USA > Kentucky > Henderson County > History of Henderson County, Kentucky > Part 35
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81
MAYORS.
W. B. Vandzandt, 1854 ; M. S. Hancock, 1854, '55, '56, '57, '58, '59; E. G. Hall, 1860, '61, '62; D. Banks, 1862, '63, '64, '65; P. B. Matthews; 1866, '67, '68; E. L. Starling, 1868, '69, '70, '71, '72, '73, '74; Jacob Held, 1874, '75; John C. Atkinson, 1875, '76, '77, '78, '79; F. M. English; 1879, '80,'81; Jac Peter, 1881, '82, '83; C. C. Ball, 1883, '84, '85, '86, '87.
TREASURERS.
N. F. Ruggles, 1819 to 1834; Samuel Stites, 1834; James W. Marshall, 1835, '36,'37; William P. Smith, 1838, '39; Henry Delano, 1840 to 1847; Philo H. Hillyer, 1847, '48, '49, '50, '51, '52, '53 ; Henry Lyne, 1854, '55, '56, '57; Andrew Clark, 1857, '58, '59, '60,
373
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
'61, 62; James E. Ricketts, 1862, '63; F. W. Reutlinger, 1862, '63, '64, '65, '66, '67; Grant Green, 1867, '68; S. K. Sneed, 1868, '69, '70, '71, '72, '73 ; B. C. Allin, 1874, '75; C. T. Starling, 1875 to 1887 inclusive.
CLERKS.
William H. Thomas, 1819 to 1824; William D. Allison, 1824 to 1852; Y. E. Allison, 1852, '53, '54, '55, '56, '57, '58, '59; F. W. Reut- linger, 1860, '61, '62, '63, '64, '65, '66; E. M. Clark, 1867 ; W. H. Ross, 1868, '69; C. Bailey, 1870 ; Henry Pyne, 1870, '71; A. S. Nunn, 1872, '73, '74, '75, '76, '77, '78' '79 ; David Hart, 1880, '81, '82, '83 ; J. B. Johnson, 1883, '84, '85, '86, '87.
MARSHALS AND COLLECTORS.
John Green, 1822 ; James Rouse, 1823, '28, 29; Joel Lambert, 1824 to 1828; Thomas P. Lambert, 1830, '31, '32; James H. Green, 1833 ; William R. Abbott, 1834; W. F. Quinn, 1835; Robert G. Rouse, 1836, '37, '38, '39, '40, '45, '50, '52, 53; Joseph D. Gobin, 1841, '42, '44, '45, '49; Y. E. Allison, 1843, '47; Samuel W. Langley, 1846 ; John C. Stapp, 1848, '49, '50; Eli J. Melton, 1851 ; B. M. Clay, 1851 ; Charles G. Boardman, 1852; Solomon Nesler, 1854, '55; N. P. Green, 1856, '57, '58, '59; W. W. Catlin, 1860, '61, '62, '63, '64; R. G. Rouse, Jr., 1864, '65, '66, '67 ; George Gayle, 1868, '69, '70, '71; B. M. Winston, 1872; Jake Held, 1872, '73, '74, '75 ; S. A. Young, 1875, '76, '77, '78, '79 ; Edward At- kinson, 1879, '80, '81 ; Peter Yaney, Collector, 1881, '82, '83, '84, '85, '86, '87; James H. ,Priest, Marshal, 1881, '82, '83; Joe A. Rudy, 1883, '84, '85, '86 ; John Kriel, 1886, '87.
HARBOR AND WHARF MASTERS.
N. F. Ruggles, 1824 to 1834; William Hart, 1834 to 1838; John Shingler, 1838 ; William P. Smith, 1839 ; Jacob Fulwiler, 1840; John B. Burk, 1841, '42, '44, '58, '59, '61, '62 ; Joseph Grant, 1841, '42; James Perrot, 1843; Robert G. Rouse, 1843, '44, '45, '49, '53, '54, '55; James F. Clay, 1846; William F. Quinn, 1847; John C. Stapp, 1848 ; William E. Lambert, 1850, '51; Charles G. Boardman, 1852; W. W. Catlin, 1856, '57; Samuel W. Black, 1860, '61 ; John H. Morris, 1863; M. P. Rucker, 1863, '64; W. W. Huston, 1865, '66; Paul J. Marrs, 1867 to 1882, inclusive ; William H. Ladd, 1872, '73 ; Frank Deschamp, 1882 to 1887, inclusive.
