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 40
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After anxious reflections for a few minutes, he formed his plan. The guns of the Indians were stacked near the fire; their knives and tomahawks were in sheathes by their sides. The latter he dared not touch for fear of awakening their owners; but the former he carefully removed, with the exception of two. and hid them in the woods, where he knew the Indians would not readily find them. He then returned to the spot where the Indians were still sleeping. per- fectly ignorant of the fate preparing for them, and taking a gun in each hand, he rested the muzzles upon a log within six feet of his victims, and having taken deliberate aim at the head of one, and the heart of another. he pulled both trig- gers at the same moment.
Both shots were fatal. At the report of the guns, the others sprang to their feet, and stared wildly around them. McConnell, who had run instantly to the spot where the other rifles were hid, hastily seized one of them and fired at two of his enemies, who happened to be in a line with each other. The nearest fell dead, being shot through the centre of the body; the second fell also, bellowing loudly. but quickly recovering, limped off into the woods as fast as possible. The fifth, and only one who remained unhurt, darted off like a deer, with a yell that announced equal terror and astonishment. McConnell. not wishing to fight any more such battles, selected his own rifle from the stack. and made the best of his way to Lexington, where he arrived safely within two days.
Shortly afterwards, Mrs. Dunlap. of Fayette, who had been several months a prisoner amongst the Indians on Mad river, made her escape, and returned to Lexington. She reported that the survivor returned to his tribe with a lamenta- ble tale. He related that they had taken a fine young hunter near Lexington, and had brought him safely as far as the Ohio; that while encamped upon the bank of the river, a large party of white men had fallen upon them in the night, and killed all his companions, together with the poor defenceless prisoner, who lay bound hand and feet, unable either to escape or resist ! !*
Higbee's grist mill, near Lexington, was erected in the fall of 1785, and is be- lieved to have been the first of that kind which went into operation in the bourals of Kentucky.
The second dry goods store in Kentucky, was opened in Lexington by General James Wilkinson, in the spring of the year 1784.
The first Kentucky Almanac was published by the Messrs. Bradford, in 1788. In the same year, the first grammar school was opened at Lexington, where the Greek and Latin languages, with other branches, were taught-price of tuition, four pounds in cash or produce. The first dancing school was opened in Lexing- ton in April, 1758. Mr. West was the first watch maker, who settled in Lexing- ton in August, 1788. He constructed a steam boat on a small scale, which. in the year 1791, in the presence of hundreds of citizens, he tried on the Town tork of Elkhorn, previously dammed up for the purpose, and it is said that it moved through the water with great velocity.f This is believed by many to have been the first successful application of steam to navigation. Mr. West also invented the inachine now used for cutting nails.
Levi Todd. who first located at Harrodsburg, settled a station in this county, about ten miles south-west from Lexington, in the year 1779. This gentlemen
. M'Clung's sketches.
+ A letter from Lexington anys Mr. West was a gunsmith, and that he was the father of the cel ebrated artist. William West, now of London. this innature steamboat had no ty when. . . overcome the dead pont. the piston rod was made to sir ke merdlie springs at every clara den given by the steam. The experiment on Elkhorn was made to 179- A large steam boat capellephd after the plan of Mr. West, was advertised in the Kemuch; Gazete of April 23. 1-16. to start non the " mouth of Hickman erek." il Jessamine county, for New Orleans, and no de .w .. .. . ta ned but that it would be able to stem the current of the Mississippi. What because of the year steam boat." the writer does not know. The identical miniature engine, or rather, the chances p som KIM1. frame work, supply. and escape pipe, can now be worn in the museum of the Adelphi society of Transylvania university.
18
274
FAYETTE COUNTY.
afterwards removed to Lexington, as a place of greater safety, and became dis- tinguished among the early settlers.
From the files of the Kentucky Gazette, which we have been permitted to ex- amine, the following extracts are made :
" Lexington, April 26, 1790.
Friday the 10th instant was appointed for the examination of the students of the Transylvania seminary, by the trustees. In the presence of a very respectable audience, several elegant speeches were delivered by the boys, and in the evening a tragedy acted, and the whole concluded with a farce. The several masterly strokes of eloquence, throughout the performance, obtained general applause, and were acknowledged by a universal clap from all present. The good order and decorum observed throughout the whole, together with the rapid progress of the school in literature, reflects very great honor on the president."
