Collins historical sketches of Kentucky. History of Kentucky: Vol. II, Part 117

Author: Collins, Lewis, 1797-1870. cn; Collins, Richard H., 1824-1889. cn
Publication date: 1874
Publisher: Covington, Ky., Collins & Co.
Number of Pages: 1654

USA > Kentucky > Collins historical sketches of Kentucky. History of Kentucky: Vol. II > Part 117

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In the subsequent letter from the war department, the defensive operations for the protection of Kentucky were committed exclusively to his judgment and dis- cretion, and whenever there was a prospect of acting offensively against the In- dians of the north-west. the president made an appeal to his patriotism and that of the State, in furnishing mounted volunteers in aid of the regular force. His energy and the gallantry of Kentucky was signally displayed in the valuable suc- cour rendered to Gen. Wayne on the memorable 20th of August, 1794. His en- lightened forecast, and the valor of Kentucky, presented on this occasion, as on the equally glorious 5th of October, 1813, the means of victory both in men and transportation, at a critical moment to the scene of action-to victories the most decisive in their results to any heretofore known in Indian warfare.

Whilst the people of Kentucky were interrupted in their business and prosper- ity by the attention necessary to the progress of the Indian war, they were an- noyed by continued apprehensions of losing the navigation of the Mississippi, on which their commercial existence depended. In the midst of these difficulties, a new and unexpected occasion presented itself for the display of Gov. Shelby's diplomatic sagacity. The complaints and remonstrances of the Spanish minister induced the general government to open a correspondence with Gov. Shelby, for the purpose of suppressing an expedition, which was represented to be in contem- plation, by La Chaise and other French agents, against the possessions of Spain on the Mississippi. Gov. Shelby had no apprehensions that they would succeed in organizing the necessary force, and under this impression his reply to the de- partment of state, October 5th, 1793, was forwarded, without considering that he had not authority under existing laws to interfere in preventing it. But the grant- ing of commissions to Gen. Clark and other influential individuals, and the actual attempt to carry the plans of French emissaries into effect, induced the governor to examine the subject more thoroughly, and conceiving that he had no legal au- thority to interfere, he addressed a letter, January 13th, 1794, to the secretary of state, expressing these doubts, and assuming an attitude, which, though profess- ing the mnost devoted regard to the Union, had the effect of drawing from the gen- eral government a full development of the measures which had been pursued for securing the navigation of the Mississippi. These explanations by the depart- ment of state, and by the special commissioner, the eloquent Col. James Innes, attorney general of Virginia, who was deputed by Gen. Washington to proceed to Kentucky to communicate with the governor and legislature, removed all ground of uneasiness, and created a tranquillity in the public mind which had not existed wince the first settlement of the State.

7 19

ISAAC SHELBY.

. The whole subject was communicated by Gov. Shelby to the legislature on the 15th of November, 1794, and the part he took in t was approved by that bod y. The act of Congress on the subject, passed after th: receipt of Gov. Shelby 's letter, shows conclusively that the legislature of the United States did not con- ceive that previously he had authority to interfere in the mode recommended by the department of state. This measure on the .: " of Gov. Shelby, though it might seem to conflict with the opinions and policy Gen. Washington, did not produce in the mind of the father of his country voy diminution of the respect and confidence he had theretofore reposed in hi: fe in May following, Gen. Knox, secretary of war, in a letter detailing the poors of the general government, in relation to Wayne's proposed campaign, takes occasion to say, that " the pre- sident, confiding in the patriotism and good disposition of your excellency, re -- quests that you will afford all the facilities, countenance and aid in your power .. to the proposed expedition, from which, if successful, the State of Kentucky will reap the most abundant advantages." In the next paragraph, he is appointed president of the board for selecting the field and company officers, and concludes with the assurance that " Gen. Wayne has been written to, not to interfere in the defensive protection of Kentucky, which is hereby, in the name of the president of the United States, confided to your excellency, under the following general paragraph," etc.

