Collins historical sketches of Kentucky. History of Kentucky: Vol. II, Part 120

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 120

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STATISTICS OF WARREN COUNTY.

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

Population, from 1800 to 1870 .p. 258

Horses, mules, cattle, hogs. ... p. 268

whites and colored .. p. 260 Taxable property, 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 lodex.

MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE FROM WARREN COUNTY.

Senate .- John Williams, 1803-13 ; John Ray, 1813-16 ; John B. Smith, 1816-17 ; Francis Johnson, 1817-20; Cornelius Turner, 1920 ; Win. C. Payne, 1829-33 : Henry Grider, 1833-37; Wm. V. Loving, 1841-44; Warner L. Underwood, 1849 ; Thos. J. Smith, 1850, '51-55 ; George Wright, 1855-59, '63-67; Win. IL. Payne, 1567-71. [From Warren and Barren counties -- John Curd, 1800; Simeon Buford, 1801-03.]

House of Representatives .- David Hodgueth, 1799; H. Baily Anderson, 1500, '01, '02; John Ray, 1803; James Ray, 1806; Solomon P. Sharp, 1809, '10, '11, '17, '18; Thos. A. Covington, 1809, '10 ; Willis Mitchell, 1811; Francis Johnson, 1812, '15 ; II ... 47

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-. Graham, 1812; Wm. B. Payne, E. Johnson, 1814 ; John B. Smith. 1815; John W. Cooke, 1816 ; Cornelius Turner, 1816, '17, '18, '19 ; Jas. Thomas, 1819; Robert F. Slaughter, 1820, '21; Jas. M. Blakey, 1820, '22 ;; Leander J. Sharp, 1822 ; Thos. Middleton, 1824; Wm. C. Payne, 1824, '28, '37; Jos. R. Underwood, 1825, '26, '45, '60, '61-63; Jas. R. Skiles, 1825, '26, '27, '40, '41 ; \Henry Grider, 1827, '31 ; Jas. T. Morehead, 1828, '29, '30 : George Shanks, 1829, '30; Isaac Smith, 1831, '39: George W. Lucas, 1832, '35 ; Euclid M. Covington, 1832, '34, '46; Jacob Vanmetre, 1833 ; John F. Todd, 1833, '36, '38; Jas. Hines, 1834, '36, '39; Garland J. Blewitt, 1835; -. Mitchell, 1837; Isaac Smith, 1838 ; Wm. V. Loving, 1840 ; Houston Coombs, 1841 ; Hezekiah P. Murrell, 1842 ; Jeremiah C. Wilkins, 1842, '47 ; Jonathan Hobson, Chas. W. Jenkins, 1843 ; John Burnam, 1844; Warner L. Underwood, 1848; Elijah Claypool, 1849; Pierce B. Hawkins, 1850, 63-65; Chas. M. Briggs, 1851-53; Robert Rodes, 1853-55 ; George C. Rogers, 1855-57 ; Pleasant Hines, 1857-59, '59-61, but resigned 1860, and succeeded by Jos. R. Underwood ; Pleasant J. Potter, 1865-67 ; Hezekiah K. Thomas, 1867-69 ; Henry H. Skiles, 1869-71 ; Lewis Potter, 1871-73 ; D. W. Wright, 1873-75. [Joseph R. Underwood was Speaker, 1845.]

Jacob Skiles was a pioneer of Warren county. (See, under Mason county, page 569, an account of his capture by Indians. )

Ancient Marks on Trees .- On the north side of Barren river, about a quarter of a mile above the old Vanmeter ferry and three miles from Bowlinggreen, some beech trees are still standing which indicate the camping ground, in June, 1775, of an exploring party of thirteen, from the new settlements at Harrodstown (now Harrodsburg) and Harrod's station (both in now Mercer county). Of these, eight became prominent in the settlement and wars of central Kentucky, and one as a surveyor. One, H. Skaggs, had been with the "Long Hunters," in 1770, to the south-east of this. These were probably the first white visitors to this county-who remained as long as ten days.

