, 101 HUGHES, 69 HUMPHREYS, 237 HUMPHRIES, 25, 27, 32, 47, 63, 66, 89, 90, 102, 103, 134, 139, 187 HUNT, 72, 181 HUSK, 21, 23, 38, 66, 67, 87, 130, 269 HUSTON, 130, 258 HUTCHINGSON, 240 HYDE, 220 HYDEN, 256 HYNES, 70 INGE, 153 INGRAM, 33, 47, 56, 69, 87, 115, 156, 160, 214, 215, 243 IRWIN, 31 IZELL, 123, 143 J JACKSON, 44, 58, 65, 77, 78, 82, 101, 102, 122 JAGOE, 97 JAMES, 25, 235 JARRETT, 117 History op Trigg County JEFFERSON, 32, 33, 37, 58, 69, 88, 96, 97, 99, 100, 104, 105, 182, 193, 194, 195, 215, 252, 281, 282 JEFFRIES, 72 JENKINS, 151 JENNINGS, 33, 127 JOHNSON, 10, 32, 45, 58, 69, 79, 97, 98, 100, 123, 129, 195, 216, 235, 249, 251 JOHNSTON, 70, 75, 77, 78 JOINER, 33, 116, 146, 243 JONES, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 30, 33, 65, 81, 87, 88, 89, 94, 104, 123, 124, 129, 135, 141, 145, 146, 182, 205, 239, 240, 275, 285, 292 JOUETT, 134 JOYCE, 252 JUDSON, 233 K KANE, 240 KANEDY, 265 KEANE, 64 KEEN, 101 KEIL, 257 KEITH, 129 KELLY, 32, 40, 50, 58, 77, 98, 102, 106 KELLEY, 183 KENESLY, 97 KENNEDY, 127, 128, 129 KENT, 182, 234, 235 KEVIL, 128 KILGORE, 11, 156 KILLABREW, 12, 109, 111, 126, 127 KINCHEN, 110, 114 KING, 47, 114, 146 KINSON, 96 KNIGHT, 30, 124, 160 LACKMAN, 66, 67 LACKEY, 58, 114, 115, 216, 217 LACY, 114 LADD, 24, 91, 123, 125, 271, 272, 275, 288 LAMBRETH, 145 LANCASTER, 32, 33, 69, 115, 243 LANDER, 275 LANDERS, 33, 102, 103 LANDES, 32, 47 LANDRUM, 37, 38, 98, 146 LANGLEY, 87 LANIEVE, 92 LA PRADE, 186 LARKINS, 32, 154, 264, 286, 287 LASH, 11, 156 LAWRENCE, 12, 25, 30, 91, 92, 111, 180, 243 LASSETER, 110 LAWSON, 33 LAYTON, 47 LEAVILLE, 27 LEAVILLS, 20 LEDFORD, 12, 143, 145, 146, 238, 241, 293 LEE, 75, 77, 98, 114 LEIGH, 281 LESTER, 80 LEWIS, 74, 75, 98, 99, 145, 147, 195, 238, 241, 272, 283, 291, 292 LIGHT, 92, 114 LINCOLN, 48, 49, 68, 103 LINDON, 135 LINDSAY, 12, 22, 68, 65, 82, 94, 100, 105, 108, 112, 117, 119, 129, 143, 144, 188, 193 LINDSEY, 97, 266, 274 LINN, 19, 20, 27, 32, 33, 108, 215 LINSON, 114 LIPSCOMB, 100 LITCHFIELD, 259 LOCK, 118 LOCKER, 31 LOCKHART, 30 LOFTUS, 18, 20 LOGAN, 115 LONDERMAN, 188 LONG, 98, 129, 130 LORING, 78 LOTSPEICH, 36 LOTZE, 238 LOVE, 91, 114, 118, 130 LUCAS, 129 LUTEN, 159 LUTON, 82 LUTTRELL, 260 LYNN, 113 LYON, 45, 69, 76, 77, 78, 79 Index to M MABRY, 33, 100 MACKY, 134 MACRAE, 227 MADISON, 65, 281 MAGOFFIN, 58 MAGRAW, 242 MAJOR, 32, 33, 64, 69, 73, 75, 104, 114, 198, 199, 217, 218, 286 MALLORY, 112 MALONE, 91, 97, 106, 114, 242, 293 MANNING, 209 MANSFIELD, 273 MARIBLE, 250 MARION, 63 MARSHALL, 66, 129, 153 MART, 33, 129 MARTIN, 