At the close of his gubernatorial term, he returned to his farm in Lincoln, with renewed relish for the cares and enjoyments which its management necessarily , created. He was as distinguished for the method and judgment and industry, which he displayed in agricultural pursuits, as he had exemplified in the more conspicuous duties of the general and the statesman. He was the model of an elevated citizen, whether at the plow, in the field, or in the cabinet.

He was repeatedly chosen an elector of president, and voted for Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Madison. He could not yield to the repeated solicitations of influential individuals in different parts of the State, requesting him to cor sent to be a can- didate for the chief magistracy, until the exigencies of our national affairs had brought about a crisis which demanded the services of every patriot. In this contingency, he was elected, upon terms very gratifying to l.is feelings, a second time to the chief magistracy, at the commencement of the war, in 1812, with Great Britain.

Of his career at that eventful period, it would be impracticable, in the limits of this sketch, to present even an outline. His energy, associated with a recol- lection of his revolutionary fame, aroused the patriotism of the State. In every direction he developed her resources, and aided in sending men and supplies to the support of the north-western army under Gen. Harrison. The legislature of Kentucky, in the winter of 1812-13, contemplating the necessity of some vigor- ous effort, in the course of that year, to regain the ground lost by the disasters at Detroit and at the river Raisin, passed a resolution authorising and requesting the governor to assume the personal direction of the troops of he State, whenever, in his judgment, such a step would be necessary. Under his authority, and at the solicitation of Gen. Harrison, he invited his countrymen to meet him at New- port, and to accompany him to the scene of active, and, as he predicted, of deci- sive operations. Upon his own responsibility he authorized the troops to meet him with their horses. Four thousand men rallied to his standard in less than thirty days; and this volunteer force reached the shore of Lake Erie just in time to enable the commander-in-chief to profit by the splendid victory, achieved by the genius and heroism of Perry and his associates. It was a most interesting incident, which augured favorably of the issue of the campaign, that Gov. Shelby should arrive at the camp of Gen. Harrison precisely at the moment when Com- modore Perry was disembarking his prisoners. . The feelings of congratulation which were exchanged by the three heroes, at the tent of the general on the shore of Lake Erie, may be more readily conceived than described. The writer of this article had been previously dispatched by Gen. Harrison to Commodore Perry, to ascertain the result of the naval battle, and, returning with Perry, was present at this interview.

In the organization which Governor Shelby made of his forces, he availed himself of the character and respectability of the materials at his command. Generals Henry and Desha were assigned to the command of the two divisions,

720

SHELBY COUNTY.

and General Calmes, Caldwell, King, Chiles and Callaway to the brigades. His confidential staff was composed, among other respectable citizens, of the names of, Adair, Crittenden and Barry, so well known in the history of the State and of the nation. As governor of Kentucky, his authority ceased as soon as he passed the limits of the State; but the confidence of General Harrison and of all the troops, in his judgment and patriotism was so exalted, that he was regarded as the Mentor of the campaign, and recognized as the senior major-general of the Kentucky troops. In the general order of march and of battle, the post assigned to him was the most important, and the subsequent battle evinced that the arrangement was as creditable to the sagacity of General Harrison as it was complimentary to the valor of Governor Shelby.

In all the movements of the campaign, whether in council or execution, men- uments of his valor and of his energetic character were erected by the gratitude of the commander-in-chief, of all his troops, and of the president of the nation, who spoke officially of his services with the veneration which belongs only to public benefactors. The legislature of Kentucky and the Congress of the Uni- ted States expressed their sense of his gallant conduct in resolutions which will transmit his name to posterity, 'as a patriot without reproach and a soldier with- out ambition.'

The vote of Congress assigning to him and to General Harrison each a gold medal, commemorative , of the decisive victory on the Thames, was delayed one session in consequence of some prejudice prevailing in the public mind in rela- tion to General Harrison. As soon as Governor Shelby was advised of this fact, he solicited his friends in Congress, through Mr. Clay, to permit no expression of thanks to him, unless associated with the name of General Harrison. This magnan- imous conduct and the unqualified commendation which he gave of the career of General Harrison on that campaign, connected with a favorable report of a com- mittee at the next session of Congress, instituted at the request of the general, of which Colonel R. M. Johnson was chairman, led to the immediate adoption of the original resolution.

