Collins historical sketches of Kentucky. History of Kentucky: Vol. II, Part 19

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 19

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On Feb. 4, 1861, the delegates from the cotton states met at Montgomery, Ala., organized a provisional goverment, adopted a constitution for the Con- federate States, and chose Jefferson Davis president, and Alexander H. Stephens vice-president thereof. The selection of Mr. Davis for this exalted position was well made; for whatever may have been his faults, no one else could be named who embodied the elements of character to head a revolu- tion. Mr. Davis in common with the Confederate leaders, desired a peaceful separation from the Federal government. In withdrawing therefrom, they only exercised a right which that section had always maintained. The Con- federate government at once sent commissioners to Washington, to effeet if possible an amicable adjustment. But while they preferred the olive branch of peace, they made all possible preparations for war. Indeed the temper of the Northern people admitted of no other solution of the difficulty. The South was deficient in all the implements of warfare. But ship-yards, powder- mills, armories, machine-shops, and all things else necessary for their manu- facture, magic-like sprang into existence. Indeed the first iron-plated vessel constructed on this continent (the Merrimac) was the result of the genius and skill of Confederate mechanics. But all in vain were the efforts of the heroic people of the South, women scarcely less than men. If the one fought, it was the other that urged them to fight. If the one died bravely on the battle field, the other suffered and endured at home. It has been said, and no doubt with much truth, that when the struggle had become hopeless, it was protracted by the entreaties and appeals of the women of the Sonth. The Confederacy was shut out from that great world upon which the Federal government could call for men to fill up its ranks. The South could depend alone upon the resources within her borders. The end of the contest was then but a question of time.

It is unnecessary to recapitulate the events of the war. Outnumbered, overpowered, the Confederates were forced to yield-crushed, yet still un- conquered. In all the grave responsibilities that devolved upon Jefferson Davis, in the victories and through all the reverses of the Confederney, he of all seemed most calm and most collected. Victory did not unduly elate him, nor defeat daunt his heroic spirit. He and his co-laborers had staked their

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lives for a principle for which they were willing to die. And no less were they patriotic, in its true sense, than were their fathers who fought in the Revolution.

After the fall of the Confederacy, Mr. Davis was captured while attempting to make his way to the Trans-Mississippi-it being his intention, if he had escaped, to seek an asylum abroad. He was sent to Fortress Monroe, where he was detained as a prisoner for many months, but finally released. He was indicted for high treason by a grand jury of the Federal Court in Rich- mond, Va. ; but the Federals never dared to bring the case on for trial. They apprehended that the decision of the Court in the cause would sustain the States-rights theory, even to the withdrawal of a sovereign state from the Federal Union. His release, then, was dictated less by the clemency of the government than by a shrewd and astute policy. On his release Mr. Davis went to Canada; but subsequently returned to the South, and finally made Memphis his home.

Jefferson Davis is an uncommon man. A fierce antagonist, an uncompro- mising enemy, but unflinchingly devoted asa friend. In the U. S. senate, he was regarded as au fait in all the details of government. He was familiar with the operations of every department, and could discuss intelligently the affairs of the Indian bureau, the land office, the treasury, the war office. He is self-reliant, and when sustained by his own judgment, obstinate in opinion. He is a forcible writer, and his messages as president of the Confederate States, rank with the ablest and most scholarly of like productions. They were indeed models in composition, and elicited praise from the severest critics in Europe. Success is the test of merit; and the failure of the Con- federacy has obscured the noble qualities that belong to Jefferson Davis-who to the thoughtless world is only a rebel. Yet had it been established, his name might have been third only to those of Washington and Robert E. Lee. Undoubtedly he committed grave errors in his administration, but they were solely errors of judgment. Alike with his honor, his patriotism is unim- peached and unimpeachable. The Confederacy failed with him; it could not have succeeded with any other. Mr. Davis once possessed great wealth, but it was lost during the war. On his return to the South, he declined the pecuniary aid which was proffered in profusion-preferring to maintain his independence through his own labor.

CLARK COUNTY.

CLARK county, established in 1792 out of parts of Fayette and Bourbon counties and named after Kentucky's great military chieftain, Gen. George Rogers Clark, was the 14th county formed in the state. It is the middle section of the state, upon the waters of the Red, Kentucky and Licking rivers ; and is bounded N. by Bourbon, E. by Montgomery, S. E. by Powell, s. by Estill and Madison counties, and w. by Fayette. The Kentucky river is the boundary line between Clark and Madison counties, the Red river between Clark and Estill, Boone's creek between Clark and Fayette, and Lulbegrud creek between Clark and Powell counties. The remaining streams of the county are Stoner, Strode's, Howard's Upper, Howard's Lower, Four Mile, and Two Mile creeks. The west end, about one-third, of the county is the genuine " bluegrass region," exceedingly fertile and highly im- proved ; the middle and N. E. portions are more broken yet good farming lands ; the E. and s. E. portions are hilly and poor oak lands. The exports are principally cattle, horses, mules and hogs.

