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 30
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Bill Smothers has the credit of erecting the first cabin at this point, which was probably one of the two only structures existing here in 1812, one of these being a store. Both were of logs. The site was selected as the county seat in 1815, by commissioners ap- pointed by the first County Court, held in April of that year. The survey of the first plat of the town extended from the Ohio River and a ravine on the north, to Fourth street on the south, and from Lewis street on the east to Walnut street on the west. The survey and plat thereof was completed by Captain James W. Johnston, the first County Surveyor, on the 23d day of March, 1816, and approved by the commissioners and court with the name of Rossboro, and ratified by the agent and owners of the land, George Handley being agent for David Ross and other proprietors. Every fourth lot wa; donated to the trustees for public purposes.
The name of this place was changed to "Owensboro" (spelled then with a ugh), probably in April, 1818; for we see in an old day- book kept by David Morton or his clerk at that time that the head lines of pages read " Yellow Banks" up to April 8, that year, and after that " Owensborough." This name was given in honor of the hero whose sketch here follows :
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
Colonel Abraham Owen was born in Prince Edward County, Va., in 1769, and emigrated to Shelby County, Ky., in 1785. His first appearance on the public theater was upon Wilkinson's campaign, in the summer of 1791, on the White and Wabash Rivers. He was a Lieutenant in Captain Lemon's company in St. Clair's defeat, Nov. 4, 1791, and received two wounds in that engagement. He was in the expedition led by Colonel HIardin to White River, and participated in the action which routed the Indians in their hunting camps. His brother John, James Ballard and others of Shelby County were his associates on this occasion. He commanded the first militia raised in the county, and Singleton Wilson, of Shelby- ville, was the Lieutenant. Owen was soon promoted to Major, and then Colonel of the regiment.
Colonel Owen was elected to the Legislature by the largest vote ever before polled in the county, and in 1799 was chosen a member of the Convention which framed the State Constitution. Shortly be- fore his death, he was a member of the Senate of Kentucky. In 1811 he was the first to join Governor Harrison at Vincennes, for the purpose of aiding in the effort to resist the hostile movements of the Indian bands collected by the energy and influence of Tecumseh and his brother, the Prophet. He was chosen by General Harrison to be one of his aids-de-camp, and at the memorable battle of Tippe- canoe fell at the side of his heroic chief, bravely fighting for his country, deeply regretted by the whole army. In the following December the Legislature went into mourning for the loss of Colo- nel's Daveiss, and Owen, and others who fell at Tippecanoe; and in 1819-'20, the memory of Colonel Owen was perpetuated by a county bearing his name. He left a large family to unite with his country in deploring his premature fall. Many of his relatives and de- scendants became distinguished in Kentucky and Texas,
The chivalric patriotism of Colonel Owen, in leaving a position of ease and distinction at home, to volunteer his services against the Northwestern savages, is truly illustrative of the Kentucky char- acter; and after-ages look back upon the deeds of heroism at Tip- pecanoe, with the same veneration with which the present age regards the memory of those who fought and fell at Thermopylæe.
MORTON'S DAY-BOOK. YELLOW BANKS, 1818.
R. B. Nuun, of this city, has had in his possession something over 500 pages of a day-book. kept by David Morton, a merchant here in early times, or by bis clerk or bookkeeper, John Hatha- Digitized by Microsoft®
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OWENSBORO.
away. Mr. Morton died in this city in 1858. His son, Samuel Morton, is now clerk of the Planter's Hotel. Mr. Nunn still has a fragment of this interesting relic. It contains entries from Mar. 24 to April 14-a period of twenty-two days. The pages are from 305 to 328 of the day-book, and contain forty lines to the page, or an average of about fifteen entries. As the names of many of those entered as " Dr. " will appear familiar to many of our readers, we append a few:
Robert McFarland, Jr.
