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 72
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Expressing a desire to study law, he was placed under the tuition of his rela- tive, Gen. Martin D. Hardin. He was forced to enter upon the practice of his profession, after a shorter term of preparation than was usual at that day .- for his father's property was little more than adequate to the support of his family ; and young Wickliffe found himself almost wholly dependent upon his own exertions for the means of subsistence. His appearance at the bar was greeted by many warm friends of his youth, to whose kindness he was much indebted for his sub- sequent success, and for whom he has ever expressed the most grateful regard. Yet he had to struggle against a tremendous competition.
The bar of Bardstown, when he commenced his professional career. was the ablest west of the Alleghany mountains. It comprised such men as Rowan, who. as an advocate, was excelled by few, if any, of his day : afterwards a judge of the highest court of the commonwealth, and senator in the Congress of the United States ; Pope, who has been pronounced, by good judges, one of the ablest debaters that this country has ever produced ; Hardin, who is well known as a skillful and learned jurist ; and, at a subsequent period, that prodigy. John Hays, whose marvellous eloquence is never spoken of without enthusiasm. 1; those who had the good fortune to hear him. In this battle of giants, Mr. Wirk- liffe, by fair and honorable exertion, forced his way to that high place in public estimation which he has ever since maintained.
When the popular mind began to be deeply moved in reference to the vindica- tion of our national rights and honor against the maritime tyranny of Engla .... Mr. Wickliffe took an active part, by public addresses, in preparing the poor's of that part of Kentucky in which he was then known, to support a declan o. of war. and to take a share in the struggle worthy of her renown for courage and patriotism. After war had been declared in 1812, he entered the service as a vol- unteer, but was soon after appointed aid to Gien. Winlock. He had been shown. to represent Nelson county in the legislature, which met in December, 1812. 15.4 was an important session. Kentucky had responded, with her usual alacrity, to the call of the country. During the preceding summer, great numbers of volun. teers had left their homes for the hardships and perils of the north-western call- paign. The general government having failed, in a great measure, to provide for their wants. the legislature threw open the treasury of the State ; and. at the saftte time that they devoted her revenues to the public service, pledged the lives of ber sons to the cause of the nation.
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CHARLES A. WICKLIFFE.
While this legislature was in session, came the news of that dreadful disaster A the Raisin, which covered the State with mourning. The two houses requested the venerable Gov. Shelby, then in the executive chair, to take command of the kontaktans, and lead them to victory and vengeance. Of all these measures or the vigorous prosecution of the war, Mr. Wickliffe was the zealous and etfi- rent advocate. His re-election, in 1813, was the best proof that his constituents approved his legislative conduct.
In this year, he was married to Miss Margaret Cripps, a lady who is justly ad- mired for her colloquial powers and social accomplishments, and esteemed by her intimate friends for other less brilliant, but still more valuable qualities. Her father, some months before her birth, had fallen in a dreadful conflict with the In- dians, near Bullitt's Lick, after a display of courage and generosity unsurpassed in the annals of western adventure.
When Gov. Shelby issued his proclamation, inviting his fellow-citizens to meet Hun at Newport, Mr. Wickliffe again volunteered, and was appointed aid to Gen. Caldwell. of the Kentucky troops, in which capacity he was present. and ren- dered valuable service, at the battle of the Thames. After that battle, he returned to Kentucky, and served in the ensuing session of the legislature. He then with- drew from public life, being under the necessity of providing for a family, by un- divided attention to his professional business.
In 1820, he was again elected to the legislature. In the session of that year the commonwealth bank was chartered. Mr. Wickliffe made an able speech against that measure, basing his opposition to it not only upon constitutional ground, but also upon the evils and dangers of the paper system. He continued a member of the legislature until his election to Congress in 1822. In 1-25, when the choice of a president devolved upon the house of representatives, Mr. Wickliffe. in opposition to most of his colleagues, voted for General Jackson, in accordance with the wishes of a large majority of the people whom he repre- sented. He preferred General Jackson to Mr. Adams, from his personal knowl- edge of their characters, as well as of their views in relation to the fundamental principles of the federal government. His re-election to Congress, by the unusu- ally large majority of two thousand votes, was a decisive proof of the approba- tion of his constituents. He continued to represent the same district in Con- gress until 1833, when the pressure of domestic cares and professional business compelled him once more to retire from public life.
