USA > Kentucky > Franklin County > Frankfort > A short history of Franklin County, Kentucky, prepared in compliance with the suggestion of the resolution of Congress in regard to the celebration of the centennial anniversary, and read at Lake Park, near Frankfort, Kentucky, on the Fourth of July, 1876 > Part 1
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F 457 F8 J3
1800
SS
A SHORT HISTORY
-OF-
FRANKLIN COUNTY,
KENTUCKY,
PREPARED
IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SUGGESTION OF THE RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS IN REGARD TO THE CELEBRATION OF THE CENTENNIAL ANNI- VERSARY, AND READ AT A SUNDAY-SCHOOL PICNIC AT LAKE PARK, NEAR FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY, ON THE
FOURTH OF JULY, 1876,
BY C. E. JAMES.
BRARY OF CONGRESS
1802
CITY OF V
ASH
FRANKFORT, KY .: PRINTED AT THE ROUNDABOUT OFFICE, GEORGE A. LEWIS, 1881
F 457
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
1882
CITY OF WASH
CZA SHORT HISTORY
OF
FRANKLIN & COUNTY, & KY.A €
GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION.
Franklin county was formed by the Legislature of Kentucky in 1794, out of parts of Wood- ford, Mercer, and Shelby counties, and named in honor of the distinguished patriot and statesman, Benjamin Franklin.
Portions of it were taken to form the counties of Gallatin in 1798, Owen in 1819, and Anderson in 1827, leaving it, at present (1876), a territory of about 200 square miles, bounded by Henry and Owen on the north, by Scott on the east, by Woodford on the southeast, by Anderson on the south, and Shelby on the west.
The Kentucky river runs through the county from south to north, dividing it into nearly equal parts. The bed of the river is from two to three hundred feet below the general surface of the county, and the bluffs rise like walls in some places. The river bottoms usually contain about 500 acres of rich land, and, being walled in by high bluffs, form most beautiful sites for farms.
The other streams in the county are Glen's, North, South, and Main Elkhorn creeks on the east side of the river, and Big and Little Benson, and Flat creeks on the west side.
The face of the country is gently undulating on the sides next to Scott and Woodford, more rolling next to Anderson and Shelby, while that adjoining IIenry and Owen is hilly. The whole county was heavily timbered with oak, poplar, sugar-tree, walnut, &c.
The soil generally is a clay loam, mixed with small particles of bog iron ore, and is un- derlaid with thinly stratified blue limestone.
Franklin county is 38° 12' north latitude, and 7º 52' longitude west of Washington.
The mean annual temperature of Kentucky is about fifty-five degrees Fahrenheit, and for fifteen years, between 1856 and 1871, but a single one (1871) has varied so much as one degree from the mean. In Franklin county the thermometer generally rises to about 90º in the warmest weather, and falls to zero in the coldest.
The average rain fall in Franklin county is about forty inches in the year.
EARLY SETTLEMENT
The earliest white settlement effected in what is now Franklin county was made by Hancock Lee in 1775, on the east bank of the Kentucky river, one mile below Frankfort, although Robt. McAfee and party surveyed and entered 600 acres of land in the bottom where Frankfort stands, in the summer of 1773.
Surveys were made in and around Frankfort for Wm. Haydon in 1783, Geo. Mason and Edmond Lyne in 1784, Humphrey Marshall in 1785, and Geo. Campbell in 1789.
Leestown was established by the Virginia Legislature in the year 1776.
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A SHORT HISTORY OF
Frankfort was established by the same authority in the year 1786, about which time a small settlement was commenced on the South Fork of Elkhorn creek, three and one halt miles from Frankfort.
In 1791 Col. Harry Innis, Lewis Mastin, Jesse and Hosea Cook, Wm. Dunn, and Wm. Bledsoe, with their families, formed a settlement on Main Elkhorn creek, three miles be- low the Forks, and four and one half miles east of Frankfort. The settlements in Frank- lin county had heretofore been fortunately spared from Indian hostilities. The last mentioned settlement was suddenly surprised on the 28th of April, 1792, by about one hundred Indians. The first intimation of danger was the sharp crack of rifles, at which Jesse Cook, Lewis Mastin, and Hosea Cook fell. Two sons of Wm. Dunn and a negro belonging to Colonel Innis were killed before they could reach the shelter of their cabins, and two negroes were led away captives. A desperate resistance was made by those re- maining, in which the women showed as much courage as men, and after a few hours the the Indians, becoming uneasy lest they should be attacked by whites from the neighboring settlements, suddenly commenced a retreat toward the Ohio river. They were pursued by a company of whites from Frankfort and the Forks settlement, but the main body of them crossed the Ohio in safety, while a small party who had lingered behind were overtaken and fired upon and one killed.