23, 25, 47, 58, 66, 67, 80, 81, 88, 102, 103, 123, 151, 204, 206, 215, 224, 228 MASONFRITH, 236 MATHENY, 250 MATHERS, 143 MATHIS, 12 MAXEY, 193 MAXWELL, 42, 124 MAY, 251 MAYBERRY, 11, 28, 63, 69, 150 MAYES, 40, 58, 100, 189, 190 MAYS, 22, 23, 26, 28, 32, 96, 104, 144, 250 MAYZE, 102, 103 McAllister, 96 McATEE, 123, 217 McBRIDE, 105 McCAIN, 129, 196, 274 McCALISTER, 83 McCALLISTER, 245 McCARTY, 181, 195, 205 McCAUGHN, 26, 27, 33 McCAULLEY, 159 McCHBSNEY, 80 McCLAIN, 97, 145 McCLUNG, 72 McCLURE, 30 MeCOMBE, 23 McCONNELL, 262 McCOWEN, 145 McCOWN, 146 McCULLOCH, 12, 85 McCULLOM, 12, 22, 86, 89, 143 McDANIEL, 127, 130, 154 McDonald, so, 82 McDowell, 22 McENTYE, 216 McPADDEN, 157, 158 McKINNEY, 27, 30, 32, 40, 43, 57, 86, 87, 109, 125, 128, 150, 196, 197, 198 McFARLAN, 20, 33 McFARLAND, 23, 36 McGEHEE, 138 McGHEE, 278 McGINNISS, 66 McGOODWIN, 78 McGOVERN, 141 McGRAW, 147, 241 McGregor, 159, 253 McKEE, 82, 242 McKENNON, 239 McKENZIE, 32, 33 McKINNON, 37, 38 McKINTRY, 39 McLANE, 159, 160 McLEAN, 26, 92, 111, 112 McMURRAY, 98 McNELLY, 98 McNICHOLS, 7, 87, 114, 117, 118, 146, 227 McPEAK, 277 McRAE, 117 McREYNOLDS, 111, 245 McWATERS, 11, 20, 21, 23, 30, 32, 94, 156 McWATTERS, 22, 24, 25 MEACHAM, 114, 125, 135, 153 MEADOW, 91 MEREDITH, 69, 75, 251 MERRIPIELD, 260 MERSHON, 92 MERZ, 39 METCALF, 100, 129, 145, 179 MIDDLETON, 185, 216 MILES, 244 MILLER, 12, 30, 58, 65, 76, 95, 100, 143, 234, 236, 251 MILLS, 23, 25, 129, 142 MINTON, 23, 87 MITCHELL, 23, 24, 64, 69, 77, 80, 152, 154, 199, 211, 275, 285, 288 MITCHISON, 58 History of Trigg County MIZE, 110 MOBLEY, 100, 129, 145 MONROE, 70, 281 MONTGOMERY, 137, 159 MOODY, 104 MOORE, 24, 25, 100, 137, 146, 205, 214, 240, 267, 272 MOORHEAD, 90, 114 MOREHEAD, 40, 102, 135, 187 MORGAN, 37, 70, 73, 102 MORRIS, 30, 97, 98, 271 MORRISON, 26, 32, 33, 90, 99, 101, 138 MOSELEY, 191, 200 MOSS, 147 MUNDAY, 190 MURRAY, 20, 24, 45, 143 N NALL, 182 NANCE, 32, 53, 66, 89, 90, 100, 125, 143, 237, 238, 241 NEIKIRK, 98, 146 NELSON, 243 NEWTON, 65, 97 NICHOLS, 242 NIX, 98 NIXON, 101 NOE, 32, 33 NOEL, 25, 26, 31, 110, 218 NORRIS, 103 NORTHINGTON, 12, 33, 118, 143, 145 NORVELL, 12, 24, 31, 33, 36, 44, 113 NUNN, 33, 118, 119, 227, 228 o OAKLEY, 40 OGBURN, 146 OGDEN, 98 OGLE, 20, 135 O'CONOR, 49 OLIVE, 11, 25, 116, 117 OLIVER, 25, 92, 153, 259 ORGAN, 189, 190 ORR, 18, 19, 25, 26, 33, 35, 38, 66, 67, 87 OSBORN, 286 OSBORNE, 12, 17, 150, 153 OSBURN, 260 OUSLEY, 44, 63 OUTLAND, 11, 109, 160 OWEN, 266 PAKENHAM, 64, 214 PALLARD, 92 PARKER, 271 PATE, 91, 139 PATRICK, 23, 142 PATTEN, 43 PATTERSON, 25, 