USA > Kentucky > Historical sketches of Kentucky : embracing its history, antiquities, and natural curiosities, geographical, statistical, and geological descriptions with anecdotes of pioneer life, and more than one hundred biographical sketches of distinguished pioneers, soldiers, statesmen, jurists, lawyers, divines, etc. > Part 23
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COLUMBIA is the county seat of Adair. It is a handsome and thriving town, distant about 150 miles from Frankfort, and 620
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GENERAL JOHN ADAIR.
from Washington city ; contains the usual public buildings for county purposes; two churches, occupied by four denomination ; two schools, seven stores and groceries, five doctors, seven law- yers, one tavern, six mechanical shops ;- population, 500.
NEATSVILLE, a small village in this county, contains a population of about 50.
BREEDINGS, another village, contains a population of 20.
Principal articles of export of Adair :- tobacco, hogs, horses and cattle. Face of the country, hilly ; soil, second rate, based principally on slate and limestone. Green river runs through the northern portion of the county. Principal tributaries on the north, White-oak and Case's creeks ; on the south, Russell's creek and its tributaries. The east fork of Little Barren river passes through the west end of the county.
General JOHN ADAIR, in honor of whom this county received its name, was born in South Carolina, in the year 1757. His character was formed in the trying times and amidst the thrilling incidents of the Revolution. At an early age, he entered the army as a volunteer, was made prisoner by the British, and as usual, treated with savage cruelty, having been thrown into prison and subjected to every species of insult and hardship that the ingenuity of his captors could devise.
In 1780 he emigrated to Kentucky, and settled in Mercer county. In the border war which raged with so much fury on the north-western frontier, General (then Major,) Adair was an active and efficient officer, and frequently engaged with the Indians. One incident of this nature merits a relation. On the sixth of Novem- ber 1792, Major Adair, at the head of a detachment of mounted volunteers, from Kentucky, while encamped in the immediate vicinity of Fort St. Clair, twenty- six miles south of Greenville, near where Eaton, the county seat of Preble county. Ohio, now stands, was suddenly and violently attacked by a large party of In- dians, who rushed on the encampment with great fury. A bloody conflict ensued, during which Major Adair ordered Lieutenant Madison, with a small party to main the right flank of the enemy, if possible, and at the same time gave an order for Lieutenant Hall to attack their left, but learning that that officer had been slain, the Major with about twenty-five of his men made the attack in person, with a view of sustaining Lieutenant Madison.
The pressure of this movement caused the enemy to retire. They were driven about six hundred yards, through and beyond the American camp, where they made a stand, and again fought desperately. At this juncture about sixty of the Indians made an effort to turn the right flank of the whites. Major Adaiz fore- seeing the consequences of this manœuvre, found it necessary to order a retreat. That movement was effected with regularity, and as was expected, the Indians pursued them to their camp, where a halt was made, and another severe battie was fought, in which the Indians suffered severely, and were driven from the ground. In this affair six of the whites were killed, five wounded, and four miss- ing. Among the wounded were Lieutenant (afterwards Governor) George Mad- ison, and Colonel Richard Taylor, the father of the present Major General Zachary Taylor, the hero of Palo Alto. Monterey. Buena Vista, &c.
The Indians on this occasion, were commanded by the celebrated Little Turtle. Some years afterwards, in 1805-6, when General Adair was Register of the land cthce in Frankfort, Captain William Wells, Indian agent, passed through that place, on his way to Washington city, attended by some Indians, among wheat was the chief. Little Turtle. General Adair called on his offi antes ist, and in the course of the conversation. the incident above related. being alluded to. tien. Adair attributed his defeat to his having been taken by surprise. The little Turtle immediately remarked with great pleasantness, "a good general is never taken by surprise."
In 1-07, Major Adair's popularity underwent a temporary obscuration from his supposed connection with the treasonable enterprise of Burr. His conduct and opinions became the subject of much speculation, and the public got to regard
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ALLEN COUNTY.
him with an eye of some suspicion. But it is now generally believed that Gen- eral Adair's course in that affair was predicated upon an opinion that Colonel Burr's plans were approved by the government, which at that time contemplated a war with Spain. General Adair's opinions and associations at that day, pla- ced him with the federal party, among whom he stood deservedly high.