Lexington, February 26, 1791.
" The following posts on the frontiers are to be immediately occupied by the guards, for the defence of the district, viz. :
Posts. No. of men.
Posts. No. of men.
Three Islands .
20 Mouth of Salt river
19
Locust creek
13 Hardin's settlement
12
Iron works
17 Russel's creek
15 Forks of Licking
12 Sovereign's valley 10
Big bone Lick
13 Widow Wiljohn's
5
Tanner's .
5 Estill's station 10
Drennon's lick
10 Stevenson's.
10
Mouth Kentucky
19 Lackey's .
8
Patten's creek . 10 Noke's lick
9
December 1, 1787.
" Whereas, the subscribers to the proposals for establishing a society, to be called the " Kentucky society for promoting useful knowledge," were prevented from meeting on the fourth Monday in September last, according to appointment. and it is probable that a meeting of the subscribers cannot. in any short time be had, and absolutely necessary that something should be done for the benefit of the society, without further loss of time, it is proposed by sundry subscribers that a select committee. curator, and treasurer, shall be forthwith chosen by the sub- seribers, in the (only) manner which their dispersed situation will at present admit of. The committee, curator, and treasurer to act in their several capacities, till a meeting of the subscribers can be had.
" Each subscriber is therefore requested to forward to Mr. Thomas Speed, at Danville, before the fifth day of February next, a list of such gentlemen as he chooses to constitute a select committee : and also the names of such gentlemen as he wishes to be appointed curator and treasurer.
" It is proposed that such gentlemen as are found on the said first day of Feb- ruary next, to have a majority of such votes in their favor, as have then came to hand, shall he a select committee. and act as curator and treasurer, till a meeting as above mentioned can be had.
" A list of all the subscribers is hereunto subjoined ; and it is necessary to ob- serve that the select committee is to consist of seven members, including the chairman, who is to be chosen by the committee."
George Muter, John Jouet !.
John Coburn,
Samuel Me Dowell. Thomas Allen,
George Gordon.
Harry Iones. Robert Todd.
Alexander D. Orr.
James Speed. .
Joseph Crockett,
Robert Barr,
William McDowell,
Chenezer Brooks,
Horace Turpin,
Willis Green,
T. Hall,
Robert Johnson,
Thomas Todd,
Caleb Wallace,
John Craig, James Garrard,
Thomas Speed,
William Irvine,
Gabriel J. Johnson,
Charles Seott,
Isaac Shelby,
Joshua Barbee,
Levi Todd.
David Leitch,
Stephen Ormsby,
James Parker,
HI. Marshall,
J. Överton, jun.,
Alexander Parker,
Christopher Greenup.
J. Brown, John Fowler,
1
275
JOHN PATTERSON.
Education .- Notice is hereby given, that on Monday the 28th of January next, a school will be opened by Messrs. Jones & Worley, at the royal spring in Leb- anon town, Fayette county, where a commodious house, sufficient to contain fifty or sixty scholars, will be prepared. They will teach the Latin and Greek lan- guages, together with such branches of the sciences as are usually taught in public seminaries, at twenty-five shillings a quarter for each scholar, one halt to be paid in cash, the other in produce at cash price. There will be a vacation of a month in the spring and another in the fall, at the close of each of which, it is expected that such payments as are due in cash, will be made. For diet, washing and house-room, for a year, each scholar pays three pounds in cash, or five hundred . weight of pork on entrance, and three pounds cash on the beginning of the third quarter. It is desired that as many as can would furnish themselves with beds; such as cannot may be provided for here to the number of eight or ten boys, at thirty-five shillings a year for each bed. ELIJAH CRAIG.
N. B. It would be proper for each boy to have his sheets, shirts, stockings, &c. marked, to prevent mistakes.
Lebanon, December 27, 1787.
Lexington, June 4, 1791.
On Wednesday the 25th ult. seven Indians killed a family about twelve miles from Danville, consisting of a man. his wife and five children. They were pur- sued by a party of men, overtaken, one killed and another wounded.
About the same time they took a prisoner with a number of horses from the neighborhood of Fort Washington, on the north-west side of Ohio.
Lexington, March 10, 1792.
