USA > Kentucky > Trigg County > Counties of Christian and Trigg, Kentucky : historical and biographical > Part 47
USA > Kentucky > Christian County > Counties of Christian and Trigg, Kentucky : historical and biographical > Part 47
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HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY.
The Mount Tabor Church building was erected under the auspices of the Christian Church in the year 1868, and stands on ground donated by Thomas Averitt. The size of the house is 30x40 feet and the original cost was $1,500. The Christians, contrary to their expectations, failed to effect an organization, and the house was generously placed at the disposal of such denominations as saw fit to use it. The various sects have in turn used the building, and the neighbors have had ample opportunities of hearing the Gospel " each in his own tongue." An organization known as the " Christian Union" sprang into existence in 1882, and is now using the house. They have a fair congregation and are accomplishing much good in the community.
Cherryville .- This little hamlet, known also as Caledonia, is situated in the eastern part of the precinct and is the youngest village in the county. The first store was started by James B. Carloss and J. H. Hammond. They commenced business under the firm name of Carloss & Hammond, and soon acquired a large and lucrative trade. Mr. Carloss remained only a few years as active partner, closing out to Mr. Hammond about 1878, who continued the business up to the close of 1881.
In the meantime a second store was started by Joe Wooten, who sold his building soon after to Carloss & Hammond. The present merchants are Messrs. Wall and Hammond.
Montgomery Precinct .- Montgomery Precinct, named in honor of Thomas Montgomery, one of the earliest prominent settlers, lies in the northeast part of Trigg and embraces one of the finest and most product- ive agricultural regions in southern Kentucky. Indeed it would be difficult to find within the limits of the entire State an area of similar proportions, possessing as rich a soil and combining as many advantages for the agri- culturist as does this banner division of Trigg. The surface of the country is sufficiently undulating to make an easy natural drainage and every acre is susceptible of almost unlimited cultivation. The only broken part of the precinct is along the southern border, the rest being comparatively level and known as "barrens " land. Cultivation has wrought marked changes in the topography of Montgomery during the sixty-five or seventy years which the white man has possessed the land. What appeared to the early settlers an expanse of worthless boggy land is now a pleasant rolling area of thrifty farms. This transformation has been brought about not by physical changes but by the natural effects of the farmer's occupation. The open land was originally covered with a rank growth of tall grass ; on the high lands the grass did not reach its normal height, while on the lower lands its growth was of astonishing propor- tions, frequently reaching a height which would almost hide a man on horseback, and this would tend to create the illusion of a nearly level
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CALEDONIA AND MONTGOMERY PRECINCTS.
plain. Groves of scraggy oaks were to be seen at. intervals, but the greater part of the timber now growing in the precinct has made its appear- ance within the memory of old settlers now living. In the woodlands the change has been very marked also. The dense forests of young growth, underbrush and saplings did not exist fifty years ago. Then the timber, save along the streams, was characterized only by scattered oaks and hickories, which favoring localities preserved from the annual fires that swept over the country. Unlike the experience in a timbered coun- try, here the wooded area has increased. The young growth and .sap- lings which the fires of those times kept in check have developed into large trees, and the timber has encroached upon the open lands so that the area of woods is now much larger than fifty years ago.
The barren lands were not understood by the early settlers who passed by rich black soil and secured homes among the hills and along the streams of those parts of the county which to-day are of less value then when first opened for cultivation.
The agricultural resources of Montgomery are unsurpassed; the principal crops being wheat, corn, oats and the usual varieties of fruits and vegetables found in this range of climate. All classes of stock are found also, but horses and cattle predominate, as the wide ranges of graz- ing are best adapted to raise them with profit. As a stock country this division is without an equal in the county and cannot be easily surpassed. Grass grows in rich abundance, and truly, cattle are made to "lie down in green pastures." Some of the finest stock that goes from grass to market goes from this precinct. Among those who have made stock-rais- ing a profitable business is Henry Bryant, on whose beautiful and well- cultivated farm can be seen some of the finest and most valuable improved herds ever brought to this part of the State. The other leading farmers and stock-raisers of the precinct are the following gentlemen, to wit : Robert Roach, James H. Gaines, Robert Hill, J. J. Gaines, Clarence Blakemore, James Beasley, James Rasco, John Rasco, Tandy Wadling- ton, Jefferson Moore, Wilson Stewart and W. J. Stewart.
Early Settlers .- Montgomery was not settled as early as many other portions of the county, owing to the fact that the pioneers did not under- stand the nature of the land, and looked upon it as wholly unfit for agri- cultural purposes.