In the campaign of 1613 he accompanied Governor Shelby into Canada, as an aid, and was present in that capacity at the battle of the Thames. His conduct during this campaign was such as to draw from his superior officers an expres- sion of their approbation, and his name was honorably mentioned in the report to the war department. Governor Shelby afterwards conferred upon him the appointment of adjutant general of the Kentucky troops, with the brevet rank of brigadier general, in which character he commanded the Kentuckians in the glorious battle of New Orleans. The acrimonious controversy between him and General Jackson. growing out of the imputations cast by the latter on the con- duet of the Kentucky troops on that eventful day, is fresh in the recollection of all.
In 1820. he was elected governor of Kentucky, in opposition to Judge Logan, Governor Desha, and Colonel Butler. He was often a member of the State legislature, and on several occasions was speaker of that body. In 1805 he was elected to the senate of the United States, from Kentucky, for the term of one year. In 1831 he was elected to congress, and served in the house of represen- tatives from 1831 to 1833, inclusive.
General Adair, in all the situations. military and civil, to which he was eleva- ted by his countrymen, discharged his duties in such a manner as to command the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens. He was a brave soldier, an active. vigilant and efficient officer-a politician of sound principles and enlarged views, and an ardent patriot. Among the early pioneers of Kentucky, he deser- vedly occupies a prominent place and a high rank. He died on the 19th of May, 1840, at the advanced age of 83 years.
ALLEN COUNTY.
ALLEN county was formed in the year 1815, and named in honor of Colonel Jous AuLey. It is situated in the southern part of the State, and lies on the waters of Big Barren river: Bounded on the north by Warren; east by Barren and Monroe; south by the Tennessee line, and west by Simpson county. Scottsville, the county seat, is about one hundred miles from Frankfort.
Statistics .- The Auditor's report for 1846, gives to this county 177,212 acres of land; average value of land per acre, $2,84; total valuation of taxable property, $1,200,645. Number of voters 1,272; number of children between five and sixteen years old, 2,047. Population in 1-30, 6,456; in 1840, 7,329-increase in ten years, eight hundred and forty-three.
Touns .-- There are two towns in Allen-Scottsville, the county seat, and Port Oliver. Scorrsvn LE contains the court house and the usual public buildings, four churches, four stores, three taverns. five lawyers, three doctors, eight mechanical trades. Established in 1817, and called for General Winfield Scott, of the United States' army. PORT OLIVER is situated ten miles from Scottsville, on Barren river, and contains one store and tavern. Salt works are in operation in the latter place, which manufacture three hundred bushels of salt per week.
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CAVES-ANTIQUITIES.
Inscriptions .- On the Sulphur fork of Bay's fork of Big Barren river, at or near the Sulphur Lick, the following words Were found cut in the bark of a beech tree-" James M'Call dined here on his way to Natchez, June the 10th, 1770." On Barren river, about nine miles from Scottsville, on the lands of Colonel S. E. Carpenter, near where his mill now stands, the following is in- scribed on a large beech tree-"Ichabod Clark, mill site, 1779." On the other side of the tree, this inscription is found-" Too sich to get over," date and name not mentioned.
Caves .- There are a number of caves in the county, but few of them have been explored to any extent. In the year 1844, two shells were found in one of these caves, resembling a conch shell. One of these shells is about eighteen inches long, has been sawed or cut lengthwise in the middle, having a small hole bored in the little end, so as to be hung up by a string; the other or bowl end, answering a good purpose for a water vessel.
Antiquities .- In the west end of the county, about thirteen miles from Scottsville, and seventeen from Bowling-green, is one of the most remarkable of the remains of those ancient fortifi- cations, belonging to a people unknown, of whom our country exhibits so many traces. The fortification alluded to is at once romantic and impregnable, presenting one of the strongest mili- tary positions in the world. At this place, Drake's creek makes a horse-shoe bend-running one mile, and then with a gradual bend, returning to within thirty feet of the channel where the bend may be said to commence. The partition which divides the channels of the creek at this point, is of solid limestone, thirty feet thick at the base, two hundred yards in length. forty feet high, and six feet wide at the top. The top is almost per- fectly level, and covered with small cedar trees. The area in- cluded within the bend of the creek, is to the east of this narrow pass, and contains about two hundred acres of land, rising from the creek in a gradual ascent of one hundred feet, where it forms a bold promontory. The top of this is leveled and forms a square area containing about three acres, enclosed with walls and a ditch. The outer ditch is still perceptible, and the walls are now about three feet high around the whole circuit of the fort. In the rear of this, are to be seen many small mounds. This is by nature one of the strongest military positions in the world; the only approach to the forr, being over the narrow cause-way above mentioned-tall clid's intercepting all access from the opposite banks of the stream.
