USA > Kentucky > Henderson County > History of Henderson County, Kentucky > Part 21
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The Carlisles swore vengeance against. Campbell and his men, and after the war, as it is well known by many readers, the Carlisles and one Dr. Davison, did murder Lieutenant Hampton opposite
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Owensboro, and were subsequently captured and sent to the peniten- tiary for life, but some years afterwards pardoned.
During the month of July the notorious Colonel Sam Johnson, with his command of Federals, entered Henderson, and were but a short time in making themselves obnoxious. His first step was to suppress, for a time, the Henderson News, a paper which had done more, perhaps, to suppress the guerrillas than Johnson and all of his men, for, be it it said to his credit, Mr. Harrison, editor of the News, was unflinching in his devotion to good government, and a terror to both sides who departed from that rule. He had no mercy upon guerrilla bands, who plundered and stole, and the only wonder now is that he had not been butchered by some of the very men with whom he was accused, by Johnson, of being in sympathy.
The August election coming on, Johnson's next step was to ar- rest leading Democrats, solely for the purpose of frightening others more timid away from the polls. Hon. John Y. Brown was arrested and placed on parole by this distinguished chieftain, but released im- mediately after the election.
The News, early in August, announced that not over a quarter crop of tobacco would be raised in the county owing to the drouth in May, and excessive wet weather after that time. The price of to- bacco ranged then from twelve dollars and fifteen cents to seventeen dollars and fifty cents.
August 23, the mustering officer and paymaster of the Kentucky troops arrived in Henderson, for the purpose of paying off and mus- tering out of service Major Shook and his command." This was the first time this little company of patriots had ever been paid, yet they faithfully performed their duty, and had never, during their long stay in Henderson, given any of the citizens cause to complain of them.
The war was over now, and the people of the south had acknowledged the supremacy of the national arms, and expressed their desire to be restored to their original rights, under the laws and constitution of the country. The vanquished "Sons of the Sun" had shown their devotion to the cause which they espoused upon many a weary march, and through all the trials incident to the condition of well and long sustained warfare. They had illustrated their lineage and their genious in the camp, on the march, in battle, and wherever the shiftings and perilous scenes of their brief but diversified career carried them. The boys in blue had done the same, and were now ready to lay aside the sword and gun, and meet their brothers of the South on hospitable ground, drink to the health of a restored union,
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and forever bury all past differences; but the programme was made out, and the first actor made the grand entree in the person of the before-mentioned Col. Samuel Johnson, a broken down divine of small consequence. He came clad in the unstained and untorn uniform of his country, with a guard of U. S. soldiers armed with pistols and sabers. He made a great speech, in which he left the field of legitimate discussion, to denounce personally, citizens of the county who stood high in public esteem, because they opposed the radical teachings of the party in power. He anathematised the con- servative party, and heaped abuse upon its advocates. He ruled the Hon. R. T. Glass off the track for the Legislature, and did many other unwarranted acts before he was called away. A few days before the election, the One-Hundred and Fifty-third Indiana Regiment landed, and with the exception of a small guard, encamped at the Fair Grounds. Hon. John Y. Brown, as before stated, was placed under guard just as he was going to the country to fill an appointment. In the city, officers and soldiers were present at the polls, detectives were busy upon the streets, applying their infamous avocations, cannons were stationed in the streets, and at intervals during the day belched forth their threatening thunder. One piece of artillery was stationed at the corner of the street nearest the voting place, the people unheed- ing the military demonstrations and the illegal oath which was offered, and which they were obliged to take before depositing their votes, thronged to the poils. `The cannon was removed to the other corner of the square, in sight of and commanding the voting place. The people still pressed forward to vote, every means short of actual violence being employed to paralyze the will of the people. But all was in vain, while hundreds were deterred from voting, from fear of arrest, subsequent annoyence and ill treatment, there were enough brave and determined men in the county to carry the election for the conservatives by over seven hundred majority.