STATE CAPITAL.
The district of Kentucky was admitted as a State into the Union on the Ist of June, 1792, and on the 4th of the same month the Kentucky Legislature began its first session at Lexington.
At this session five commissioners, Robert Todd, of Fayette, Thomas Kennedy, of Madison, Henry Lee, of Mason, and John Allen and John Edwards, of Bourbon counties, were appointed to select a suitable place for the site of the government of Kentucky. During the ensuing summer and fall the commissioners visited the several points that had made proposals, viz: Legerwood's Bend, Delaney's Ferry, Petersburg, Louisville, Lexington, Frankfort, and Leestown. After canvassing them thoroughly, the commissioners met in Lexington on December 5, 1792, and decided "that Frankfort was the most proper place for the seat of government."
The citizens of Frankfort and Franklin county gave the State $3,000 in gold, the ground, and the first State House, besides a number of town lots in Frankfort.
The first Legislature held its second session in Lexington, and on the 22d of December, 1792, after sitting forty-eight days, adjourned "to hold its next session in the house of Andrew Holmes, at Frankfort, on the Kentucky river."
This house, a large two-story frame building, was situated in the western end of North Frankfort in the bend of the river, and was the same in which Aaron Burr planned some of the details of his conspiracy. The second Legislature held its first session in this house in November, 1793. The house stood until 1870, when it was torn down, and the spot is now occupied by the residence of Mr. James G. Dudley.
The first State House was occupied by the second Legislature at its second session on November 3, 1794, and was described as a large sightly building, 86 by 84 feet, three stories high, built of rough marble, and with a cupola rising from the center of a square roof. The public officers were on the first floor; the Hall of Representatives on the second; and the Senate Chamber on the third. It was destroyed by fire November 25, 1813.
The second State House, which, like the first, occupied the same site as the present, was erected in 1814; was built of brick, two stories high, with four marble columns in front, and a tall cupola. The State offices were detached, and were in brick buildings on either side of the State House. The main building was destroyed by fire in 1824; the offices on the east side in 1865; while the building on the west side is still standing.
The third and present State House was first occupied by both Houses of the Legislature on December 7, 1829. Although the former Capitol was burned on the 4th of November, 1824, it was not until January 12, 1827, that a bill was approved, providing for its rebuild- ing, and appointing John Brown, Peter Dudley, John Harvie, and James Shannon, Com- missioners to superintend its erection. Twenty thousand dollars were appropriated then; twenty thousand on February 12, 1828; twenty thousand on January 29, 1829; twelve thousand on January 29, 1830; nine thousand five hundred on January 15, 1831; and two thousand two hundred in December, 1831-making the entire cost about eighty-five thou- sand dollars. It is built entirely of white polished Kentucky marble, with a portico in
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FRANKLIN COUNTY, KY.
front, supported by six Ionic columns. The stairway under the vault of the dome is a skillful piece of workmanship, and has been much admired.
The Senate and House of Representative Halls are in the second story, the former orna - mented with full length portraits of Wm. Henry Harrison, Henry Clay, and Isaac Shelby. In the latter are life-size portraits of Washington, Lafayette, and Boone. The rooms in the lower story are appropriated to the use of the State Library, Land Office, and Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals room is adorned with the portraits of Judges Mills, Robertson, and Underwood. .
The east wing of the proposed New State House was completed in 1872, at a cost of $155,000. The building is intended to be strictly fire-proof and is furnished and ornamen- ted in the most elegant modern style. If the contemplated plan is carried out, it will, when completed, present a grand and magnificent appearance, equal to any State Capitol in the Union.
In 1799, on the 17th of August, the second constitutional convention met in Frankfort and adopted the second Constitution of Kentucky, Alex. S. Bullitt being chairman.
The population of Franklin county in iSoo was 5,078, and that of Frankfort 628, while Lexington, had 1,795, Washington, Mason county, had 570, Paris 377, and Louisville 350. The first water-works in Kentucky were established at Frankfort in 1804 by Richard Throckmorton, who laid wooden pipes from Cedar Cove Spring into town.
AARON BURR'S CONSPIRACY.