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Towns .- Winchester, so called after the town of the same name in Virginia, and incorporated in 1793, is the county seat-on the turnpike road from Lexington to Mountsterling, and on the new Elizabethtown, Lexington, and Big Sandy railroad ; population in 1870, by the U. S. census returns, 786-evidently a mistake, as in 1840 it was 1,047, and in 1860, 1,142, and has been slowly increasing ; it is now, Jan. 1, 1873, probably 1,400. It contains a court house (one of the best in the state), 8 churches (4 of them for the colored people), a public seminary, 2 female high-schools, 2 banks, 4 hotels, 16 stores, 13 groceries, 3 drug stores, a large number of mechanical shops, carriage factory and steam mill ; and 9 lawyers and 6 physicians to take care of them all. Kidd- ville, Schollsville, Vienna, Ruckerville, and Pinchem, are small villages, with but few inhabitants.

STATISTICS OF CLARK COUNTY.

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

.p. 258

Horses, mules, cattle, hogs. ... page 268

· Population, from 1800 to 1870. 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 CLARK COUNTY, SINCE 1850.

Senate .- Theodore Kohlhass, 1853-57; James Simpson, 1861 ; Jas. H. G. Bush, 1861- 65 ; Dr. A. Sidney Allan, 1865-69, but seat declared vacant Dec. 14, 1865, and suc- ceeded by Harrison Thompson, 1866-69. [ See page 000.]

House of Representatives .- Samuel Hanson, 1850-51 ; John S. Williams, 1851-53,'73-75; Roger W. Hanson, 1853-35 ; John B. Huston, 1855-59 and 1861-63; Harrison Thomp- son, 1859-61 ; Dr. A. Sidney Allan, 1863-65 ; Benj. F. Buckner, 1865-67 ; John N. Conkwright, 1867-69 ; Jos. T. Tucker, 1871-73.

Internal Improvements .- The Elizabethtown, Lexington, and Big Sandy railroad was opened in July, 1872, through Clark county, near its center, in a direction nearly east and west. All the main roads in the county are macadamized.

Fine Cattle .- Of late years Clark has become quite famous for its fine herds of blooded cattle, scarcely excelled in the United States, and one of the greatest sources of wealth to the county. It is claimed that Mr. Gray "in 1795 imported the first blooded cattle (Patton stock) ever brought to Kentucky."

The First Mill in Winchester was built about 1800, by James Flanagan. .

The Oil Springs in the eastern part, near Lulbegrud creek and about three quarters of a mile from the " Indian old-fields," are remarkable on account of the oil constantly accumulating to a considerable depth, on top of the water. The Sulphur and Chalybeate springs near by are much resorted to by invalids during the hot summer months.

" Are we a Martial People ?"-In the war of 1812, Clark county furnished 11 companies, nearly 900 soldiers. In the Mexican war, on account of the great scramble to go and the small number of troops called for from the state, she furnished only one company (Capt. John S. Williams') of 100 men, known as the "Independent Company of Kentucky Volunteers." Its charge up the bloody heights of Cerro Gordo is one of the most notable instances of personal valor and prowess in the history of American wars. In the civil war of 1861-65, Clark county gave 3 companies to the Con- federate, and 1 to the Federal army-each of which signalized itself in its respective corps.

Henry Clay .- It was stated, shortly after the death of the great Ameri- can commoner, as a remarkable coincidence, that he made his first speech in a law case in the court house at Winchester, and also his last-in a case tried there just before he went to Washington city for the last time.

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The First Child born in Clark county was James Spahr, in 1779; he died about 1862.

The First Brick Building in Clark county was erected about 1784, near the center of "Bush's Settlement," by Capt. W. Bush himself-who came to Boonesborough in Sept .. 1775, with Daniel Boone, when he brought out his family.

---

The "Indian Old Fields," mentioned on the preceding page, were some ancient corn-fields discovered when the country was first settled, about 12 miles E. of where Winchester now is. These fields had been cultivated by the Indians, many years before the first visit of the whites.

