USA > Kentucky > Daviess County > History of Daviess County, Kentucky, together with sketches of its cities, villages, and townships, educational religious, civil military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, biographies of representative citizens, and an outline history of Kentucky > Part 10
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The "presiding judge" referred to in one election was the title of the judge of the Quarterly Court, consisting of the ten magis- trates of the county, who had concurrent jurisdiction with the Cir- cuit Court in all except land cases. In 1867 the "Common Pleas" Court was established, but was soon abolished. It had original civil jurisdiction, but not criminal. It was also a Court of Appeal from the Quarterly Courts.
In 1869 the "additional tax" was that of a certain amount for common schools. Although defeated in the county, it was carried by the State.
In 1872 Mr. J. G. McFarland was elected to fill Jo Thomas' unexpired term.
In 1876 the "road law" voted upon was that which referred to working the roads. It failed of adoption.
In 1881 the two cents per $100 was for colored schools. Although the county of Daviess gave a majority against it, the proposition was carried by the State.
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
ELECTION RETURNS.
The election returns, as now on file in the county clerk's office, are complete for only a few years past, and these we give in this chapter. The fragmentary returns we give only in the respective precinct histories.
ELECTION, AUG. 4, 1851. Governor.
Archibald Dixon
831
L. W. Powell.
816
Senator.
John G. McFarland
986
-
Priest ..
548
Representative.
A. D. Croaby
887
Haynes.
695
ELECTION, AUG. 2, 1852.
Sheriff.
Landrum.
1101
507
Veech.
594
Railroad Tax.
For
406
Againat.
.1304
898
ELECTION, AUG. 6, 1855.
Campbell, Am.
elected.
S. O. Peyton, anti-Am.
Representative.
F. M. Daly.
.elected.
F. I. McLean
ELECTION, AUG .. 4, 1856.
Circuit Clerk.
J. P. Thompson, Am. ..
.897
Joseph Thomas, anti-Am. . . . 875
Sheriff.
22
Wm. Anthony, union.
. elected.
W. Vance, S. R.
5
J. G. Harrison, Am. .
...
.956
J. G. McFarland, anti-Am. . . 916
Circuit Judge.
40
James Stuart, Am.
. 635
J. Kincheloe.
.669
Commonwealth's .Attorney.
B. H. Helm, Am.
.832
ELECTION, AUG. 3, 1857. Senator.
Wm. B. Wall, Am.
A. Cosby, anti-Am. ....
about
25
S. O. Peyton, anti-Am
400
J. L. Johnson, Am
ELECTION, AUG. 1, 1859.
Governor.
Beriah Magoffin, dem ..
100
J. F. Bell, Am.
..
Representative.
John G. McFarland, dem
127
Thomas Landrum, opp ..
County Clerk.
M. L. Ogden, opp ..
21
Thoa. G. Watkina, dem.
ELECTION, AUG. 6, 1860.
Sheriff.
H. W. Scott, dem
John Locke
County Attorney.
J. H. McHenry
J. R. Claybrook
Appellate Clerk.
Clinton McClarty, S. R.
R. R. Bowling, ind. dem.
Leslie Combs, opp.
ELECTION, AUG. 5, 1861.
Representative .
C. T. Noel, Southern rights. ..
Geo. H. Yeaman, union .. . ... ..
Senator.
75
ELECTION, AUG. 4, 1862.
Circuit Clerk.
Joseph Thomas, union .. . . . 861 elected.
H. O. Hart, S. R ..
Sheriff.
Jo Harrison.
917
Appellate Judge.
R. K. Williama.
. . . . 719
Circuit Judge.
W. B. Wall ..
. .
.868
:53
James Stuart . . .
115
Commonwealth's Aftermy.
J. Chapeze. .
450)
219
J. Harrison
.261
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
County Judge.
A. G. Botts.
663
F. M. Beers.
321
County Clerk.
J. O'Brien
845
County Attorney.
W. S. McFarland. .
..
.... 808.
Assessor.
V. L. Moseley
608
Surveyor.
H. W. Scott.
327
Coroner.
J. W. Rumsey
497, elected.
Hines.
-- Richardson.
ELECTION, OCT. 27, 1862. Congressman.
Geo. H. Yeaman, union ...
..
502
565
Edward R. Weir.
63
ELECTION, NOV. 8, 1864. President.
Geo. B. Mcclellan, dem ..
.1124 1097
A. Lincoln, rep. ..
27
Surveyor.