One tree has engraven on its bark, on the north side, the names of the thirteen persons. The letters were handsomely cut with some instrument adapted to the purpose. The highest name is about nine feet from the ground, the lowest four feet. 'They stand in the following order, beginning with the uppermost and descending to the lowest, to wit : J. Newell or Neaville,* E. Bulger. I. Hite, V. Harman, J. Jackman, W. Buchannon, A. Bowman, J. Drake, N. Nall, H. Skaggs, J. Bowman, Tho. Slaughter, J. Todd. The date is thus given : " 1775, June 'T'h 13." The apparent age of the marks corresponds with the date. About five steps south of the above named tree, and near the verge of the river bank, stands a beech, marked on the north side with the name of " Wm. Buchanan," and dated "June 14th, 1775." On the south side of the same tree, there is the name of " J. Todd," dated " June 17, 1775." About twenty steps north of the first tree, there stands a third beech, with the names of I. Drake, and Isaac Hite engraved, and each with the date " 15 June, 1775." Above the names the date " June 23, 1775." The names and dates on this tree seem to be as old as any, but made with a different instrument from that which cut the names on the first tree, and they are not so well executed. These dates from the 13th to the 23d, prove that the party encamped at that place ten days. About fifty yards up the river from the first named tree, there stands a beech with a name now illegible, cut in the bark over the date 1779. On the same tree, the name of H. Lynch is carved over the date 1796.

Where are now those pioneers ? They have ceased to follow the deer, the elk, the bear, the buffalo and beaver, which were then abundant in this region; and their children are hunters no more. The animals which their fathers pursued, have become extinct. The wilderness they traversed, now blooms with the arts and refinements of civilized life.

Caves are very numerous in this county. Some of them would be regarded as considerable curiosities, if there were no mammoth cave. About six miles north- east of Bowling-Green, there is a cave with a perpendicular descent from the north of about thirty or forty feet. At the bottom are vast quantities of human bones. How and when they were put there, can of course only be conjectured. About three miles south of Bowling-Green, and on the turnpike to Nashville, is the Cave Mill, in level barrens. A creek breaks up from the ground, runs about two hun- dred yards, then disappears in the cave ; and, after a course under ground of a mile and a half, again appears, and runs into Barren river. Immediately under the roof of the cave, Mr. Shanks has a water grist mill and wool-carding ma-

· Judge Graham supposed it to be Neaville.

---...

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WARREN COUNTY.

chine, with no covering but the rocky arch above. Directly over the mill, and within a few feet of the precipice, runs the turnpike over which thousands pass, many of them unconscious of the deep chasm beneath.

:. MOUNDS .- There are very many in this county, mostly near watercourses- some of them quite large. They all contain human bones. In one of them was found a smooth, circular, well polished flint, near two inches broad, three-fourths of an inch thick, and weighing one-fourth of a pound, apparently made as a four- ounce weight. On the north bank of the river, near Bowling-Green, are a great many ancient graves,-some of them with a row of stones set on edge around them. These graves, with a large mound on which large trees are growing, are included within the remains of an old fort, built of earth. Some ancient relics- were found here in 1838, and are now in the possession of Loyd Berry, Esq. One of these is in the shape of a bowl, hollow, and composed of earth and poun- ded shells ; and seems to have been burnt or dried in the sun. Its color is dark. The other two are composed of the same materials, but of lighter color, and in the shape of flat-bottomed candlesticks, the stem being shorter and solid ; the upper surface of the bottom slightly concave ; the under surface convex, and about half an inch in thickness.

On the south bank of Green river, about twelve miles from Bowling-Green, is an old fort, situated on a hill or bluff, inaccessible save on the south-west corner. The remainder of the hill is level on top, with perpendicular, or, rather, overhang- ing cliff or bluff, about thirty feet high. Near the centre, lengthwise, of this bill, is an old fort, which seems to have been erected with stone and earth. The walls are now about one foot high.

The annexed is a rough sketch of the hill and fort. One of the projections from the fort is twenty feet, the other thirty feet in length-each fifteen feet wide. The area of the fort se- ven acres. 'There is nothing to in- dicate who were its tenants, nor when it was erected. From it, to the distance of more than a mile, there is a line of mounds, diminish- ing in size as they recede from the fort, perhaps showing a running fight, and the most bloody contest nearest the fort. There are other ancient works in the county, which have not been exam- ined.

Eight miles east of Bowling-Green, there is in the level open barrens, a large deep sink, about fifty yards wide, and a hundred yards in length. On the south side, the descent is near twenty feet; on the north, it is one hundred and fifty feet deep. Large river trees are growing in it. Shortly after the first settlement here, a blind horse fell in this sink. A hungry wolf had the folly to jump in after its prey, and being unable to get out, was found and shot. Since that time it has been known by the name of the " Wolf Sink."

