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 50
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Whilst be filled the highest executive office of the State, it may be said of him tha: no one ever discharged its duties with a more scrupulous regard for the pub-
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lic good. Prompt, assiduous and faithful in the labors which claimed his own personal attention as governor, he required the same of all who were under his immediate control and influence. In his appointments to office, he always re- served and exercised the right to select those only whom he knew to be qualified, and in whom he himself reposed confidence. In this he was never governed or swayed by the number or character of the petitioning friends of an applicant for office. It was to the man himself he looked, and that, too, through his own and not the eyes of another. His great object in making choice of public officers having been always to promote those only who were the most worthy and the best qualified, it was a source of the highest gratification to him afterwards. to know himself, and to see all convinced, that he had accomplished it. Often has he been heard in conversation to dwell, with pride, on the appointments of men to office, who afterwards proved themselves, by their public services, to have been worthy of them. And it may not be improper to say, that of none did he speak more frequently, and with a prouder satisfaction. than of his appointment of Wil- liam M'Clung as judge of the Mason circuit court, of Robert Trimble as judge of the court of appeals, and of Robert Alexander as president of the bank of Kentucky. In consequence of Judge M'Clung's connection with a family in Ken- tucky who were looked upon as leading federalists in the State, his appointment to office was at first unpopular Time, however, convinced the community, as they acknowledged to the governor, that he had appointed a man of the highest integrity, firmness and capacity.
A circumstance occurred while he was in office, calculated to illustrate very forcibly the character of Governor Greenup as a man of high sense of justice, and who felt always the full force of moral obligations in the administration of civil government. Before the resignation of Judge Muter as one of the judges of the court of appeals, it was known that, although a correct and honest man, who performned the duties of his office to the best of his abilities, he had become superannuated; and owing to this fact, he was induced to resign his seat, with a promise that a pension should be allowed him during the remainder of his life, in consideration of his public services. The legislature accordingly passed an act, shortly after his resignation, allowing him a small pension. Some time after- terwards, however, an effort was made in the legislature to repeal this act, which ultimately proved successful. Governor Greenup, however, esteeming it an act of injustice, and a breach of the public faith, with a degree of decision and high moral courage worthy of himself and his fame, interposed his constitutional pre- rogative, and vetoed the bill.
HANCOCK COUNTY.
HANCOCK county was formed in 1829, and called after JOHN HAN- cock, president of the continental Congress. It is situated in the west middle part of the State, and lies on the Ohio river-boun- ded on the north by the Ohio, east by Breckinridge, west by Da- vriss, and south by Grayson and Ohio counties. The surface of the county is diversified. Along the Ohio river, the bottom varies in width from one to seven miles, and the lands are level and re- markably rich and productive. The face of the country back of the river hills is undulating, and the lands second rate. The staple products are wheat, corn, oats, tobacco, &c. The hills abound in coal of a fine quality, and the article must ultimately become one of extensive export.
The taxable property of Hancock in 1846, was valued at $633,- 972; number of acres of land in the county, 67,458; average value
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of land per acre, $3,69; number of white males over twenty-one years old, 543 ; children between five and sixteen years, 705. Population in 1810, 2,581.
The towns of the county are Hawesville and Lewisport HAWESVILLE, the seat of justice, is situated on the Ohio river, about one hundred and fifty miles from Frankfort. It contains the usual public buildings, a Baptist and a Methodist church, a public and a private school, five lawyers, five physicians, ten stores, one tavern, thirty mechanics' shops, and thirty coal dig. gers. Population 500. There are three coal banks worked here, which supply the town and steam boats with fuel. Named after the late Richard Hawes, who was the original proprietor. Lew- isport is a small village on the Ohio river, containing one school, one tavern, three stores and two doctors, with a population of 200.
About four miles above Hawesville, and about three-fourths of a mile from the Ohio river. there is a natural curiosity which is worthy of note-it is a NATURAL FORTIFICATION, being a circular table of land, surrounded on all sides by a cliff of from fifty to one hundred and twenty-five feet in height, generally projecting at the top, and impossible of ascent, except in one place, where it seems to have slided over and formed an inclined plane. A string of fence of twenty poles, renders it impossible of ingress or egress to stock, and makes it a fine park for deer. By a little work in digging, it might be rendered impregnable ; and if it were so situated as to command some water course or strait, or exposed point on the frontier, might be made valuable to the country. Where located, it is thought to be a favorable site for an armory or garrison, as a communication could be easily opened to the Ohio river, by a rail road three-quarters of a mile long.
