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 34
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May 3 it was determined to have one ward school in each ward. May 12, Messrs. Riley and Stirman were appointed a committee to draft plans and specifications for a building in the Second Ward, sufficient to accommodate 275 to 300 pupils. May 19, plans and specifications drafted by John Fields adopted, and a committee appointed to advertise for bids; the board offers $11,000 for the Baptist College, for a school-house in the First Ward.
June 5, contraet for building the Second Ward school-house was awarded to George Brown, of Owensboro, at $7,820, and $12,000 was ordered paid for the Baptist College building.
Lower Ward school building erected 1871, at a cost of $12,000 for building and furniture. Capable of accommodating 300 pupils. The building has six rooms, including the basement, which has re- cently been fitted up to accommodate increased number of pupils attending.
The foregoing is a sufficient introduction to the series of pro- ceedings had by the trustees of the Owensboro publie schools for white children. Statisties must tell the rest of the story.
The following is a list of teachers from the first to date :
Superintendents .- J. H. Gray, 1871-'3; F. Griffin, 1873-'4; A. G. Brown, 1874-'5; S. T. Lowry, 1875-'81; John B. Solomon 1881 -'2; A. C. Goodwin, 1882-'3.
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Principals of the High School .- P. A. Pointer, 1872; S. T. Lowry, 1873-'5.
Principals of the First Ward School .- P. A. Pointer, 1872; Mrs. M. E. Klinger, 1872-'3; S. 7. Lowry, 1873-'5; W. M. Fisher, 1875-'7; N. H. Decker, 1878-'0; Mrs. M. E. Klinger, 1879-'82; W. A. Hester, 1882-'3.
Principals of the Second Ward School .- S. T. Lowry, 1871-'2; P. A. Pointer, 1872-'3; Mrs. M. E. Klinger, 1873; W. M Fisher, 1874-'5; Mrs. M. E. K.inger, 1875-'9; M. G. Stirman, 1879-'80; Miss Laura Hughes, 1881-'3.
Teachers of Intermediate and Primary Grades .- Mrs. M. E. Klinger, 1871-'2; P. A. Pointer, 1871-'2; Mrs. Viola Moseley, 1871-'5; Mrs. Mary T. Ayer, 1871-'7; Miss Lou C. Colgan (Mrs. Moore), 1871-'4; Miss Anna J. Colgan, 1871-'4; Miss Vallie B. Williams, 1872-'3; Miss Lanra Hughes, 1872-'81; Mrs. Rachel A. Wandling, 1872-'83; Mrs. M. E. Van Rensselaer, 1872-'80; Mrs. Mary A. Hart, 1873-83; Mrs. Fannie Conway, 1874-'83; Miss S. L. Swale, 1874-'6; Miss Ella Hawes, 1875-'7; Miss Laura Mayo, 1876-'82; Miss Annie Howard, 1876-'81; Mrs. Sallie Taylor,. 1876-'9; Miss H. A. Wines, 1877-'81; Miss Vitula Jones, 1877- '83; Mrs. C. V. Boyd, 1878-'9; Miss C. C. Tyler, 1878-'83. Miss Maria Moorman, 1878-'9; Miss Hart Cowan, 1878-'9; Miss Cornia Naghel, 1879-'82; Miss Lizzie Field, 1879-'83; Mrs. M. L. Singleton, 1880-'3; Miss Lee Brown, 1880-'2; Miss Mary F. Halsel, 1881-'2; Miss Sophia Gash, 1881-'3; Miss Mattie Haney, 1881-'3; Miss Lntie Thomas, 1881-'3; Mrs. C. W. Cerf, 1881; Miss Sallie Daly, 1881-'2; Miss Mamie Woodsmall, 1881-'3; Miss Carrie Green, 1882-'3; Miss Annie Brown, 1882-'3.
Teachers of German .- Mr. De Hny, 1871-'2; O. F. Schultz, 1872-'3; Miss Weitlauf, 1874-'6; Miss Nenwohner, 1877-'8; F. Bauer, 1879-'81; Rev. H. F. Deters, 1882-'3.
Besides the fore-mentioned, Mrs. A. J. Swiney and Miss Laura Hughes were "Senior teachers " in 1875 -- '6, and H. A. Wines, 1877 -- '8; and C. R. Bishop was "Assistant in First Ward, " il. 1871 -- '2.