In the latter part of 1806 "The Western World," a newspaper then published in Frank- fort, by Messrs. Wood & Street, came out with a series of articles exposing a scheme planned and headed by Aaron Burr, and implicating Judge Sabastian, Gen. Wilkerson, and others. The ground work of his plan undoubtedly was to organize a military force upon the Western rivers, descend the Mississippi, and wrest from Spain a large portion of her territory adjoining the Gulf of Mexico. The Southwestern part of the United States, . embracing New Orleans and the adjacent territory, was either by force or persuasion to become a part of the new Empire, of which New Orleans was to be the Capital and Burr the Chief. These were the essential and indispensable features of the plan; but if circum- stances were favorable the project was to extend much farther, and the whole country west of the Alleghenies was to be wrested from the American Union and to become a part of this new and magnificent Empire.
Col. Joe Hamilton Daviess, then United States Attorney for this district, appeared be- fore Judge Innis on the 3d of November, 1806, and moved for process to compel the attendance of Burr before the court to answer a charge of a high misdemeanor, in organiz- ing a military expedition against a friendly power from within the territory and jurisdiction of the United States.
This created a great sensation, and Burr, who was then at Lexington, immediately en- gaged Henry Clay and Col. Allen and came to Frankfort. The trial and acquittal of Aaron Burr is one of the most notable events that ever happend in Franklin county.
Col. Daviess was then the full equal of Mr. Clay in every respect, and history furnishes no mate for Burr in daring, self-possession, and the art of cool and calculating impudence.
Col. Burr entered the court room shortly after Judge Innis had overruled Col. Daviess' motion, and addressed the court in a calm and dignified manner. He spoke of the mo- tion as one which had greatly surprised him, and said that'the court'had treated the appli- cation as it deserved; but, as it might be renewed by the attorney in his absence, he prefer- red that the court should entertain the motion now. Col. Daviess declared himself ready to proceed as soon as he could procure the attendance of his witnesses. The ensuing Wednesday was fixed on as the day of trial. On Wednesday the most important witness was absent, and Judge Innis dismissed the grand jury. Col. Burr arose in court and ex- pressed his regret that the grand jury had been discharged, and desired that the attorney might have another opportunity to prove his charge. On November 25, 1806, Col. Daviess informed the court that the witness would attend on the 2d of November following. Ac- cordingly on the day of trial Burr entered the court-room attended by his counsel, but Da- viess, with evident chagrin, again asked a postponement of the case for a few days, and that the grand jury should be kept empanneled until he could compel the attendance of another witness by attachment. Whereupon a most animated and impassioned debate sprung up, intermingled with sharp and flashing personalities between Clay and Daveis ..
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A SHORT HISTORY OF
Never did two more illustrious orators encounter each other in debate. The great mass which crowded to suffocation the floor, galleries, windows, and the platform of the court- room remained still and breathless for hours; while the renowned and immortal champions, stimulated by mutual rivalry, and each glowing with the ardent conviction of right, en- countered each other in splendid intellectual combat. Clay had the sympathies of the au- dience on his side, and was the leader of the popular party in Kentucky. Daveiss was a Federalist, and was regarded as prosecuting an innocent and unfortunate man from motives of political hate. But he was buoyed up by the full conviction of Burr's guilt, and the delusion of the people on the subject. The very infatuation which he beheld around him, and the smiling security of the traitor who sat before him, stirred his great spirit to one of its most brilliant efforts.
The grand jury examined the witnesses then present and returned "not a true bill," also a written declaration that they completely exonerated Burr. Before Henry Clay took any active part as the counsel of Burr he required of him an explicit avowal upon his honor that he was engaged in no designed contrary to the laws and peace of the county.
Col. Burr's acquittal was celebrated in Frankfort;by a brilliant ball, which was followed by another given by the friends of Col. Daviess.
At the very moment of Burr's appearance in court, an armed force in his service occupied Blannerhassett's Island and boats, laden with provisions and military stores, were com- mencing their voyage down the Ohio river.
Scarcely was the grand jury discharged, and the ball which celebrated his acquittal con - cluded, when President Jefferson's proclamation reached Kentucky. A law was passed in hot haste, for seizing the boats, which had escaped the militia of Ohio, and were descend- ing the river. Col. Burr had just left for Nashville, Tennessee.
FRANKFORT IN 1810.
Zadock Cramer, in his "Navigator," published in Pittsburg, Pa., in 1811, described Frankfort as it was in 1810, viz: "Containing about 140 houses, three printing offices, one book-store, a circulating library and'book bindery, 18 mercantile stores, a State bank estab- lished in 1806. The State Legislature meets here annually, and sits during the winter months. The town is improving fast in buildings, manufactories, &c."