On the Ohio river, some five miles above Hawesville, there is a mound or general barial place of the dead. The site is one of romantic and picturesque beauty, beneath an overhanging cliff of considerable height, which ahnost en- tirely shelters this repository of bones. The thick timber and undergrowth sur- rounding it, gives a sombre and melancholy appearance to the scene, well befitting the resting place of the unknown dead. The bodies seem not to have been deeply interred, for the surface is covered with bones ; and with a stick they may be dis- interred in numbers. or kicked up with the foot. The mound has never been explored, but in the external examinations, no other bones have been discovered but those of human beings.
About one Juindred yards from the mound, there is a spring, issuing from a ledge of rock, from which is discharged a bituminous matter, similar in smell and consistency to common tar. This spring is some seven or eight miles from the " Tar Spring " in Breckinridge county, and is supposed to be a continuation of the same stream.
JOHN HANCOCK, in honor of whom this county received its name, was born at Quincy, near Boston, and graduated at Harvard University in 1754. On the sud den derise of an uncle in 1761. be succeeded to his large fortune and business, both of which he managed with great judgment and munificence. As a member of the provincial legislature, his zeal and resolution against the roval governor and the British ministry. reudered him so obnoxious to them, that, in the proc .- mation of General Gage, after the battle of Lexington, and before that of Bunker Hill, offering pardon to the rebels, be and Samuel Adams were specially excepted, their offences being "of too flagitious a nature to admit of any other consideration than that of condign punishment." This circumstance gave additional celebrity to these two patriots, Mr. Hancock was president of the provincial Congress of Massachusetts, until he was sent as a delegate to the general Congress at Pinis- delphia in 1773. Soon after his arrival there. he was chosen to succeed Peyton Randolph as president, and was the first to affix his signature to the declaration of independence. He continued to fill the chair untit 1779, when he was coni- pelled by disease to retire from Congress. He was then elected governor of Mas-
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sachusetts, and was annually chosen from 1780 to 1785. After an interval of two years, he was again re-elected, and continued to hold the office until his death, which occurred on the 8th of October 1793, at the age of fifty-six years In the interval, he acted as president of the state convention for the adoption of the federal constitution, for which he finally voted. His talents were rather use- ful than brilliant. He seldom spoke, but his knowledge of business, and keen insight into the characters of men, rendered him a superior presiding officer. In private life, he was eminent for his hospitality and beneficence.
HARDIN COUNTY.
HARDIN county was formed in 1792, and named after Colonel JOHN HARDIN. It is situated in the west middle part of the State, and lies on the waters of Salt river-bounded on the north by Bullitt and Meade ; east by Nelson and Larue ; south by Grayson, and west by Breckinridge. It presents the different varieties of surface, viz : rolling, hilly and flat. In its northern and western portions, being hilly and thin land ; in its eastern and southern portions, it is rolling, with rich alluvial soil ; and in its central portion, presents a flat and sandy surface, which, in the common pirlance of the country, is called " barrens." The staple products are corn and tobacco.
The taxable property of Hardin in 1846 was valued at $2,781,- 397 ; number of acres of land in the county, 314,604; average value of land per acre, $3,69; number of white males over twenty-one years of age, 2,278; number of children between five and sixteen years old, 3,062. Population in 1840, 16.357.
There are five towns in Hardin, viz: Elizabethtown (the county seat,) West Point, Stephensburg, Red Mill and Big Spring ; the latter place located in the corner of three counties-Breckinridge, Meade and Hardin. ELIZABETHTOWN was laid off fifty odd years ago, by Mr. Hynes (the same gentleman who laid off Bardstown) and was so called from the christian name of his wife .. It is pleas- antly situated on Valley creek, immediately on the great thorough- fare from Nashville to Louisville. It has a population of twelve hundred inhabitants, the houses generally of brick, and hand- somely constructed ; contains a Methodist, Presbyterian and Bap- tist church, six physicians, eight lawyers, six mercantile houses, a male and female seminary, and twelve mechanics' shops. Dis- tance from Frankfort, seventy-five miles. West Point is situated at the mouth of Salt river, twenty-four miles from Elizabethtown. Located here, are four physicians, four mercantile houses, and recently there has been an extensive boat yard established, which is doing a flourishing business.
