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F 459 F8 J5
HISTORY
of the
FRANKFORT CEMETERY
By L. F. Johnson 1921
1800
S
Glass F459 Book F&J5
HISTORY
OF THE
FRANKFORT CEMETERY
BY L. F. JOHNSON 1921
ROBERTS PRINTING CO. FRANKFORT, KY,
F 4-59 FB J5
COPYRIGHTED 1921 BY L. F. JOHNSON
FEB 11 1922
CCIA666987
no.1.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page.
Preface
5
Chapter 1-
The Incorporation 9
Report of Legislative Committee 11
State Monument 13
Theodore O'Hara 23
Chapter 2-
Lots Purchased by State 27
Revolutionary Soldiers and Others Buried in State Lot 27
Chapter 3-
Other Prominent People Buried at Frankfort 35
Chapter 4-
The Names and Location of Noted People, Offices Held by Them, or Other Incidents Worthy of Note 55
Summary of National and State Officers 61
The Natural Scenery of Grounds, &c. 62
Chapter 5-
Revolutionary Soldiers 66
The War of 1812-1815 66
Soldiers of Mexican War 67
Confederate Soldiers of Civil War 68
Federal Soldiers of Civil War
71
Spanish-American War 73
Soldiers of World War 73
Trustees of Cemetery Company 74
PREFACE
We cherish the memory of the soldiers who gave their lives to the service of this country and who have thus secured for their native State an honored name among the states of the Nation.
We rejoice that so many of the officers and men who won lasting fame for Kentucky during the wars in which this republic has been engaged, and who laid down their lives in the defense of their country, have been removed to the State's beautiful necropolis, and that they now rest in the bosom of their native State and their bodies have become a part of the earth for which they gave their lives. We rejoice that our fathers have preserved in granite and marble the names of those men who fell in the defense of this country, and by so doing they testified to the world their regard for Kentucky's gallant dead. We are also proud of those great Kentuckians whose virtues and faithful service in civil life "are lamps unto our feet and lights unto our path." Their purity of life, their wisdom and their patriotism make their dust the most sacred heritage of a patriotic people.
All the nations of the earth have honored, and have striven to perpetuate, the memory of their great and good. The Jews carried with them the bones of Joseph, their benefactor, during their wanderings through the wilderness, while in search of the Promised Land. The pyramids of Egypt are monuments to the great men of an early civilization.
The ceremonies over the remains of the departed and the manner of disposing of the dead have differed among different nations, but all nations have rendered homage to, and have honored in some way, their departed heroes, and no people have ever arisen to power or greatness who have not striven to perpetuate the memory of their great men and women. No nation, whether barbarian or civilized, has failed to show some
6
PREFACE
marks of respect and honor for their distinguished dead. We are told that the barbarians turned aside the course of a river in order that their chieftain, Alaric, might be buried in the bed of the river, and the water changed again to its natural course so that no foe could desecrate the grave of their hero.
For half a century the people of Kentucky searched for a secure and permanent place in which to deposit the ashes of their loved and honored dead. Their efforts were finally rewarded and the ideal place which is now used for that pur- pose was secured in the year 1845.
It is eminently proper that the mortal remains of these distinguished men should be gathered from all parts of the earth, and that they should find a last resting place in Ken- tucky's "CITY OF THE DEAD," which overlooks the capitol of the State. Our fathers have erected here the monumental columns upon which have been inscribed the names and deeds of Kentucky's noted sons, in order that their children in all time to come may make their pilgrimage to this holy shrine, as did the knights of old to the Holy Land : that they may read the History of Kentucky as it has been carved in marble and granite. The pens of Xenophon and Herodotus, of Livy and Tacitus, have made immortal the names of Greek and Roman, who deserve less from posterity than do many of the great men who now sleep in the necropolis of this Commonwealth.
Kentucky has made this cemetery her temple of honor. and the mortal remains of her great men have been gathered from the State and Nation and from foreign countries, until these grounds have become the Very Resting Place of Honor- The Westminster Abbey of this Commonwealth.
They who conceived the idea of collecting into this ceme- tery the ashes of Kentucky's distinguished dead conferred a lasting benefit upon those who came after them, in that it pre- sented to their minds those conspicuous examples of patriotism and virtue which are worthy of emulation. The coming genera- tions of this Commonwealth will regard a burial in the State Cemetery at Frankfort as the most distinguished honor which can be conferred upon their dead, and they will covet such honor as did the English Captain who said to his men as he went
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PREFACE
into battle, "Now then for a victory or a tomb in Westminster Abbey." We know not what the future has in store for us, but we know that we are going the way of all the earth, that "Be- vond the dim unknown standeth God within the shadow, keep- ing watch above his own."