36, 40, 45, 92, 144, 145, 153, 159, 160 PATTON, 22, 25, 28 PATTS, 23 PEAL, 24, 32, 135, 213, 260, 292, 293 PEARL, 152, 288 PEMBERTON, 77 PENDLETON, 187 PENICK, 146 PENNER, 118 PERRY, 102 PETER, 98 PETERS, 91, 99, 130, 139 PETREE, 98, 102, 146 PETRIE, 32, 91, 114 PETTIS, 104 PETTY, 199 PHILLIPS, 98, 157 PIERCE, 47 PIKE, 143 PILKINTON, 139 PISTER, 69 PITKINS, 288 PITTS, 26, 65, 116 PLEASANTS, 231 POGUE, 69 POLK, 46, 70, 74 POLLOMOR, 200 POMEROY, 129, 182 POMROY, 104 POOL, 10, 36, 39, 76, 123, 124, 129 P'POOL, 24, 267 PORTER, 20 POSEY, 65 POSTON, 94, 96, 99, 102, 103 POTTS, 135, 142 POWELL, 139, 257 PRATT, 232, 258 FREER, 145 Index to PRENTICE, 197 PRENTISS, 40, 71 PRESCOTT, 25, 58, 1.03, 213, 261 PRESTON, 66, 67 PREWETT, 199 PRICE, 69, 146, 150, 272 PRINGLE, 7 PRITCHARD, 69, 112 PUGH, 233 PUCKETT, 25, 273 PURSLEY, 95, 104, 105 QUICK, 32, 95, 97, 99, 130 QUISENBERRY, 289 R RADFORD, 282 RADLIFF, 102, 103 RAGON, 58, 95, 102, 103, 209 RALEIGH, 18, 25, 26, 32, 43, 44 RAMEY, 65, 292 RAMSEY, 103 RANDALL, 33 RANDOLPH, 82, 87, 91, 99, 104, 114, 118, 130, 146, 195, 208, 243, 281 RANSON, 146 RASCO, 137, 142, 145, 147, 235, 238 RASH, 94, 104 RAWLINGS, 193 RAWLINS, 97, 218 RAY, 69 READ, 276 RECTOR, 130 REDD, 11, 22, 27, 32, 87, 94, 100, 102, 103, 156, 192, 220, 226 REDDICK, 64 REED, 143 REDFORD, 91, 99, 114, 146 REID, 91, 114, 118 REDMAN, 98 REYNOLDS, 19, 23, 26, 95 RHODES, 98, 114, 156, 223 RICHARDS, 145, 146, 147, 234, 235, 240 RICHARDSON, 33, 47, 91, 113, 114, 118, 124, 130 RICKETTS, 283 RICKS, 11, 26, 33, 244, 247, 253 RIDLEY, 102 RITCH, 251 ROACH, 32, 81, 90, 95, 187, 139, 147, 181 ROBBINS, 98, 147 ROBENSON, 212 ROBERSON, 138 ROBERTS, 87, 91, 123, 134, 242 ROBERTSON, 96, 266 ROBINSON, 69, 141 ROGERS, 11, 47, 69, 75, 82, 100, 117, 118, 123, 124, 125, 191, 204, 229, 230, 243, 244, 261, 276, 278 ROSENCRANS, 73, 81 ROSCOE, 58 ROSS, 30, 53, 76, 89, 90, 111, 118, 144, 159, 218, 228, 247, 250, 251 ROWLAND, 53, 78, 125, 153, 160 ROWLETT, 179, 231 ROWLETTE, 196, 198 ROUTON, 191 RUPFIN, 32 RUMSEY, 181, 184 RUSHING, 65 RUSSELL, 33, 43, 91, 96, 99, 104, 105 RUTLEDGE, 69 RYAN, 69, 117 SAFFARANS, 196 SALLEE, 232, 233 SALLIE, 135 SALTZGIVER, 65 SAMPLES, 102, 103 SAMUEL, 44 SANFORD, 69 SANDERS, 154, 260 SAUNDERS, 65 SAVELLS, 209, 237 SAVILLS, 154 SCHUYLER, 83 SCOTT, 11, 18, 25, 32, 33, 38, 44, 47, 67, 94, 95, 117, 118, 143, 228, 243 SCUDDER, 228 SEARCY, 33 SEARS, 69 SEAVILLS, 87, 94 SENSENEY, 216 SEVILLE, 27 SEVILLS, 24, 152 10 History op Trigg County SETTLE, 99 SEYMOUR, 49 SHACKLETT, 77 SHACKELFORD, 21, 23, 32 SHAKE, 33 