The mayor of Owensboro was ex-officio president of the School Board until recently. The law is so changed that the board shall elect its own president. The present incumbent of that office (1883) is II. P Tompkins. The present board comprises S. H. Ford, Dr. E. H. Lockett and B. F. Rice, of the First Ward; and Dr. C. H. Todd, George Brown and I. W. Sutherland, of the Sec-
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ond. The present standing committees are: Finance-Todd and Brown; Salaries and Supplies-Sutherland and Luckett; Build- ings and Grounds-Ford and Sutherland; Printing and Revision- Brown and Ford; Grievances-Luckett, Rice and Todd; Rules- Rice and Todd.
Board of Trustees .- II. P. Tompkins, President; Dr. S. H. Ford, Dr. C. H. Todd, George Brown, Dr. E. II. Luekett, J. F. Rice and R. W. Sutherland.
Instructors .- Prof. A . C. Goodwin, Superintendent; Prof. W. A. Hester and Miss Laura Hughes, Principals; Mrs. F. Con- way, Miss Carrie Green, Mrs. M. E. Hart, Miss Lizzie Field, Mrs M. L. Singleton, Miss Vitula Jones and Miss Mamie Woodsinall, Intermediate teachers; Miss Fannie S. Colvin, Miss R. A. Wand ling, Miss Lutie Thomas, Miss Annie Brown, Miss Mattie Haney, Miss Sophie Gash, Miss C. C. Tyler, Primary teachers; and Rev. H. F. Deters, German teacher.
1871 .- President, ex officio, S. D. Kennady; Trustees, John Thixton, John Wandling, Camden Riley, Dr. W. D. Stirman, Philander Read and J. II. Branham (resigned, succeeded by Charles Werner); Clerk of Board, Ed. Morman; Superintendent, Prof. J.H. Gray.
1872 .- President, Ben. Bransford; Trustees, Dr. W. D. Stirman, George W. Williams, Charles Werner, John Wandling, Dr. C. H. Todd and Dr. B. II. Hobbs'; Clerk, E. B. Colgan ; Superin- tendent, Prof. J. H. Gray.
1873 .- President, Ben. Bransford ; Trustees, Dr. C. II. Todd, Dr. B. H. Hobbs, Charles Werner, R. W. Sutherland, L. W. Marble and John Wandling ; Clerk, E. B. Colgan ; Superintendent, Prof. J. H. Gray, succeeded by Prof. Frank Griffin.
1874 .- President, George Brown ; Trustees, R. W. Sutherland, L. W. Marble; John Wandling, Dr. C. HI. Todd, Charles Werner and Dr. J. Q. A. Stewart ; Clerk, S. F. Lowry; Superintendent, Prof. Frank Griffin, succeeded by Prof. A. G. Brown.
1875 .- President, George Brown; Trustees, Dr. C. H. Todd, Charles Werner, J. Q. A. Stewart, L. W. Marble, John Thixton and B. H. Hobbs; Clerk, S. T. Lowry (resigned and sueceeded by David F. Todd); Superintendent, Prof. A. G. Brown, succeeded by Prof. S. T. Lowry.
1876 .- President, George Brown ; Trustees, L. W. Marble, John Thixton, B. II. Hobbs, J. Q. A. Stewart, S. II. Ford and
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Dr. C. H. Todd; Clerk, David F. Todd; Superintendent, Prof. S. T. Lowry.
1877 .- President, George Brown; Trustees, J. Q. A. Stewart, S. H. Ford, Dr. C. H. Todd, J. H. McHenry, T. H. Frayser and Dr. B. H. Hobbs ; Clerk, D. F. Todd (died, succeeded by W. H. Owen); Superintendent, S. T. Lowry.
1878 .- President, John Thixton ; Trustees, J. H. McHenry, T. H. Frayser, Dr. B. H. Hobbs, R. W. Sutherland. James Kennady and John Wandling; Clerk, W. H. Owen; Superintendent, Prof. S. T. Lowry.
1879 .- President, John Thixton; Trustees, R. W. Sutherland, James Kennady, John Wandling, F. J. Clarke, Henry Megill and Dr. C. C. Watkins; Clerk, W. H. Owen ; Superintendent, Prof. S. T. Lowry.
1880 .- President, James K. Tharpe; Trustees, F. J. Clarke, Henry Megill, Dr. C. C. Watkins (resigned and succeeded by T. H. Frayser), John Wandling, J. F. Rice and R. W. Sutherland; Clerk, W. H. Owen; Superintendent, Professor S. T. Lowry.