During his ten years' service in the councils of the nation, his reputation stea- lily rose as a debater and a man of business. He was for several years chair- man of the important committee of public lands. and was chosen by the house one of the managers of the impeachment of Judge Peck, in which capacity he appeared before the senate, and made one of the ablest speeches reported in the proceedings of that celebrated trial.
Mr. Wickliffe was not long permitted to remain in retirement. The same year in which he left Congress, he was called upon by the people of Nelson county t, represent them in the legislature. In the session of 1834, he was chosea speaker of the house of representatives. At a subsequent session Mr. Wickhile Infted. supported and carried through the legislature, in the face of violent oppo- "tion, the bill establishing the present jury system of Kentucky. Every . ne Acquainted with the defects of the former system, must admit that we are ind -bird " Mr. Wickliffe for a valuable reform in the administration of justice-perhaps 's most important of all the objects for which governments are instituted.
Scarcely had he left the legislature, when, in 1836, he was chosen lieutenant governor of Kentucky, by which he became president of the senate. His Point- winding person, dignified manners, and prompt decision, well qualify him to po -- wir over a deliberative body. In 1539, by the death of Governor Clarke, he tale the acting governor of the commonwealth, and discharged the duties of " it high ofice with ability, integrity, and to the general satisfaction of the pub- i. He found the finances of the commonwealth in such a conditum, owing to the exercises of the internal improvement system, as threatened to impair the credit f the State. He saw that this state of things required a prompt remedy, and in no annual message, he called upon the legislature to prevent the further issue and sale of bonds, without an adequate provision for paying the interest on the vast liabilities already incurred.
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NELSON COUNTY.
In 1841, he was called by Mr. Tyler to a seat in his cabinet, as post master general of the United States. All who know him will acknowledge that he was well qualified for that responsible office, by methodical habits of business. saga- city, combined with serupulous attention to details. and unswerving determination to do his duty according to law, regardless of the clamors of interested men. The close of his official career was signalized by a transaction, perhaps the most memorable of his public life. It was his fortune to take a considerable share in bringing to its final consummation the annexation of Texas ; a measure which may be regarded as a link in a chain of events that will girdle the North American continent with a wide belt of illumination : which has given an impulse to the extension of anglo American institutions, that cannot be arrested until the circuit of rinpire shall have been completed on the shores of the Pacific.
In conclusion, we may remark that, though, like all men who have been prom- inently connected with public transactions, Mr. Wickliffe has given offence to many, his conduct in all the domestic relations, as a citizen, as a man of husi- ne,s, and as a christian gentleman, secures the respect and confidence even of his bitterest political enemies.
The Hon. BENJAMIN HARDIN is one of the ablest men in the State. He has frequently been a member of the legislature, and elector for president and vice- president. Ile was a member of Congress from 1815 to 1817, from 1819 to 123, and from 1833 to 1837. While in Congress, few occupied higher rank as a de- bater than Mr. Hardin. His style is peculiar, pungent, sarcastic, pointed and energetic; making him an antagonist to be feared. The late eccentric John Randolph, of Roanoke, in allusion to Hardin's peculiar style of oratory, used to call him " the kitchen knife," rough and homely, but keen and trenchant. As an advocate at the bar, he has few if any superiors in the State. In 1844, when William Owsley became governor of the State, he appointed Hardin his secre- tary of state, which office he held until February, 1817, when he resigned. His person is tall and commanding, his eye remarkably keen and penetrating, and his countenance exhibits striking indications of decided talent. In his politics he is a whig.
THOMAS NELSON, one of the signers of the declaration of independence, from whoin this county received its name, was a native of Virginia. He was educa- ted in England; and entered the Virginia house of burgesses, in 1774. In the military organization of Virginia. at the breaking out of the war, he was appointed to the command of a regiment. In 1915, he was sent to the general Congress, at Philadelphia, and was a member of that body at the time of the declaration of independence. About this time he was appointed, by the State of Virginia, a brigadier general, and invested with the chief command of the military of the State. In 1799, he was again, for a short time, a member of Congress. but was forced by ill health to resign his seat. In 1781, he succeeded Mr. Jefferson as governor of Virginia ; and continued to unite in himself the two offices of gov- ernor and commander of the military forces, until the surrender of Lord Corn- wallis. He died in 1789, aged fifty years.