Governor Shelby was unremitting in the aid which he extended to the opera- tions of the general government during the war. He furnished troops to defend the country around Detroit, and dispatched an important reinforcement to Gen- eral Jackson for the defence of New Orleans. His sagacity led him to send General Adair as adjutant-general, with the rank of brigadier-general, to meet the precise contingency, which actually occurred, of General Thomas being sick or disabled. The result of this measure was exhibited in the critical succor afforded by Genera' Adair on the memorable 8th of January.

In the civil administration of the State, Governor Shelby's policy continued to establish and confirm the sound principles of his predecessors. Integrity, fidel- ity to the constitution, and capacity, were the qualifications which he required in public officers : and, his recommendations to the legislature enforced a strict regard to public eco. omy and to the claims of public faith. In the fall of 1816, his term expired, and he retired again to the sweets of domestic life, in the prose- cution of his favorite pursuit.

In March, 1917, he was selected by President Monroe to fill the department of war; but his advanced age, the details of the office, and his desire, in a period of peace, to remain in private life, induced him to decline an acceptance of it. In 1818, he was commissioned by the president to act in conjunction with Gen- eral Jackson in holding a treaty with the Chickasaw tribe of Indians, for the pur- chase of their lands west of the Tennessee river within the limits of Kentucky and Tennessee, and they obtained a cession of the territory to the United States, which unites the western population, and adds greatly to the defence of the coun- try, in the event of future wars with the savages, or with any European power. This was his last public act.

In February, 1820, he was attacked with a paralytic affection, which disabled his right arm, and which was the occasion of his walking lame on the right leg. His mind continued unimpaired until his death, by apoplexy, on the 18th July, 1826, in the 76th year of his age. He had been for many years a member of the Presbyterian church; and in his latter days, was the chief instru- ment in erecting a house of worship upon his own land.

721

SIMPSON COUNTY.

SIMPSON county was formed in 1819, out of parts of Logan, Warren, and Allen counties, and named after Capt. John Simp- son ; it was the 63d county formed, and retains its original bound- aries. It is situated in the extreme southern part of the state ; is bounded N. by Warren, E. by Allen, s. by the Tennessee state line (which separates it from Sumner and Robertson counties, Tenn.), and w. by Logan county ; and is drained by Big Barren river and its tributaries, on the N. and E., and on the s. by Red river. The surface is generally level, or slightly undulating. The soil, based on limestone, with red clay foundation, is very productive. The staple products are wheat, corn, oats, and to- bacco ; a large portion of the county is fine grazing land.

Towns .- Franklin, on the Louisville and Nashville railroad, and on the turnpike between the two places, 134 miles s. of Louisville, 51 N. of Nashville, Tenn., 6 miles N. of the Tennessee state line, and about 150 miles from Frankfort ; contains a fine brick court house and other county buildings, 13 lawyers, 11 physicians, 6 churches (1 used by Baptist and Reformed or Christian, 1 Methodist E. South, 1 Cumberland Presbyterian, 1 Roman Catholic, and 2 for colored people), 24 stores (14 dry goods, 2 hardware, 1 jewelry, 7 grocery), 3 hotels, 31 mechanics' shops and factories, 4 mills (1 wool carding, 1 saw, and 2 flour- ing), 1 National bank, 1 male and 1 female seminary of high grade, 1 newspaper (Franklin Sentinel, commenced Dec. 14, 1867), and several other business establishments; population in 1870, 1,808, an increase of nearly 1,000 since 1860, and growing steadily ; incorporated Nov. 2, 1820, and named after Dr. Ben- jamin Franklin. Middleton, 9 miles w. of Franklin, on the Russellville road, has a hotel, 2 stores, 2 physicians, 3 mechanics' shops, a tannery, and about 60 inhabitants. Palmyra, on the upper Scottsville road, 8 miles E. of Franklin, has about 40 inhabitants, a store, and several shops.