ASSESSORS.
1
William H. Thomas, 1822, '23 ; Daniel McBride, 1824 to 1829, 2, '33 ; William D. Allison, 1830, '31; James Rouse, 1834, '36, '50
374
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
William F. Quinn, 1835, '60, '64, '65; William S. Holloway, 1837 ; Thomas Towles, Jr., 1838, '39; Joseph D. Gobin, 1840, '41; H. E. Rouse, 1842, '66, '67 ; Y. E. Allison, 1843, '44, '46, '47, '48, '49, '50, '52, '53. '54; William L. Stone, 1845; Littleberry Weaver, 1851, '52; T. J. Hopkins, 1855, '56; J. O. Cheaney, 1856, '57, '58, '59; R. B. Cabell, 1861, '62, '68, '69 ; A. L. Jones, 1863; Thomas F. Cheaney, 1870, '71, '72, '73, '74, '76, '77, '78, '81, '82; E. R. Moore, 1875 ; B. Brashear, 1879, '80; Charles G. Henson, 1883; A. F. Kenneday, 1883, '84, '85, '86 ; Stephen P. Smith, 1887.
SUPERINTENDENT GAS WORKS.
T. M. Jenkins, 1867 to 1882; William Cannings, 1882 to 1887, inclusive.
CITY COUNCIL ADVISOR.
Hughes & Dallam, 1853, '54, '55, '56; John T. Bunch, 1857; Crockett & Vance, 1858, '59; John W. Crockett, 1860, 61; S. B. Vance, 1862, '63, '64, '65, '66; Turner & Trafton, 1866, '67, '68, '69, '70, '74; Charles Eaves, 1870, '71, '72 ; M. Yeaman, 1873, '74, '75, '76, '77, '78 ; James F. Clay, 1879, '80, '81, '82; A. T. Dudley, 1883, S. S. Sizemore, 1884, '85, '86; John L. Dorsey, 1887. .
CITY JUDGE.
Worden P. Churchill, 1854, '55; P. H. Lockett, 1856 ; H. C. Bard, 1856; W. R. Kinney, 1857; J. Willie Rice, 1858, '59; C. W. Hutchen, 1860, '61; P. A. Blackwell, 1861, '62; P. H. Hillyer, 1863, '64, '65, '66; A. T. Dudley, 1866, '67, '72, '73, '74, '75 ; E. M. Clark, 1868, '69, '70, '71; R. H. Cunningham, 1876, '77, '78, '79; G. C. Averitt, 1880, '81, '82, '83; Ezra C. Ward, 1884 to 1887, in clusive.
CHIEF FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Charles L. Woods, 1874, '75; A. M. Tutt, 1875, '76; T. M. Jenkins, 1877, '78, '79; William Cannings, 1880 to 1887, inclusive.
CITY PHYSICIAN.
Samuel Fox, 1866, '67 ; P. G. Valentine, 1868, '69, '70, '71 ; J. D, Collins, 1872, '73; J. L. Cook, 1873; Ben Letcher, 1874, '76 ; Ben & James Letcher, 1875 ; John B. Cook, 1877; A. Dixon, 1878; Ben Letcher, 1879; Ben & James H. Letcher, 1880; Ben and James H. Letcher, 1881; Arch. Dixon, 1882, '83; B. R. Helms, 1884, '85, '86 ; J. C. Smith, 1887.
CITY ENGINEER.
Thomas Allen, 1797; John Green, 1824; D. N. Walden, 1853, '54, '57. Henry J. Eastin, 1855, '56; James D. Saunders, 1858, '59, '60; J. J. Kriss, 1861; F. H. Crosby, 1866, '67, '68; Crosby & Be- bee, 1869; G. M. Alves, 1870, '71, '72, '73, '74, '75.
STREET INSPECTOR.
Charles W. Quinn, 1886 ; John Haffey, 1887.
PRECINCTS.
CAIRO PRECINCT.