When we think of the so-called "death" of our great and good, we have a counsciousness that men like these never die ; death to them is but a circumstance in their existenee. We have a consciousness of their immortality that they are still with us in spirit : they revisit the scenes of their earthly activity and commune with kindred spirits. We believe that in a brighter and better world we shall meet and know them; that they will all live again; yes, that they do now live, for there is no death.
"There is no death, but Angel forms Walk o'er the earth with silent tread ; They bear our best loved things away, And then we call them dead. But ever near us though unseen Their dear immortal spirits tread,
For all the boundless universe Is life,-there are no dead."
-The Author.
١.
KENTUCKY'S NECROPOLIS
CHAPTER I.
THE INCORPORATION.
The Frankfort or State Cemetery was incorporated by Act of the Kentucky Legislature, approved February 27th, 1844. ( The incorporators were Edmund H. Taylor, A. G. Hodges, Henry Wingate. Mason Brown, Jacob Swigert, A. P. Cox, Philip Swigert, Orlando Brown and M. R. Stealey.) The Act provided that seven trustees should be elected by the share- holders. once every five years. The proceeds of the sale of lots and all money that came to the corporation from any other source should be applied, first, to the reimbursement of those who had made advancements for the original outlay and pur- chase ; and whatever should be paid afterwards, for all time to come. should be used to ornament and improve the grounds and defray incidental expenses. The Frankfort Cemetery was the second incorporated cemetery in the United States. Mt. Auburn, at Boston. Mass .. was the first.
The Act provides that the grounds shall be used for burial purposes only, and that no roads shall be opened through the grounds. It prescribes that in addition to their other duties the trustees shall preserve an accurate map and survey of the grounds and lots, and have the same recorded in the Clerk's office of the Franklin County Court, and also in the office of the Clerk of the Court of Appeals. It is made their duty to add such fixtures as may be necessary for the use or ornament of the grounds, with power to lay off and sell burial lots, etc.
When a burial lot is purchased the trustees shall give a certificate thereof, under the seal of the corporation, which shall vest the purchaser with title. If this title is not trans- ferred by the grantee it shall descend or pass by devise as other real estate.
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IHISTORY OF THE FRANKFORT CEMETERY
Section 5 provides : Any person defacing any of the tomb- stones, monuments or enclosures, or injuring any of the grounds, shrubbery, fixtures or buildings, or in any manner damaging the grounds of the corporation, shall be punished by fine or imprisonment and be liable to the corporation for civil damages. There was an amendment to this Act which provided for the superintendent to reside on the grounds, and which vested him and other employees of the company with police power to arrest persons trespassing and committing depredations and offenses in the grounds. This was approved April 7th, 1888.
On February 16th, 1845, Ambrose W. Dudley and Eliza G. Dudley, his wife, conveyed to the Frankfort Cemetery Com- pany thirty-two acres of land, then known as "Hunter's Garden," the consideration for which was three thousand, eight hundred and one dollars. In the year 1911 the com- pany purchased from Mrs. Bessie L. Exum and others thirteen acres, for which was paid the sum of three thousand and twenty-five dollars. The grounds now consist of one hundred acres of land, the original cost of which was six thousand, eight hundred and twenty-six dollars.
In the year 1890 the company erected a chapel at an expense of about seven thousand dollars. This building is of artistic design and is located on the brow of the hill overlook- ing the Kentucky River and the City of Frankfort. It adds materially to the beauty and convenience of the grounds.
When the company secured the original tract of land it employed Mr. Robert Carmichael as landscape gardener. This gentleman was not only learned in his profession but he also had several years' experience in Scotland prior to this employ ment. The symmetry and harmony which prevails every part of these grounds proclaim that a master mind had planned the original construction and embellishment thereof.
In the year 1919 the company reconstructed the approach or driveway to these grounds at a cost of about six thousand dollars. About twelve inches of well prepared macadam was overlaid with about four inches of rock asphalt; this makes a substantial and beautiful driveway.
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HISTORY OF THE FRANKFORT CEMETERY
The location of these grounds is ideal. The contour of the land is sufficiently undulating to furnish a variety of scenery and at the same time it is level enough for the purpose for which it was set aside. Mr. Carmichael died in the year 1858 and was buried in the grounds which he had done so much to beautify.
In January, 1846, the books of the company were opened for the sale of lots, the deeds to only a very few of which have been recorded.