The following incidents, from an esteemed and valuable contributor, were de- signed to appear under the head of Bullitt, but were not received until after the description of that county had passed through the hands of the stereotyper. They are too interesting to be lost, and we therefore transfer them to Nelson :
" If I could have taken the time, I might have given you many other interesi. ing particulars of the early times abont Bullitt's Lick-when the fires of an ilin- dred salt furnaces gleamed through the forest, and the Wyandot sat on Caha's knob and looked down on five hundred men on the plain below. I have sat in the fork of the chesnut-oak to which Caha was bound by the Indians. while thay procured his funeral pile out of the dead limbs of the pitch-pine that grass tit the mountain's side -- (they intended to burn him in sight of Bullitt's Lick). Som oxen had been turned out to graze, and were straggling up the hill side. The Indians heard the cracking of the brush, and supposing it to be their cucine. (the whites) coming in search of their lost companion, darted into the thicket en the opposite side of the hill. Caha improved their temporary absence-shipped his banda, and escaped in the darkness, and in a half hour arrived safe at the
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NICHOLAS COUNTY.
licks. A company was immediately raised, and made pursuit. They followed the trail of about twenty Indians to the bank of the Ohio river, and saw the In- Jians crossing on dead timber they had roiled into the river. Some shots were exchanged, but no damage was known to be done on either side.
" I have sat under the shade of the elm, about three miles north of Shepherds- ville, where Col. Floyd fell ; and have a thousand times walked the path that May and his companions pursued, as they returned from making surveys in the new county of Washington, when they were waylaid by some twelve Indians, about a mile and a half above Shepherdsville, on the south side of Salt river. The surveyors, including the elder May, were all killed but one -- his name was Hardin. He fled to the river bank, pursued by the Indians. There was a small station on the opposite side, (called Brashear's station, I think), about a quarter of a mile above the site of the present beautiful watering place called Paroquette Springs. The men in the station, about twenty-five in number, sallied out. Har- din ran under the river bank and took shelter. The whites, on the opposite side, kept the Indians off of lum with their rifles, until a part of their company ran down and crossed at the ford. (Shepherdsville), came up on the side Hardin was on, and drove the Indians from their prey. May's field-notes of his surveys were preserved, and subsequently sustained by the supreme court of the commonwealth."
In 1778, JOHN FITCH, for whom the honor has been claimed of having invented the steamboat, came to Kentucky, located a tract of land in Nelson county, and appears to have resided there for some time. He was a native of Connecticut -- a man of robust person and vigorous intellect-inclined to mechanics in his stu- dies and habits, but not educated as a practical mechanic. The idea of applying steam as a propelling power in navigation, first suggested itself to his mind while sitting on the bank of the Ohio river, and thinking of the vastness and fertility of the great valley watered by that and the Mississippi river. After repeated trials, and much annoyance from unsuccessful applications for assistance, he finally suc- ceeded in carrying his project into execution, and made a boat which was propel- led by steam. He visited Europe, in the course of his labors, and availed him- self of the knowledge to be obtained from an examination of Watts' improvement in the steam engine. He endeavored to procure a patent for his invention. but failed. The remainder of his life was spent in harassing efforts to make his inven- tion productive, but without avail. His disappointments preyed upon his spirit. He resorted to the bottle. and died in extreme poverty. He was interred in the public burial ground at Bardstown.
NICHOLAS COUNTY.