HIS precinct is bounded by the Corydon, Henderson and Ro- bards Station Precincts and Webster County. For many years, from the earliest times of voting, the voters living in all that territory, with Green River to a point far beyond Petersburg, Webster County, including all of the precinct of Cairo, voted at Petersburg and John Harvey's, living at the junction of the Henderson and Madisonville, and the Smiths', afterwards McFadden's ferry roads. Years after- wards the voting place was changed from Harvey's to Isom Seller's, and here the elections were held until a growing population clamored for a change, which was made from Seller's to David Sights'. Here the elections were held for a number of years, when the voting place was changed to William Sutton's. In 1851, after the new constitu- tion having been adopted, and the population having greatly increased, two voting places were established, one at Randall Osburn's, the other at Corydon.
In 1851 Cairo Precinct was established and the town of Cairo made the voting place. Among the earliest settlers of this part of Henderson County were John Leeper, the slayer of Big Harpe, Jacob Newman, John Christian, James Worthington, Abraham Saun- ders, Rowland Hughes, Joseph Worthington, William Black, Sher- wood Hicks, Nevil Lindsay, John McCombs, John Lock, William Hughes, David Hughes, Eneas McCallister, John Luttels, John and Martin Kates, Joel Sugg, Andrew Black, Andrew Agnew and Mica- jah Hancock. These early settlers cleared the country, opened the first roads, built the first churches and school houses, and reduced
376
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
the wild woods from a state of semi-barbarism to green fields and woodlands, dedicated to the culture of fine crops of cereals, tobacco, and the raising of horses, cattle, sheep and swine. Educational facil- ities in those early times were provided, and the boy or girl who could learn so much as the multiplication table and to spell, was fortunate indeed. A large majority of the second and the third generations grew up in almost absolute ignorance. It is a well known fact that where positive illiteracy controls the populace, there too is to be found riotous living, debauchery and vice in all its multiplied phases. Ignorance pays no homage to law, save only so much as is com- pelled from a natural fear existing in the brute as well as the human. Owing to this state of ignorance a greater part of the population in- dulged their time in horse racing on the Sabbath particularly, but any other day when the boys could be notified to come forward with the necessery shekels.
Rowdyism reigned supreme, drinking, debauchery and fist mills occupied the chief attention of this large class, and, altogether, it was a most lamentable state of affairs, but between 1807 and 1812 Salem Church was built near Sellers, and during the week a school taught in the building. This pioneer building was of course a small log af- fair with puncheon seats and no desks or tables, yet it was sufficient for all purposes at the time. It was owned and used by what is known as the Regular Baptist, a minature congregation at that early date, and was presided over by Rev. John Street, a man of ordinary religious training, but an earnest worker in the faith. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. John Dorris, a preacher of considerable power, but sadly deficient in education. Rev. John Grantham preached for a time for this little congregation also. In those days settlements were few and very far between, therefore it was no unusual occurrence for members, both male and female, to ride fifteen, twenty and even twenty-five miles to preaching. It was a general rendezvous on Sun- day for the young enthusiasts and lovers, and thus became the means of doing greater good than was expected in the beginning. Great revivals were held and numbers of those whose lives had been de- voted to the sins of the world united with the Church and became active in securing others to do likewise. During the time a school was taught by Rev. John Street, afterwards by William Frazier. The children for miles around attended as best they could, most of them being necessarily compelled from the scarcity of horses and limited means of their parents, to walk day after day through by-paths for miles in search of knowledge denied their parents.
377
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
The country at this time was alive with wolves, yet they con- fined themselves mostly to those woods unfrequented by the traveler. The trials and dangers incident to that time, may be appreciated by the young of this day when they remember that little children, wholly unable to offer resistence, flocked along wood paths with nothing but the rustling of leaves and the chirps of birds to cheer their lonely way. Seeking an education was accompanied by fears and trials at every turn of the paths, yet they braved all dangers and searched that precious prize, a primary training, which eventuated in bringing the country from a wild horse racing, gambling, drinking set of ignorant hoodlums to a community of God-fearing, honest, laborous people. Salem Church, Salem school and the influence of Christian men and women gradually moralized the country until its rapid growth brought other blessings. Neighborhood roads were opened, more schools were taught, land was gradually cleared up, houses were built, law respected and thus the people became more thrifty and more in- telligent.