1881 .- President, James K. Tharpe; Trustees, John Wandlin R. W. Sutherland, J. F. Rice, Dr. E. H. Luckett, H. B. Tomp- kins and F. J. Clarke; Clerk, W. H. Owen; Superintendent, S. T. Lowry, succeeded by Prof. John B. Solomon.
1882 .- President, H. P. Tompkins; Trustees, Dr. E. H. Luck- ett, J. F. Rice, Isaac Sullivan, Dr. S. H. Ford, Dr. C. H. Todd and George Brown; Clerk, W. H. Owen; Superintendent, Prof. John B. Solomon succeeded by Prof. A. C. Goodwin.
ENROLLMENT AND ATTENDANOE.
ENROLLED.
AVERAGE DAILY ATTENDANCE.
1872-3.
642
474
1873-4.
652
534
1874-5. .
760
534
1875-6
753
504
1876-7.
714
492
1877-8
...
. .
. .
1878-9.
. .
1-79 -80
815
571
1880-1
895
620
1881-2
829
621
1-80-3
830
655
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EXPENSES FOR TWO AVERAGE YEARS.
1879-80.
1881-2.
Salaries
$ 7,787.50
$7,922 85
Supplies
423.76
685.30
Fuel. .
190.30
192.65
Buildings and grounds.
803.76
698.72
Books for invalid children
19.43
16 32
Cash expenditures.
$8,792.64
$9,505.61
The wages of the Principal of the First Ward School is $70 a month; of the Second Ward School, $60; of primary teachers, $37.50; of teachers in the intermediate and grammar departments. $40.
Colored School .- This is supported almost exclusively by the State fund, which yields, since August, 1882, $1.30 per child of school age. Previously the per capita had thirty to fifty cents. There are now about 500 colored children of school age (between six and twenty years) in the city of Owensboro. Their school building, on Poplar street, between Third and Fourth, was erected in 1879, is of brick, and 30 x 40 feet in dimensions. Average at- tendance about 200. The teachers are Lewis Metcalf, Principal, and Mrs. Anna Vairian and Owen Barrett, Assistants.
We wish we had space here for biographical sketches of all the school teachers of Owensboro from the earliest times to the pres- ent, especially of those who remained here some time and endeared themselves to the hearts of many children. An account of each school would also be interesting, but we have been limited to an outline of a few of the most prominent. Among the most noted teachers we have already mentioned Mr. Scar .. borough. We may add here four or five others.
Prof. P. A. Pointer first taught in the Baptist College in this place, then in the public schools, next in Bethel College at Russell- ville, and afterward in various other places until his health failed. He is now dead.
Prof. Wm. Wines, a brother of the noted F. H. Wines, sociol- ogist, of Illinois, was a most excellent teacher. He was connected with the Vaughan Seminary for some time, in its earlier history.
Prof. Wm. Marriner, Principal of the Bransford Institute about three years, was from Lebanon, Tenn., and was a superior teacher. His wife also was person of strong mind and a high order of talent.
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Prof. J. H. Gray: see chapter entitled "Authors and Artists."
Prof. A. C. Goodwin, present Superintendent of the Owensboro City Schools, was born in Clarke County, Ind. After finishing the common-school course he attended a classical academy in Jeffer- sonville, Ind., and then a full course at Boyd's Commercial Col- lege, Louisville, Ky. At the age of seventeen, during the war, he accepted the place of hospital steward at Jeffersonville; afterward he followed railroading, then spent three years at Kentucky University, Lexington; next was Principal of the Jeffersonville (Ind.) High School; then returned to Kentucky University a year, and then was Principal of the Male High School at Jeffer- sonville a year. He was County Examiner and Superintendent 1870-'82, when he resigned and came to Owensboro.
By 1880 Prof. Goodwin had attained so great a reputation as an educator that he was placed by the Democracy of Indiana upon their ticket for State Superintendent of Public Instruction; but, it will be remembered, the Republicans carried Indiana that year.
Dancing Master .- The most prominent, if not the only, dancing master who ever taught the Terpsichorean art in Owensboro, was H. C. Lippard, who first came here about 1858, and has made periodical visits since that date, excepting during the war.
CHURCHES.