Four miles above Bowling-Green, on the river, is McFadin's old station. Some anecdotes are connected with it, one of which we relate : A dashing young Virginian came to the station, and began his brag that he could outrun any man "in all Kaintuck." McFadin, who was a quizzical old genius, inquired whether he would run barefooted or shod, and was promptly answered " barefoot." Let me fix time and place, said McFadin, and I will risk a gallon of whisky I find a man to beat you. The bet was made and the day fixed. The old hunter Ray- mer was sent for. The parties repaired to the track selected by McFadin. It was probably the most flinty bed in all the country. At the word the racers started. They had gone but a few yards when the Virginian was compelled to hold up. But as Raymer's feet were hard as a buffalo's, he kept ahead like a quarter horse, to the great amusement of old McFadin and his friends. That ground has since been called " Raymer's Race Track."

JOSEPH ROGERS UNDERWOOD was born in Goochland county, Virginia, on the 24th of October, 1791. He was the eldest child of John Underwood, who for many years represented that county in the legislature, during those periods in the history of that State when political honors were rarely bestowed but as the

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JOSEPH ROGERS UNDERWOOD.

reward of personal merit. ' His mother, Frances Rogers, was a daughter of George Rogers, of Caroline county, Va., a gentleman eminently distinguished for the purity of his life and the integrity of his character.

The parents of young Underwood being in humble circumstances, and having a large, family of other children to provide for, were induced to commit him to his maternal uncle, Mr. Edmund Rogers, a soldier of the revolution, who had emt- grated to Kentucky as early as 1783. He brought his youthful charge to Barren county in the spring of 1803, and nobly did he fulfil the promises made to the parents of the little boy, " to be unto him as a father."

The Green river country was then a-wilderness, and contained but few schools, and those not of the best class. Joseph was placed at school with the Rev. John Howe, near Glasgow. About a year thereafter he was placed under the tuition of the Rev. Samuel Findley at Danville, and afterwards at Lancaster, and after that with McMurrel, who taught a French and Latin school at Glasgow. Having under these several teachers acquired the rudiments of his education, he was sent by his parental uncle to the Transylvania University, at which, in 1811, he fin- ished it.

On leaving the university he commenced the study of the law in Lexington, with Robert Wickliffe, Esq., and under the instructions of this learned and accomplished lawyer, he completed his course of elementary reading.

About this time Kentucky was thrown into great excitement by the war with Great Britain, then raging with violence on the Canada border. The melan- choly affair of the river Raisin had deprived the state of some of its best citizens, and plunged the commonwealth in mourning. The impulse to arms was univer- sal, and pervaded all classes. In March, 1813, a company of volunteers being about to be raised in Lexington, to be commanded by Captain John C. Morrison, and attached to the regiment of Colonel William Dudley, young Underwood was the first to volunteer on that occasion, and seizing the colors, marched alone with the musicians down the ranks of the assembled citizens. This little inci- dent caused him to be elected lieutenant. He proceeded with the regiment to which he belonged to join the northern army, commanded by General Harrison. He was in Dudley's defeat on the 5th of May, 1813, when the captain of his company being killed, the command devolved on Lieutenant Underwood. The remnant of Dudley's regiment were compelled to surrender as prisoners of war. Lieutenant Underwood after being badly wounded, and the ball still remaining in the wound, was stripped of his clothing and compelled to run the gauntlet. He and his comrades were thrown into the old fort built by General Wayne on the left bank of the river, and forced to sit down in the mud and water, and whilst thus confined, the infuriated savages stalked round upon the embankment that overlooked them, and singled out and shot down their victims. In the meantime, an angry controversy arose among the Indians themselves, whether they should make one general slaughter of all the prisoners or not. It was a moment of intense and terrible interest to the poor soldiers wito were within hearing of it, helplessly awaiting the issue. Mercy, however, prevailed, and their lives were spared. Lieutenant Underwood was finally released on his parol, and returned home to his uncle in the summer of 1813.

'In the fall of 1813, Mr. Underwood obtained license to practice law, and set- tled in Glasgow. He rose rapidly, and soon stood in the first rank of his profes- sion.

In 1816 he was elected to represent Barren county in the legislature ; and con- tinued to represent that county in the same body, for four successive years. In March, 1817, he married Miss Eliza M. Trotter, daughter of Mr. John Trotter, of Glasgow ; and grand-daughter, on her mother's side, of the Rev. David Rice. This lady died in July, 1835.