Eighteen hundred and eighty-three dawned upon this precinct populated by a people noted for honesty of purpose, moral training, hospitality, social culture, laborious living, and, in fact, all the charac- teristics of worth to be possessed by any similar body of people in the country at large. Most of the lands lying in this precinct are rolling lands, some low lands. While there are some poor lands in the precinct, yet it is a fact that the larger part of it is rich and very productive. The principal products are corn, wheat and tobacco. A great part of this precinct is yet heavily timbered, all of the forest growth congenial to this climate is to be found in great abundance, including the oak, hickory, ask, elm, gum, poplar and walnut.
The tenth United States census gives this precinct a population of sixteen hundred souls, but the estimated population at this time, from what may be considered accurate, gives it twenty-five hundred. The Baptist still have a church where old Salem stood and the Meth- odist have a church at Union Hill.
CAIRO.
The town of Cairo is located in the southwest part of Hender- son County, eleven miles from the City of Henderson, and seven miles west from Robards Station on the Henderson & Nashville branch of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad. The first person known to have settled in business upon the ground where the town is located, was William H. Hancock, who established a blacksmith shop for the convenience of the surrounding country. Albert G. Walker
378
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
settled a few years afterwards, and when, in 1848, a mail and stage line was established between Henderson and Hopkinsville, Mr. Walker was appointed first postmaster, The town or station at that time had no name, and in order that the office might have a desig- nated appellation by which it should be known at Washington, as well as throughout the delivery offices of the country, Mr. Walker sent in a name which the government declined to ratify, from the fact the same was on another post route in the State of Kentucky. Mr. Walker then sent on the name of Cairo, which was ratified by the Postoffice Department.
The tenth census gives Cairo a population of one hundred and seven, but at this time the town has an estimated population of three hundred.
In 1873 the town was incorporated, and under the act Isom Cot- tingham, John McMullin, Albert A. Niles, Dr. W. B. Floyd, U. N. Swope and A. Kohl appointed trustees. The boundaries of the town were described, the election of trustees regulated, that is to say, the act directs the election of six trustees in the month of May an- nually, who are to serve one term of twelve months or until their successors qualify. These Trustees must select one of their own number who shall be permanent chairman of the Board. Power is given the Trustees to enact ordinances and all needful laws and reg- ulations for the government of the town and to annex fines for their violations not exceeding magisterial jurisdiction, power to levy and collect taxes, etc.
The act of incorporation was amended February 4th, 1874, ex- tending the power of the Trustees. Under this amendment all males over the age of sixteen and under fifty years of age, who pay into the town treasury the sum of two dollars, are exempt from pay- ing poll-tax for road purposes.
The town of Cairo has one church building, the property of the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination. The building is used also by the Methodist congregation. There is also within the town limits one district white and one district colored school.
TOBACCO STEMMERIES.
Wm. T. Cottingham handles annnually from 100 to 150 hogs- heads strips and leaf.
Wm. E. Royster handles annually from 125 to 150 hogsheads strips and leaf.
Nick & Thomas Royster handles annually from 100 to 150 hogs- heads strips and leaf.
379
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
Joseph A. Quinn handles annually from 100 to 150 hogsheads strips and leaf.
J. A. Fisher & Son handles annually from 40 to 75 hogsheads strips and leaf .
David W. Denton (Rock Spring) handles annually from 50 to 75 hogsheads strips and leaf.
The stemmeries employ during the stemming season from fifteen to twenty hands each.
George W. Kimball owns and operates a flour and grist mill, capacity of two hundred bushels of flour and meal per day.
Among the oldest inhabitants now living are Martin Galloway, John W. Royster, Samuel Alderson, P. G. Sights, Dr. W. B. Floyd.
N. B .-- Since the foregoing was written Cairo has had a big fire and safe robbery. Business has materially increased and many changes have taken place. It was near Cairo that Dr. W. T. Sutton killed young Alderson, for which offense he was cleared by a jury of the court.
CORYDON PRECINCT.
This precinct was established on the 20th day December, 1851, and a voting place appointed at a house built upon the ground now within the limits of the beautiful little town of Corydon. The pre- cinct at that time was a wilderness of wild woods, inhabited by droves of wolves and other wild animals known to Kentucky for many years anterior to that date.