From the most reliable information obtainable, Thomas Montgomery appears to have been one among the first if not the first permanent settler, as he was living within the limits of the present precinct as long ago as the year 1816. He located near the village which bears his name, and secured a large area of grass lands at very moderate figures, and was one of the first stock-raisers in Trigg County. But little is known of this
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HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY.
stanch old pioneer, save that he was considered a very estimable citizen and did much towards shaping the character of the community in which he lived. The farm on which he settled was always considered and is per- haps the best place of its size in the county, and a simple mention of the fact will be sufficient to show how much even in as small a territory as a precinct the estimated value of a tract of land is governed by its location. In 1839 or 1840 the place was offered for $3.25. At that time land in the neighborhood of Wallonia was valued at double the estimate that was placed on similar lands in Montgomery.
Joshua Cates settled near Montgomery Village in a very early day, as did also J. J. Morrison and Dr. Wooldridge. Henry Sheton was an early comer and located not far from the Rocky Ridge Baptist Church. John Stephens and " Ki " Edwards secured homes in the same locality.
Another early resident was John Roberson, who made a farm not far from the village. Adam Stinebaugh originally settled in the Cerulean Springs Precinct, but came to this part of the county as soon as the value of the land was ascertained.
Jonathan, James and Harrison Stewart were among the pioneers of this section. They purchased land in the vicinity of Montgomery Village and made good farms. Other settlers came in from time to time, and by the year 1845 the precinct was populated by an industrious and thrifty class of citizens.
Village of Montgomery .- This most beautiful little village of Trigg County is situated in the eastern part of the precinct and dates its his- tory proper from the year 1866, at which time Gen. John W. Gaines, of Virginia, purchased the land on which the town is situated, and erected a store building and engaged in merchandising.
Prior to that date, however, a man by name of Ashford had kept a small stock of general goods in a little house which stood near the cen- tral part of the present village plat, but all traces of his building had disappeared before the place achieved any prominence as a trading point.
Mr. Gaines laid the village off into lots on which he erected a num- ber of residences, shops and other buildings for the purpose of attracting people to the place. He conducted a very successful business for about eighteen years, accumulating in the meantime a handsome fortune. He is remembered as one of the most active and enterprising citizens of Trigg County, and died a few years ago, respected and honored by all who knew him.
His son J. J. Gaines began business in the village in 1872, and is one of the leading merchants of the county at the present time. In 1880 the McGehee brothers brought a miscellaneous stock of merchandise to the place, and are still in business with a large and constantly increasing trade.
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CALEDONIA AND MONTGOMERY PRECINCTS.
The first mechanics of the town were John Stewart and J. A. Powell: The present mechanic is J. W. Wooten, who runs a wood-working estab- lishment and blacksmith shop.
The medical profession has been represented in the village by the fol- lowing gentlemen, to wit : Drs. Withers, Smoot, Allen and Cullom. The present physician is Dr. Henry Blaine, who has a large and lucrative practice.
J. C. Whitlock Lodge, No. 487, A. F. & A. M., was organized at the village of Cherry Hill or Caledonia, and moved to Montgomery sev- eral years ago. It has a good membership at the present time, and is reported in a fair condition. The officers last elected are the following, viz. : Andrew J. Pilkinton, W. M .; Taylor Tompkins, S. W .; Jasper J. Roach, J. W .; R. H. Wilson, Sec. ; A. J. Humphries, Treas.
Montgomery Methodist Church South was organized by Rev. J. W. Shelton in the fall of 1879 with a membership of about twelve persons. A beautiful frame house of worship was built in the year 1883 at a cost of $1,100. The second pastor was Rev. T. C. Peters, after whom came Rev. J. M. Crow. Pastor in charge at the present time is Rev. E. E. Pate. The society is not in a very flourishing condition, there being the names of only seven active members on the church record at the present time.
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ROARING SPRINGS PRECINCT.
CHAPTER X.
ROARING SPRINGS PRECINCT-TOPOGRAPHICAL AND PHYSICAL FEATURES-
CAVES AND CAVERNS-COMING OF THE PIONEERS-THEIR SETTLE- MENTS-EARLY INDUSTRIES AND IMPROVEMENTS-EDUCATIONAL FA- CILITIES-CHURCHES-SKETCHES OF THE DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS- VILLAGE OF ROARING SPRINGS-GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT, ETC., ETC.