At the west side of the narrow pass, and immediately at its termination, there is a hill similar to the one on the east. Here is to be seen a small mound forty feet in circumference and four feet high. Upon excavating one side of this mound. a -tone coffin was dug up two and a half feet long, one foot wide and one foot deep, with a stone covering-the top of the coffin pro- jecting one inch beyond the sides. Upon opening the coffin, the arm and thigh bones of an infant were found in it. This coffin
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ANDERSON COUNTY.
being removed, others of larger dimensions were to be disco- vered, but were not removed. Many very large human bones have been exhumed from mounds in this county-some of the thigh bones measuring from eight to ten inches longer than the race of men now inhabiting the country.
This county received its name from Col. JOHN ALLEN, who fell in the disas- trous battle of the river Raisin. He was born in Rockbridge county, Virginia, the 30th of December, 1772. His father, James Allen, emigrated to Kentucky in the fall of the year 1750, and settled at Dougherty's station, on Clarke run, about one and a half miles below the present town of Danville. Here he formed an acquaintance with Joseph Daviess, the father of Col. Joseph Hamilton Da- viess. Becoming impatient of the close confinement of the station, these fearless and ardent men removed farther down the creek, and erecting a small station, lived there for three years. At the expiration of this period, Mr. Daviess pur- chased a tract of land three or four miles west of Danville, and removed to it.
In 1784, the father of John Allen removed to Nelson county, and settled on Simpson's creek, seven and a half miles from Bardstown. In 1786, the subject of this notice attended a school in Bardstown, kept by a Mr. Shackleford, where he acquired a slight knowledge of the classics. This school was succeeded by one under the charge of Dr. James Priestly, with whom young Allen finished his education. At this school. Joseph H. Daviess, John Rowan, Felix Grundy, Archibald Cameron, John Pope, and John Allen, all distinguished in after life, formed one class.
In the year 1791. John Allen commenced the study of the law in the office of Col. Archibald Stewart, of Stanton. Va. He pursued his legal studies with great assiduity for about four years, and in 1795, he returned to Kentucky and settled in Shelbyville, where he continued to practice law till 1812. As a lawyer, he ranked with the first men of his profession.
On the breaking out of the war in 1812, he raised a regiment of riflemen, for the campaign under Harrison in the north-west. Part of this regiment was in the battle of Brownstown, on the 18th of January, 1813. In the fatal battle of the river Raisin, Col. Allen's regiment formed the left wing of the American force. The termination of this affair is too well known to require recapitulation here ; and among the many noble and chivalrous Kentuckians who there found a bloody grave. there was none whose loss was more sensibly felt or deeply de- plored than Col. Allen. Inflexibly just, benevolent in all his feelings, and of undaunted courage, he was a fine specimen of the Kentucky gentleman of that day, and his name will not soon pass away from the memory of his countrymen.
ANDERSON COUNTY.
ANDERSON county was formed in 1827, and named for the Hon. Richard C. Anderson. It is situated in the middle portion of the state ; the Kentucky river forming its northern boundary, and Salt river entering its southern border from Mercer, penetrating near the center. when it takes a different direction, and flows out on the western border, passing through Spencer, and uniting with the Rolling Fork in Bullitt county. The county is bounded on the north by Franklin ; east by the Kentucky river ; south by Mercer and Washington ; and west by Spencer county. The tributaries of Salt river are Crooked, Fox, Stoney, and Hammond creeks; while Bailey's run, Little Benson, and Gilbert's creek fall into the Kentucky river. The surface is generally rolling, though some
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RICHARD CLOUGH ANDERSON, JUN.
portions are level, rich, and very productive-the hills producing fine tobacco and grasses. The staple products are wheat. corn, hemp, and tobacco ; the articles of export, horses, mules, cattle, and hogs.