Now our scarred and gallant veterans were returned to the walks of private life, our rent and battle-stained flags were given over to a nation's keeping, but our poor old Court House, a towering temple of which we were all proud, was a dilapidated, miserable skeleton of a concern. The exigencies of " Military Necessity " had converted it into a prison for rebels and citizens of the county. Next the colored troops took possession, and at last it became the barracks of the Kentucky volunteer force. It was built for a temple of justice, but its brick walls, once bright red, paled at the scenes of tyranny and in- justice which transpired within and around them. Its ceilings and
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chambers, once almost classical from the associations and memories of former times, had become disfigured and defaced by a rude soldiery. In these chambers had rung the eloquence of John J. Crittenden, Richard Thompson, of Indiana, Humphrey Marshall, Thos. L. Jones, John W. Stevenson, Thos. C. McCreary, Josh Bell, Governors Magoffin, Dixon and Powell, Crockett, Dallam, Turner, Hughes, Cis- sell, Cook, McHenry, Jackson, Yeaman, Brown, Vance, Glass, Kinney, and other gifted members of the bar, but since the sounds of eloquence had died away in the old temple, its walls had echoed ribald blas- phemy, and the billingsgate of reckless men and prostitutes. Wanton destructions had torn and dismantled it, and the protecting fold of the star spangled banner, which had long floated over its rotunda had at last been removed, and lo! the result of the protection,-all of the fencing around the grounds had been destroyed, the shrubbery worse than mutilated, and inside the building, the benches, stairs, window frames, sash, partitions, etc., all demolished, something had to be done.
December 18, 1865, an act was passed and approved, authorizing the County Court to levy and collect ten cents additional upon the one hundred dollars for building and repairing the Court House, and paying the indebtedness of the county. In due time the dilapidated old building was again made as good as new.
At a meeting of the citizens of Henderson County, held in the city on December 29, to consider the subject of labor, John G. Hollo- way was appointed Chairman, and George M. Priest, Secretary. The following resolutions were reported by John H. Barrett, Isom Johnson, James D. Hatchitt, F. Cunningham and S. J. Alves, and endorsed by the meeting :
" WHEREAS, The subject of labor is one of vital importance to the pco- ple of our community, now, in order that our views on this question may be rightly understood, we state without fear of contradiction, that for the last year, labor has commanded higher prices here than in any part of the United States. This meeting is not intended to do the laborer any injustice, for we are willing to pay full compensation for all that is done for us, but prices here- tofore paid being most unreasonable, we feel that it would be to our interest to do without labor, rather than pay most exhorbant rates for it. Such farmers and tobacconists as have paid the past high prices, have been losers thereby. The wages should be fair and reasonable between the contracting parties, and uniform throughout the community.
Resolred, That we are willing to pay prices equal to the highest rates paid anywhere where the same kind of labor is used, and for the same purpose, and while we do not propose to establish prices, nor bind any person by our action, to conform to our views upon the subject, yet at the present prices of
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the products of the farm, and with the certainty of still lower prices. we are of opinion that one hundred and seventy-five dollars per annum for men, and seventy-five dollars per annum for women, (without incumbrance), for year round work, and proportional prices for boys and girls for farm labor, and cor_ responding prices for other kinds of labor, is as much as we can afford to pay, the hirer to furnish good, wholesome provisions, fuel and quarters, and the laborer to pay for necessary medical attention, furnish his own clothing, and deduct for loss of time. And we pledge ourselves to a faithful and honest com- pliance with any agreement we may make with the laborer, and we will duly respect and protect his interests and rights while in our employ."
1866.
Much of the history of the war omitted in the preceeding pages will be found in the sketch of General Adam R. Johnson, Captain Ollie B. Steele, and Colonel James H. Holloway, while under the head of " Sketches and Recollections," several incidents, both painful and interesting, will be found.
THE WAR OVER.