H. W. Scott.
1904
Assessor.
J. W. Onan, dem
1863
J. J. Talbott.
162
Sam. Jewell, dem.
41
J. T. Moseley, dem
94
Coroner.
H. O'Bryan, Union
626
Brown
536
Road Tax.
For.
926
Against
536
ELECTION, AUG. 6, 1866.
Appellate Clerk.
Alvin Duvall.
1951
-
Hobson.
495
County Judge.
E. C. Berry.
489
G. W. Triplett.
1444
John S. McFarland.
610
County Clerk.
Duncan.
198
J. M. Hughes
447
O'Brien
642
- Jones.
1138
Sheriff.
E. A. Hathaway
732
W. H. Perkins.
1576
Taylor
1442
T. E. Crutcher:
546
ELECTION OF APRIL 15, 1867.
Railroad Subscription.
For.
.1231
192
Against.
1039
ELECTION, AUG. 5, 1867.
Governor.
John L. Helm, S. R ..
1618
1468
W. B. Kinkead, union dem .. 150
S. M. Barnes, rep. ..
58
Circuit Judge.
Geo. W. Williams, dem .... 711
585
J. L. Johnson, union dem ... 126
Common Pleas Judge.
C. G. Wintersmith, union .. . 1055
562
L. P. Little.
493
Representative.
J. Veech, union dem
747
J. W. Moseley, dem
834
H. C. McPherson
33
87
ELECTION, AUG 3, 1868. Governor.
J. W. Stevenson, dem.
.: 2475
2415
- Baker, union. ...
60
Circuit Judge.
Geo. W. Williams, dem .... 2413
Commonwealth's Attorney.
Baker Boyd, S. R
1070
R. Y. Bush, dem ..
140
Geo. W. Swoope, dem .... 1226
Circuit Clerk.
J. P. Thompson, S. R.
1769
927
M. L. Ogden, dem ..
842
Sheriff.
H. W. Scott ..
2493
Surveyor.
I. W. Sutherland, U. dem .. 1836
1467
W. Carico, S. R.
369
- Pearl.
40
ELECTION, NOV. 3, 1868. President.
H. Seymour, dem.
.2415
2197
U. S. Grant, rep.
218
Congressman.
W. N. Sweeney, dem.
.2360
2286
Samuel Langley, union ..... 174
ELECTION, AUG. 2, 1869.
State Treasurer.
James W. Tate, dem
1295
1073
E. R. Wing, rep. ..
222
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County Attorney.
442
103
HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
Senator.
Ed. Hawes, S. R. . ... . ....
1538
Representative.
C. Griffith, union dem ...
.. 1394
J. W. Gabbert.
306
1088
County Attorney.
V. T. Crawford, S. R.
.1347
School Tax.
For.
524
Against. .
1246
722
ELECTION, AUG. 2, 1870. Appellate Judge.
Wm. Lindsay
1948
G. W. Williams.
136
Circuit Judge.
M. F. Cofer.
2021
County Judge.
G. W. Triplett.
2048
A. G. Botts.
804
County Olerk.
Thomas C. Jones.
2029
-
- Moore.
802
County Attorney.
W. T. Ellis.
2056
Haynes
698
Sheriff.
H. W. Scott
2076
Maddux.
783
Surveyor.
I. W. Sutherland.
2066
--- Mayo.
786
Assessor.
Wm. Onan.
2087
Wooten
785
Coroner.
A. J. McAtee.
1978
Littell.
.796
ELECTION, NOV. 8, 1870.
Congressman.
H. D. McHenry, un. dem. . . 1197
W. J. Rothrock ..
..
.... 594
603
ELECTION, AUG. 7, 1871.
Governor.
P. H. Leslie, S. R.
.2478
1582
J. M. Harlan, rep.
.. 896
Representative.
Clint. Griffith, un. dem.
.1789
S. H. Jesse, S. R.
1144
F. H. Roberts, rep.
821
645
ELECTION, NOV. 5, 1872.
President.
Horace Greeley, lib. rep. .. . 2035
U. S. Grant, rep. . .
...
.1086
ELECTION, AUG. 12, 1874.
Appellate Clerk.
947
T. C. Jones. .
2807
J. B. Cochran.
398
Circuit Judge.
L. P. Little
1600
271
James Montgomery.
.582
James Stuart.
1329
Commonwealth's Attorney.
Jo Haycraft.