John Kennady,
Pinkney Gilchrist,
James Mckinney,
Wm. Harris,
John Patton,
John M. Gabhert,
James Jordan,
Caleb Shelton,
John S. Stutson,
Samuel Johnson,
George Metcalf,
Joseph Griggsby,
Jolın Piles,
James Bryant,
Jobn Travis,
George Taylor,
Mrs. Mc Nemer,
John W. Cheatham,
John Daveiss,
James Everton,
John C. Craddock,
Warner Lewis,
Edmond Cheatham,
Mrs. Anderson,
Thomas Taylor,
Rogers, Griffith & Co.,
Thomas Moseley, Sr.
Leroy C. Bristow,
George Bell,
Wyatt Martin,
Henry Roberts,
Wm. Lumpkin,
Henry Kirkham,
David Atteberry,
Lewis Love,
Israel Atteberry.
Martin's Nat,
Wm. Wood,
Henry White,
Basseit's Isaac,
Cecilius Wood,
Isaiah Marks,
Charles Worthington,
John Snyder,
Moses D. Carter,
Jas. W. Chappell,
Wright Taylor,
David Mathis,
Hilary Beall,
Daniel Cooney,
John Roberts,
Peter Slagle,
Wm. Evans,
Margaret Adams,
Rosa Ewing,
Wm. Clement,
George Handley,
Charles Duncan,
Wm. R. Duncan,
David Winkler,
Abner Bassett,
James Roberts,
Benj. Yager,
Zach. Galloway,
Isaac Holmes, etc.
It may be observed that there are no nicknames in the above list, except, perhaps, in the instance of one colored servant "Nat."
The accounts were kept in both English and American denomi- nations, as appears in the specimen, which also shows the retail prices of the various commodities:
2 1hs. Coffee, @ 3s .. $ 1.00
2 lbs. Brown Sugar, @ 28c. .56
1 bottle Snuff, @ 3s. 9d ... .621%
14 1b. Imperial Tea, @ 18s. .75
5 lbs. 10 oz. Loaf Sugar, @ 3s.
2.8134
1 yd. English Factory, @ 3s. 9d.
.6212
7 Bridle, @ 8s. 3d. .
1.3712
7 yds. English Stripes, @ 4s. 6d.
5.25
G yds. Brown Shirting, @ 2s. 712d.
2.6212
2 Black Bolls (Bowls?), @ 1s. 9d
.25
1 1h. 8d. Nails, @ 1s. 6d.
,25
1 yd. Calico, @ 2s. 3d ..
.3716
34 yd. Jaconet Muslin, @ 9s.
1.121%
512 yds. Domestic Checks, @ 3s.
2.75
1 Pocket Glass, @ 23. 3d.
.871%
1 hank Cotton Thread, @ 9d. .1212
2 doz. Shoe Tacks, @ 9d. .25
1 doz. Fish-Hooks, @ 1s. 6d. .25
2 Glass Tumblers, @ 9d. .25
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Wm. Odom,
James McFarland,
James Hollingshead,
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
1 pr. Boots.
1 pr. Shoes, @ 15s. 2.50
1 pr. Morocco Slippers ( @ 7s. 6d 1.25
1 qt. Bottle, @ 1s. 6d
25
1 Pocket Knife, @ 2s. 31 .371%
1 skein Silk, @, 9d.
.121/2
1 Iloc, @ 98.
1.50
3 qts. Whisky, @ 1s. 6d.
.75
1 12-gal. Bottle, @ 3s.
.50
1 pr. Ladies' Slippers, @@ 10s. 6d 1.75
1 Lancet, @@ 18. 6d. .25
1.00
11, yds. Brown Cloth, @@ 18 ;.
4.50
1 Vest Pattern and Trimmings
1.1212
8 yds. Red Flannel, @ 3s. 9d.
5.00
1 Lamp, @ 3s.
,50
1 yıl. Cambric, @ 3s.
.50
4 yds. Dimity, @ 3s. 9d
2 50
10 lbs. Nails, @ 22c.
2.20
1 doz. Needles, @ 9d.
.1212
1 paper Pins, @ Is. 6d.
.35
2 oz. Indigo, @ 1s. 6d.
.50
2 yds. Domestic Sheeting, @@ 3s. 6d.
1.25
1 pr. Black Silk Gloves, @@ 4s. 6d. .