SHANNON, 91, 151 SHARP, 19, 20, 22, 41, 92 SHAW, 82, 104, 105, 114, 115, 200 SHELLEY, 91 SHEPHERD, 118 SHERFORD, 17 SHERMAN, 75, 77, 78 SHELTON, 12, 116, 139, 265 SHETON, 138 SHIPP, 20 SHOEMAKER, 33, 200 SHOLAR, 91 SHOLER, 243 SHORT, 276 SHOWLER, 110, 111 SILLS, 69, 114, 115 SIMMERMAN, 194 SIMMONS, 214 SIMMS, 32, 37, 40 SIMS, 217, 238, 241, 291, 292 SINCLAIR, 98 SISK, 277 SIZEMORE, 125 SKINNER, 11, 30, 102, 112, 116, 118, 159 SLAUGHTER, 17, 18, 20, 21, 26, 32, 33, 45, 81, 88, 102, 244 SMITH, 10, 26, 28, 33, 36, 39, 69, 77, 83, 87, 88, 125, 145, 146, 152, 199, 204, 207, 241, 251, 277, 288, 290 SMOOT, 105, 139 SNELLING, 90, 125 SNOW, 237 SNYDER, 67 SOERY, 113 SOLOMON, 251 SOREY, 228 SORLEY, 32 SOWELL, 119 SPARKHAM, 232 SPEED, 44 SPENCER, 10, 122 SPICELAND, 32, 33, 40, 56, 67, 113, 114, 118, 183, 215, 225, 228 SPRAGGINS, 135 SPURLIN, 92, 102, 103, 114, 125, 153 STACKER, 6, 117 STACY, 86 STALONS, 211 STALLIONS, 80 STAMPER, 232 STAMES, 30 STAMPS, 90, 180, 274 STANCELL, 233 STANDROD, 11, 58, 129, 151, 152, 153, 255, 259, 261 STANFIELD, 98 STANLEY, 277 STATHAM, 70 STEPHEN, 67 STEPHENS, 69, 138, 147 STEVENS, 65 STEVENSON, 98 STEWARD, 104, 115, 118 STEWART, 71, 88, 123, 137, 138, 139, 277, 278 STINEBAUGH, 10, 123, 124, 138 STITES, 32 STOKES, 206 STOVALT, 74 STOW, 126 STOWE, 123 STREET, 23, 31, 33, 43, 50, 94, 95, 96, 99, 100, 129, 144, 145, 182, 183, 200, 201 STUBBLE, 104 STUBBLEPIELD, 218 STUBBLES, 103 SUGGS, 66 SUMMERS, 27, 28, 31, 202 SUMNER, 12, 67, 105, 111, 145, 244 SUTTON, 98, 130 SWARTZ, 76 SYPERT, 79 TADLOCK, 20, 27, 33, 87, 94 TANNER, 30 TART, 30, 243 TATE, 208 TAYLOR, 33, 46, 66, 67, 98, 139, 154 TERRY, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 82, 96, 105, 128, 182, 190, 198, 202, 203, 265 THACKER, 238 THEDFORD, 11, 30, 150 THELKELD, 207 11 Index to THEOBALD, 97, 105 THOMAS, 12, 23, 24, 25, 26, 30, 32, 33, 47, 58, 63, 64, 65, 69, 87, 89, 92, 93, 105, 108, 109, 110, 111, 118, 123, 203, 204, 219, 220, 234, 252 THOMPKINS, 43, 139 THOMPSON, 10, 12, 26, 27, 28, 31, 32, 33, 44, 45, 47, 50, 70, 78, 87, 89, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 99, 100, 102, 105, 112, 114, 123, 181, 183, 191, 204, 208, 265 THOMSON, 19, 20 THORNTON, 66 THRIFK, 24 TIDWELL, 112, 145, 160 TILDEN, 49 TILGHMAN, 77 TILSON, 283 TIMMONS, 69, 105 TINSLEY, 11, 117, 228, 229 TOLBERT, 102, 103 TORIAN, 12, 23, 97, 102, 143, 192, 205 TOWLES, 47 TRABUE, 70, 71, 73 TRAVIS, 65, 186 TREMBLE, 100 TRICE, 58, 72, 73, 75 TRIGG, 19 TRIMBLE, 100, 114, 129, 159 TUGGLE, 134, 135, 238, 293 TUNNELL, 98 TURNER, 77, 97, 98, 