On Monday evening last the Indians stole ten or twelve horses from near Grant's mill, on North Elkhorn ; and on Tuesday night burnt a dwelling house, together with all the household furniture belonging to the proprietors, they having left their houses late in the evening.
July 28, 1792.
Notice is hereby given, that the commissioners for fixing the permanent seat of government, will attend at Brent & Love's tavern in Lexington, on the first Mon- day in August next, and the succeeding day, to receive proposals from any per- sons authorized to make offers concerning the business of their commission, and will proceed from thence to view any place or places which will be thought most eligible.
Lexington, January 5, 1789.
A large company will meet at the Crab Orchard, on the 29th inst. in perfect readiness to make an early start through the wilderness the next morning.
Richmond, Va. October 21. 1788.
I propose attending the General Court in the District of Kentucky, as an Attor- ney, and shall be at the next March term, if not prevented by some unforeseen event. GEORGE NICHOLAS.
Col. JOHN PATTERSON was among the early settlers of Lexington. He camne to Kentucky shortly after the old pioneer Boone made his location here. He bought all the property on the hill, in the western limits of the city, a large por- tion of which is now very tastefully and beautifully improved. Colonel Patter- son commanded a company in the disastrous battle of the Blue Licks. In the retreat from the battle field an incident occurred, as rare as it was magnanimous and noble. Young Reynolds, whom the reader will remember for his rough and humorous reply to Girty at the siege of Bryant's station, after bearing his share in the action with distinguished gallantry, was galloping, with several other horsemen, in order to reach the ford. The greater portion of the fugitives having preceded them, their situation was extremely critical and dangerous. About half way from the battle-ground to the river, the party overtook Colonel (then Cap- tain) Patterson, on foot, infirm in consequence of former wounds received from the Indians, and so exhausted by recent exertions, as to be unable to keep up
276
FAYETTE COUNTY.
with his companions in flight. The Indians were close after him, and every mo- ment shortened the distance between thein. Reynolds, upon coming up with this brave officer, instantly sprung from his horse, aided Patterson to mount into the saddle, and continued his own right on foot. From his remarkable vigor and activity, he was enabled to outstrip his pursuers, and reach the opposite side of the river in safety. Here, finding that the water absorbed by his buckskin breeches, had rendered them so tight and heavy as to impede his flight, he sat down for the purpose of pulling them off, and was overtaken by a party of In- dians, and made prisoner. The pursuit was continued, and Reynolds, strictly guarded, was compelled to follow on. A small body of the flying Kentuckians, however, soon attracted their attention, and he was left in charge of -three Indians, who, eager in pursuit, in turn committed him to one of their number. Reynolds and his guard moved on at a slow pace, the former unarmed, the latter armed with a rifle and tomahawk. At length the Indian stopped to tie his moccasin, when Reynolds instantly sprung upon him, knocked him down with his fist. and quickly disappeared in the thicket which surrounded them. For this act of noble gen- erosity, Colonel Patterson afterwards made him a present of two hundred acres of first rate land. There is a moral beauty in this incident which cannot fail to elicit the admiration of every reader.
BENJAMIN HOWARD was an early adventurer to this county. He made a settie- ment at Boonsborough in 1775. He was a firm and decided whig in the revo- lution ; and was a volunteer at the battle of Guilford. While in the act of taking a wounded man from the field, he was attacked by Tarleton's light horse, and received five wounds, three of which were pronounced mortal by the surgeon who dressed them. He was a native of Virginia, and completed his education with the celebrated Dr. Samuel Daviess, afterwards president of Princeton college. He was a devoted christian. having lived an exemplary member of the Presby- terian church for upwards of eighty years. His only son, Governor Benjamin Howard, of Missouri, died at St. Louis in 1814. Mr. Howard out-lived all his family, except his second daughter, and died at the advanced age of 103, at the residence of Maj. Woolley (who married a grand-daughter) in Lexington.
NATHAN BURROWS was also among the first settlers of Lexington. About the year 1796, he introduced into Kentucky the manufacture of hemp-being the pioneer in that branch of manufactures ; but through the unworthiness of agents, he never reaped any advantage from it. He afterwards established a manufactory of mustard in Lexington, and produced the unrivalled article which still bears his name. He died in 1841.