Mr. Underwood having removed, in the year 1823, to Bowling-Green, was elected, in 1825, to represent the county of Warren in the legislature. He served two years in that body with great distinction and eminent usefulness, and then retired to private life and the practice of his profession. In 1828 he was a can- didate for lieutenant-governor, but the vote resnited in the election of Mr. Breath- itt. In the same year he was commissioned as a judge of the court of appeals ; which office he held until February, 1835, when he resigned, and was elected to Congress. He continued, with high reputation, to serve as a member of Con-

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gress until 1843, when he again retired to private life. In August, 1845, he was elected a member of the legislature from Warren county and was made speaker of the house. At the next session, he was choser. U. S. senator for six years 1847-53, to succeed James T. Morehead. In 1860, he was again elected a representative in the state legislature, to fill a vacancy ; and re- elected for two years longer, 1861-63-serving during the latter term, as chairman of the committee on military affairs, and as a member of the com- mittee on Federal relations. He declined to become a candidate for speaker, believing he could be more useful as a working member. His last vote as a member was recorded March 2, 1863; the house adjourned next day ; and Judge Underwood retired finally from public life. He is still living (Aug., 1873,) at the ripe age of 81, in active practice as a lawyer, honored and beloved by all.

In Feb., 1839, Judge Underwood married Elizabeth Cox, daughter of Col. John Cox, then mayor of Georgetown, D. C. She is still living, as are two of their sons and two daughters ; of the first marriage, a son and two daugh- ters are living.

Judge Underwood's first speech at the bar as an attorney was made at Bowlinggreen, in Feb., 1814-in a log court house standing between the new court house and the public square or park. Upon the opening of court for the first time in the magnificent new court house, on Thursday, July 30, 1868-fifty-four years afterward-he was present as an attorney, made the first motion, and by the courtesy of the bar was given choice of desks as the oldest member, then nearly 77 years old.

In his politics, Judge Underwood was a firm and consistent Whig, during the life of that great party; and since the civil war, we believe, has been a conservative or moderate Democrat. During the war, he was a decided Union man. In 1824, and again in 1844, he was one of the presidential electors for the state, and each time cast his vote for Henry Clay. As a lawyer, Judge Underwood has few superiors in the state; his decisions, while on the bench of the court of appeals being noted for their soundness and general equity. Learned as a jurist, of large experience as a statesman, an ardent patriot, he adorned every station to which his countrymen elevated him, and stands deservedly conspicuous among the distinguished men of Kentucky.

The Battle of "Dudley's Defeat," between Kentuckians and Indians, was fought May 5th, 1813, on the left bank of the Maumee river, opposite to Fort Meigs, a few miles s. of the city of Toledo, in now Wood county, Ohio, and near the s. w. point of Lake Erie. The following particulars are condensed chiefly from two accounts of it, written by Judge Joseph R. Underwood, lieu- tenant of Capt. John C. Morrison's company from Lexington, who is still living (Aug., 1873,) in Bowlinggreen at the ripe age of $2; one account was published in a newspaper about 1830, or earlier, the other written (at the request of the U. S. war department) as part of his application for a pension, in March, 1871. They present a remarkable illustration of the power of the human memory.

Gen. Green Clay's brigade of Kentucky volunteers, of which Col. Win. Dudley's regiment (which included Capt. Morrison's company) was a part, after a fatiguing march of more than a month, found itself, on the night of May 4th, 1813, on board of open boats, lashed to the left bank of the Maumee river, near the head of the rapids-and within hearing of the cannon at Fort Meigs, where Gen. Harrison was then besieged by the British and Indians. Early on the morning of the 5th, while floating down the rapids, Capt. Hamilton, of an Ohio regiment, with orders from Gen. Harrison, hailed, and was taken to Gen. Clay's boat in the rear, and thence to Col. Dudley's which was in the advance of the whole line-to whom the orders were repeated. All that U. learned of the orders was-that they were to land on the left bank and storm the batteries.

The fort stood upon about 10 acres of high ground, on the margin of a bank some 60 feet above the river, and on the s. or s. E. side of it. On the opposite (N. or N. w.) side, a short distance below, were four British batteries.

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The English commander, Gen. Proctor, with all his disposable force- . about 600 British regulars, 800 Canadian militia, and 1,800 Indians under the celebrated chief Tecumseh (whose rank was that of a brigadier general in the British army)-had been besieging Fort Meigs since April 26th ; a part of the British and Canadians being at or in the rear of the batteries they erected, on the eminence nearly opposite, and less than one-seventh of a mile from the fort-which was defended by Maj. Gen. Wm. H. Harrison, with not over 500 regulars and militia ; the Indians and remainder of the British were around the fort, on the east bank.