Clark county being separated only by the Kentucky river from Boones- borough, several settlements were early pushed across that stream into the rich lands beyond. Strode's station. about two miles from Winchester, was settled in 1779. In 1780, it was besieged by a large body of Indians, who attempted to cut off the supply of water; but foiled in this, they were re- pulsed and forced to retreat. In the pursuit which followed, one of several brothers named Van Swearingen, a man of noted courage, was killed-the only loss of life sustained by the garrison, from the siege.

Winchester was made the county seat of Clark county in 1792, over Strode's 1 and Hood's stations, by one vote.

CHILTON ALLAN was born in Albemarle co., Va., April 6, 1786; removed, with his widowed mother, to Kentucky, when 11 years old ; at 15, was ap- prenticed to a wheelwright for three years-during which, by extra work, he supplied himself with books, and spent his spare time in study, and by great self-denial and effort secured one year's tuition under Rev. John Lyle; studied law, and at 22 was admitted to the bar at Winchester; in 1811, as soon as eligible, was chosen to represent Clark county in the Ky. legislature, and again elected in 1815, '22, '30, and'42; was in the state senate, 1823-26, an active participant in the. Old Court and New Court controversy ; six years in the U. S. congress, 1831-37; and, some years later, president of the state board of internal improvements. He was a man of fine practical talents, as well as a statesman and lawyer of decided ability. He died September 3, 1858, in his 73d year.

SAMUEL HANSON was born in Maryland, in May, 1786, and died in Clark co., Ky., Feb., 1858, aged nearly 72; studied law in the District of Columbia ; removed to Winchester when a young man, and became one of the most learned and accurate at that bar, and particularly successful in the art of pleading; was a member of the Ky. house of representatives, 1818, '25, '26, 27, '33, and '50-51. Of his sons, RICHARD H., a lawyer at Paris, represented Bourbon county in the legislature, 1846, '47, and '63-65, and in the con- vention which formed the present constitution, 1849; and ROGER W., a lawyer at Lexington, represented Fayette county in the legislature, 1855-57, and, while a brigadier general in the Confederate army, was killed, Jan. 2, 1863, at the battle of Stone river, Tennessee.

Judge JAMES SIMPSON, one of the purest and best of the public men of Clark co., was born March 16, 1796; commenced the practice of law at Winchester, 1819; was circuit judge of that important circuit for twelve years, 1835-47; and one of the judges of the court of appeals (part of the time, chief justice of Kentucky) for thirteen years, 1847-60; he was a can- didate for re-election, but defeated on political grounds. The Kentucky Reports, from 8 Ben. Monroe to 3 Metcalfe, contain his opinions, in a style marked by perspicuity, simplicity, and vigor. He was a member of the state senate for a short time, in 1861, but never a politician. He was still, Jan., 1874, in active practice at the bar at which he had spent 30 years, besides 25 years upon the bench.

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in Fayette county. He was the father of the late Governor Benjamin Howard, and of the first wife of Robert Wickliffe, Sen'r., Esq. He held a pre-emption of one thousand acres of land at the mouth of each of these creeks.

In this county repose the remains of two governors of Kentucky-Charles Scott and the late James Clark. Monuments have been erected over the graves of both by the legislature.

Among the noted citizens of Clark, was the late venerable HUBBARD TAYLOR. He emigrated to the county at a very early period, was a senator for a number of years in the Kentucky legislature, and on several occasions was chosen as one of the presidential electors. He was distinguished for his patriotism, his hospital- ity and public spirit. He died in the year 1842, beloved and mourned by all.

General RICHARD HICKMAN, a lieutenant governor of the State, and acting go- vernor during the absence of Governor Shelby in the campaign of 1813, was also a citizen of this county. He was highly esteemed by his countrymen for his in- telligence and many virtues.

Colonel WILLIAM SUDDUTH, was one of the earliest settlers in Clark county, and the last surviving member of the convention which framed the second con- stitution of Kentucky. He was a gallant soldier under Wayne in the campaign of 1793. For thirty years he was the county surveyor of Clark. He was a man of intelligence, with the manners of an accomplished gentleman. He died at the residence of one of his sons in Bath county, in the year 1845, aged 79.

Dr. ANDREW HOOD, a native and resident of Clark county, was a man of rare natural ability and fine cultivation, and who acquired in his pro- fession more than a state reputation. He was the member from this county in the convention in 1849, which formed the present constitution of Ken tucky. He had the singular good fortune to have among his co-delegates his own son, the brilliant Thos. J. Blood. of Carter county. Both died before 1860.