St. Stephens' Catholic .- The first religious services according to the Catholic faith were held at the residence of W. Coomes, about a mile below town, once a month, by Rev. Wathen. The pastors since then have been: W. S. Coomes, 1841, to August, 1855; Eugene O'Callaghan, September, 1855, to March, 1870; Ivo Schacht, March, 1870, to April, 1874; A. J. Brady, May, 1874, to Nov. 1, 1877; D. F. Crane, Nov. 1, 1877, to the present.
The congregation now comprises 235 families. The church building, three squares west of the court-house, was erected many years ago; and were it not for a stringency of the times at present, a larger edifice would be erected.
Mass every Sunday. Catechetical instruction at St. Francis Academy at 2 p. M.
St. Francis Academy and St. Stephens' Parochial School .- The day-school for Catholic children was first taught in the old Daviess County Seminary building; but now it is kept in a large house built for the purpose, on Third street. The front portion is a two- story frame, and the rear a two-story brick. There are now eight
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teachers employed-Sisters of Charity of Nazareth: Eulalia, Sister Superior.
Rev. W. S. Coomes died in Louisville about 1874; Rev. O'Cal- laghan is now in Fairfield, Nelson Co., Ky .; Rev. A. J. Brady is pastor of the congregation at the Louisville Cathedral.
Father Ivo Schacht died in April, 1874. He was born in Bruges in 1821, and came to America in 1842; was ordained at Nashville in 1843; pastor of the cathedral fifteen years; then missionary among the Indians in Kansas; in 1861 was appointed to St. Al- phonsus Church, this county, where he was instrumental in the building of two churches and two flourishing schools. Next he was appointed to Lebanon, where he built a fine church; thence to Danville, Paducah, and finally to Owensboro, where he endeared himself to the hearts of many people.
Rev. D. F. Crane was born in the city of Louisville, Ky., in May, 1843. His preparatory studies were completed in the Sem- inary of St. Thomas, near Bardstown, Ky., after which he was sent by his bishop to the American College of Lonvain, Belgium. Here he attended the course of the famous University of Louvain, and received the degree of Bachelor of Divinity. He was ordained to the sacred ministry in August, 1867, and immediately returned to his native country. The first year of his ministry was spent as professor in St. Mary's College, Marion County, Ky. He then, by order of the Bishop of Diocese, took charge of the congregations of Shelbyville and mission. This latter at the time embraced the counties of Shelby, Spencer, Henry, Oldham and Trimble. After- ward he was sent successively to St. Patrick's Church, Louisville, Henderson, and to the Theological Seminary near Louisville. In the seminary he filled the chairs of Mental Philosophy and Moral Theology. Placed in charge of the congregation at Lebanon. Marion County, he labored there for two years. whence he was removed to his present position in October, 1877.
St. Joseph's Church (Catholic (terman) .-- In 1870, while Rev. Callaghan was pastor of St. Stephen's Church, an English speaking congregation, the German element was separated from it and og- ganized as St. Joseph's Church, under Rev. Father Volk, of West Louisville, this county. The names of the first mon, bers were: Panl Tennes, Michael Crans, Victor Strebl. Henry Dilbe inn. Jarob Meis, George Schaffer. Joseph Rose, Henry Rose, John Gillis. Frank Cammuff, Andy Eger. etc. The first religions service was held in 24
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the school house, corner of Third and Mulberry streets, and Father Volk wa- the first j reacher.
In 1971 the German Catholics built a frame church near MeFar- `and : freet. in Tripdett's and Sweenie's Precinct, So x 30 fret. The church var dedicated, and the first service held by Rev. Father Se nicht, who was then pastor of St. Stephen's Church. The first resident pastor was E. M. Baclanan, who preached his first sermon here June 18, 1573. He preached one year, then went to Europe for a year, Rev. Father Westerman supplying his pulpit during his absence. Father Bachman remained pastor of this church until 1878, when he was called to St. Louis by Rt. Rev. Bishop Win. McCloskey. Rev. P. J. Haescley was then sent to take charge of St. Joseph's congregation.
May 12, 1878, the frame church on the hill was burned; cause unknown. By order of the Rt. Rev. Bishop, . Father Haeseley bniit a temporary church, 20 x 30 feet, on the site of the old church. In October of the same year a lot was purchased of W. Speed, cor- ner of Fourth and Clay streets, and the present brick church was erected thereon. Size of building, 86 x 43 feet. March 7, 1880, the new church was blessed and service was held therein by Rer. P. J. Haeseley, the present pastor. The new church is not yet quite completed. The cost of church and lot is about $10,000. Missions were given in the temporary church by Bronsgeat Hillman, and a second one in the new church by Rev. Chrysostomus Toffa, O. B., in October, 1882.