.1444
Eli H. Brown
.1699
255
Circuit Clerk.
F. F. Conway.
...
3371
County Judge.
Geo. W. Triplett.
2085
238
Geo. W. Jolly
1847
County Attorney.
Wm. T. Ellis.
.3423
Sheriff.
Henry W. Scott
3349
Jailer.
J. W. Slaughter
2786
J. M. Lanham.
.516
Coroner.
Geo. W. Mathis.
...
.2318
Surveyor.
Robert Frey
8267
Assessor.
Wm. T. Aull.
..
.3321
ELECTION, AUG. 2, 1875.
Governor.
.James B. McCreary, 8. R .. 2476 1453
John M. Harlan, rep. .. ... .. 1023
Representatives.
W. J. Taylor, S. R ..... 2267
J. G. Ford, S. R ..
.1907
elected.
A. J. Philpot, rep.
1050
Surveyor.
C. W. Gordon ..
...
.2113
ELECTION, AUG. 7, 1876.
Circuit Judge.
G. W. Ray, un.
.2048
318
J. A. Murray, dem.
.. 1730
Sheriff.
J. H. Gates, dem ..
... 2980
738
R. R. Coomes, dem ....... . 1642
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
Road Law.
For.
.800
Against.
8088
2788
ELECTION, NOV. 2, 1876. President.
8. J. Tilden, dem
.3369
2089
R. B. Hayes, rep.
1130
G. C. Smith, pro.
.1280
Congressman.
James A. Mc Kenzie, S. R .. 2809 2378
J. Z. Moore, un .. . .. .931
ELECTION, AUG. 6, 1877. State Treasurer.
James W. Tate, S. R ..
1575
1838
Isaac H. Trabue.
.237
Senator.
C. Griffith, dem
.1797
1137
V. P. Stateler.
.640
Representatives.
C. K. Tharp, dem ..
. .
,1971
A. Craycroft, dem ...
.. .. 1737
elected.
J. A. Shackleford.
202
ELECTION, NOV. 5, 1878.
Congressman.
J. A. Mckenzie, dem ...... 1136
John W. Feighan, rep ....
.264
872
Francis M. English, gbk ..
154
ELECTION, AUG. 5, 1879.
Appellate Judge.
Thos. H. Hines.
.8168
County Judge.
H. W. Scott.
2889
Geo. W. Jolly.
. ..
1693
County Attorney.
John L. McFarland.
.3732
County Clerk.
M. S. Mattingly
3554
Sheriff.
Ed. C. Davis
.3584
3857
E. S. Worthington
227
Assessor.
Gideon Allgood
3397
C. W. Thomas.
295
Surveyor.
C. W. Gordon
3388
Coroner.
J. W. Funk
... 3119
ELECTION, AUG. 4, 1879.
Governor.
Luke P. Blackburn, dem ... 1926 150
Walter Evans, rep.
418
C. W. Cook, gbk.
.283
Representatives.
R. W. McFarland, dem.2077
-
James Rudy, S. R ...... 2030 - elected.
E. S. Worthington, gbk.
241
Eugene O'Flynn, gbk.
296
Constitutional Convention.
For.
667
587
Against
80
Local Option or License.
For.
340
Against.
588
248
ELECTION, AUG. 3, 1880.
Circuit Judge.
Lucius P. Little, dem.
.2669
1065
James Stuart, ind.
1604
Commonwealth's Attorney.
111
Joseph Noe, dem
2159
Joseph Haycraft, dem
.2048
Circuit Clerk.
F. F. Conway
.3358
Sheriff.
Ed. C. Davis.
3368
Surveyor.
E. Edwards.
.2911
ELECTION. AUG. 1, 1881.
State Treasurer.
J. W. Tate
1457
Senator.
J. A. Munday.
1571
Representatives.
Geo. V. Triplett, dem.
.1529
J. H. Rudy, dem ..
.. . 1554
Both elected.
Sheriff.
A. B. Miller, dem.
1122
Coroner.
24
P. W. Clark.
460
G. W. Mathis.
436
J. B. Whelan. .
310
ELECTION, AUG. 7, 1882.
Judge of Superior Court.
J. H. Bowden, dem ..
... 2146
Appellate Olerb.
Thos. J Henry, S. R.,.
2012
1610
R. T. Jacob, S. R.
.402
County Judge.
H. W. Scott, dem
.2263
County Attorney.
Martin Yewell, dem.