ANDREW MCCALLA, the father of Rev. William L. and General John M. Mc- Calla, was another of the pioneers of Lexington. He spent most of his life in acts of charity and kindness. He was the projector, and main stay in its infancy, of the lunatic asylum. He died at a good old age.
JOHN BRADFORD was born in Fauquier county, Virginia, in the year 1749. He married Eliza James, daughter of Captain Benjamin James, of said county. in the year 1761, and had five sons and four danghters. He served for a short time in the revolutionary army, and came to Kentucky for the first time in the fall of the year 1779. He was in the battle with the Indians at Chillicothe. In the year 1783. he removed his family to Kentucky, and settled about for miles north of Lexington. on Cane run. In the year 1787, he, in conjunction with his brother. Fielding Bradford. (a venerable man, who now lives about two miles nearly north from Georgetown), established the " Kentucky Gazette," the first number of which was published in Lexington on the 11th of August in that year; under which title it was continued until the 14th of March, 1789, when it was changed to the " Kentucky Gazette," in consequence of the legislature of Virginia requiring certain advertisements to be inserted in the Kentucky Gazette. Fielding Brad- ford remained a partner until the 31st of Mav, 1788, when he withdrew from the concern : after which it was continued by John Bradford until the Ist of April, 1802, when he conveyed the establishment to his son, Daniel Bradford, who continued the publication of the Gazette for many years, and is still residing in Lexington, an acting magistrate of Fayette county.
The first number of the Gazette was published on a sheet of demi paper-the
977
WILLIAM TAYLOR BARRY.
second on a half sheet of the same size; but owing to the difficulty of procuring paper, it was soon after reduced to a half sheet fools-cap. and thus published for several months. It has been reported that the type on which the paper wes issued, were cut out of dog-wood by Mr. Bradford. This is not true, except as to particular sorts, which fell short, and also as to a few large letters, although he was a man of uncommon mechanical ingenuity.
ROBERT WICKLIFFE, sen., one of the pioneer lawyers of Fayette, is still living near the city of Lexington, in a green old age. He has represented the county for many years, in both branches of the legislature of Kentucky, and has discharged creditably and honorably, several other important public trusts. He bas borne an active and conspicuous part in all the leading questions which have agitated the State for nearly or quite half a century. When the State was rocked as with an earthquake, by the discussions on the relief and new court questions, Mr. Wick- liffe was among the most active and efficient champions of the constitutional judi- ciary. He is universally acknowledged to be one of the ablest land lawyers in the State ; and has, by his industry and devotion to his profession, amassed im- mense wealth.
One of the most noted citizens of Fayette, is GEN. LESLIE COMBS. He is a lawyer of high repute in his profession ; and, during the late war with Great 'Britain, was a brave and gallant soldier under Harrison. While out on the north- western frontier, he was highly distinguished as a brave, vigilant, and efficient officer. He was attached to the force under General Green Clay, which went to the relief of Fort Meigs in May. 1813. He volunteered at the head of five men, in an open canoe, to carry to Harrison the intelligence of Clay's approach, through swarms of hostile savages, who occupied every known avenue to the beleaguered fort. In this daring attempt he narrowly escaped death, and lost nearly all his men. He took part with distinguished courage, in the disastrous attack made upon the British batteries by Colonel Dudley, and was severely wounded, and taken prisoner, in that affair. He has repeatedly represented the county of l'ay- ette in the legislature of Kentucky, and always with ability. At the session of 1846-7, he was chosen speaker of the house of representatives, and presided over that body, during its sittings, with dignity and tact.
Colonel JAMES MORRISON, one of the most wealthy and influential citizens of Lexington in his day, was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1755. The son of an Irish emigrant, his native strength of inind gradually ele- vated him far above his humble origin. He served for six years in the army of the revolution, and distinguished himself as one of Morgan's select corps of rifle- men. After the war. he went into business at Pittsburgh, and rose to be shertil of the county. In 1792, he removed to Lexington, then presenting an inviting field to the adventurous and enterprising. Here he filled, in succession, the high and important trusts of land commissioner, representative in the legislature. su- pervisor of the revenue, navy agent, contractor for the north-western army during the war of 1810, quarter-master general, president of the Lexington branch of the United States bank, and chairman of the board of trustees of Transvivanta university. Col. Morrison was a man of commanding appearance; stern out courteous ; of great decision of character, native talent, wide experience, and c o- siderable reading. * He acquired immense wealth, which he disbursed in en 2. hospitality. judicious patronage of deserving young men, and the promsn .f letters. He died in the 68th year of his age, at Washington city. April 23. 1- 23, whither he had gone to obtain the settlement of a large claim against the go ... a- ment.