In the year 1847 the Legislature of Kentucky, by resolu- tion, appointed a committee for the purpose of inquiring into the policy and expediency of causing a suitable monument to be erected at the most eligible point in Kentucky in honor of the officers and soldiers who have heretofore and who may hereafter fall in the defense of their country, and to mark the resting place of her illustrious statesmen ; also, report the most suitable place to be selected in which Kentucky may deposit the ashes of her illustrious dead.
The committee reported that in discharge of those duties they visited the grounds of the Frankfort Cemetery, recently laid off and improved, on the hill immediately above the capitol, known formerly as "Hunter's Garden." They found it to be a spot of great beauty and remarkable for its commanding situation and romantic and picturesque scenery. The grounds embrace thirty-two acres, enclosed by a secure and excellent fence of walnut and cedar, which affords perfect security to the place. Good buildings are provided within the enclosure for the superintendent, who constantly resides there. and whose duty it is to take care of the improvements that have already been made and to superintend such as the company may think proper hereafter to make. to keep the grounds in neat and complete order and protect the same from the slightest injury or trespass. Its high elevated situation, being about three hun- dred feet above the Kentucky River, affords a fine and com- manding view of that stream which winds at the base of the hill or bluff. From a portion of this ground you have a view of the capitol and the greater portion of that part of the city of Frankfort north of the river, the whole of South Frankfort,
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HISTORY OF THE FRANKFORT CEMETERY
the bridge across the Kentucky River, and for many miles over the surrounding country.
The elevated situation of this point, the purpose for which it has been set apart. consecrated and forever devoted and dedicated. the neat and tasteful manner in which it has been improved, point it out in the opinion of your committee as the most eligible point that could be selected for the erection of & grand and splendid monument for the purpose contemplated in the preamble and resolutions; also the most suitable place to be selected as a public burying ground for Kentucky.
Your committee would further state that by the charter of the company it is forever set apart as a cemetery : no road can pass through it: it is not subject to execution or sale: it can never be used for other purposes. It has been handsomely laiil off into small lets for the use of families, portions of which have been sold and handsomely enclosed. The proceeds arising from the sale of the lots are forever to be applied to the improve- ment and ornament of the grounds.
The letter which Judge Mason Brown. as chairman of the Cemetery Company sent to the committee states: "You will discover, by the charter of the company, that the Frankfort Cemetery is strictly a charitable and benevolent institution and wholly free from speculation or gain. The sole object of the gentlemen who established it was a desire that they and their friends might have a secure. permanent and beautiful spot in which to deposit the ashes of their dead: that while living they might have pious hands keep the briars and weeds from the graves of those they loved, and when laid by their side, the same melancholy but consoling care might be bestowed upon them. The grounds of the cemetery embrace thirty-two acres. There will have been expended during this and the ensuing year, in the original purchase and improvements, the sum of twelve thousand dollars. Its romantic situation and improve- ments make it. as they believe. an interesting and beautiful spot.
I am charged by the company to state that should it meet the views of your committee they will cheerfully convey to the State the beautiful mound in the center of the grounds, which
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HISTORY OF THE FRANKFORT CEMETERY
is smiliciently large for all State purposes. The company is unwilling to receive any compensation for it now or at any future period. All that they would expect or desire is that it be kept by the State in the same neat and simple manner in which the lots of private individuals are kept. so as not to mar the beauty of the place. I am also charged to say that should the Legislature at any time hereafter desire any other ground on which to erect such a monument as is alluded to in your note and resolutions, the company will cheerfully give to the State any unoccupied spot in their grounds on which to erect same. (Signed) Mason Brown, Chairman Company."
By an Act approved February 25th, 1848, fifteen thousand dollars was appropriated for the purpose: "To erect a monu- ment to those who have fallen in defense of the country." The mound on which the State monument is erected is known as "The State Mound," and also as "The Bivouac of the Dead," so called by Theodore O'Hara in his poem which has gained national celebrity. "The Bivouac of the Dead."
Mr. Robert E. Launitz, of New York, one of the most skilled workmen in America, was employed to do the work; most of the carving was done in Italy. The material was shipped to Frankfort by way of the Mississippi River. A barge was sent to New Orleans for the purpose of receiving it directly from the vessel, and it was delivered at Frankfort without any injury.