The present officers of the church are Andy Eger and A. M. Breitenbach. The congregation comprises about sixty-five fami- lies. Cathechetical instruction is given every Sunday, at 2 P. M., by the pastor in the church and by the sisters in the school-house. Since February, 1881, two Ursuline Sisters have been teaching the school near the present church on Clay street. Number of pupils, seventy-eight.
Rev. P. J. Haeseley was born in Switzerland in 1830, and came to America in 1856, landing at New York, March 25. He at- tended St. Thomas' Seminary, Nelson County, Ky., seven years, then studied theology at Mount St. Mary's College and Seminary at Cincinnati, and in 1867 was ordained to the gospel ministry at the cathedral in Louisville. He was first stationed over the con- gregation of St. Martin's at Louisville, and then ten years in a German settlement about ten miles from Paducah, Ky., where he built a church, and lastly, in 1878, he came to Owensboro, arriv-
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ing here Feb. 18, since which time he has been pastor of St. Joseph's Church (Catholic), as noted above.
Baptist Church of Owensboro .- April 1, 1834, Owensboro had about !50 people, among whom were two Baptists, both ladies. These were Sisters Miller and Pickett. April 3 of that year, George N. Mckay and wife, both Baptists, came from Taylorville to this place. During the same year came William Head, Irwood Daniel and wife, from Shelby County; Mrs. G. W. Triplett, from Great. Crossing, Scott County; John Stout and wife from Buck Creek, Shelby County. Rev. Reuben Cottrell commenced preach- ing here in the spring of 1834, during which year he baptized two colored women. On Saturday before the second Sunday in May, a church was constituted in the seminary by Revs. Reuben Cot- trell and Thomas Downer, with eight white and eighteen black inembers. At the next meeting William Head, Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Tarlton joined. Mr. Cottrell was chosen Pastor, William Hood, Clerk, and L. Stout, Deacon. John L. Burrows, a young man from New England, was in Kentucky as agent for the China mis- sion, and visited Owensboro about March of 1838 or 1839. In the early part of May he commenced a protracted meeting here. Elder Ben Crouch was holding a quarterly meeting. Mr. Burrows proposed a union meeting, but Mr. Crouch refused, and went on with his meetings until Wednesday night, when he closed. Mr. Burrows then went into a union meeting with the Methodist circuit-rider, and Sam. Elhoun, a lay preacher. The people came only to hear Mr. Burrows, so, after a day or two, he did all the preaching. The meetings lasted about six weeks, and there were 200 persons converted, of whom 100 joined the Baptist church. Mr. Burrows went from here to Pleasant Grove, seven miles west of town, where about 100 were converted. He also went to Henderson, where he constituted a church of about 100 members. He was called to supply the pulpits of these two churches, preaching two Sundays at Owensboro and one at Henderson. This task he accepted, and performed for some time. In September, 1840, Mr. Burrows and wife were, at their own request, dismissed from the society, and went to the Fifth Baptist of Philadelphia. He had been very popu- lar with all his people, and they parted with him with regret, knowing how useful his labors had been for the Owensboro church. Rev. J. G. Howard, who had joined the church by letter in May, 1839, was now ordained as the pastor. He served the
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church faithfully for about two and a half years, although part of the time preaching but once a month, when Rev. Alfred Taylor was chosen pastor. In December, 1845, Rev. D. E. Burns was called to preach the first and fourth Sundays in each month. He preached regularly during 1846, and then went to another section of the country to labor. Rev. Alfred Taylor became pastor of the Owensboro church in January, 1847, and preached until May. 1848, when he resigned. The church was unable to secure the services of another pastor until the following January. when Rev. V. E. Kirtly was chosen pastor, at a salary of $550. The church now had regular services every Sunday, for the first time in many years. Mr. Kirtly resigned in January, 1851, being appointed agent for the Kentucky and Foreign Missionary Society. During 1851 the church had no regular pastor, but in January, 1-52, they secured the services of Rev. L. L. Helm, at $600 per annum salary. He resigned in August, 1833, and was followed by Rev. R. C. Buckner, who commenced his labors here Oct. 15, 1854. Mr. Buckner resigned in June, 1855, and was parted with by his congregation with much regret. The next pastor ealled was Rev. N. B. Waller. He accepted the call, but died on his journey to Owensboro. The church was again without a pastor until May, 1856, when Rev. A. B. Smith took charge of the church, remain- ing until September. 