This year dawned upon a peaceful country, and a people deter- mined, by honesty, industry and frugality, to regain their pecuniary losses. The war had scourged them, indeed it had robbed many men of their means of subsistence. They had borne patiently with thieves and scoundrels and foraging parties of both armies, and thanked God that their lives had been spared. Society had greatly changed ; a great deal of that old-fashioned hospitality, for which Kentuckians had been so proverbial, had now to give way to hard business, hard work and scrutenizing economy. Old-time friends had become es- tranged during the wicked strife, a love for money had taken the place of unrestrained sociability, a Northern idea of living possessed the greater part of the people. Slaves were now as free as the winds, and homes which were once presided oyer by the mistress, with her half-dozen servants to answer every call, now presented altogether a different scene, for the immediate members of the family were com- pelled to do that which a few years before, they had ordered done. People learned to live hard and close, and after many years of this great change of life, it is safe to say Henderson County is in a better condition to-day than ever before.
It is due to the colored people to say that, under the circum- stances attending the radical change from slavery to freedom, the great change of becoming their own masters, and toiling for their own support, in place of having the cares of life to devolve upon masters, their behavior surprised their most sanguine friends, who had viewed the situation with anxious solicitude. They came into this new life as
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though they had been drilled and tutored for months; they accepted the situation with a becoming grace, and while some few were disposed to behave unruly, the great majority behaved like men of sense and character, settling down to the realities of life, and going to work to build up themselves and growing families
January 25, a branch of the Freedman's Bureau had been estab lished in Henderson, and Thomas F. Cheaney appointed Superinten- dent. This institution was a sort of a stand between the colored man and his employer. Contracts were made for labor, and one of the duties of the Superintendent was to see justice done both parties. Organized at the time it was, and honestly and judiciously managed as it was in Henderson, the system was more of a blessing than other- wise. Worthless colored people were controlled, and vagrant negroes forced to seek and obtain employment.
EXPLOSION OF THE MISSOURI.
On the thirtieth day of January, the magnificent steamboat " Missouri," while racing with the "Silver Moon," blew up in the county a few miles above Evansville and when near the mouth of Green River, completely demolishing the frame work of the boat, and killing many of her passengers and crew. This accident happened about ten or eleven o'clock at night, and during most of the day fol- lowing, pieces of the wreck were seen floating by the wharf.
A large sheet of one of the boilers was blown several hundred yards into the woods on the Henderson County side.
An act was passed directing the Circuit Court to be held on the first Mondays in March and September, and to continue for thirty days each.
February 12, Col. John W. Crockett was arrested and taken to Louisville, on the charge of treason, but was soon released.
March 15, an organized band of robbers appeared in the county, and raided several farms for the purpose of robbing returned colored soldiers. They were successful in several instances, but were finally driven out by officers of the law.
June 7, the Henderson and Union Petroleum Company struck oil at their well on the head waters of Highland Creek, at a depth of four hundred and fifty feet, but from the best information to be had , the unloosed gas rushed out with such force, it blew all of the oil out of the well, and the company collapsed.
September 20, Elder William Steele reported having joined in marriage, within the last twenty years, three hundred and thirty couples, ten of this number married at his office, five at his residence,
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and two on the bank of the Ohio, standing under an umbrella. In three instances he married the same party twice. He married four couples in one day. His fees ran from thanky to twenty dollars, and in one case he married a gentleman said to be worth eight or ten thousand dollars, who declined paying him anything, because, he said " Sall is sickly, and I can't afford it." The Elder also reported that one-fourth of the number were dead at that time.
·September 20, " Neptune " was on a bender, to the serious detri- ment of the river bottom farmers. The river was out of its banks, and tobacco and corn in the low lands were greatly damaged, in many instances totally destroyed.
The Fair Company having been re-organized, the first fair for many years was held, commencing Tuesday, October 2. Necessary preparations for this fair were rapidly made, and under many disad- vantages, yet the success which attended the meeting was very grati- fying to the new company.
On the thirteenth, Saturday morning, eight prisoners broke the jail and effected their escape. Two escapades had been effected prior to this time, notwithstanding the jail was a new one.
1867.