R OARING SPRINGS is voting precinct No. 10, and embraces a larger geographical area than any other division of the county. It is bounded on the north by Cadiz and Montgomery Precincts, on the east by Christian County, on the south by the State of Tennessee, and on the west by the Precinct of Linton. The surface of the country is agreeably varied, and contains many natural scenes to delight the eye. Casey's Creek rises near the Tennessee line, flows through the central part of the precinct in a northerly direction, and empties into Little River. This is one of the most beautiful and romantic streams in the country, being fed along its entire course by springs of the purest water issuing from rocky bluffs and caves, with which the country abounds. One of these caves, called McGovern's Cavern, is a place of some note, and is visited yearly by a great many sight-seers. It is about fifteen feet from the roof to the bottom ; from sixteen to twenty feet wide, and has been explored for a distance of 300 yards, beyond which it is impos- sible to go on account of the depth and coldness of the water which issues from the cave.
Little River forms part of the northern boundary of the precinct, and receives in its course a number of small tributaries which traverse the country in various directions. A place of considerable note near the river is a cave on the Garland Jones farm which was used as a place of concealment by runaway negroes during the days of slavery. This cav- ern is twenty feet in height, fifteen feet in width, and extends into the earth for a distance of about two miles. Hardy's Cave, another spot of interest on the river, differs from the ones named on account of the inte- rior being perfectly dry. It has been explored for over a mile, and the supposition is that it extends much further.
The southern part of the precinct is drained chiefly by Saline Creek, which rises near the State line, and flowing a northwesterly course empties into the Cumberland River. There are several other small streams in
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HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY.
different parts of the precinct, none of which is deserving of special men- tion. Near the State line is the highest part of Trigg County. This region is known as the "flat lick " or "flat woods " and contains a large area of very level land, much of which is too wet for tillage without being artificially drained. Owing to this fact it was not settled in a very early day, and its resources have been developed within a comparatively recent period. Agriculture is carried on very extensively, the best farming lands being in the northern and central parts of the precinct, and es- pecially along Casey Creek and its tributaries, where can be seen some of the largest and best improved plantations in the county. Perhaps the most interesting spot in the county, and certainly its greatest natural wonder, is the roaring spring which gave name to the village and precinct. This spring, or torrent rather, issues with great rapidity and a loud roar- ing noise from a limestone cavern about one hundred feet below the line of the surrounding country, and after running for a distance of perhaps sixty feet enters an opening in a large rocky cliff opposite the mouth of the cave and is lost sight of. The cavern, which is very broad and high, was explored a few years ago by a party of gentlemen who penetrated it for a distance of three miles without finding the terminus. The atmos- phere of the interior is said to be very invigorating and retains a tem- perature of sixty degrees Fahrenheit throughout the entire year. At one time in the early history of the county the waters of this stream were utilized to operate a small mill built at the mouth of the cave, to reach which it was necessary to descend a flight of steps 100 feet cut in the stone bank.
Settlement .- Roaring Springs is one of the original voting precincts of the county, and was settled shortly after the beginning of the present century. Among the first white men who sought homes here were Robin and Josiah Boyd. They settled on the farm owned at the present time by Mrs. Robinson, and came perhaps as early as the year 1805. The Joiner family came about the same time and settled in the southern part of the precinct on Dry Creek, where several descendants are still living. Jesse Cox, a Baptist preacher, came from South Carolina about the year 1803 or 1804 and secured a tract of land lying in the southwest corner of the precinct, on which he lived until the time of his death in 1849. His son, George Cox, was born near the original homestead in 1817, and is still an honored citizen of the precinct. John Potts came in a very early day and located near the creek which bears his name. The place on which he made his first improvements is owned at the present time by Lewis Garnett.
Ebenezer Boyd settled in the southwest corner of the precinct as early as 1810. Paul Patrick came the same year and settled the Rasco
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ROARING SPRINGS PRECINCT.