1858. IIe was followed by Rev. B. T. Taylor, who preached until the fall of 1861, when he resigned. These were troublous times for the Owensboro Baptist church, as well as for thousands of other churches, many of which died en- tirely from the dissensions arising from the war of 1861-'5. In March, 1862, Rev. A. B. Miller became pastor of the Owensboro church. 1Ie was succeeded. in December, 1864, by Rev. J. C. Maple, who left in 1868. Then came Rev. C. C. Chaplin, of Vir- ginia, who remained with the congregation until 1873, and the i resigned to accept a call to Paducah. He was a very popular man, and his loss was felt. The next to fill the palpit of the Owensboro church was Rev. T. C. Stackli q. of Greensburg, Ky. After preaching two years be returned to Grondbang. He was succeeded by the present pastor, Dr. J. B. Solomon, of Sharon, Pa. The present membership of the church is 490 The Clerk of the church is W. H. Owen; Treasurer, Dr. S. H. Ford: Finance Committee, Y. L. Ford. J. W. Coleman, and I. E. Sutton: Deacons, Y. L. Ford, James HI. Parrish, Dr. B. Il. Hobbs. L. Lumpkin, J. B. Cruse, John S. Moberly, and John S. Brown.
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The Sunday-school has a membership of 135, and is in a flourish- ing condition generally.
Rev. Josiah Bridges Solomon, Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Owensboro, was born Jan. 18, 1824, in Franklin County, N. C., and is the first son and third child of Jeremialı and Elizabeth (Bridges) Solomon, natives also of North Carolina.
Mr. Solomon's grandfather, William Solomon, settled in the Isle of Wight County, Va. During the Revolutionary war, when the British obtained possession of Virginia, he moved into Northi Caro- lina, where he ultimately died, at a very advanced age. He was very pious, and on his death-bed he insisted that his attendants should help him out, so that he could get upon his bended knees and pray. Assuming this suppliant attitude, he prayed for his children, his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren, etc., down through the ages to come. After his death four of his sons became ministers of the gospel; and every grandehild of his is a Christian. The wife of William Solomon was a Gordon, and a descendant of a Scotch clan of that name. Jeremiah was their youngest son, and the father of the subject of this sketch. The latter has the blood of four nationalities on his father's side-English, Scotch, French and German, and two on his mother's-English and Welsh. His father died in 1852, and his mother is still living.
Mr. Solomon was reared on a farm. At the age of eighteen he embraced Christianity and joined the Baptist church, being bap- tized by Rev. P. H. Smith, in November, 1843. He obtained a good academic education, surpassing his classmates in the classical languages, mathematics, natural philosophy, mental and moral science, etc. He then attended Wake Forest College, from which he afterward received the degree of A. M. After teaching school a year or two he was appointed a missionary by the North Carolina State Convention, and preached as a missionary for two years in the counties of Davy, Rowan, Davidson and Surrey. Here his work was very hard, but at the same time the happiest of his life. From his labors in this field grew four churches directly, and indi- rectly a number of others. His health failing he returned to the farin two years; he then, in January, 1854, took charge of the church at Warrenton, N. C., where he continued eight years, increasing the membership from 25 to 150. While here he ac- cepted a challenge to a discussion with a Methodist, which resulted in his having to baptize a large number of the Methodist church at that place.
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In 1860 Mr. Solomon accepted a call to the pastorate of the Leigh Street Church, in Richmond, Va. In the spring of 1861 the war broke out, and Mr. Solomon prosecuted his duties as pastor, giving all the time he had at command to the sick and dying in the hospitals. A young licentiate of his church was chaplain in Libby Prison. Two of the prisoners professed faith in Christ, and sought baptism at the hands of Mr. Solomon. After conferring with the deacons of the church the prisoners were brought forward under an armed guard, related the ground of their hope, were re- ceived, dressed, baptized, and changed their dress after baptism under guard. It was the most solemn scene he ever witnessed. During his pastorate in Richmond his church increased from about 325 to 475. As an illustration of a feature of paper currency, we digress here to mention that when he lett Richmond in 1864 flour was selling at $1,250 a barrel, in Confederate scrip.
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