.2327
County Clerk.
M. S. Mattingly, dem ....... 2366
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HISTORI OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
Sheriff.
Assessor.
A. B. Miller, dem ...
.1927
1352
J. J. Christian, rep.
.575
Surveyor.
School Tax.
E. Edwards, dem
2253
Coroner.
Geo. M. Hayden
..
..
.2210
OFFICIALS.
The following embraces the persons who have filled the various official positions in connection with the government and organiza- tion of the county :
JUDGES OF THE CIRCUIT COURT.
Henry P. Broadnax. .1815-'2
James L. Johnson. .1867
Alney McLean
1822-'4
George W. Williams
1867-'70
John Calhoon
1842-'5
Martin H. Cofer.
1870-'74
John P. Devereux. 1851
James Stuart. .
.1874-'80
Jesse W. Kincheloe.
1851-'56
Lucius P. Little
1880
James Stuart.
1856-'67
Beside these, special judges were appointed at various times, among whom were John H. McHenry and George H. Yeaman.
CLERKS OF THE CIRCUIT COURT.
George Handley. 1815-'27
Joseph Thomas. 1862-'68
Horace Allen ... .1827-'32
M. L. Ogden. .1868
John S. McFarland 1832-'45
John P. Thompson 1868-'72
William B. Wall.
1845-'56
Jo Thomas. .
1872
John P. Thompson
1856-'62
John G. McFarland.
1872-'74
Ward Payne. 1862
Frank F. Conway.
1874
The first Clerk, George Handley, is still, or was recently, living at Hodginsville, Ky. He retained the position till April, 1827, when he resigned the duties of the office. Horace Allen, who had previously acted as Deputy, became Clerk. Allen died while in office, and was succeeded by John S. McFarland, who resigned the position October, 1845. John P. Thompson also died while serv- ing as Clerk.'
COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEYS.
Henry Davidge.
-
John Chapeze. 1862
John H. McHenry. 1821
Baker Boyd. 1868
Alfred Allen ..
.1841-'51
Jo Haycraft.
1874
B. Hardin Helm 1856
-
Joseph Noe.
1880
Cicero Maxwell.
1858
G. A. Allgood.
.2385
For
. 607
Against.
1907
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
SHERIFFS OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
Charles Y. Duncan. 1815-'21
William Glenn. 1891-723
John Piles. 1823-'35
C. D. Jackson. 1849-'51
Thomas Landrum
1851-'55
Joseph G. Harrison 1855-'59
Warner Crow .1839-'31
John Daveiss
.1831-'33
R. C. Jett.
1833-'35
S. Hawes.
.1835-'87
H. W. Scott.
1868'-72
W. H. Perkins 1872-'74
H. W. Scott., 1874-'76
J. H. Gates
1876-'78
Ed. C. Davis
1878-82
A. B. Miller.
1882
COUNTY SURVEYORS.
James W. Johnson 1815-'33
I. W. Sutherland. 1868-'74
Robert Frey 1874
Geo. W. Triplett.
1834-'50
E. Turner. .
1874-'75
S. D. Shepherd. .1850-'54
C. W. Gordon 1875-'79
E. Edwards
1880
COUNTY JUDGES.
Thos. W. Watkins
1850-'54
Geo. W. Triplett, elected. . 1866'-70-'74
Geo. H. Yeaman
.1854-'58
H. W. Scott.
. ..
.1879
A. G. Botts. 1858-'66
C. Riley
Wm. N. Sweeney.
V. T. Crawford.
Henry Smith
W .T. Ellis.
1876-'80
- Dallam.
Martin Yewell 1882
W. S. McFarland
Joseph Noe
1882
Amos R. Taylor
COUNTY CLERKS.
Wm. R. Griffith. 1815-'18
James B. Watkins 1858-60
George Handley
1819-28
Jesse Moore. 1862
Horace Allen. ..
.1829-30
M. L. Ogdet. .1860
J. S. Mc Farland. .1831
John O'Brien. 1862
Wm. B. Wall. 1851-'56
Thos. C. Jones. .1866-'74
Graham Hughes.
1856-'58
M. S. Mattingly
1872
SENATORS.
John Handley (died in 1816) ... 1814
Benj. Duncan ..
1817
James Hillyer. 1818
James Johnston.
1819-'23
N. D. Anderson.
A. D. Cosby 1857-'61
Benj. Duncan ..