farm, about three miles from the Springs on Casey Creek. Joseph Led- ford settled in the central part of the precinct about the year 1815. J. Mills and a man by name of Wood came a few years later and located near Casey Creek, the former on a part of what is now the Crenshaw farm and the latter on the Greenwade place. John Cower settled on the Crenshaw farm about 1817 and remained two years, when he sold out to Cornelius Crenshaw. Thomas Mathers settled in the southeastern part of the precinct in a very early day. The Dawson family became residents as early as 1817, settling near the head waters of Casey Creek, where several descendants are still living. John Mathers and William Gillum settled on Gillum Creek in the southwest corner of the precinct prior to 1818. A man by name of Greer came about the same time and located on the Widow Dunn's place. Among other families who resided in the precinct anterior to 1820 were those of Elias Burbridge, Lewis Izell, Hugh Gray, William Reed, James Daniel, John Ford, Cornelius Burnett (father of Dr. Isaac Burnett), John Greenwade, the Northingtons, McCulloms, Lindsays, Blantons, Millers, Torians, Colemans, Cornelius Crenshaw and John H. Scott, Thomas Nance, and in 1820 Thomas Cren- shaw. Later came Lewis and James Garnett, Elder Peyton Nance, Lesen- berry Nance, John T. Hays, Alexander Harrell, all of whom were residents prior to the year 1830, many of whom are mentioned in a preceding chapter.
Mills, etc .- The honor of erecting the first mill in Roaring Springs Precinct belongs to Saxe Lindsay, who in the year 1819 or 1820 built a small structure on Little River. Lindsay operated the mill with tolera- ble success for several years and finally sold out to Jesse Carter, who put up a frame building which he supplied with good machinery, and valued the property at $3,000. At his death Elbridge A. Coleman purchased the mill, which he has continued to improve until it is now one of the best mills in the county, and represents a value of $5,000. The second mill in the precinct was built by Thomas Nance in 1825, and stood at the mouth of Roaring Springs Cave. This has already been alluded to. Mr. Nance built a distillery which he operated in connection with his mill, and with the two did a good business until the time of his death in 1835. For ten years the mill stood idle, but at the end of that time the property was leased by a Mr. Foster, who operated it until about 1849 when it was abandoned and allowed to fall into decay. At the present time no vestige of either mill or distillery is to be seen.
Schools .- " The early education of that day was obtained under many disadvantages, and there was very little of it. The spelling book, the English Reader, Pike's Arithmetic and Murray's Grammar were the text books in most of the schools. A session was from ten to twelve weeks
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HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY.
with five days in the week and a few hours each day. The houses were made of logs about twenty feet long, with one window between two logs, under which a plank was placed on pins for a writing desk. The seats were made of logs, ten to fifteen inches in diameter, split in two, out of which a pair of benches were made and put on legs about two feet high, so the boys' legs could dangle down and be convenient for the teacher's switch. When the hickory failed to secure the proper discipline the ferule was applied to the palm of the left hand, so that the bruises occa- sioned by a too vigorous application would not interfere with the writing lesson. The only retaliation a pupil was allowed for this cruelty was the privilege of ' turning out' the teacher in order to force him to give a recess during the holidays. In this all the children were allowed to take part, forcing him by threats or the actual administration of a good, sound ducking, which had the effect not only to secure the recess but also a ' treat' of whisky and egg-nog to boot. Among the early teachers of the precinct was Mrs. Mays, who taught in a little building which stood on the Canton and Lindsay Mill road one mile northeast of the spring. This building was used for school and church purposes until 1849. A schoolhouse was built the latter year near the spring, and stood on ground now occupied by the Methodist Church. The first pedagogue in the building was Alfred Lindsay. Wesley Warrell and Miss Carland (wife of Thomas Crenshaw) taught here also. Other teachers at the same place were William Glover and Cornelia Auburn."
Churches .- There are several religious organizations in the precinct, the oldest of which is the Long Water Old School Baptist Church, about three miles south of Roaring Springs. This society was organized in a very early day, and at one time had a good membership, which has greatly diminished of late years. The house of worship is a log structure, which like the organization bears many marks of decay.
The Antioch Baptist Church near Little River was perhaps the first religious society organized in the precinct. It was established when there were but few sparse settlements in the county, and during the early days of s history supported a membership scattered over many miles of country. A log building was erected and used until about the year 1859, at which time the existence of the society terminated. Among the pastors of the church were Elders Jesse Cox, L. H. Averitt, Reuben Ross and Dudley Williams. The last regular preacher was Elder George Patterson.