The auditor's report for 1846, gives to this county 101.891 arrow of land ; average value of land per acre, $5,66 : total valuation of taxable property, $1,137,922 ; number of white males over twenty-one years of age, 1,001 ; number of children between tive and sixteen years old, 1,401. Population in 1830, 4,542 ; in 1840, 5,452.
LAWRENCEBURG, the county sent of Anderson, is situated on the turnpike road leading from Louisville to Harrodsburg, fifty-five miles from the former, and twenty from the latter place ; three and a half miles from lock and dam No. five, and twelve miles from Frankfort. Contains four stores, four groceries, two taverns. a handsome court house and other public buildings ; Reformed or Christian, Presbyterian and Baptist churches ; one seminary ; five lawyers ; four doctors ; one each, carpenter, hatter, gunsmith, and blacksmith shops-population 350. Established in 1820, and called after Capt. James Lawrence, of the U. S. navy, whose last words on board the Chesapeake, it will be remembered, were. " Don't give up the ship." This place was first settled by an old Dutchman by the name of Coffman, who was killed by the It- dians. When his good wife first heard of his melancholy fate, she exclaimed in the bitterness of her affliction, "I always told my old man that these savage Ingens would kill him ; and I'd rather lost my best cow at the pail than my old man."
RICHARD CLOUGH ANDERSON, JR., (in honor of whom the county of Anderson was named,) was born at Louisville, in the then district of Kentucky, on the 4th day of August, 1788. His father was Richard C. Anderson, Sr., who served with great gallantry, as an officer, throughout the revolutionary war, at the con- clusion of which he was a lieutenant colonel. His mother was Elizabeth Clark, a sister of the celebrated General George Rogers Clark.
Mr. Anderson was sent at an early age to Virginia for his education; and after being graduated at William and Mary college, studied law under Judra Tucker. Upon his return to Kentucky he, commenced the practice of his profes- sion; and, possessing all the qualities, intellectual, moral and social, necessary to insure success, soon took a high stand at the bar. as an able counsellor, and as an eloquent advocate. His popular talents would not permit him long to devote himself to private pursuits. The solicitations of friends and a natural ambition, drew him, in a very short time. into the service of the public. He commenced his career, as a politician, in the popular branch of the State 102 ... lature, in which he served several years, with distinguished credit to himself, and with the marked approbation of his constituents. He was according elected to congress, in 1217, by a handsome majority over his opponent-Hit - incumbent. In congress he continued four years, during which time he parker- pated in the splendid debates of that most interesting period, with an ability and surcess, which reflected no slight honor on his character as an orator and 3 statesman. His reported speeches, during this period, are admirable bor mir terseness, beauty of arrangement, closeness of argument, and anambilol. ... gance of diction ; but they now lack the charm of that distinct and melodinsel cution -- that graceful and manly and persuasive manner-which gave there of and attractiveness to their delivery. In 1-29, declining a re-election to content, under the belief that his services were more needed in the councils of his own State, than in those of the nation, he again entered the State legislature, and
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ANDERSON COUNTY.
was chosen speaker of the house of representatives. The duties of this office he discharged, in that most excited period of our State history, with a courtesy, propriety, discretion and ability, that caused him to be regarded, by many of that day, as the perfect model of a presiding officer. This was the origin of the angry controversy existing between the old and new court parties, to the former of which Mr. Anderson belonged. In January, 1823, Mr. Anderson was appointed, by President Monroe, the first minister plenipotentiary to the Republic of Colombia. Upon his arrival at Bogota-the capital-with his family, he was received with every demonstration of honor and respect. He resided there but a very short time, before he came to be regarded, by the authorities of the republic, rather as a friend and counsellor than as a stranger. His intercourse with the principal officers of state, was of the most agreeable and confidential character. In 1821 he negotiated the treaty between the two republics, which was ratified among the last acts of President Monroe's administration. In 1825 he lost his wife -- an admirable and estimable lady, to whom he was most ten- derly attached. This loss induced him to return home for a short time, in order to place his children-two daughters and a son-with his friends in Kentucky. In October of that year, he revisited Bogota, accompanied by his brother, now Captain Robert Anderson of the U. S. Army, and remained until July, 1826, when he was instructed by President Adams to repair to Porto Bello, to join Mr. Sergeant, who had been appointed together with himself. an envoy extraor- dinary and minister plenipotentiary to the congress to be assembled at Panama. On his way to Carthagena, his intended place of embarkation, he fell sick at Turbaco, a small village some twelve miles distant from that city, where. on the 24th day of July, his disease terminated in death. He was succeeded in his mission to Colombia, by the late ex-president of the United States, General William H. Harrison.