Robert Stephens. 1823-'27
Wm. R. Griffith .1831-'35
Anselm Waikins. .1835-'39
Wm. R Griffith .1839-'43
Francis Peyton
1843-'47
Geo. W. Triplett 1849
Camden Riley 1850
John G. McFarland. .1851-'53
John S. McFarland. 1853-'57
Wm. Anthony. 1861-'65
Edwin Hawes 1869-'73
Geo. W. Swoope 1873-'77
C. Griffith
1877'81
J. A. Munday
1881-'85
W. H. Perkins 1866-'68
E. McCreery
1837-'38
R. C. Jett.
1838-'39
William Newton. 1839-'41
William B. Baird. 1841
Joseph M. Potts. 1841-43
John G. Howard. 1843-'45
Henry Dugan 1845'-47
Abner Lee. . 1847-'49
Remus Griffith 1825-'27
J. Leman .. 1827-'29
John Locke ..
1859-'63
Joseph G. Ilarrison. 1863-'66
Rich. F. Bibb 1833-'34
R. R. Coomes. 1854-'58
H. W. Scott. .1858-68
COUNTY ATTORNEYS.
John H. Todd
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
REPRESENTATIVES.
Benj. Duncan .1816
John P. Devereux .1846
Wm. Glenn.
1817
Finley W. Wall. 1847
Benj. Duncan .18t8-'19
John H. McFarland 1 .. 848
Warner Crow 1820
Ben. Johnson. .. .1849
John Roberts.
1822
John S. McFarland. 1850-'51
Phil. Triplett. 1824
A. D. Co-by 1851-'53
Nestor Clay. 1825
Daniel M. Griffith. 1853-'55
John S. McFarland 1826
Andrew Jones .. 1855-'57
John Roberts. 1827
Francls M. Dailey 1857-'59
James W. Johnson 1838
John G. McFarland 1859-'61
Wm. R. Griffith. 1829
Geo. H. Yeaman. . 1861-'62
Simpson Stout. .1830
John S. McFarland 1862-65
John Roberts.
1831
Josiah Veer' 1865-'67
Richard Lockhart 1832
John W. Moseley
1867-'69
John B. Hinton
.1833
Clinton Griffith.
1869. 73
Wm. T. Sharpe.
1834
Ben Stout. 1873-75
Wm. R. Griffith. 1835
W. J. Taylor
1875-'77
Robert Griffith. .1836
J. G. Ford. 1875-177
Wm. Anthony
1837
C. K. Tharp .1877-"79
Wm. Newton. 1838
A. Craycroft .. 1877-'79
Warner Crow. 1839
R. W. McFarland 1879-'81
George W. Triplett .1840-'41
James H. Rudy 1879.'80
Warner Crow .. 1842-'43
Geo. V. Triplett. 1881-'83
James L. Johnson 1844
James H. Rudy 1881-'88
Camden Riley
1845
In 1788, when this portion of Kentucky was Nelson County, it was represented by John Steele and Matthew Walton, in the con- vention which ratified the present Constitution of the United States.
Of the earliest justices of the peace, we mention the names of John Calhoon, an eminent lawyer and great man; John Daveiss, who was acting in 1818; and Warner Crow, who had the office at least from 1818 to 1823.
THE COURTS.
Circuit Court .- The Fourteenth Judicial Circuit (or District) was erected by the Legislature of 1821, and comprised the counties of Muhlenburg, Hopkins, Union, Henderson, Daviess, Brecken- ridge and Ohio. Although this county is not actually named in the law, it was doubtless contained in the above district. 1 Litt. Laws, 400.
By Morehead & Brown's Digest of 1834, the Fourteenth Dis- trict was made to comprise Muhlenburg, Butler, Ohio, Daviess. Breckenridge and Hancock counties.
By the Revised Statutes of 1852 the Third District was created with the following counties: Breckenridge, Hancock, Daviess, Muhlenburg, Ohio, Grayson, Meade, LaRue and Hardin.
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
By act of 1856 the Third District comprised Breckenridge, Han- cock, Daviess, McLean, Ohio, Grayson, Meade, LaRue and Hardin
By act of 1868 the Fifth Judicial District was created thus: Breckenridge, Hancock, Daviess, Ohio, Grayson, Hardin, Meade.
By act of 1880, the Fourth Circuit was made to consist of Han- cock, Daviess, Ohio and McLean counties.
All the above may be very neatly tabulated as follows:
COUNTIES.
1821. 14TH .