NICHOLAS county was formed in 1799, and named in honor of Colonel GEORGE NICHOLAS. It is situated in the north-east middle part of the State, and lies on both sides of the Licking river, which Hows through the county in a north-western direction. The other more important streams of the county are, Flat, Som- erset and Cassady's creeks. That portion of the county which borders upon Bourbon and Bath, is generally level or gently undu- lating, and is quite rich and productive : the remainder of the county, with the exception of the vallies of Licking and its trib- utaries, is broken oak lands. The soil is based on limestone, with red clay foundation. The staple articles of trade and com merce are, corn, hemp. cattle and hogs. Carlisle is the present seat of justice, 58 miles from Frankfort. It is a singular fact that the county seat has been located at every prominent point in the county. First at the Blue Licks ; next at Bedinger's mill,
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NICHOLAS COUNTY.
two miles above ; then at Ellisville, on the road from Maysville to Lexington ; and finally it found a permanent location at Car- lisle in 1816.
Number of acres of land in Nicholas, 142,305 ; average value of land per acre, $11.55 ; total valuation of taxable property in 1846, 82,456,145 ; number of white males over twenty-one years old, 1,623 ; number of children between five and sixteen years old, 2,121. Population in 1840, 8,745.
CARLISLE, the seat of justice for Nicholas county, is situated two miles cast of the Maysville and Lexington road, thirty-four miles from Maysville, fifty-eight miles from Frankfort, and five hundred and ten miles from Washington city : contains a new brick court- house, two churches, six lawyers, three physicians, two taverns, five dry goods stores, one drug and hat store, two tanneries and fifteen mechanics' shops. Population about 300. Incorporated in 1817. Moorefield is a small village, six miles east of Carlisle -containing one church, two physicians, four mechanics' shops, and about 40 inhabitants.
The BLUE LICK SPRINGS have, from various causes, become the most celebra- ted watering place in the west. It was here that the bloody battle was fought with the Indians, which shrouded Kentucky in mourning ; and next to Braddock's defeat, has become famous in the annals of savage warfare. At an early day. the Licks became a point of great importance to the settlers, as it was chiefly here that they procured, with great labor, and at much expense, their supply of salt. In modern times, it has become a favorite and fashionable resort, where hundreds of the elite of the land annually assemble in the pursuit of health or pleasure. The largest and most valuable spring, whose supply of water appears to be inexhaustible, is situated on the northern bank of the Licking river, about two hundred yards from that stream. The water has been analyzed by experi- enced chemists, and contains the following ingredients :- Sulphurated hydrogen, carbonic acid, muriate of soda, muriate of magnesia, muriate of lime, sulphate of lime, sulphate of soda. sulphate of magnesia, and carbonate of lime. In its action on the system, it is purgative. diaphoretic and alterative.
Since this watering place has passed into the possession of the Messrs. Holli- dav. the buildings have been greatly extended, the accommodations increased, and the grounds improved and beautifully adorned. The main hotel is six hun- dred and seventy feet in length. three stories high, and surrounded by large and airy galleries, righteen hundred feet in extent. It has a large and commodious dining room, ball room, and three elegantly furnished parlors. The large cedar grove which occupies the site of the battle ground, has been enclosed and set in blue grass, and affords a delightful retreat to visitors in the hot months of July and Angust. The Blue Lick water has become an important article of conuneree, several thousand barrels being annually exported.
On the 25th of September, 1776, Colonel John Todd, with a party of ten men, left Hinkston's station, for the purpose of removing the military stores secreted by General George Rogers Clark on Limestone creek,* (near Maysville.) ". Harrodsburg. When near the Blue Licks, they met a small body of Indrus. which was following the trail of Clark and his companions, who had made their way a few days previous to Harrodsburg. The savages made a sudden and vig- orous onset upon the whites, killing Jones and one or two others, making two or three prisoners, and putting the remainder to flight.
In January, 1974, accompanied by thirty men, Boone went to the Bine Licks to make salt for the different stations ; and on the seventh of February following. while out hunting, he fell in with one hundred and two Indian warriors, on thea march to attack Boonsborough. fle instantly fled, but, being upwards of fifty
· See sketch of General George Rogers Clark.
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THE BLUE LICK STRIN
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BATTLE OF THE BLUE LICKS.
years old. was unable to contend with the fleet young men who pursued him, and was a second time taken prisoner. As usnal he was treated with kindness nutil his final fate was determined, and was led back to the Licks, where his men were still encamped. Here his whole party. to the number of twenty-seven. sur- rendered themselves, upon promise of life and good treatment, both of which con- ditions were faithfully observed .*
In 1782, the Indians having committed some depredations at Hoy's station, and taken two boys prisoners, Captain Holder raised a party of seventeen men and pursued them. Near the Upper Blue Licks, he came in sight of the enemy, and a spirited conflict ensued ; but Captain Holder finding his force greatly inte- rior in number to the Indians, very prudently gave orders to retreat, which was effected with the loss of four men killed and wounded. The loss on the part of the Indians was never ascertained.