STATISTICS OF SIMPSON COUNTY.

When formed See page 26 | Hay, corn, wheat, tobacco ... pages 266, 268 Population, from 1820 to 1870 ... p. 258 Horses, mules, cattle, and hogs ..... p. 268

whites and colored. .p. 260 Taxable property, in 1846 and 1870.p. 270

towns. .p. 262 Land-No. of acres, and value ....... p. 270

white males over 21. .p. 266 Latitude and longitude. .p. 257

children bet. 6 and 20 ..... p. 266

Distinguished citizens. .. see Index.

MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE FROM SIMPSON COUNTY.

Senate .- Dr. A. C. Vallandigham, 1867-71.

House of Representatives .- Wm. Lynch, 1820, '21 ; John A. Robertson, 1822 ; Wm. Hodge, 1824 ; Jas. Miller, 1825 ; Wmn. Harris, 1826; Henry B. Montague, 1827, '28; Win. J. Williams, 1829, '30, '31 ; Jas. Davidson, 1832; John W. Williams, 1833 ; Joel Hudspeth, 1834, '35 ; John Finn, 1836, '33 ; David S. Hammond, 1837, '39, '40; Beverly 1 .. Clarke. 1841, '12; Levi Dickey, 1813, '44; Samuel Hatfield, 1815, '47, '51-53 ; John Hoy, 1846; Wm. II. Eubank, "1549, '49; Asbury Dawson, 1550, '69-71; John C. McCreary, 1853-59; John A. Finn, 1859-61 ; John M. Henry, 1861-63 ; J. F. Lauck, 1863-65; H. G. Harris, 1865-67; Wm. W. Bush, 1867-69, 171-73; Richard P. Finn, 1873-75.

11 ... 46

722

SPENCER COUNTY.

Antiquities -- A Giant .- From a mound on the farm of Eden Burrowes, near Franklin, were exhumed, in May, 1841, at a depth of over 12 feet, several human skeletons. One, of extraordinary dimensions, was found between what appeared to have been two logs, covered with a wooden slab. Many of the bones were entire. The under jaw-bone was large enough to fit over the jaw, flesh and all, of any common man of the present day. The thigh- bones were full six inches longer than those of any man in Simpson county. Teeth, arms, ribs, and all, gave evidence of a giant of a former race. Around his neck was a string of 120 copper beads, and one bead of pure silver, all perfectly preserved. Another skeleton, of smaller dimensions, had around his neck a string of ivory beads, about 100 in number. The string which had held the beads was still apparent, though time had destroyed its consistence.

Capt. JOHN SIMPSON, after whom Simpson county was named, migrated with his father from Virginia to Lincoln county, Ky., at an early day. His first experience in war on a large scale against the Indians, was under Gen. Wayne, at the battle of the Fallen Timbers in 1794. At the instance of the lamented Col. John Allen, he afterwards removed to Shelbyville, studied law and entered upon the practice there-rapidly attaining success and distinc- tion. He represented Shelby county in the legislature, in 1806, '09, '10, and '11, and at the last session was chosen speaker. In Aug., 1812, he was elected to congress.

When the aggressions of Great Britain upon the rights and interests of the United States led to a declaration of war, Kentucky was called upon to fur- nish 5,500 men, as her quota of the 100,000 authorized by congress to be received into the service. Mr. Simpson raised a company of riflemen, as part of the regiment of his old friend, Col. John Allen-which became part of Gen. John Payne's brigade, and marched with the first troops from Kentucky to reinforce Gen. Hull at Detroit. Capt. Simpson's company participated in the gallant but disastrous event at the River Raisin-where Allen and Simpson both sealed their devotion to their country by their blood.

SPENCER COUNTY.