1834. 14TH.
1852
1856. 3D.
1868. 5TH.
1880. 4TH.
Muhlenburg.
1
1
1
Hopkins
1
Union
1
Henderson.
1
Breckenridge
1
1
1
1
1
Ohio
1
1
1
1
1
1
Butler.
Hancock
1
1
1
1
1
Meade.
1
1
1
Grayson
1
1
1
LaRue.
1
1
Hardin
1
1
1
McLean
1
1
Daviess
1
1
1
1
1
1
At present the Circuit Court for Daviess County convenes the first Monday in March and September and the third Monday in January and July. Lucius P. Little is the present Judge. For a complete list of the circuit judges, see a preceding page in this chapter. The January and July terms are Criminal Courts. From 1875 to 1880 there were two judges, -a criminal and a circuit. John Allen Murray was the Criminal Judge and James Stuart the "Circuit " or "Civil."
The records of this court are complete from the organization of the county in 1815 to the present time. As a matter of interest and curiosity in this historical work we will copy the first proceed- ings of this body:
" At a Circuit Court began and held for the county and circuit of Daviess at the house of Thomas Moseley, Sr., at the Yellow Banks in said county on Monday, the 9th day of October, 1815, and in the twenty-fourth year of the Commonwealth, were present the Hon. Henry P. Broadnax; George Calhoon and Anthony Thompson, Esquires.
"The court proceeded to the appointment of a clerk, a majority concurring therein, and to appoint George Handley, Clerk of the Court, he having produced to the court a certificate from the Hon. John Boyle, William Cogan and William Owsley, Judges of the
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Court of Appeals, and attested by Achilles Sweet, Esq., their clerk, certifying that he, the said George Handley, has been exam- ined by their clerk in their presence and under their direction, and that they deem him well qualified to discharge the duties of clerk to any County Court, Circuit Court, or court of equal dignity within this Common wealth.
" And thereupon the said George Handley took the oath required by the Federal Constitution, the oath required by the Constitution of this State, the oath of office, and the dueling oath,-which oaths were administered to him by this court, and entered into bond in the penalty of $10,000 with Joseph Allen, Benj. Duncan, An- thony Thompson, Charles Y. Duncan and William R. Griffith, his securities, and which bond is in words and figures following, to wit:
"Know all men by these presents, That we, George Handley, Joseph Allen, Benjamin Duncan, Anthony Thompson, Charles Y. Duncan and William R. Griffith, are held and firmly bound unto the Commonwealth of Kentucky in the penal sum of $10,000, cur- rent money, and for the payment whereof we bind ourselves, our heirs, etc., jointly and severally, firmly by these presents, sealed with our seals, and dated this 9th day of October, 1815.
"The condition of the above obligation is, that if the above bound George Handley, who has this day been appointed clerk of the Cir- cuit Court of Daviess County, shall truly and faithfully discharge the duties of said office according to law, then the above obligation to be void, else to remain in full force and value.
GEORGE HANDLEY, [SKAL.]
Jo. ALLEN, [SEAL. ]
Executed in the presence of
BENJ. DUNCAN, SEAL.]
HENRY P. BROADNAX, Judge." CHARLES Y. DUNCAN, [SEAL.] ANTHONY THOMPSON, SEAL.]
WM. R. GRIFFITH. SEAL.]
FEDERAL JUDICIAL DISTRICT.
As early as 1868 a movement was set on foot for securing the establishment at Owensboro of the seat of a new Federal Judicial District. In the following winter a bill was introduced in Con- gress for the creation of an additional district for Kentucky, and Owensboro, Paducah and Bowling Green became competing points for the headquarters.
In February, 1880, the friends of Owensboro prepared an elabo-
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rate memorial to Congress, setting forth the arguments in favor of establishing a Federal Court here. A bill was accordingly intro- duced appropriating $30,000 for the erection of public buildings and the purchase of a suitable site in Owensboro, and vigorously advocated by Hon. J. A. Mckenzie, from this district. But Con- gress adjourned, June 16, without taking action on the bill.
In December, 1880, a petition was signed by fifty prominent citizens, requesting the Owensboro City Council to appropriate $200 or more to defray the expenses of two or more influential citizens to Washington to aid in securing the passage of that bill, or a similar one. J. A. Munday and J. Z. Moore were selected to attend to this errand; but the bill is still pending. The bill pro- vides for a building which shall serve both as a Federal Court building and a custom-house.