The proposition to build the Henderson & Nashville Railroad, which had agitated the people along its line for many years prior to the war, was again revived. Under the old management an agent of the company had proved unfaithful to the trust imposed in him, in this : He was sent to Europe for the purpose of negotiating a loan by the use of many thousands of the company's bonds. About the time he arrived in Europe the war between Russia and Turkey broke out, and a short time afterwards the terrible storming of Sebastopol occurred. This agent viewed the situation, and seeing, as he thought, a great harvest of profit to be reaped from an investment in Irish po- tatoes, onions, etc., purchased him a ship, and then the potatoes and onions, and started for the Crimea. It has never been known whether he adopted this plan for the purpose of placing the bonds for the benefit of the company, or whether he intended pocketing for himself the principal and profits of his huge speculation.
His ship went out upon the high seas and rode the waves in ma- jestic splendor, but a landing place for his fresh provisions could not be found. After so long a time rocking and rolling with the waves, a loud aroma came up from the hull of the vessel, when it was dis- covered that his cargo had decayed and become worthless. The bonds were gone for a mere song, and the potatoes and onions for nothing.
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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
These bonds were held by English capitalists, and were good against the road. It was necessary that something should be done to recover them either by compromise or purchase.
So, in 1866, General Jerry T. Boyle, representing a syndicate, sailed for Europe, and succeeded in securing enough of the "potato and onion" bonds to give those whom he represented a controlling influence.
Returning to the United States with his bonds, suit was immedi- ately instituted in the Christian County Circuit Court, by E. G. Sebree and others, against the Henderson & Nashville Railroad Company, to foreclose the mortgage and to subject the road and its fr .. nchises to sale.
At the January term, 1867, a decree directing the sale of the road to take place on the twenty-third day of February, 1867, in the city of Hopkinsville, was rendered by the Chancellor. In accord- ance with this decree, Hon. John Feeland, Special Commissioner, advertised the sale, and on the day appointed a large number of in- terested parties assembled at Hopkinsville. H. B. Hanson, of New York, became the purchaser of the road at and for the small sum of twenty thousand dollars.
Hanson that day, or a few days afterwards, for a consideration, transferred his purchase to a company of gentlemen, no doubt organ- ized at the time of sale.
An act was then secured incorporating the Evansville, Hender- son & Nashville Railroad Company, and the purchase transferred to that company. General Jerry T. Boyle was elected President. Jerry T. Boyle, John P. Campbell, E. G. Sebree, George M. Priest, and Dabney O. Day, Directors.
The new company set to work to build the road in the stereo- typed way, soliciting donations and subscriptions of stock.
Henderson became wild over the outlook. Many of her people were willing to tax themselves beyond redemption, for the privilege of listening to the toot of one whistle, or the rattle of one set of car trucks. "A railroad, my kingdom for a railroad," was the cry.
An act was passed by the Legislature authorizing counties, cities and towns along the line of this road to tax themselves by peti- tions, signed. Petitions were circulated in Henderson, and the necessary majority soon secured. General Boyle was in a great hurry, and so were the people; but the City Council chose to go slow. Dif- ficulties existing between the company and the city were adjusted,
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and soon thereafter one hundred thousand dollars of eight per cent. bonds, and two hundred thousand dollars of seven per cent. bonds were directed to be printed, signed and delivered to the custodian appointed by the city, as Henderson's " donation" to the building of this great enterprise. As an inducement, or bait, Henderson was to get, for her three hundred thousand dollars in bonds, three hundred and sixty thousand dollars in common stock, and, as a greater induce- ment, the taxpayer was to receive twenty per cent. additional on the face of his tax receipts in stock. After hard work the bonds were placed at a price making them equal to a ten per cent. security, and very soon thereafter, the money all spent and more wanted.
Henderson County was approached and enticing bait offered, but the magisterial fish refused to bite. It was evident that something had to be done. There was no money to pay interest on the bonds of the company for which the road had been mortgaged, and finally, after triggering around, a company called the American "Contract Company," organived under the laws of the State of Pensylvania, came along and took a lease for a certain number of years, and, in the course of time, completed the road.
March, 1869, the iron was laid to Madisonville, and one consign- ment to a Henderson merchant was twelve hundred dozen eggs.