About the year 1781. a band of Indians came into Hardin county, and atter colmihitting numerous depredations and killing some women and children, were pursued by the whites. During the pursuit a portion of the Indians, who were on stolen horses, took a sontherly direction so as to strike the Ohio about where Brandenburg is now situated; while the other party, who were on foot, attempted
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to cross the Ohio at the mouth of Salt river. The whites pursued each party, the larger portion following the trail of the horses-the smaller the foot party. Among the latter was the hero of this sketch. Peter Kennedy. Young Kennedy was noted for his fleetness of foot. strength of body and wary daring. He was selected as their leader. They pursued the Indians to within a mile of the river, the Indians awaiting them in ambush. The Indians were ten in number, the whites six. As they were led on by their daring leader in an effort to overtake them before they could reach the river, all of his comrades were shot down, and he was left to contend single handed with ten fierce and savage Indians. This was an odds calculated to make the bravest tremble; but young Kennedy was determined to sell his life as dearly as possible. With one bound he reached a tree, and awaited his opportunity to wreak vengeance upon the savage foe. The savages, with their usual wariness, kept their cover ; but at last one, more impatient than the retainder, showed his head from behind a tree. As quick as thought, Kennedy buried a rifle ball in his forehead, and instantly turned to flee ; but no sooner did he abandon his cover, than nine deadly rines were levelled at him and instantly fired. and with the fire a simultaneous whoop of triumph, for the brave Kennedy fell, pierced through the right hip with a ball. Disabled by the wound, and unable to make further resistance, he was taken prisoner and im- mediately borne off to the Wabash, where the tribe of the victorious party belonged.
The wound of Kennedy was severe, and the pain which he suffered from it, was greatly aggravated by the rapid movement of the Indians. The arrival of the party was hailed with the usual demonstrations of Indian triumph-but Ken- nedy, owing to his feeble and suffering condition, was treated with kindness. His wound gradually healed. and as he again found himself a well man, he felt an irrepressible desire for freedom. He determined to make his escape, but how to effect it was the question. In this state of suspense, he remained for two years; well knowing that, however kindly the Indians might treat a prisoner when first captured. an unsuccessful attempt to escape would be followed by the inffiction of death, and that. too, by the stake. But still Kennedy was willing to run this risk, to regain that most inestimable of gifts-freedom. The vigilance of the Indians ultimately relaxed, and Kennedy seized the opportunity, and made good his escape to this side of the Ohio.
Hitherto Kennedy had rapidly pressed forward without rest or nourishment, for he knew the character of the savages, and anticipated a rapid pursuit. Hun- gry and exhausted, he was tempted to shoot a deer which crossed his path, from which he cut a steak, cooked it, and had nearly completed his meal, when he heard the shrill crack of an Indian ritle, and felt that he was again wounded. but fortunately not disabled. He grasped his yun and bounded forward in the direc- tion of Gooden's station, distant nearly thirty miles. Fortunately, he was ac- quainted with the localities, which aided him greatly in his flight. The chase soon became intensely exciting. The fierce whoop of the Indians was met with a shout of defiance from Kenedy. For a few minutes at the outset of the chase, the Indians appeared to gain on him ; but he redoubled his efforts, and gradual- ly widened the distance between the pursuers and himself. But there was no abatement of effort on either side-both the pursuers and pursued put forward all their energies. The vell of the savages as the distance widened, became fainter and fainter-Kennedy had descended in safety the tall cliff on the Rolling fork, and found himself. as the Indians reached the summit. a mile in advance.