Thus prematurely ended a brilliant career of usefulness and honor, and of still higher promise. The writer of this slight sketch heard one of the most distin- guished men of our country declare, that Mr. Anderson's death alone in all pro- bability, prevented his reaching the highest office in the Union. A brief but discriminating notice by the editor, in the National Intelligencer, of August 29th, 1826. renders the following just tribute to his worth and memory. "The United States in general, and his native State of Kentucky in particular, have sustained a great loss in the death of this distinguished gentleman. On his former visit to Colombia he lost his excellent wife-which bereavement he did not long survive.
" Mr. Anderson was one of the most amiable of men, and most discreet of politi- cians. A career of a few years in congress disclosed his valuable qualities. He
possessed in an eminent degree, a clear discriminating mind, combined with the most conciliatory and persuasive address, the effect of which has often been seen on the floor of the house of representatives, and afterwards on that of the popu- lar branch of the legislature of Kentucky, in the midst of the greatest conten- tions. like oil stilling the agitated waves of the ocean. In this point of his char- acter, it is sufficient praise to say, he nearly resembled the late lamented WILLIAM LOWNDES. In brief, without offence be it said, the country could not boast a better man than Richard C. Anderson."
Mr. Anderson was so actively engaged in professional and political pursuits, that he had but little leisure for literature. He was fondly addicted, however. to reading, and devoted most of his spare time to books -- principally of biography and history. His writings are few, but those few are characterised by strong sense, sober reasoning and sagacious msight. He was the author of the article in the North American Review, for October, 1826, on the constitution of Colom- bin-an article well worthy of perusal for its general excellence, as well as for the statesman-like suggestions it contains, relative to our own constitution. He was also engaged on a larger work, upon the political institutions and history of Colombia, the completion of which was unfortunately frustrated by his untimely death. Besides these, a fragmentary journal, of the last few years of his life still exists, possessing great interest, from the judicious observations upon books, and the shrewd remarks upon men and events, with which it is interspersed.
In making an estimate of the character of Me. Anderson, in his public and private relations, it may be truly said of him, that while in private life he was without a vice, in his public career he was equally without a reproach.
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BALLARD COUNTY.
BALLARD COUNTY.
BALLARD county was formed out of parts of M'Cracken and Hickman in 1842, and named in honor of Capt. BLAND BALLARD. It is situated in the extreme western part of the state, and bounded on the north by the Ohio river; on the west, by the Mississippi ; on the east by the counties of Graves and M'Cracken, and on the south by the county of Hickman. The lands in the northern part of the county are barren ; in the southern, well timbered,-both regions undulating. The bottoms of the Ohio and Mississippi are extensive,-soil, a mixture of black loam and sand, and very productive. The principal creek is Mayfield; heads in Tennessee, passes through Calloway and Graves counties, thence through the center of Ballard, running north-west, and empties into the Mississippi at Fort Jefferson. Humphrey's creek heads in Me- Cracken, passes through the north-east corner of Ballard, and empties into the Ohio below the Grand Chain. This county contains, according to the auditor's report for 1846, 243,675 acres of land ; average value per acre, $1,80 ; total value of tax- able property, $632,131; number of white males over twenty- one years old, 706; number of children between five and sixteen years old, one thousand. Principal productions of the county, tobacco, hemp, corn, and oats. Stock raising is also beginning to attract the attention of farmers.
The towns of the county are Blandville, Lovelaceville, and Milbourn. BLANDVILLE is the county seat, and contains a court house and other public buildings ; two churches (United Baptist and Methodist), two schools, four stores, three taverns, nine law- yers, seven doctors, nine mechanical trades-population four hundred. Called for the christian name of Captain Blund Bal- lard, for whom the county was named.
LOVELACEVILLE is a small village, named in honor of Mr. Love- lace, containing one United Baptist church, one Methodist church, one school, one store, one tavern, two physicians, two mechan- ical trades-population forty.
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