Appellate Court .- The Fourth Appellate District of Kentucky embraces the counties of Ballard, Butler, Cald well, Calloway, Crit- tenden, Christian, Daviess, Edmonson, Fulton, Grayson, Graves, Hancock, Henderson, Hickman, Hopkins, Livingston, Lyon, Lo- gan, Marshall, McCracken, McLean, Muhlenburg, Ohio, Simpson, Trigg, Todd, Union, Warren and Webster.
COUNTY COURTS.
The county judge is the presiding judge of the County Court, which is held the third Monday of each month. In October of each year the justices sit with him, for the purpose of making the county levy and appropriations from the county funds. Sitting alone, the county judge has jurisdiction of matters of probate, ap- pointment of guardians, granting licenses, supervision of all the public roads in the county, etc.
On the first Monday of February, May, August and November, the county judge holds a quarterly court, in which he exercises civil jurisdiction in cases where the claims do not exceed $200.
The above system was inaugurated with the present Constitution, in 1850. Before that time the justices held the County Courts which were presided over by the senior justice. Justices and con- stables were appointed by the Governor.
County Court .- This meets the third Monday of each month, II. W. Scott, Judge; M. S. Mattingly, Clerk; Martin Yewell, County Attorney; A. B. Miller, Sheriff; Gideon Allgood, Assessor.
Court of Claims .- Meets the third Monday in October. H. W. Scott, Judge. This court is held to levy taxes, audit claims, etc.
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Quarterly Court .- This is held the first Monday in February, May, August and November. II. W. Scott is the present Judge. Magistrates Courts .- These are held in the respective precincts. Sec the precinct histories. Justices of the peace, or magistrates, and constables, are elected the first Saturday in May-the justices for four years and the constables for two years, their terms com- mencing on the first of June following.
BAR ASSOCIATION.
An association of the lawyers was organized in Owensboro, in 1879. W. T. Owen is President, and J. A. Deane, Secretary, and W. L. Burton, Treasurer.
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CHAPTER V.
SKETCHES OF PUBLIC MEN.
As inore extended notices are required of many of the officials of Daviess County, including State and Government officers and representatives who have resided within the limits of this county, we devote a chapter to them; and as a matter of convenience we will include all the members of the present bar, and many of the past, in our sketches, and follow an alphabetical arrangement.
E. G. Adams, attorney at law and Justice of the Peace, is a son of Elisha and Artemesia (West) Adams, and was born in Upper- town, Oct. 7, 1849. He received a common-school education, and by close application was qualified to teach :. In 1870 he went to Louisiana, but the climate did not agree with him and he returned after an absence of a year and settled on a farm in Lowertown. He taught school about a year, and in 1873 managed his farm, hiring the labor. In 1878 he was elected Justice of the Peace for a term of four years, and in 1882 was re-elected. He was married April 15, 1869, to Mary Catherine, daughter of Richard C. and Sarah J. (Barrett) Fuqna. His wife died Aug. 16, 1879. They had three children-Mary Lou and Lou Ella, born Ang. 28, 1870, died in April, 1874; Helen Y., born July 28, 1878, is now living with Mr. Fuqna. After the death of his wife Mr. Adams moved into town and gives his attention to the duties of his office and the practice of his profession. He was admitted to the bar Jan. 20, 1883. He belongs to the I. O. O. F., K. of P., and I. O. G. T. He was also Master of Progressive Grange, and a member of the County and State Grange. He has delivered lectures on temper- ance; at the last one he had his horse stolen. Mr. Adams is a member of Walnut Street Baptist Church, and was elected Deacon when twenty-six years of age.
Gideon A. Allgood was born in Yadkin County, N. C., Jan. 27, 1848. His father, James Allgood, was born in North Carolina, in 1811, and came to Daviess County in 1855, where he died March 10, 1860. His mother, Amelia (Hudspeath) Allgood, was born in North Carolina in 1812, and died in 1877, leaving four children-Nathan B., Jonn L., Fiza A. and Gideon. Mr. Allgood
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was reared on a farm, and went to school at intervals until twenty- four years of age. IIe is a single man. In 1872 he was elected Constable to fill out the term of Robert Ellis, resigned. He served as Deputy Sheriff a year and a half, and as Deputy Assessor two years. In 1878 he was elected Assessor, and re-elected in 1882. He is a member of the Baptist church, and of Yelvington Lodge No. 693, A. F. & A. M.
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