On the 15th August, 1812, a company of volunteers for the war of 1812, with Pascal Hickman captain, Peter Dudley lieutenant, G. Voohies ensign, Alex. A. Rennick first ser- geant, Ben Head second sergeant, Geo. Nicholson third sergeant, John Nailor fourth ser- geant, David Gwin, Wm. Thompson, Richard Chessu, and Thos. Johnson corporals, rendezvoued at Georgetown, Ky. Sergeant Rennick's discharge is dated Urbana, Ohio. February 21, 1813.
For many years previous to 1820, a floating bridge, constructed from coal-boats, had been used between North and South Frankfort, andwas situated at the foot of Ann street; but this was superseded by a trestle bridge at the foot of St Clair street in 1820. This trestle bridge lasted until 1844, when it was replaced by an other trestle bridge, which stood only a short time, when it fell, killing one man and two horses. The present wooden chain covered bridge was completed in 1846.
A line of stages in April. 1824, was established from Maysville through Lexington and Frankfort to Louisville-trip two days, and to Washington City six days.
SIMON KENTON.
When it became known in the winter of 1824 that Simon Kenton was in town, the peo- ple of Frankfort speedily assembled to see the celebrated warrior and hunter. He was then 70 years of age, and had traveled on horseback all the wayį from Urbana, Ohio, to Frankfort for the purpose of asking the Legislature of Kentucky to release to him his lands in Kentucky which had been sold for taxes. His old tattered clothes were replaced by good ones, and he was taken to the Capitol and placed in the Speaker's chair, and introduced to a crowded assembly of legislators, judges, officers of the government, and citizens generally as "the second great adventurer of the West." This the simple- hearted old man was wont to call the "proudest day of his life." His lands were at once released, and a pension of $240 a year granted to him.
Colonel Solomon P. Sharp, a distinguished lawyer and citizen of Frankfort, was assassin - ated at his residence by J. O. Beauchamp, on the night of the 6th of November, 1825. The affair created great excitement, and the Legislature, of which Col. Sharp was then a
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FRANKLIN COUNTY, KY.
member, offered a reward of $3, 000 for the apprehension of Beauchamp. Beacuhamp's trial, which resulted in his conviction, was largely attended. An hour before he was hanged he stabbed his wife, who had been his companion in prison, and then attempted to kill him- self with the same knife, but failed. He was taken to the forks of the Georgetown and Glen's creek roads, on the hill by the cemetery, and hanged in the presence of a very large crowd.
Gen. Lafayette visited Frankfort on May 14, 1825. He was met by seven military com- panies and a calvalcade of citizens. A grand dinner and public ball were given in his honor.
For several years previous to this time there had been a great financial depression in the country, out of which grew the old and new court controversy. The Legislature passed a law staying the collection of debts, which law was declared to be unconstitutional by the Court of Appeals. Whereupon the Legislature passed an act abolishing the court, and establishing a new Court of Appeals. Thus, for a year or two, we had two courts sitting at Frankfort at the same time, and each claiming to be the Court of Appeals of Kentucky. The old court finally prevailed.
The first railroad in the West, and the second in the United States, was that from Lex- ington to Frankfort; begun on October 21, 1831, and finished through to Frankfort in . December, 1835. It was at first operated by horse power; then, in 1835, a locomotive was imported from England, and brought up the Kentucky river to Frankfort, where it was placed on the track. The Asiatic cholera visited Franklin county in the year 1833, and 54 persons died in Frankfort of that dreadful disease.
The Frankfort Commonwealth newspaper and the Stedman Paper Mill, on Elkhorn creek, were established in 1833.
The locks and dams on the Kentucky river, the first in the United States, were built in 1834, and since then steamboats have been running regularly up to Frankfort and above, during almost every month in the year The State Arsenal and Bank of Kentucky were established in Frankfort in 1834; also an agricultural paper, the first in the State, with Thos. J. Stevenson, editor and Wm. Duane Pettit, publisher.
The first Short-horn Durham cattle in Franklin county were owned by Hon. James Haggin. At Haggin's sale, in 1834, Col. Robert W. Scott purchased five head. The Franklin County Agricultural Society was organized in 1835, with Robt. W. Scott, Presi- dent; John C. Herndon, Secretary, and held fairs in 1836-'7-'S, &c., at which premiums were awarded for stock, crops, agricultural implements, &c., and public addresses were made.