It is true there were a number of settlers, yet their places of habitation were so remote, neighbors seldom visited and seldom saw each other. The mode of traveling was extremely irksome and sub- jected to pioneer dangers. Corydon at that time was known only as a " woods settlement " of perhaps two or three log cabins.
The aged and respected Dr. John N. Dorsey settled in 1848 where the town of Corydon is now situated, and built the first cabin, a little log hut of a concern, in the forest upon the hill now orna- mented by the handsome residence of Charles L. King.
In 1850 or '51, William L. Dorsey, a brother of Dr. Dorsey, laid off a few lots, using a grapevine for measuring distances. Some of them he sold for five dollars per lot, others for a less amount. Land at that time was valued from four to five dollars per acre. Dr. Dorsey, in 1868 and '69, purchased land for four dollars and fifty cents per
380
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
acre, the identical ground upon which the town of Corydon is now situated.
A weekly mail was established and brought on foot or horseback by some of the settlers from the Point, now Smith's Mills. Dr. J. N. Dorsey was the first postmaster, and when, some years after, finding further service incompatible with his large and growing practice, gave up the position. A box was then fixed in the middle of the village, where the mail was deposited.
Mrs. Dorsey suggested the name of Corydon and that name was adopted by the settlers. Dr. J. N. and William L. Dorsey established the first store at Corydon. The first school was taught by Baxter Cheatham, the great talker, at a place two miles in the direction of Smith's Mills. Another school was taught at the Rock Spring. The first church was built in 1820 at a point opposite and near the resi- dence of Mrs. Norwood. It was a Baptist church. Rev. McMahon occasionally preached, as did Methodist circuit riders
W. B. Pentecost built the first tobacco stemmery at Corydon in 1853. The first church was erected in 1853 by the Christian de- nomination.
The greater part of the lands in this precinct are very fertile and productive. The principal crops consist of tobacco, corn and wheat. The farmers, as a general rule, are thrifty, intelligent, industrious and well to do. The raising of beef cattle has become one of the aims of many farmers in this precinct, and no better lands for grazing pur- poses are to be found in the county.
There is no prettier territory to be found in Kentucky than that lying between Corydon and Smith's Mills. The average value per acre of lands in this precinct is now from twenty-five to thirty dollars.
The town of Corydon is located upon two gently sloping hills, and is second in population and commercial importance to Hender- son The population of the Corydon Magisterial District, including the town as given in the Tenth United States Census, was 2,789. Population of the town, 544. Since that time the population has ma- terially increased. There are a number of handsome and comfortable houses in Corydon. So there are a number of manufacturing and mercantile enterprises.
On the tenth day of March, 1884, Corydon was visited by a fire that swept away a dozen business and dwelling houses. This natur ally, of course, cast a gloom over the good people, but they soon rallied and rebuilt their burned property. Business revived and all was bright for the time.
ยท
381
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
The Ohio Valley Railroad was built to and beyond the town, a better and cheaper outlet was furnished, telephone and telegraph offices were established, a daily mail soon became another blessing, and the future of Corydon seemed bright indeed. But the fire fiend had not yet completed its wicked work ; it seemed that the town was doomed beyond peradventure, for on the ninth day of April, 1887, early in the morning when all were asleep, a fire broke out and before it could be checked sixteen stores and other buildings had succumbed to its merciless temper. This then was a most terrible calamity, and in every way calculated to demoralize the community, but it did not. Those who were the sufferers took renewed courage and determined to rebuild. There are now seven new houses in course of building and many more to follow so soon as building material can be had. Instead, then, of the fire being a curse, it has proven a blessing in bringing about the building of better houses and destroying traps that are always and at all times dangerous.
In the town of Corydon there are four white churches, to-wit : Christian, Baptist, Presbyterian and Methodist, with large, intelligent congregations. There is a coal mine-supplying the town and sur- rounding country-which costs its stockholders $9,000; one planing mill; one large flouring mill supplied with the latest and most im- proved machinery and capacity of one hundred barrels per day ; eight firms engaged in merchandising and three tobacco stemmeries of large handling capacity. In addition to the churches before mentioned, there are also three colored places of religious worship.