Here the loud voll of the savages reverberated along the vallies of that stream, but so far from damping, infused new energy into the flight of Kennedy. The race continued. Kennedy still widening the distance, to within a short dts tance of Gooden's station. when the Indians, in despair. gave up the chase. Ken- nedy arrived safely at the station, but in an exhausted state. His tale was soon told. The men in the station instantly grasped their rifles, and under the direc- tion of Kennedy, sallied forth to encounter the savages. The scene was now changed. The pursuers became the pursued. The Indians, exhausted by their long continued chase, were speedily overtaken, and not one returned to their tribe to tell of the fruitless pursuit of Kennedy! Kennedy lived in Hardin to a very old age, and left a numerous and clever progeny.
About the middle of September, 1782, a roving band of Indians made their ap-
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A BRAVE YOUTH.
pearance in Hardin county. and committed several depredations. Silas Hart, whose keen penetration and skill as an Indian fighter, had extorted from them the name of Sharp-Eye. with other settlers, pursued them ; and in the pursuit, Hart shot their chief. while several others of the party were also killed. Only two of the Indians made good their escape. These conveyed to the tribe the intelligence of the chieftain's death. Vengeance was denounced by them against Sharp-Eye and his family. for the death of the fallen chief, and speedily did the execution follow the threat! A short time thereafter. a band of Indians, led by a brother. of the slain chieftain, secretly and silently made their way into the neighborhood of Elizabethtown, where they emerged from their hiding places, and commenced their outrages. The neighborhood was instantly aronsed, and Hart, always ready to assist in repelling the savage foe. was the first upon their trail. The whites followed in rapid pursuit for a whole day, but were unable to overtake theni. As soon as they had turned towards their homes. the Indians, who must have closely watched their movements, turned upon their trail, and followed them back to the settlements. Hart arrived at his home (five miles from Elizabethtown) about dark in the evening, and slept soundly through the night, for he had no apprehen- sion of further Indian depredations. On the succeeding morning. just as the fam- ily were seating themselves to partake of their frugal meal. the band of Indians, who had been prowling round the house all night, suddenly appeared at the door, and the brother of the fallen chief shot Hart dead! The son of Hart, a brave youth only twelve years old, the instant he saw his father fall, grasped his rifle, and before the savage could enter the door. sent a ball through his heart -- thus avenging. almost as quick as thought. a beloved parent's death. The Indians then rushed to the door in a body. but the first who entered the threshhold. had the hunting knife of the gallant boy plunged to the hilt in his breast, and fell by the side of his leader. A contest so unequal, could not. however, be maintained. The youth, with his mother and sister, were overpowered and hurried off to the Wabash as captives. The sister, from the feebleness of her constitution, was unable to bear the fatigue of a forced march, and the Indians dispatched her after proceeding a few miles. The mother and son were intended for a more painful and revolting death.
Upon the arrival of the party at the Wabash towns, preparations were made for the sacrifice, but an influential squaw, in pity for the tender years. and in ad- miration of the heroism of the youth, interposed and saved his life. The mother was also saved from the stake, by the interposition of a chief, who desired to make her his wife. The mother and son were ultimately redeemed by traders, and returned to their desolate home. Mrs. Hart (who has often been heard to declare, that she would have preferred the stake to a union with the Indian chiet ) subsequently married a man named Countryman, and lived in Hardin to a very Avanced age, having died but a few years since. Young Hart, now well stricken in years, is believed to be an inhabitant of the State of Missouri.