SPENCER county, the 77th of the counties of Kentucky in order of formation, was erected in 1824, out of parts of Nelson, Shelby, and Bullitt, and named in hono: of Capt. Spear Spencer ; no part of its territory has been taken to form new counties. It is situated in the north middle portion of the state ; is watered by Salt river, which flows from E. to w. through the county ; and bounded N. by Jefferson and Shelby, E. by Anderson, s. by Nelson, and w. by Bullitt counties. The tributaries of Salt river are-Ash's, Big Beech, Brashears', Elk, Plumb, and Simpson's creeks. There are numerous fertile valleys along the rivers and creeks ; but the surface of the county is generally undulating or hilly, with a rich soil based on limestone. The principal products are-corn, wheat, rye, oats, tobacco, and grass ; the exports-horses, mules, cattle, hogs, whiskey, and tobacco.

Town .- Taylorsville, the seat of justice-laid off earlier, but not incorporated until Jan. 22, 1829-was named after Richard Taylor, the proprietor of the land ; it is situated on Salt river, at the mouth of Brashears' creek, and is 31 miles E. of Louisville, 12 s. w. of Shelbyville, 16 N. E. of Bardstown, and about 32 w. of Frankfort; has a new brick court house, and other county buildings, 5 churches (Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, Roman Catholic, and Reformed or Christian-the first two being large

723

SPENCER COUNTY.

and handsome edifices), 2 seminaries of learning, one each for male and female, 5 lawyers, 2 physicians, 7 merchants, 2 taverns, and 8 mechanics' shops ; population about 500. Mount Eden, 12 miles from Taylorsville, was laid off before 1840, but not incor- porated until April 4, 1861; it has about 150 inhabitants, 3 stores, 5 mechanics' shops, 2 doctors, and 2 taverns. Smileytown 5 miles, Waterford 8, and Wilsonville 9 miles from Taylorsville, are post offices and stores.

STATISTICS OF SPENCER COUNTY.

When formed .. See page 26 | Tobacco, hay, corn, wheat ... pages 266, 268

Population, from 1830 to 1870 .p. 258 Horses, mules, cattle, hogs ......... page 268

whites and colored. .p. 260 Taxable property, in 1846 and 1870 p. 270

towns. .p. 262 Land-No. of acres, and value of .... p. 270

white males over 21 .p. 266 Latitude and longitude. .p. 257

children bet. 6 and 20 yrs. p. 266

Distinguished citizens .see Index.

MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE FROM SPENCER COUNTY.

Senate .- Stillwell Heady, 1833-37 ; Mark E. Huston, '37-45 ; T. J. Barker, '73-77. House of Representatives .- Stillwell Heady, 1828, '29, '30, '32, '38, '42, '43, '44, '50 ; Edmund Stone, 1831; John Cochran, 1833; E. W. Estis, 1834 ; Mark E. Huston, 1835, '48, '53-55 ; A. W. Garrett, 1836; Jas. W. Stone, 1837, '39; Jas. Wakefield, 1840, '41 ; Alex. W. Thomas, 1845, '57-59 ; Jas. Gilbert, 1846; Alex. L. Beard, 1847 ; Johnson D. Beard, 1849; Jonathan Davis, 1851-53 ; John B. Cochran, 1855-57 ; Edward Massey, 1859-61; Robert Cochran, 1861-62 ; Milton MeGrew, 1863-67 ; Ash- ton P. Harcourt, 1869-71 ; Wm. H. May, 1873-75.

The Last Buffalo killed in this region of Kentucky was in 1793.

The First Flat-boat to New Orleans .- The late Capt. Jos. Pierce, of Cin- cinnati, Ohio, had erected over the remains of his old friend Capt. Jacob Yoder, an iron tablet (the first cast west of the Alleghenies) thus inscribed : "JACOB YODER

Was born at Reading, Pennsylvania, August 11, 1758; and was a soldier of the Revolutionary army in 1777 and 1778. He emigrated to the West in 1780; and in May, 1782, from Fort Redstone, on the Monongahela river, in the FIRST FLAT BOAT That ever descended the Mississippi river, he landed in New Orleans, with a cargo of produce.

He died April 7th, 1832, at his farm in Spencer county, Kentucky, and lies here interred beneath this tablet.'