The monument rests on a base twenty feet square, made of Connecticut granite. Many of the blocks of which the monu- ment is made weigh five tons each, the weight of the whole being more than one hundred and fifty tons; the height of the monument is sixty-five feet. The Statue of Victory which crowns the column was placed in position in June. 1849. The material of the monument was imported from the noted quarry of C. Fabricotti Carrara. and it was considered the purest and richest monumental marble ever brought to America: at the time it was received it was free from all blemishes and was uni- form in color. Some of the blocks are now showing the effects of the elements to which they have been exposed for more than half a century, and some have become colored in places. caused
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HISTORY OF THE FRANKFORT CEMETERY
by the rust of the dowel pins which were used to hold the blocks in place.
'The Statue of Victory which crowns the work and the four eagles which guard the corners of the die were sculptured in Italy from the models prepared by Mr. Launitz. The other relief figures on the panels, the coat of arms and the rest of the marble work was executed by Mr. Launitz in New York City.
On the upper base, facing the west, is the inscription, "The principal battles and campaigns in which her sons devoted their lives to their country are inscribed on the bands and beneath the same are the names of her officers who fell. The names of her soldiers who died for their country are too numerous to be inscried on any column."
On the north side of the upper base is a tablet on which is inseribed "Military Monument erected by Kentucky. . I. D. 1850."
On the east side of the same is "Kentucky has erected this column in gratitude equally to her officers and soldiers."
Facing the south is the coat of arms of Kentucky. with the motto of the State: "United we stand : divided we fall." On the bands are inscribed the names of twenty-two battles or cam- paigns and beneath these bands are the names of eighty-four officers who fell in battle. A biographical sketch of these eighty-four men would give the history of Kentucky for more than half a century.
The names of these officers are as follows: Beginning at the top band on the south side of the column are the words "Cerra Gorda:" on the panel below which there is no name. On the next band is "New Orleans," and the next below that is "Massissinaway." on the panel below neither of which is there inseribed any name. This shows that no officer from Kentucky lost his life in any of the battles named. The next band is marked "St. Clair's Defeat." on the panel beneath which is the name of "William Oldham." Then follows:
"Estill's Defeat"
Capt James Estill Lient. South
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HISTORY OF THE FRANKFORT CEMETERY
"Tippecanoe" Col. Joseph H. Daviess Col. Abram Owen Capt. Jacob Warrick
"Fort Meigs"
Col. William Dudley
Capt. John C. Morrison
Capt. Christopher Irvine
Capt. Joseph Clark Capi. Thomas Lewis
"Blue Licks"
Col. John Todd
Col. Stephen Trigg
Maj. Silas Harlan
Maj. William McBride
Capt. Edward Bulger
Capt. John Gordon
Capt. Isaac Boone
On the east side of the monument all the bands and panels (seven in number) are without name of battle or officer killed except the last or lowest one on the column which is marked "United States Navy."
Lieutenant John Gunnell Talbot Drowned at Kalihikai December 19, 1870.
Lieutenant Hugh Willson McKee Killed in Corea June 11. 1871.
Master Alfred Foree Drowned off Georgetown April 12, 1872 "All in the performance of duty."
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HISTORY OF THE FRANKFORT CEMETERY
Just above the base is inscribed :
By order of the Legislature The name of Col. J. J. Hardin Of the 1st Regt. Illinois Infantry A son of Kentucky Who fell at the battle of Buena Vista Is inscribed hereon.
On the north side is:
"Mexico" Lieut. J. W. Powell "Bonesborough" Panel left without a name "Harmon's Defeat" Capt. J. MeMurtry
"Wayne's Campaign" Col. John Hardin
"Monterey" Maj. P. N. Barbour "Buena Vista" Col. William R. MeKee Lieut. Col. Henry Clay Capt. William T. Willis Adjutant E. P. Vaughn
"Raisin"
Col. John Allen
Maj. Benjamin Graves
Capt. John Woolfork
Capt. N. G. S. Hart
Capt. James Meade
Capt. Robert Edwards
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HISTORY OF THE FRANKFORT CEMETERY
"Raisin"
Capt. Virgil MeCracken
Capt. William Price
Capt. John Edmonson
Capt. John Simpson
Capt. Paschal Hickman
Lieut. John Williamson
On the west side is .