In the year 1790. Mr. Frederick Bough arrived in Kentucky, and being on the 13th of October in that year, in company with a young man of his acquaintance, wir Jacob Vanmeter's fort. in Hardin county. fell in with a party of Indians. Is they approached, he observed to his companion that he thought he saw an In- din ; bat the young man ridiculed the idea, and coolly replying, " you are a fool for having anch thoughts," kept on his way. They soon discovered a party of Indians within ton yards of them. The young man. exclaiming. " Good God! there they are!" Hed with the utmost precipitation, but taking the direction fine the fort, was soon caught by one of the savages, and barbarously killed. Mr. Bongh. in whining towards the fort, was fired at by the whole party in pursuit. which consisted of that, and was hit by three of them. Our ball struck him in the left arm. in pher on the right thigh, and the third, passing through his warst- at and Mist, grazed the skin of his left side. He was still, however, able to run, but, in attempting to cross a creek on his way to the fort, he stuck in the wet, when one of the Indians caught him, pulled him out, and felt of his arm to .... if it was broken. Finding it was not, he pulled out a strap with a loop at the end, for the purpose of confining Mr. Bough; but he. suddenly jerking may his hand, gere the savage a blow on the side of the head, which knocked i lum down. By this time two other Indians came up, the fourth having gone in, 22
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pursuit of the horses. Mr. Bough kicked at the one he had knocked down. but missed him. Just at that moment one of the other Indians aimed a blow at his head with a tomahawk, but in his eagerness struck too far over, and hit only with the handle, which, however, nearly felled Mr. Bough to the ground ; but he. in- stantly recovering himself, struck at the tomahawk and knocked it out of his antagonist's hand. They both grasped at it, but the Indian being quickest, picked it up, and entered into conversation with his companion. The latter then struck Mr. Bough with a stick, and as he stepped forward to return the blow, they all retreated, (probably fearing an attack by a party from the fort), and sud- denly went off, leaving one of their blankets and a kettle, which Mr. Bough took with him to the fort. [The foregoing particulars were communicated to the edi- tor of the Western Review, in 1821, by Mr. Bough himself, then residing in Bath county.]
Colonel JOHN HARDIN Was born in Fauquier county, Virginia, October 1st, 1753. His parents were poor, and compelled to labor for their livelihood. Martin Har din, the father, removed from Fauquier county to George's creek, on the Monon gahela, when John was abont twelve years of age. He had already learned the use of the rifle. The new settlement was quite a frontier. Old Mr. Hardin thought it was in Virginia ; but it turned out, when the line was settled and run, that he was in Pennsylvania. In their new situation, hunting was an occupation of necessity ; and it was not long before Indian hostilities commenced, and war was added to the former motive for carrying the rifle. Young Hardin, finding even in the first of these, scope for the exercise of his active, enterprising dispo- sition, and not being called to any literary occupation, for there were no schools, hunting became his sole pursuit and chief delight. With his rifle he traversed the vales, or crossed the hills, or clambered the mountains, in search of game, insensible of fatigue, until he became one of the most expert of the craft. The rapidity and exactness with which he pointed his rifle, made him what is called a " dead shot."
In the expediton conducted by Gov. Dunmore against the Indians in 1774, young Hardin served in the capacity of ensign in a militia company. In the en- suing August, he volunteered with Captain Zack Morgan, and during an engage- ment with the savages, was wounded while in the act of aiming his rifle at the enemy. The better to support his gun, he had sunk on one knee, and whilst in this position. the ball struck his thigh. on the outer side, ranged up it about seven inches, and lodged near the groin, whence it never was extracted. The enemy were beaten and fled. Before he had recovered from his wound, or could dispense with his crutches, he joined Dunmore on his march to the Indian towns. Soon after the peace which ensued, Hardin turned his attention towards Kentucky, as to a scene for new adventure ; and had actually prepared for a journey hither. but this was abandoned, probably on account of the increasing rumors of an approach- ing wer with Great Britain. The American Congress having determined to raise a military forer, Hardin applied himself to the business of recruiting, and with such success that he was soon enabled to join the continental army with the com- mand of a second lieutenant. He was afterwards attached to Morgan's rifle corps. which was generally on the lines ; and with which he served until his resignation of his commission as first lieutenant, in December 1779. In the meantime he acquired and held a high place in the esteem of General Daniel Morgan. by whom he was often selected for enterprises of peril, which required discretion and intre- pidity to ensure success. A few anecdotes have been preserved, which illustrate very forcibly the coolness, courage, and eminent military talents of Hardin. and which are for that reason related. While with the northern army, he was sent out on a reconnotering excursion with orders to capture a prisoner. for the pur- pose of obtaining information. Marching silently in advance of his porty. he found himself on rising the abrupt summit of a hill, in the presence of three British soldiers and a Mohawk Indian. The moment was critical. but without manitest- ing the slightest licitation he presented his rifle and ordered them to surrender. The British immediately throw down their arms-the Indian clubbed his ass. They remained motionless, while he continued to advance on them ; but none of his men having come up to his assistance, he turned his head a little to one said and called to them to come on. At this time the Indian warrior observing his
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