109, 130, 190, 220, 229, 278, 279 TUTTLE, 33 TYDINGS, 84 TYLER, 45, 47, 69, 103, 104, 113, 114, 115, 118, 147, 181, 187, 220, 221, 228 u UNDERWOOD, 40, 110 UPTON, 123 UTTERBACK, 73 V VAN BUREN, 44, 45, 46 VANCE, 19, 20, 92 VAN CULIN, 100 VAN DORN, 80 VAN LEAR, 256, 258 VAN PELT, 82 VAUGHN, 251 VENABLE, 31, 44, 94, 96 VICKERS, 248 VINCENT, 125 VINSON, 47, 56, 65, 118, 195, 216, 250 w WADE, 23, 32, 64, 65, 127, 130, 198, 214, 215, 218, 267, 269 WADDELL, 100, 102 WADDILL, 44, 47 WADLINGTON, 12, 18, 28, 32, 33, 35, 62, 69, 85, 86, 113, 133, 134, 135, 137, 152 WALDEN, 182, 235 WALDIN, 58 WALKER, 10, 24, 30, 197, 257 WALL, 32, 47, 76, 114, 127, 128, 134, 136, 264, 291 WALLACE, 22, 33, 69, 73, 74, 75, 77, 97, 114, 115, 128, 150, 154, 212, 216, 245, 249, 261, 262, 268 WALLER, 221 WALLIS, 33, 58, 69, 81, 87, 90, 95, 112, 200, 205, 206 WALTER, 239 WALTHALL, 129 WALTON, 150 WARD, 67 WARRELL, 144 WARREN, 98, 113, 278 WASH, 268, 269 WASHER, 212 WASHINGTON, 281 WATERFIELD, 135 WATERS, 20 WATKINS, 57, 69, 106, 127, 130, 269 WATSON, 6, 33, 104, 105, 153, 197, 258 WATTS, 27, 30 WATWOOD, 230 WAYLAND, 40, 103, 182, 183, 206, 207, 274 WEAVER, 49 WEEKS, 147 WELCH, 212 WELLER, 114 WELLS, 24, 113 12 History of Trigg County WEST, 277 WESTER, 11, 116 WHARTON, 22, 50, 87, 90, 190, 196, 207, 208 WHEELER, 49 WHITE, 27, 90, 96, 1.05, 126, 153, 186, 188, 192, 208, 268, 274 WHITEHURST, 268 WHITHURST, 262 WHITLOCK, 7, 32, 51, 114, 117, 119, 139, 227, 244, 245 WHITNEY, 21, 25, 153 WICKER, 30 WILCOX, 7, 287 WILFORD, 50, 76, 77, 87, 88, 97, 102, 1.03, 134, 135, 208, 209 WILKINSON, 31, 32, 33, 56, 87, 88, 89, 94, 96, 100, 104, 105, 201, 227 WILLIAMS, 22, 30, 53, 67, 69, 87, 89, 111, 118, 135, 144, 189, 252, 253 WILLIAMSON, 69 WILLINGHAM, 19 WILMOT, 46 WILSON, 10, 12, 22, 23, 25, 26, 49, 58, 104, 108, 109, 123, 129, 134, 139, 209, 274, 278 WIMBERLY, 23, 33, 57, 88, 209, 218, 259 WINN, 69 WITHROW, 244 WITHERS, 139 WOLFE, 53, 89, 125, 129, 229 WOOD, 33, 142, 157, 267, 277, 278 WOODARD, 268 WOODS, 135 WOODSON, 104, 123 WOODWARD, 80, 181, 244, 257 WOOLDRIDGE, 24, 138 WORMACK, 24 WORTHAM, 267 WORTHINGTON, 24 WOOSLEY, 22 WOOTEN, 136, 139 WOOTON, 233, 293 WYATT, 104, 183 YARBROUGH, 69, 253 YANCEY, 239, 240 YATES, 115, 230 YOUNG, 23, 25, 30, 58, 86, 87, 90, 102, 103, 157, 206, 209, 212 ZOLLICOFFER, 70 Index to History of Christian and Trigg Counties by Perrin Compiled by EURIE PEARL Wilford Neel 13 '^ ^■■- v^ <'■[ ^K- ^'S;,'-// *-■'' '^-■" W\ j^.f x^. ■«S«^!^ "■«a< \ V % 'V % ,A «• ■S-^.j'. 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