May 20, a grand barbecue and festival was given by the city and citizens to the people along the line, at the Fair Grounds, in honor of the completion of the road to Madisonville. Several years after the completion of the road, by a majority vote of the stockholders, at a meeting held in Hopkinsville, a consolidation was effected with the St. Louis & Southeastern Road, running from Evansville to St. Louis.
The line was then known as the St. Louis & Southeastern, con- solidated. Several years ago the St. Louis & Southeastern con- solidated became, by purchase, the property of the Louisville, Nash- ville & Great Southern, and, since that time, has been known as the Henderson & Nashville Division of that corporation. This di- vision has increased its business under the new management, until now it is known and regarded as one of the most important roads in the country ..
January 29, an act of the Legislature was passed creating John Funk, George M. Priest, W. C. Howard, William M. Lockett, John S. McCormick, John Rudy, John N. Lyle and H. F. Turner, a body cor- porate under the name and style of the Henderson Fair Company.
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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
February 5. an act was passed and approved, establishing in this Judicial District a Court of Justice, to be known as the Court of Com- mon Pleas, to hold annual sessions in January and July, of eighteen judicial days each.
In August, Caswell D. Bennett, of Smithland, Livingston County, was elected Judge Common Pleas, and held the first court the following January.
During the early part of February the citizens of Henderson were furnished coal, in small installments, as a great favor, for the mod- erate sum of fifty cents per bushel.
A bill to re-apportion the State into Senatorial Districts was re- ported in the Legislature and passed. The Fifth District under the act was composed of the counties of Henderson, Union and Webster.
February 27, an act was passed making the provision of the me- chanics' lien law, passed February 17, 1856, apply to Henderson County.
On the same day an act was passed authorizing the County Court of Henderson County to levy an ad valorem tax of twenty cents on the one hundred dollars, and a capitation tax of two dollars, and also to borrow the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars for the purpose of repairing and rebuilding the public buildings, made untenable by the ravages of the war. This act repealed the act of December, 1865.
The Ohio River at this time only lacked a few inches of being as high as it was in 1848.
The News of February 26 said of the high water :
" The classic village of Shawneetown is totally submerged, Uniontown is metamorphosed into a miniature Venice, and two peeping spires mark the spot where Caseyville ought to be."
March 9, an act was passed authorizing the County Court to elect a General Superintendent of the Roads, "who shall hold his office for the term of two years."
March 14, a daily river mail between Louisville and Henderson was established.
During this year a Board of Southern Relief was established, and through their instrumentality, great quantities of supplies were sent South.
Taxable property this year for the county, $6,740,162; white males over twenty-one years of age, 2,201; children between six and twenty years of age, 2,988 ; pounds of tobacco raised in 1866, 6,067,180 ; tons of hay, 10,583; bushels corn, 591,980; bushels wheat, 17,600.
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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
August 1, the steamboat "Cora S" sunk at the bar below the city. Her cargo was brought to the city.
September 23, a new submarine cable was laid across the Ohio by the Henderson & Evansville Telegraph Company, Jacob Held, President and Superintendent; E. L. Starling, Secretary. Every dollar of the stock of this company was owned in Henderson.
The annual fair this year was quite a success, and in recogni- tion of President John Funk's services, he was presented at its close with a handsome silver service by the directors. Hon. John Young Brown delivered the presentation address.
On the twenty-first day of November the Owensboro & Hen- derson Telegraph Company was completed, and a few weeks there- after was consolidated with the Henderson and Evansville line.
November 27, Rev. W. G. Allen, a noted Presbyterian divine, and former pastor of the Henderson Church, was killed at Morgan- field, by his horse falling upon him.
November 31, Engineer F. H. Crosby ascertained by actual measurement, the difference between the high and low water mark to be forty-three feet.
The assessment for U. S. Internal Revenue this year was $8, 745.36.
1868.
February 5, an act was passed and approved, authorizing William McClain's great land sale by lottery. The Commissioners created under the act were David Banks, Grant Green, William S. Holloway, E. L. Starling, William S. Elam and Robert T. Glass.
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