Roaring Springs Christian Church, as an organization, dates its history as far back as 1833, at which time a meeting was held in what was known as the Buford's Springs Schoolhouse, by Elder George P. Street, of Christian County, and a society established which took upon it- self the name of the Lebanon Christian Church. The original members
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ROARING SPRINGS PRECINCT
were William Northington, John Dawson, E. G. Lewis, L. T. Calloway, Andrew Lewis, Penina Dawson, Mary Calloway, Phebe Garnett and Martha Ledford. The schoolhouse was used as a meeting-place until 1835, when a log building was erected which served the congregation for a num- ber of years. A frame building was afterward built and used until 1878, at which time the present commodious temple of worship was erected at Roaring Springs, at a cost of $1,500. A re-organization was effected in 1878, under the name of the Roaring Springs Christian Church, and the following officers elected : Albert Crenshaw, J. W. Hays and William Lewis, Elders; Thomas Crenshaw, Matthew Jones and John Rasco, Deacons ; Thomas Crenshaw, Clerk ; T. P. Campbell, J. W. Hays, Al- bert Crenshaw and M. Jones, Trustees. The ministers of the church have been Elders George P. Street, Samuel Calloway, M. Metcalf, John Ferguson, Jesse Ferguson and W. E. Mobley, the last named being preacher in charge at the present time. A Sunday-school was organized shortly after the church was established at the Springs, which has contin- ued to increase in interest and numbers until it is now one of the most flourishing schools in the county. The first Superintendent was Henry Richards ; present Superintendent is Robert Crenshaw. The present membership of the church is 115, among whom are many of the leading citizens of the community.
Shady Grove Baptist Church was organized in 1850 by Rev. George Pat- terson with the following members, to wit: Lee S. Harrell and wife and N. Harrell and wife, formerly members of the old Dry Creek Church on Saline Creek, which ceased to exist in 1849. Of the original organiza- tion nothing could be learned owing to the fact that the early records were not accessible. The four members mentioned formed the nucleus around which a flourishing society soon gathered, and among those who came in shortly after the organization were James Mathers and wife, Mrs. James Hester and daughter, Mrs. William Hester and William Cox and wife. A log-house was built in 1851 and stood until 1873, at which time the present substantial frame edifice was built at a cost of $950. The fol- lowing preachers have ministered to the church at different times : Revs. James Preer, John B. Smith, David Bronson, Samuel McClain, L. Mc- Clain and Samuel Sumner. The present incumbent is Rev. W. L. Tidwell. Officers are : L. S. Harrell, N. Harrell, J. Harrell and John McCowen, Deacons ; J. Harrell, Clerk. At present it has 110 members.
Methodist Episcopal Church South* at Roaring Springs was organized in July, 1852, by Rev. James R. Dempsey. The following names are those of the original members, viz .: Ephraim Blane, Miss Mary Blane, Miss Bettie Blane, George Blane, James T. Jones and wife, James H. Hamil-
* By Dr. Thomas L. Bacon.
BIO
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HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY.
ton and wife, Thomas M. Ogburn, Charles Ranson, Thomas L. Bacon, Mathew L. Bacon, Charles P. Bacon and William Smith. The first pas- tor was James R. Dempsey in 1851-52 ; in 1852-53, Thomas M. Penick ; in 1853-54, - Neikirk and J. C. Petree ; in 1854-55, - Neikirk and C. Y. Boggess ; in 1855-56, D. D. Moore ; in 1856-57, J. C. Petree ; in 1857-58, W. W. Lambreth ; in 1858-59 and 1859-60, William Alex- ander ; in 1860-61, Gideon Gooch; in 1861-62, H. M. Ford was appointed but failed to come and his place was supplied by James Gray. In 1862-63 and 1863-64, Gideon Gooch ; in 1864-65 and 1865-66, J. C. Petree ; in 1866-67 and 1867-68, Wilbur L. King; in 1868-69 and 1869-70, Thomas J. Randolph; in 1870-71 and 1871-72, Bryant A. Cundiff; in 1872-73, R. B. McCown ; in 1873-74 and 1874-75, Robert C. Alexander, in 1875-76 and 1876-77, John W. Price; in 1877-78, 1878-79 and 1879-80, Joseph F. Redford ; in 1880-81 and 1881-82 and 1882-83, James W. Bigham, and at present Ben F. Biggs.
The membership never increased any till the second pastorate of Gideon Gooch, when there were about fifteen added toit, and again, during the third pastoral term of J. C. Petree there were several more added as also was the case during the terms of Bryant A. Cundiff, J. F. Redford and James W. Big- ham. When first organized the organization took place in the dwelling house of Ephraim Blane, but a schoolhouse was used as a place of worship until 1865; the present church house was erected at a cost of $2,500, James T. Jones and Thomas L. Bacon constituting the building committee. There is no Sunday-school at present, nor has there been save one or two years a denominational school there; for several years there was a school on the union basis in successful operation.
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