.75
1 Coffee Boiler, @. 4s. 6d. . .75
1 Cast-Steel Chiset, @ 1s. 6d. .25
1 Plane Bit, @ 2s 3d. .3712
5.50
1/ 1b. Pepper, @ 33. 91. .3111
33 lbs. Iron, @ 1s. 6d .. 5.28
1 oz Cinnamon Bark, (@) 1s. 6d. .25
1 qt. Wine, @ 6s
1 00
OWENSBORO IN 1820.
The following letter dated July 2, 1820, was written by Turenne W Watkins, at Owensboro, then Yellow Banks, and addressed to Thomas W. Watkins, Ellicott Mills, Md. Mr. William R. Griffith, whose marriage is mentioned, was the father of Hons. Clint and Daniel Griffith of Owensboro. Many other familiar names are also mentioned.
"YELLOW BANKS, KY., July 2, 1820.
"Dear Brother :- I embrace the earliest opportunity to acknowl- edge the receipt of your kind letter bearing date June 2v. Although I have nothing to communicate which would afford yon one moment's real pleasure, it might be a gratification to you to hear from your old Kentucky friends and acquaintances. I believe, in my last to father I mentioned William R. Griffith's union with Miss Aria Moseley; if not you are now informed. Ile was united to her in April last, and I think if there is any real happi- ness to be derived from a married life he'enjoys a share, for I think God has bestowed on him one of the choicest blessings of heaven -- a woman fully calcul Diglitedendoffotosoff@ried state a permanent
1 pr. Specks (Spectacles ?) @ 5s. 3d.
11 50
1 set Edged Plates, @@ 6s.
325
OWENSBORO.
paradise. Richard S. May was married to Mrs. Lucy Davis, daughter of Captain Benjamin Fields, last winter. John Gaither, nephew of Uncle Basil Gaither, was married to Rebecca Bell two weeks ago, and has taken her to Missouri. James M. Rogers will be married to Jane Adams as soon as he returns from New Orleans, which will be in a few days. Nicholas G. Worthington and Miss Eliza Whitewill, daughter of IIenry Whitewill, will be married on the sixth of this month. I am to be groomsman, and Susan Adams, bridesmaid. *
" You wished me to write you relative to the credit and standing of our Owensboro merchants. To give you a true account of their circumstances would be impossible; but I will endeavor to come as near the point as possible. Roger Griffith & Co., I have every reason to believe, are perfectly solvent; S. I. & D. Morton, I believe, are are also solvent, although somewhat pressed, which is the case with every speculative character or merchant. Thompson and Moseley, I suppose, are also solvent; still, I think their case somewhat doubt- ful. I have understood that some time past a Philadelphia mer- chant drew on them for $40,000. John D. Moseley has gone into Missouri to live. He and Reuben Bates are going to set up a grocery.
" Yon mentioned that you had not received a letter from me acknowledging the receipt of $10 sent me by mail. I wrote to you immediately on the receipt of it to that amount. I did not think to ask Williams if he had received any, but I think he did. He has written to yon frequently and received no answer. He says he will quit writing if you do not pay more attention to his letters, and for me to inform you that he is well and started a letter to you some time in June, and shall anxiously await the arrival of an answer. Neither he nor James will be in this fall, owing to their tobacco not getting to market. It has been lying in Green River better than. three months, and at last have to hanl to this place to ship. They intend to have it sent on to you with instruc- tions to bring on goods,-at least talked strongly of doing so,- but the detainers of the produce prevented their raising funds sufficiently to put in execution their designs. I suppose you have heard who has offered for the next Governor; if not you will be informed on the receipt of this: General Adair, Butler Logan, and several others not worth mentioning. Adair's election, I think, is sure. The candidates for the Senate are: Ben Duncan Anderson, of Hardinsburg, and Dr. Charles MeCreery, of Hart-
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
ford; Dunean, I think, will be elected. Candidates for the House of Representatives are: Beverly Todd, Captain Penticorn, Henry White, William Newton and D. Warner Crow: Crow's election sure, I think. Candidates for Congress are: Young Ewing, Dr. A. Delaney, and one or two others; I know not which will carry the day.