Among the most distinguished citizens of Clark county was the Hon. JAMES CLARK, late governor of the commonwealth. Our materials for a sketch of his life are exceedingly meagre, and we can attempt nothing more than a bare enu- meration of the most prominent incidents in his career. He was the son of Robert and Susan Clark, and was born in 1779, in Bedford county, Virginia, near the celebrated Peaks of Otter. His father emigrated from Virginia to Ken- tucky at a very early period, and settled in Clark county, near the Kentucky river. The subject of this notice received the principal part of his education under Dr. Blythe, afterwards a professor in Transylvania university. He studied law with his brother, Christian Clark, a very distinguished lawyer of Virginia. When he had qualified himself to discharge the duties of his profession, he re- turned to Kentucky, and commenced the practice of the law in Winchester, in 1797.

He remained here, however, but a short time, before he set out in search of a more eligible situation, and traveled through what was then the far west, taking Vincennes and St. Louis in his route ; but failing to find a place to suit his views, he returned to Winchester, where, by his unremitting attention to business, and striking displays of professional ability, he soon obtained an extensive and lucra- tive practice.

At this period of his life, he was several times elected a member of the State legislature, in which body he soon attained a high and innuential position. In 1810, he was appointed a judge of the court of appeals, and acted in that capacity for about two years. In 1812, he was elected to congress, and served from the 4th of March, 1813, until March, 1816. In 1817 he received an appointment as judge of the circuit court, for the judicial district in which he resided, which station he filled with great ability, and to the general satisfaction of the public, till the year 1824, when he resigned. During his term of service as judge, oc- curred that great and exciting struggle between the relief and anti-relief parties, which has left its traces on the political and social condition of Kentucky, in deep and indelible characters, to be seen even at the present day. In May, 1823, Mr. Clark rendered an opinion in the Bourbon circuit court. in which he decided

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that the relief laws were unconstitutional. This decision produced great excite- ment, and was the cause of his being arraigned and impeached before the legis- lature. But, notwithstanding the temporary dissatisfaction it excited in the breasts of the relief party, there was probably no act of his life which inspired his fellow citizens with greater confidence in his integrity, firmness, independence, and pat- riotism, than this decision. It was given just before the election, and he must have foreseen the temporary injury it would inflict upon the party with which he acted, and which he regarded as the bulwark of the constitution. But his was a nature which knew not the possibility of making a compromise between his prin- ciples and policy.

In 1825, he was elected to congress to fill the vacancy occasioned by Mr. Clay's appointment as secretary of state, and continued to represent the Fayette district in that body until 1831. In 1832, he was elected to the senate of Kentucky, and was chosen speaker in the place of Mr. Morehead, who was then acting as governor, in the place of Governor Breathitt, deceased. He was elected gover- nor of Kentucky in August, 1836, and died on the 27th of Sept'r, 1839, in his sixtieth year.

Governor Clark was endowed by nature with great strength of mind, and a fine vein of original wit. His literary attainments were respectable, ranking in that respect with most of his cotemporaries of the legal profession at that day. A fine person, a cheerful and social disposition, an easy address, and fascinating manners, made him the life of every circle in which he mingled. He was full of fun, fond of anecdotes, and could tell a story with inimitable grace. To these qualities, so well calculated to display the amiable traits of his character in their most attractive light, he added all those stern and manly virtues which inspire confidence and command respect. His death made a vacancy in the political and social circles of Kentucky, which was very sensibly felt and universally de- plored.

General GEORGE ROGERS CLARK, whose name is deservedly celebrated in the early history of Kentucky, and conspicuously prominent in the conquest and set- tlement of the whole west, was born in the county of Albemarle, in the State of Virginia, on the 19th of November, 1752. Of his early years and education, but little is known. In his youth, he engaged in the business of land surveying, which appears to have presented to the enterprising young men of that day, a inost congenial and attractive field for the exercise of their energies. It is worthy of remark, that many of the most opulent and influential families of Kentucky were founded by men engaged in this pursuit. How long Clark continued in this vocation, is unknown. He commanded a company in Dunmore's war, and was engaged in the only active operation of the right wing of the invading army, against the Indians. At the close of this war, he was offered a commission in the English service, but, upon consultation with his friends, he was induced by the troubled aspect of the relations between the colonies and Great Britain, to decline the appointment.

In the spring of 1775, he came to Kentucky, drawn hither by that love of ad venture which distinguished him through life. He remained in Kentucky during the spring and summer of this year, familiarizing himself with the character of the people and the resources of the country, until the fall, when he returned to Virginia. During this visit, he was temporarily placed in command of the irreg ular militia of the settlements ; but whether he held a commission is not known. In the spring of the following year (1776), he again came to Kentucky, with the intention of making it his permanent home; and from this time forth, his name is closely associated with the progress of the western settlements in power and civ- ilization.

