USA > Kentucky > Henderson County > History of Henderson County, Kentucky > Part 53
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
" In a short time an officer conveyed some word from the main force on the bank, when the sergeant in charge of the prisoners im- mediately formed six of his men into a hollow square, and Powell and Thompson, their hands still bound, were again marched up the bank to where the balance of the force stood. It was now obvious that a speedy death awaited the two young prisoners.
"Two platoons of detailed men stood apart in the street, with fixed bayonets and loaded muskets, facing a fence which skirted the pavement, not over fifteen paces distant. Two chairs about a yard apart stood against the fence, and the prisoners being conducted to these seats, their arms were securely pinioned to the boards of the fence. Powell still was firm and undismayed, but Thompson bewailed his hard fate. Their eyes were bandaged with handkerchiefs. The word was given for one platoon to fire on Powell-twelve men dis- charged a rattling volley full upon him, ten balls striking-one in the right eye, one near the heart, three nearly together in the right shoul- der, another in his right breast, and four balls entered his pelvis. Groans of anguish echoed to the report of the muskets. The other squad were then ordered to aim for Thompson, and again the deadly bullets went whistling on their work of slaughter. Four balls riddled Thompson-one striking at the right eye, the rest entering his body. There hung, suspended to the fence by ropes, the lifeless bodies of two young men who, but a few moments previous, were in the full vigor of manhood and health. It was a horrible spectacle to those who stood near, and we are credibly informed that Lieutenant Head- ington averred that it was the most unpleasant duty he ever had to
555
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY
perform. Our citizens universally, so far as we have been able to learn, strenuously opposed this execution in our midst of men who had not participated in any outrage in our city.
"After the shooting the military passed the mutilated corpses over to our citizens, three of whom were Samuel W. Posey, Joe. B. Johnston and James B. Evans, and who conveyed them to a building where . they were stripped, washed and attired in clean clothing, and placed in neat coffins. Word was then dispatched to their relatives in Da- viess County that the bodies were at their disposal.
"Federal soldiers remained in our city until daylight, when they went up to Evansville, on the General Halleck, showing conclusively that they had performed their mission.
"We cannot forbear noticing the kindness bestowed upon these unfortunates, previous to their death, by an estimable Catholic lady, Miss Mary Henderson, and that the last wish the deceased expressed was to be permitted to receive a cross from her hands.
"Retaliation on innocent parties looks like barbarity-like vindic- tive cruelty. There is nothing Christian about it, and, as for policy, in our opinion, it is the policy of madmen. Where is it to end ? If the villains engaged in the shooting of Mr. Rankin could have been caught and shot, or hung, there is no man in our city, but who would have rejoiced. Nay, we are told that the rebel Colonel Sypert had expressed his intention to shoot all such unauthorized scoundrels. But these young men, whose warm blood has dyed our streets, had no hand or part in any deeds of the kind. They were rebels against our Government, taken with arms in their hands; but they were regular sworn soldiers, and condemned the acts of Edmonds and his gang, who had made the murderous onslaught on Mr. Rankin. Let it be remembered, that our citizens are almost totally unarmed -- a squad of armed desperadoes dash into the city, take us by surprise, and we have no idea of their numbers-then they commit excesses which are repugnant to all eyes, and again hurry off, and for these acts, the suf- fering citizens are to be plucked, because they could not help them- selves. Most wonderful justice !
"On Saturday morning, after the departure of the Federals, some of our prudent and influential citizens, fearing an inroad from Sypert's command, went out to his camp, to disavow an endorsement of the execution. Early in the evening they returned, bearing the following document, which was soon put in type and distributed to an excited public :
556
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
' HEADQUARTERS SYPERT'S AND SOFRY'S -
. CONFEDERATE REGIMENT, July 23d, 1864. 5
To the Citizens of Henderson :
'On yesterday two Confederate soldiers were shot to death in the streets of your city. They died unjustly. They condemned-their entire command con - demned-as earnestly as any citizen of Kentucky. the wounding of Mr. James E. Rankin, and the plundering of property in your city. But they are gone- and their murder is another crime added to the damnable catalogue of infamy of the despotism that rules you. We are Confederate soldiers. We fight for the liberties our sires bequeathed us. We have not made, nor will we make war on citizens and women. Let not your people be excited by any further apprehensions that we will disturb the peace ot your community by the arrest of Union men-or any interference with them, unless they place themselves in the attitude of combatants. Such conduct would be cowardly, and we scorn it. We are in arms to meet and battle with soldiers-not to tyrannize over citizens and frighten women and children.
. We move with our lives in our hands, and we are fighting not for booty, but for liberty to disenthrall our loved Southern land from the horrible despot- ism under which it has bled and suffered so much. We know our duty, and we will do it as soldiers and men. Even if what are denominated Southern sym- pathisers, be arrested by the tyrants that lord it over you, we would scorn to retaliate by arresting Union men, who had no complicity in the matter; but our retaliation will be upon soldiers.
' Let not the non-combatants of your community be further excited by any fear that we will disturb them. All Union men who may have left home on our account, may safely return. In war, soldiers should do the fighting.
' The brave sons of our beloved land so far have triumphantly resisted the cruel crusade of Northern vandals, and we trust in God that she -- our 'Dirie'-may soon stand forth before the world, a recognized Republic-the grave of patriots and the home of freemen.
'L. A. SYPERT, 'Colonel Commanding, C. S. A. 'R. B. L. SOERY, 'Lieutenant Colonel.
'J. WALKER TAYLOR,
'Of Major General Buckner's Command, C. S. A.'