"Prospects are well; my love to father, mother, brothers and sisters, and all inquiring acquaintances. I am still in bad health; have a constant pain, or weakness, in my breast-it is generally thought to be consumption. I shall remove from this place as soon as circumstances will admit. Alfred, Charlotte and family are all well. Write to me frequently.
"The amount that stands against you on G., R. & Co.'s books is $224.61. I don't think Alfred will be able to pay yon before next spring. He has a fine stock of hogs on hand. Perhaps he will kill 20,000 weight next fall. If there should be a good market, then, and not before, he will be able to discharge the debt. I hope you will all be more attentive to me and write frequently. It has been nearly a twelve-month since 1 received a letter from you until I received the one now before me. Tell Caroline and Camps- adell they inust write to me. My compliments to Mr. Crabster and sister. He is one letter in my debt, and I would be glad to receive it. Write me everything that has transpired since I left Maryland. I would write often, but there is nothing going on here that would be in any way satisfactory to yon. Remember me to the servants in general, and-believe me ever your affectionate brother,
"T. W. WATKINS."
FRAGMENTARY ITEMS.
Mrs. Howard, wife of T. J. Howard, deceased, was born in Oldham County, Ky., twenty-five miles north of Louisville, about 1803, and was brought here by her parents Jan. 20, 1808, who landed at Yellow Banks when there were but few log cabins, and a store kept by Daniel Moseley. The father of the latter kept the first boarding house in the county. Mrs. Howard was a daughter of James and Anna (Boone) Barnhill, the latter being a second cousin of Daniel Boone.
John H. McFarland's second wife was the first child born in Owensboro.
The oldest houses now in Owensboro are the " Moreland House," and the house on the next corner, which used to be occupied by
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OWENSBORO.
Dr. Haynes, and two log cabins at the corner of Sixth and Walnut streets.
One of the oldest log houses in Owensboro was torn down in 1869, and on its site Leo Sims that year built a large tobacco ware- house. The cabin was built about 1820 or before, by a man named Yeager, and was the first house on what is now Frederica street. It was occupied every year during its existence. What memories linger around such a spot !
Frederica street is said to have been named by Mr. Ross, in honor of a mulatto slave he owned at the time. The name, how- ever, has been variously spelled.
Indian Generosity. - In 1784 or '5, among a party which em barked at the falls of the Ohio to descend the river, was Andrew Rowan. While the boat stopped at the Yellow Banks on the Indiana side, Mr. Rowan borrowed a loaded gun, but no ammu- nition, and started off in pursuit of amusement rather than game. When he returned the boat had gone; the party having seen "signs" of Indians approaching, and not daring to wait for Mr. Rowan, hastened off down stream. The latter started toward the nearest white settlement-Vincennes, 100 miles distant-but soon lost his way, wandered about for three days and, exhausted, lay down to die. Roused by the report of a gun, he rose and walked in the direction of the sound. An Indian, sceing him, raised his gun to fire; Rowan turned the butt of his gun, and the Indian, with French politeness, turned the butt of his also. Taking pity upon Rowan's helpless condition, the Indian led him to his wig- wam, and treated him with great hospitality until his strength was regained, and then took him to Vincennes. Wishing to reward his generosity. Mr. Rowan arranged with a merchant to pay him $300; but the Indian persistently refused to receive a cent of it. He finally, to please Mr. Rowan, accepted a new blanket, wrapping which around him, he said, with some feeling, "Whenever I wrap myself in it, I. will think of yon."
GENERAL PROGRESS.
In 1833 the population of Owensboro was scarcely 200 all told, and not a single church edifice or organization. The increase in population was small until 1850. A branch of the Southern Bank was located in Owensboro about that time. The power of the trustees had been enlarged by Legislative action, and those offi- cials began to drain and improve the streets. The action of the
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
trustees, and the fact that the bank was one of the institutions of the place, gave assurance that there was some money in town, and seemed to infuse new life into the citizens, even the o'dl fogy part of the population, which had been averse to enterprise. Improve- ments began to be made. Better houses were commenced, new comers poured in and a steady growth was maintained until 1861, when the war put a stop to all enterprise and public improvement. The population decreased, and not until 1866 did improvements begin again, or was an increase of population noted. A moderate but perceptible degree of progress and growth has continued until now, in 1883, when the population is estimated at about 11, 600.