WILLIAM TAYLOR BARRY .- Among the many distinguished men who have mr. flected honor upon the west, the subject of this sketch ranks high for greit d'ali- ties and lofty virtues. No man who has figured so largely in the well-contested arena of western polities, ever left it with fewer enermes, or a larger number of admiring and devoted friends. He was born in the State of Virguda, on the day of 178, of reputable parentage, and early in life removed to Lexington, Kentucky, which continued to be his residence until he removed to
.Dr. Davidson's History of the Presbyterian church.
278
FAYETTE COUNTY.
Washington in 1829, to form a part of President Jackson's cabinet. In 1835, he was appointed minister to Spain. He sailed for his destination by the way of Liverpool, but on his arrival at that city, he was arrested by disease, which, in a short time, consigned him to a premature grave, where his remains still rest.
Major Barry was eminent as a lawyer, and pre-eminently eloquent as an advo- cate. During his professional career, he came in contact with inen of the high- est order of talents and merit; and among those who formed the pride and strength of the bar in Kentucky between the years 1800 and 1825, he held an equal rank with the foremost. Those who were witnesses of the struggles at the bar in interesting and important causes, between Major Barry and such men as Mr. Clay, Judge Bledsoe, and many others of similar grade, all unite in ex- pression of admiration for the man and the orator.
In Kentucky, the legal profession has always furnished a large proportion of its legislators. The ardent patriotism, the high order of talents which distin- guished him, as well as his benevolence of disposition, early pointed him out as a popular favorite. The fiery eloquence with which he stirred the minds of the multitude, gave him a controlling influence with the people, which was increased and secured by his many private virtues. He was accordingly early called to occupy places in the legislature of the State, by large majorities ; and at length, in 1820, he was elected lieutenant governor. During his legislative career, he was the zealous advocate of every public measure calculated to benefit the peo- ple. His report upon the subject of public education, is still referred to by the statesmen of Kentucky, as their guide on that all important subject. While holding the latter office, the division of parties, called old and new court, took place in Kentucky, which was accompanied by more violence than any which ever agitated the State. It divided the bar and the bench, as well as the people ; and those who, from this era, look back upon its struggles. may well doubt the correctness of a triumph over constitutional principles which were sustained by a Barry, a Rowan. a Bledsoe, and a Haggin.
When the series of outrages which England offered to this country, previous to 1812, were rousing the publie indignation, Major Barry warmly advocated the cause of his country, and by his ready eloquence, greatly aided in bringing the public mind to the issue which national honor and national safety alike deman- ded. After the declaration of war, he advocated its vigorous prosecution. When Governor Shelby led his countrymen in 1813. to take vengeance on England and her savage allies for the massacre of the river Raisin and fort Meigs, Major Barry held the responsible station of one of his aids. In that post he served during the severe and glorious campaign which terminated in the capture of the British aniny, the death of Tecumseh, and the conquest of a large portion of Upper Canada. His courage and conduct in that campaign, secured to him the appro- bation of his veteran commander, and the affection of his comrades.
In the change of parties which Mr. Clay's adherence to Mr. Adams in 1823, produced in Kentucky. Major Barry adhered to the democratic party, in whose ranks he remained without deviation until his death. He became, in fact, its head and leader in Kentucky, and contended, with his characteristic zeal and ability, for its principles and mesures. Being a candidate for the office of go- vernor in 182%. he canvassed the State, and in pursuance of the custom of Ken- tucky, he addressed numerous public meetings of the citizens. Although he failed in his election, being d frated by a majority of less than seven hundred votes, he acquired additional reputation by the contest, and added greatly in pro- ducing the triumph of the democratic party in the presidential election which fol- lowed, when the vote of Kentucky was given to General Jackson, against Mr. Adams, by nearly eight thousand majority. The bitter feelings which were crea- ted by the old and new court contest, which prevented many democrats from supporting him, alone prevented his election to the office of governor.
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