His mind had been very early impressed with the immense importance of this frontier country to the security of the parent State of Virginia, as well as to the whole confederacy ; and his reflections on this subject led him to perceive the importance of a more thorough, organized, and extensive system of public de- fence, and a more regular plan of military operations, than the slender resources of the colonies had yet been able to effect. With the view of accomplishing this design, he had been in Kentucky but a few months, when he suggested te the settlers the propriety of convening a general assembly of the people at Har

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rodstown (now Harrodsburgh), to take steps towards forming a more definite and certain connection with the government and people of Virginia, than as yet existed. The immediate necessity for this movement grew out of the memorable and well known conflict between Henderson & Co., and the legislature of Virginia, rela- tive to the disputed claim of jurisdiction over a large portion of the new territory. The excitement which arose out of this dispute, and the prevailing uncertainty whether the south side of Kentucky river appertained to Virginia or North Caro- lina, (the latter claiming by virtue of Henderson's purchase of the Cherokees at the treaty of Wataga), added very greatly to the perplexity of the settlers, and rendered it necessary that the disposition of Virginia should be distinctly ascer- tained. The proposed meeting was accordingly held at Harrodstown on the 6th of June, 1776, at which Clark and Gabriel Jones were chosen members of the assembly of Virginia. This, however, was not precisely the thing contemplated by Clark. He wished that the people should appoint agents, with general powers to negotiate with the government of Virginia, and in the event that that commonwealth should refuse to recognize the colonists as within its jurisdiction and under its protection, he proposed to employ the lands of the country as a fund to obtain settlers and establish an independent State. The election had, however, gone too far to change its object when Clark arrived at Harrodstown, and the gentlemen elected, although aware that the choice could give them no seat in the legislature, proceeded to Williamsburg, at that time the seat of gov- ernment. After suffering the most severe privations in their journey through the wilderness, the delegates found, on their arrival in Virginia, that the legislature had adjourned, whereupon Jones directed his steps to the settlements on Holston, and left Clark to attend to the Kentucky mission alone.

He immediately waited on Governor Henry, then lying sick at his residence in Hanover county, to whom he stated the objects of his journey. These meeting the approbation of the governor, he gave Clark a letter to the executive council of the state. With this letter in his hand he appeared before the council, and after acquainting them fully with the condition and circumstances of the colony, he made application for five hundred weight of gun-powder for the defence of the various stations. But with every disposition to assist and promote the growth of these remote and infant settlements, the council felt itself restrained by the un- certain and indefinite state of the relations existing between the colonists and the state of Virginia, from complying fully with his demand. The Kentuckians had not yet been recognized by the legislature as citizens, and the proprietary claim- ants, Henderson & Co., were at this time exerting themselves to obtain from Vir- ginia, a relinquishment of her jurisdiction over the new territory. The council, therefore, could only offer to lend the gun-powder to the colonists as friends, not give it to them as fellow citizens. At the same time they required Clark to be personally responsible for its value, in the event the legislature should refuse to recognize the Kentuckians as citizens, and in the meantime to defray the expense of its conveyance to Kentucky. Upon these terms he did not feel at liberty to accept the proffered assistance. He represented to the council that the emissaries of the British were employing every means to engage the Indians in the war ; that the people in the remote and exposed stations of Kentucky might be exter- minated for the want of a supply which he, a private individual, had at so much hazard and hardship sought for their relief, and that when this frontier bulwark was thus destroyed, the fury of the savages would burst like a tempest upon the heads of their own citizens. To these representations, however, the council remained deaf and inexorable ; the sympathy for the frontier settlers was deep, but the assistance already offered was a stretch of power, and they could go no farther. The keeper of the public magazine was directed to deliver the powder to Clark ; but having long reflected on the situation, prospects and resources of the new country, his resolution to reject the assistance on the proposed conditions, was made before he left the council chamber. He determined to repair to Ken- tucky, and as he had at first contemplated, exert the resources of the country for the formation of an independent state. He accordingly returned the order of the council in a letter, setting forth his reasons for declining to accept their powder on these terms, and intimating his design of applying for assistance elsewhere, adding, "that a country which was not worth defending, was not worth claiming." On the receipt of this letter the council recalled Clark to their presence, and an

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Collins historical sketches of Kentucky. History of Kentucky: Vol. II, Part 19

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