OWENSBORO AS A CITY.
Owensboro received a city charter from the State Legislature, Feb. 16, 1866. The following is the first entry of proceedings in the record book, ,and bears date of April 9, 1866:
" Pursuant to the provisions of the charter incorporating the city of Owensboro, E. S. Ayres, who had been duly elected to the office of Mayor of said city, James Kennady, M. D. Soyd and J. Deal, who had been duly elected as Councilmen for the upper ward, and Benjamin Bransford, George Brown and William Shelby, who had been duly elected as Councilmen for the lower ward, appeared at the court-house in the city of Owensboro on Monday, the 9th day of April, 1866, at three o'clock P. M., and were only sworn into office by E. T. Berry, Esq .. and thereupon the chairman and trustees of the town of Owensboro delivered over to the said Mayor and Council the records and papers of said town. The said Mayor and Council then organized, and, on motion, James Hughes was appointed Clerk, pro tem., and, on further motion, the said Council adjourned to Thursday night. the 12th day of April, 1866, to meet at the store house of Kennedy & Bro.
"C. N. S. TAYLOR, Clerk."
At the next meeting of the Council, held April 12. C. N. S. Taylor was duly elected Clerk for the year : J. W. Coleman was chosen Treasurer, under $15,000 bonds, and the office of Attorney was filled by the election of W N. Sweeney. At a meeting held April 16, forty-nine ordinances were presented to the Council, and the same were adopted April Is, and ordered printed in the Owensboro Shield. The first thirteen of these ordinances provided for licenses of various kinds, the following being the seale : Digitized by Microsoft®
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OWENSBORO.
Tavern or hotel. $100
Restaurant .. . . 50
Ardent spirits. 20
Billiard saloon per table, not exceed-
ing iNo. . . 100
Billiard saloon per tatile exe eling
two 50
Tobacco stemming. 25 to 50
Ten-pin alley
Hauling for profit 5
Auction house. . . .
Auction on streets $20
Peddling. 30
Boat selling merchandise .. . 50
Circus, Museum or Menagerie per day 100
Theatrical performances each 10
Among the other ordinances was one in regard to the observance of the Sabbath (to this day Owensboro is note ! for the strict com- pliance with the law on this subject, no stores being open on Sunday, even for an hour), discharging fire-arms, riot, disturbing religious worship, dog-fights, disturbing good order, fighting ani- mals, riding fast, hitching on streets, exhibiting stallion or jack, nuisances, rubbish on streets. obstruction of streets, driving ani- mals on pavement, obstructing sewer pipes, carbing, bathing in Ohio River, city scales, wharf, ferry-man, wharfmaster, wharf- boat, freight, wharf boat rates, swearing on streets, contagious diseases, selling unwholesome flesh as food, shade trees, concealed weapons, gaming fines recoverable, city judge, marshal's report, and taxing of dogs. By the organization of the Council and the adoption of these ordinances the machinery of city government was fairly set in motion, and Owensboro became a city in fact as well as in name.
The seal of the city of Owensboro was adopted April 18, 1866, and bears upon it the words, " The City of Owensboro Seal, " and the figure of a tobacco leaf.
The first Mayor of Owensboro never presided over the delibera- tions of the Council. Shortly after the first meeting at which he was sworn in, Mayor E. S. Ayres was taken ill, and died in less than a week. The following appropriate testimonial was adopted by the Council April 18:
"WHEREAS, An inserntable Providence in his wisdom has re- moved by death our esteemed fellow-citizen, Captain E. S. Ayers, recently elected to the office of Mayor of this city, and who was therefore the presiding officer of this body, therefore be it
" Resolved, That in the death of said Ayers the community has lost a useful citizen, who, by his affable manners and correct deportment had endeared himself to the hearts of all, and this Council an able and efficient presiding officer and member, and that we deeply deplore his loss and hereby tender to his bereaved family our warmest sympathies.