This cargo Capt. Yoder sold to the Spanish commandant at New Orleans for a draft on the captain-general of Cuba. Havana was then the entrepot of the furs received from the Mississippi river-large quantities of which had accumulated there, in consequence of the then existing war between Great Britain and Spain. Yoder invested the proceeds of his draft in furs and hides, which he took to Baltimore, making a profitable venture. He re- peated the trip to New Orleans, and the adventure in furs and hides; but this time was unsuccessful. In 1784 and 1785 he visited Vincennes and St. Louis, and settled in 1785 in Bardstown, but removed in 1804 to Spencer county. He was engaged in several Indian campaigns; and in 1794, fur- nished to each of several regiments bound for Gen. Wayne's army, 50 horses loaded with provisions.

The Original Sale-bill, dated Oct. 31, 1785, from Edward Tyler to Jacob Yoder, of a family of negroes, Judah and her son Harry and an infant daughter unnamed, is preserved. This family was brought to Kentucky from North Carolina by Squire Boone. The boy Harry was still living in Sept., 1871, 89 years old, in the family of Capt. Yoder's daughter, Mrs. David'R. Poignand, near Taylorsville. Harry knew well, and often speaks of, John Fitch, one of the pioneers of steamboat navigation (see sketch under Nelson county)-wliom he describes as short and stout, speaking with a foreign accent, and always conversing with said Capt. Yoder in Dutch or German.

724

KINCHELOE'S STATION.

Taylorsville is located in a beautiful valley, comprising about one hundred and sixty acres of land, lying immediately in the forks of Salt river and Brashear's creek. The creek runs parallel with the river for several hundred yards, and then making an abrupt turn, flows into it at right angles : this, with the elevation in the rear, leaves the bottom or valley in an oblong square, the longest sides extend- ing up and down the river and creek. In this bottom, about equi-distant from the river and creek, and nearer the upper than the lower end, is a hill or mound, rising to an elevation of from seventy to eighty feet above the general level, and containing an area of six acres. 'The shape of this mound is oval, resembling an egg, ranging from north to south ; the south end of easy ascent, while the north is steep and more abrupt. Within the recollection of aged per- sons still living, the timber upon this mound was observed to be of the same size and character of that upon the bottom land, and the whole was remarkably heavy. The mound has the appearance of being a natural, rather than an artifi- cial embankment. A Catholic church, about 1845, was built on one side of it.

In August, 1782, shortly after the battle of the Blue Licks, some western bands of Indians, believed to have been engaged in that conflict, infested the settle- ments along Salt river. Intelligence was promptly communicated to Colonel Floyd, who instantly ordered out a party of militia to scour the country where the . savages were suspected to be lurking. Some of the party were from Kincheloe's station on Simpson's creek, which consisted of six or seven families. On the first of September the militia, unable to discover any Indians, dispersed and returned to their homes. There had been no alarm at Kincheloe's station during the absence of the men, and upon reaching home late in the evening, greatly fatigued and without apprehension of danger, they retired to rest. At the dead hour of the night, when the inmates of the station were wrapt in the most profound sleep, the Indians made a simultaneous attack upon the cabins of the station, and, breaking open the doors, commenced an indiscriminate massacre of men, women and children. The unconscious sleepers were awakened but to be cut down, or to behold their friends fall by their side. A few only, availing them- selves of the darkness of the night, escaped the tomahawk or captivity. Among those who effected their escape, was Mrs. Davis, whose husband was killed, and another woman whose name is not given. They fled to the woods, where they were fortunately joined by a lad, by the name of Ash, who conducted them to Cox's station.

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Collins historical sketches of Kentucky. History of Kentucky: Vol. II, Part 117

Author: Collins, Lewis, 1797-1870. cn; Collins, Richard H., 1824-1889. cn Publication date: 1874 Publisher: Covington, Ky., Collins & Co. Number of Pages: 1654

Author: Collins, Lewis, 1797-1870. cn; Collins, Richard H., 1824-1889. cn
Publication date: 1874
Publisher: Covington, Ky., Collins & Co.
Number of Pages: 1654