In addition to all that has been said, Corydon glories in the pos- session of one of the best graded public schools to be found in the State. To the enterprise, good taste and liberality of that people, (and praised be their names), the youth, not only of the precinct but of the county, are offered and given a first-class High School educa- tion at a very moderate expenditure. All of the branches studied in ordinary colleges are taught in this school, except the Greek language. The act of the Legislature, creating this school was passed on the 25th day of March, 1872, Wm. H. Hancock, John R. Wilson, Green W. Pritchett, Dr. John N. Dorsey, Charles L. King, Dr. James N. Powell, Dr. H. S. Jones and George W. McClure, incorporators.
This also directed a district vote to be taken, and the levying and collecting of a tax of sixty cents upon the one hundred dollars' valuation, and a poll tax of six dollars. The election was held and the proposition carried by a handsome vote. The bonds, one hun- dred in number of one thousand dollars each, were issued and quickly
382
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
disposed of at a premium in Corydon and Henderson. The original bonds bore 10 per cent. intereest, but since that time have been re- deemed at a lower rate.
As soon after the sale of the bonds as possible, a magnificent two-story brick building was commenced at a cost of ten thousand dollars. This building was completed and occupied for the first time on September 1st, 1873. There were five teachers, 1st primary, 2d primary, intermediate, preparatory and high school. There was a board of eight trustees, which, at the time this sketch was written, was composed of the following named : John A. Stapp, Hon. Jos. V. Owen, Green W. Pritchett, Charles L. King, E. G. Powell, J. T. Head, H. H. Lawrence and John R. Wilson. Professor William Johnson, of Cincinnati, was the first superintendent. The first year the number of pupils enrolled aggregated 325 to 340; average daily attendance 230. There were fifteen or more non-resident pupils and from this source alone the school has annually received a benefit of siy or seven hundred dollars. The salaries were fixed at from $30 to $45 per month for teachers, superintendent $90 per month. This school has invariably employed the best instructors and has graduated some of the brightest minds in the county. The location is healthy and never has the school been demoralized by sickness or trouble by the taxpayers.
Corydon is located in a fine section of country, and with such .. public spirit and liberality as characterizes the citizens must eventually come to the front in commercial importance. There is no community to be found anywhere possessing a greater share of social culture and broad and liberal intelligence.
Corydon was incorporated many years ago and has a police judge, marshal, police, &c. Among the early settlers of this precinct were : Dr. J. N. and Wm. L. Dorsey, John R. Wilson, William J. Powell, Baxter D. Cheatham, James Powell, Berry Gibson, Pressley Pritchett, Jack Pritchett and Albert Jones. Among the oldest now living are : Dr. J. N. Dorsey, Green W. Pritchett, Jno. R. Wilson, Thomas Ash, Herbert A. Powell, W. B. Pentecost and Jno. Trigg.
GENEVA PRECINCT.
Prior to 1880, the voters of this precinct, in order to exercise the right of elective franchise, were compelled to go either to Smith's Mills, Corydon or Henderson. The distance was an uncomfortable and fatiguing one. It was so with their court matters, and in order
383
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
to remedy this, a petition, largely signed, was presented to the Court, and upon its hearing, on the 24th day of May, 1880, a precinct was established with two magistrates. This precinct was formed from portions of Smith's Mills Corydon and Henderson, and Geneva made the voting place. Originally Geneva was known as " Walker's," then the " Cross Roads," and is situated at the crossing of the Henderson and Smith's Mills, and Diamond Island and Corydon roads. The precinct lands are generally level and of a fine producing quality. The farmers are thrifty and intelligent. Diamond Island bend is in- cluded in this precinct, and for the production of corn and tobacco no better land is to be found in the county: It is in this bend where sportsmen find the greatest pleasure in the fall, winter and spring months, duck and goose shooting. There are a great number of sloughs and ponds, and with the coming of cold weather these are literally taken possession of by wild ducks and geese. The village of Geneva consists of a postoffice, four or five stores, a blacksmith shop, a grist mill, and several residences. Mr. J. T. Sandefur, one of the most successful and intelligent raisers and handlers of bees, has his apiary near Geneva, where he collects annually a large amount of honey.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.