At 12 o'clock on the night of May 4th, when a messenger reached Gen. Harrison advising him of Gen. Clay's approach, the former determined on a general sally, and directed Clay to land 700 men on the west bank, take possession of the British batteries, spike their cannon, immediately return to their boats, and cross over to the American fort. The remainder of Clay's troops were to land on the east bank, and fight their way to the fort, aided by sorties from the garrison. The latter succeeded ; the former was success- ful at first, but by the impetuous valor of the Kentuckians who were drawn into an ambuscade, and cut off and surrounded by overwhelming numbers, was turned into one of the most painful disasters in United States war history. Judge Underwood says :

" When the troops landed (about 700 men in all, including less than a company of U. S. regulars under Capt. Price), we were formed in three parallel lines, about 100 yards apart, Capt. John C. Morrison's company being at the head of the right line. We were marched towards the battery, with the understanding that the right line should charge the battery frown above, the middle line from the rear, while the left was to hasten on and get below the battery, and there form at right angles to the river. Thus we were to surround it, and to capture the officers and men working the guns. But when still distant from the battery near half a mile, our approach was dis- covered by some straggling Indians, who ran towards the battery. The soldiers in front commenced a shout which passed through the whole regi- ment, and was heard by the British at the battery-who, thus surprised and alarmed, retreated down the river towards their encampment, two miles below. The battery fell into our hands without a struggle.

"The retreating enemy was speedily reinforced ; and getting in our rear, opened at first a very weak fire upon us. I was not present when Col. Dudley gave his orders ; but was informed that he directed two companies to remain at the battery, and the rest to face about and charge the Indians in our rear. By successive charges we drove them and the British back from the river about two miles. Many of our men were killed or wounded, the enemy firing from behind trees and logs, as we advanced, and then falling back to secrete themselves and reload-their resistance becoming stronger and stronger the further we went, in consequence of the accession of Indians from the camp below. At length orders were passed along the lines, that we should fall back to the battery, and keep up a retreating fire. During the first quarter of a mile of the retreat, the officers succeeded in securing a few stands of small bodies of men who fired upon the advancing enemy. But the men of the different companies soon became so mingled and confused, that the officers lost all control. A tumultuous rush for the battery ensued-the strongest and fleetest getting ahead, and leaving the weaker and wounded behind, many of whom were overtaken and tomahawked by the ludians.

" The battery was no longer in possession of our two companies left in charge. A British force had marched up from their encampment and attacked them; they made little resistance, retreated to the boats, crossed the river, and reached Fort Meigs. Around the battery was a small opening or clear- ing in which the British forces were posted ; and as our men emerged from the dense forest, pursued by Indians, they came directly upon the British, instead of upon their own fellow-soldiers as they expected. Thus arriving without the least order, and taken completely by surprise, nothing remained but immediate surrender or to be shot down. . Our men threw down their arms as they were ordered, and the swords of the officers were seized.

" There was but little detention of the prisoners at the battery. I was

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WARREN COUNTY

badly wounded in the retreat. Time was not allowed to have the wound probed and the ball extracted, although our surgeon, Dr. Drane, made prepa- ration to do it. I had stripped myself for the purpose, but was told by a British soldier that the Indians were then coming in, and would tomahawk me if they found me in that condition, and that I had better dress up and march along. The prisoners were marched about two miles down the river, to the old fort (the same, I believe, which was erected by Gen. Wayne about the year 1795). In this march, and before and after it, the prisoners passed through and witnessed scenes disgraceful to the age in which they occurred. As we marched, the Indians robbed us of our clothing, and inflicted blows at their pleasure. I and many others were stripped of all clothes, except shirt and pantaloons, soeks and shoes, before getting into the old fort. We were told by the British soldiers, that the Indians intended to make us "run the gauntlet," just before we entered the earth embankment of the fort, and that while running, they would whip, and bruise, and kill us, as they pleased ; but when we had gotten in, we would be molested no more.

" There were several acres of open land around the old fort. The gateway was in the side up the river. A line of Indians was formed, about 150 yards long, on the left side of the track leading to the gateway, the lower end of the line terminating just on the outside of the ditch which once surrounded the fort. Between this line of Indians and the river bank was an open space 20 or 30 steps wide. The prisoners were required to run through this space to the fort; and while thus running, the Indians employed themselves throw- ing their war-clubs and tomahawks at them, and shooting them down with their guns. I perceived that those who ran nighest to the river bank and furthest from the Indian line, suffered most. There was a curve in their line, and those in that curve could not use their guns without danger of shooting each other-which determined me to run as near to them as I could well get; in consequence, I was flogged over the head and shoulders with wiping sticks (ram-rods), but escaped injury from their war-clubs, tomahawks, and guns. From what I saw and learned, I suppose between 30 and 40 prisoners were killed or wounded in "running this gauntlet." It was here that the brave Capt. Lewis lost his life.

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Collins historical sketches of Kentucky. History of Kentucky: Vol. II, Part 120

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