In 1836 Col. Robert W. Scott commenced a new breed of sheep, and for over twenty years he kept on his farm, in Franklin county, one hundred choice ewes, and bred to the finest bucks of the Bakewell, Saxony, Southdown, Cotswold, Leicester, and Oxfordshire breeds. They are a successful combination of the hardiness and prolific qualities of the native sheep, the size and thrift of the Bakewell and Cotswold, and the symmetry of form and delicacy of mutton of the Southdown; while the fleeces combine the weight and length of the Cotswold with the fineness and thickness of the Saxony.
The first State Agricultural Society was formed at Frankfort in 1838.
The Kentucky Yeoman newspaper was established at Frankfort in 1840.
Franklin county was divided into thirteen common school districts in 1842, and seven schools were put into operation that year.
On the first of July, 1843, there was a grand military encampment in Franklin county, styled Camp Madison. Humphrey Murshall was in command, and Chief Justice George Robertson delivered an oration on the settlement of Kentucky. There were ten thousand people present.
REMAINS OF DANIEL BOONE.
At its session of 1844-'45, the Legislature of Kentucky adopted measures to have the mortal remains of the celebrated pioneer, Daniel Boone, and those of his wife, removed from their place of burial on the banks of the Missouri river, for the purpose of interment in the cemetery at Frankfort. The consent of the surviving relations of the deceased having been obtained, a commission was appointed, under whose superintendence the removal was affected. The 13th of September, 1845; was fixed upon as the time when the ashes of the venerable dead would be committed with fitting ceremonies to the place of their final re- pose. It was a day which will be long remembered in the history of Franklin county.
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A SHORT HISTORY OF
The deep feeling excited by the occasion was evinced by the assembling of an immense concourse of citizens from all parts of the State ; and the ceremonies were most imposing and impressive. A procession, extending more than a mile in length, accompanied the re- mains to the grave, where were gathered a vast multitude. The hearse, decorated with flowers and evergreens, was drawn by four white horses, and was accompanied by the fol- lowing distinguished pioneers as pallbearers, viz: Col. Richard M. Johnson. of Scott; Gen. James Taylor, of Campbell; Capt. James Ward, of Mason; Gen. Robt. B. McAfee and Peter Jordan, of Mercer ; Waller Bullock, Esq., of Fayette ; Capt. Thomas Joyes, of Louisville; Mr. Landon Sneed, of Franklin; Col. John Johnson, of the State of Ohio; Maj. E. E. Williams, of Kenton, and Col. Wm. Boone, of Shelby. The procession was accompanied by a number of military companies, and by the members of the Masonic fraternity, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in rich regalia. The funeral ser- vices were performed in a beautiful hollow near the grave. . The hymn was given out by the Rev. Mr. Godell, of the Baptist Church ; prayer by Bishop Soule, of the Methodist Episcopal Church ; oration by the Hon. John J. Crittenden ; closing prayer by the Rev. J. J. Bullock, of the Presbyterian Church, and benediction by the Rev. P. S. Fall, of the Christian Church. The coffins were then lowered into the graves. The spot where the graves are situated is as beautiful as nature and art could make it, being on the brink of a river bluff, and commanding a magnificent view. A monument of Kentucky marble, four feet square and twelve feet high, marks the spot.
KENTUCKY MILITARY INSTITUTE.
In 1846 the "Franklin Springs," situated about six miles south of Frankfort, were opened to the public. Extensive buildings and all necessary arrangements were made by a company of citizens of Frankfort and Franklin county to make this excellent watering- place equal to any in the State. They were known as "Scanlan's Spring," and had been resorted to by many for a number of years. The waters possess most excellent medical properties. "Franklin Springs" were opened for only one season, when the property was purchased by Col. R. T. P. Allen, for the purpose of establishing a military academy. The Kentucky Legislature, in 1846, incorporated the Kentucky Military Institute, and placed it under the control of a board of visitors appointed by the Governor of the State, who is, ex-officio, inspector of the Institute. The Superintendent, faculty, and cadets are constituted a quasi military corps. The officers, commissioned under the seal of the Com- monwealth, are responsible to the board of visitors for the faithful performance of pre- scribed duties. The principal buildings erected by the Springs company were destroyed by fire, and Col. Allen replaced them with handsome edifices. The main building is fash- ioned after the State Capitol at Frankfort, and, together with the others, cost more than $100,000. The school has been carried on every year since its founding (except from IS61 to 1865, when the war interfered), during which time it was attended annually by from one hundred to two hundred students from all parts of the United States, but principally from the Southern States. Col. Robt. D. Allen, son of the former superintendent, is now the Superintendent, and the school is in a flourishing condition.
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