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" Resolved, That we will in a body attend his funeral, as a further testimony of our respect for his memory.
" Resolved, That the citizens be requested to suspend all business, with closed doors, from 10 to 12 o'clock to-morrow, during the funeral ceremony.
" Resolved, That the clerk of this Council present a copy of the fore- going preamble and resolutions to the wife of the deceased, and that the papers of the city be requested to publish them."
Salaries, etc .- The charter in force previous to 1882 allowed the city officials to vote themselves "back pay," which generally was justifiable, owing to increasing responsibilities commensurate with the increasing growth of the city. Some complaints being made, however, in 1874 the following facts were developed: 1859, the Board of Trustees received $25 for their services; 1860, they in- creased the compensation of the chairman; 1861, pay of the clerk and attorney increased; 1832-'3, pay of the treasurer increased to $75 and $30 for the respective years; 1865, compensation of the couneilmen doubled; 1:66. same inereased to $150, and the mayor's to $300; 1869, that of the clerk, treasurer and attorney increased; 1871, mayor received $100 addition il to his usual allow- ance; 1872, he received $700.
Present Charter. - By act of the Legislature approved March 18, 1882, a new charter was granted the city, with the foregoing defeet remedied, among several others. This charter, with the ordinanees, is printed in pamphlet form, inaking eighty duodecimo pages, and can be obtained by any citizen from the city clerk. The first section of the charter describes the city limits, which had been enlarged in a sontherly direction in 1872.
OWENSBORO IN 1872.
Owensboro in 1872 had a population of about 8,000, and was one of three principal cities on either side of the Ohio River between Louisville and Cairo. The city then had thirty-one lawyers, fifteen physicians, ning ministers of the gospel, three dentists, six drug stores, six express wagons, fifteen drays, twenty- five groceries, sixteen dry-goods stores, ten merehant tailors, two boot and shoe stores, one queen's-ware store, one earpet store, two tinware and stove establishments, three hardware stores, three bakeries, eleven confectioneries, two book and stationery stores, Jfive barber shops, six meat and vegetable shops, six millinery stores, two furniture stores, two gunsmiths, two photographers, Digitized by Microsoft®
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OWENSBORO.
three jewelry establishments, thirty-five liquor saloons, six beer saloons, ten livery stables, three tobacconists and cigar-makers, three undertakers, nine shoemakers, seven clothing houses, four saddlers, eight blacksmiths and wagon-makers, one hide and fur house, one dye-house and one real estate agent.
Also fifteen large tobacco stemmeries employing over 600 hands, two large planing-mills, one woolen-mill, one foundry, one broom- factory, two extensive breweries, three corn and wheat mills, one apple-brandy distillery, four brick mills, one marble yard, three banks, seven wholesale liquor-dealers, one sewing-machine estab- lishment, six hotels, one furniture factory, a city hall, skating rink, two brass bands, two large public schools, three private schools, nine good church buildings, six large distilleries, a splendid court- house, with town clock, a secure jail, two large wharf-boats, a good levee, public scales, gas-works, and lodges of Masons, Odd Fellowe, Temperance, Harigari, etc., etc.
OWENSBORO IN 1882
is shown by the good directory published by Emerson & Williams, in which the items are so differently taken that an exact comparison with 1872 cannot well be made; but it is certain that while the population has increased to about 11,600, or forty per cent., business and improvements have gone forward with equal pace.
The taxable property of Owensboro in 1872 was listed by the city assessor as follows: Within the old city boundary, $2,121,- 585; within the addition, $181,945; property of negroes, $13, 495; total value of property, $2,317,025. The property in the addition was listed separately because it was Annexed to the city on condi- tion that it should not share the railroad debt and some other responsibilities, and that of the colored people on account of their separate school interests. The assessment this year (1872) within the old eity boundaries showed an increase of over $104,000 in excess of the previous year subject to taxation. Some other statistics of this year were also published; but when we see that the whole negro population is charged, in the item of dogs, with owning only eleven of them, we are in doubt as to the value of the rest of figures. One of the freaks of the census!
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