"Thames" Col. William Whitley Capt. Elijah Craig
"Indian Wars"
Col. John Floyd
Col. Nathan Hart
Col. Walker Daniel
Col. William Christian
Col. Richard Calloway
Col. James Harrod
"Indian Wars"
Col. William Lynn
Maj. Evan Shelby
Maj. Bland Ballard
Capt. Christopher Irvine
Capt. William McAfee
Capt. John Kennedy
"Indian Wars"
Capt. Christ. Crepps
Capt. - Rogers
Capt. William Bryant
Capt. Tipton
Capt. Chapman
Capt. McCracken
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HISTORY OF THE FRANKFORT CEMETERY
"Indian Wars"
Capt. James Shelby
Capt. Samuel Grant
Survr. Hanck. Taylor Survr. Willis Lee
"Little Big Horn" By order of the Legislature The name of Lieut. John J. Crittenden 20" U. S. Infantry A brave Kentuckian who was Killed in the battle of "Little Big Horn" On the 25" of June, 1876
While performing his duty Is inscribed hereon.
"Raisin"
Lieut. Robert Logan
Lieut. Thomas C. Graves
Lieut. Thomas Overton
Lieut. Francis Chinn
Ensign Levi Wells
Ensign Shawham
"Raisin"
Surgn. Alexander Montgomery
Surgn. Thomas C. Davis
Surgn. John Irvine
Surgn. Thomas MeIlvane
The base of the monument is made of granite, the founda- tion of stone and the column of Italian marble. The whole is inclosed by an iron fence to protect the column from vandals. sometimes called relie hunters.
There are four cannons placed near the monument, two of which were taken from the enemy at the battle of Buena Vista, both of which were spiked by the enemy before they were
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HISTORY OF THE FRANKFORT CEMETERY
surrendered. The other two belonged to the State and were taken from the State arsenal.
To the north of the State Monument is the tomb of Henry Clay, Jr., son of the great commoner. He was Lieutenant Colonel of two Regiments of Kentucky Infantry. Near him on his left is the tomb of Cary II. Fry, Major of Second Ken- tucky Regiment; the next one to him on the left is that of Adjutant G. N. Cardwell, and the last one in that row is Col. W. R. McKee. All of these officers fell while in the discharge of their duty at the battles of Buena Vista.
To the south of the military monument are the tombs of Adjutant E. M. Vaughn of the First Kentucky Cavalry, and W. T. Willis, Captain of Second Regiment, both of whom were killed at Buena Vista. On the west side are the tombs of Ezekiel H. Fields, Lieutenant Colonel of First Kentucky Cavalry, and James W. Moss, who was Captain of Company "A" in the Mexican War, and in the Civil War he was Captain of Company "A" C. S. A .; he was promoted to the position of Colonel. He was killed at the battle of Jonesboro, Georgia.
Just north of the Clay tomb are two small markers; on one is inscribed "Lieutenant Colonel R. H. King, 3rd Kentucky Cavalry U. S. A .; died June 8th, 1866." On the other is "Capt. A. G. Bacon, 3rd Kentucky Cavalry, U. S. A .; killed at Sacra- mento, Kentucky, December the 28th, 1861, aged 42 years." Captain Bacon was killed in a hand to hand fight with General Bedford Forrest. The A. G. Bacon Post of the Franklin County G. A. R. was so named to commemorate his name.
On the extreme north of the military mound is a monu- ment erected to the memory of Philip Norbourne Barbour, by Kentucky to her brave and noble son. He was brevetted for valor in the Florida War and brevetted Major for gallantry in the Mexican War. "He fell at the head of his command, cov- ered with honor and glory at the storming of Monterey, Sep- tember 21st, 1846."
Near the Barbour monument and just south of it is a small slab recently placed there by the Susanna Chapter of D. A. R., which marks the grave of "Lieut. Presley Neville O'Banion, who departed this life September 12th, 1850, aged 74 years."
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HISTORY OF THE FRANKFORT CEMETERY
This slab is about three feet long and eighteen inches wide. At the age of twenty he was Lieutenant under Commodore Stephen Decatur to the Algerian Coast. Lieut. O'Banion lead the charge under Capt. Eaton, who was killed when the fif- teen pirate ships were taken. O'Banion, with seven of his men, was the first to jump on shore and pull down the Algerian colors and raise the American colors. This took place at Dene Fortress. On his return to America he was regarded as the hero of the expedition. The city of Philadelphia gave him a gold mounted saddle and the women embroidered a white satin cover for it. Congress presented him a jeweled sword and had his pic- ture painted. He was in the Kentucky Legislature from 1812 to 1820. His wife was a daughter of a Revolutionary soldier.
Between the Barbour monument and the State Monument is a small stone marked:
"Dr. John G. Keenon, Born in Frankfort, Ky .. Oct. 20th. 1827 Commissioned Brigade Surgeon Oct. 9th, 1861 Died in service at Memphis, Tenn., Aug. 12th, 1864 He was Brigade Surgeon with rank of Major U. S. A."
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