On the 19th of Angust, 1782, the fatal battle to which we have previously re- ferred, took place. on the old State road. about half a mile north of the Lower Blue Licks. The Kentuckians who fought this battle left Bryant's station on the afternoon of the 18th, and was composed of one hundred and eighty-two men, according to General G. R. Clark, and of one hundred and sixty-six, ac- cording to Mr. Marshall. The subjoined account of the troops, pursuit, and bat- tle, we copy from MeClung's Sketches :
"Colonel Daniel Boone, accompanied by his youngest son, headed a strong party from Boonsborough ; Trigg brought up the force from the neighborhood of Harrodsburg, and. Todd commanded the militia around Lexington. Nearly a third of the whole number assembled was composed of commissioned officers, who hurried from a distance to the scene of hostilities, and for the time took their station in the ranks. Of those under the rank of colonel, the most conspicuons were Majors Harland, McBride, MeGary, and Levi Todd, and Captains Bulger and Gordon. Of the six last named officers, all fell in the subsequent battle, ex- cept Todd and MeGary. Todd and Trigg, as senior colonels. took the command, although their authority seems to have been in a great measure nominal. That, however. was of less consequence, as a sense of common danger is often more binding than the strictest discipline.
" A tumultuous consultation. in which every one seems to have had a voice, terminated in an unanimous resolution to pursne the enemy without delay. It was well known that General Logan had collected a strong foree in Lincoln, and would join them at farthest in twenty-four hours. It was distinctly understood that the enemy was at least double. and. according to Girty's account. more than treble their own numbers. It was seen that their trail was broad and obvious, and that even some indications of a tardiness and willingness to be pursued. had been observed by their scouts, who had been sent out to reconnoitre. and from which it might reasonably be inferred that they would halt on the way, at least march so leisurely, as to permit them to wait for the aid of Logan! Yet so keen was the ardor of officer and soldier, that all these obvious reasons were over- looked. and in the afternoon of the 18th of August, the line of march was taken up, and the pursuit urged with that precipitate courage which has so often been fatal to Kentnekians. Most of the officers and many of the privates were mounted.
"The Indians had followed the buffalo trace, and as if to render their trail suil more evident. they had chopped many of the trees on each side of the road with their hatchets. These strong indications of tardiness, made some impression upon the cool and calculating mind of Boone; but it was too late to advise re- treat. They encamped that night in the woods, and on the following dav reached the fatal boundary of their pursuit. At the Lower Blue Licks, for the first time once the pursuit commenced, they came within view of an enemy. As the mis- cellaneous crowd of horse and foot reached the southern bank of Licking, they saw a number of Indians ascending the rocky ridge on the other side.
" They halted upon the appearance of the Kentuckians, gazed at them for a few moments in silence, and then leisurely disappeared over the top of the hill. A hait immediately ensued. A dozen or twenty officers met in front of the ranks,
* Life of Boone.
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NICHOLAS COUNTY.
and entered into consultation. The wild and lonely aspect of the country around them, their distance from any point of support, with the certainty of their being in the presence of a superior enemy. seems to have inspired a portion of serious- ness, bordering upon awe. All eyes were now turned upon Boone, and Colone! Todd asked his opinion as to what should be done. The veteran woodsman, with his usual unmoved gravity, replied :
" That their situation was critical and delicate; that the force opposed to them was un- doubtedly numerous and ready for battle, as might readily be seen from the leisurely retreat of the few Indians who had appeared upon the crest of the hill; that he was well acquain. ted with the ground in the neighborhood of the Lick, and was apprehensive that an ambu- cade was formed at the distance of a mile in advance, where two ravines, one upon each side of the ridge, ran in such a manner that a concealed enemy might assail them at once both in front and flank, before they were apprised of the danger.
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