"The sad finale of our lengthy article is to chronicle the death of Mr. Rankin, who died on Sunday morning last.
"On Friday, his family deemed it advisable to remove him and themselves over the river into Indiana-his physicians and friends flattering themselves that he was recovering from his dangerous wound. On Sunday morning last, at six o'clock, he requested his wife to pre- pare him some ham, and while he was partaking of this, she asked him if it " tasted natural." He replied "yes, it does," and then swallowed some ice water, which instantly brought on a violent strain of cough-
557
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
ing. This cough caused the re-opening or bursting of the wounded blood vessels in his throat, and a rapid stream of blood gushed forth from his mouth and nostrils, staining his person and the bedding with the purple dye of life. Strangulation laid him cold and rigid in death, and the spirit of this zealous christian, kind husband, indulgent father, and worthy citizen took its flight to another and a better world, "where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest." Funeral services were held over his remains on yesterday (Monday) evening, at the Presbyterian Church, of which denomination he had long been a ruling elder. Rev J. Woodbridge preached his funeral sermon to a large congregation, who felt they had lost one of the best of citizens. Indeed, universal sorrow pervaded our city, and his be- reaved family had the sympathy of all.
" Mr. Rankin was fifty-four years of age at his death, and now leaves an afflicted widow and eight children to mourn his loss. But we hope our loss is his gain. He was a Kentuckian, born in Hender- son County, where he has passed nearly his whole life. When a youth he acted as salesman in Mr. Pollock's store, afterwards going into bus- iness with a partner (John H. Barret), and since 1831, has carried on a dry goods business, enjoying an abundant patronage. He was often elected as Trustee for the town, but never aspired to any politi- cal station, preferring the quiet sphere of a merchant, and the de lights of his domestic fireside."
The following beautiful poem is taken from the " Freeman's Jour- nal."
"MY BROTHER'S NO MORE."
[ Written hy a young lady of Owensboro, Kentucky, on the death of her brother, William C. Thompson, who was executed in Henderson, July 22d, 1864.]
Despair in his wild eye a son of Kentucky, Appeared on the banks of the bleak sandy shore ; Loose in the wind flowed his dark ringlets streaming, And heedless he listened to the dread surges roar ; Loud rang his voice in wild tones of despairing, The time pass'd away with the present comparing, And in soul-thrilling strains deeper sorrow declaring,
He expressed utter grief and my brother's no more !
Oh, Kentucky, my country, one son has departed,
For tyrants and traitors have stabbed his heart's core ; Thy daughters have laved in the streams of affliction-
Thy patriots have fled, or lie stretched in their gore:
558
1
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
Ruthless ruffians now prowl thro' thy hamlets forsaken. From pale, hungry orphans their last morsel have taken; The screams of thy females no pity awaken --
Alas! my poor country, my brother's no more!
Brave was his spirit yet mild as an angel's.
His heart wept in anguish the wrongs of the poor ; To relieve their hard sufferings he braved every danger- The vengeance of tyrants undauntedly bore ; E'en before him the proud titled villains in power,
Were seen, though in Ermine, in terror to cower ;
But alas! he is gone, he has fallen-a young flower-
They have murdered my Willie, my brother's no more!
THE ASSINATION OF DR. WALTER A. NORWOOD,
A distinguished physician in his time, and a gentleman of extended information upon all matters of importance, met a most horrible death in this county upon the evening of the first of April, 1861. He had immigrated to Henderson from North Carolina, his native State, some years prior to that time, and was not long in winning the confidence and esteem of the people of his new home. He was universally pop- ular and greatly respected for his learning and eminent skill in his profession. He, soon after coming to Henderson, entered into partner- ship with Dr. Robert P. Letcher, and up to the time of his removal from the city to the county, this was perhaps the strongest firm, and did the largest practice then done in the city. On the -- day of
.18-, he married Miss , of the county, and soon, or immediately thereafter, took up his abode in one of the finest sections of the county, lying between Henderson and Corydon, and there established himself in the practice of his profession, at the same time devoting a great portion of his time to agricultural pursuits. A few days prior to April, 1861, a worthless and much dreaded negro, Jim Brown, by name, was seen several times loafing in the woods in the vicinity of Dr. Norwood's place, ostensibly, it was said, for the pur- pose of assassinating Mr. Furna Cannon, an aged and respected citi- zen, who owned his (Brown's) wife, and who had refused him the privilege of coming on his place. This treatment enraged the fiendish negro, and at a point alongside of the road, near what is known as Cherry Hill Church, or Canoe Creek meeting house, on the road lead- ing to Corydon, and near the old Diamond Island Road, leading into the Corydon road, built him a cave or ambush, where he secreted himself at times for the purpose of killing, Mr. Cannon as he passed by. Brown hid around in the neighborhood, sleeping and secreting himself a great part of the time in haylofts of the farmers.
559
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
On the day of the killing, April 1st, 1861, he had gone into the hayloft of Dr. Norwood, unbeknowing to any member of the family, and there hid himself away beneath the hay. Late in the afternoon Dr. Norwood came in with his horse, and went up a rude ladder into the loft for the purpose of getting hay for his horse, and while thus engaged discovered Brown, and immediately ordered him to vacate the premises. This the bloody fiend refused to do. The doctor then turned and descended the ladder to the door of his stable, and called to his wife, who was in the house near by, to bring him his gun. Mrs. Norwood secured the weapon and started, but Brown, realizing the closeness of the situation, came immediately down the ladder, and see- ing the doctor standing in front of him, drew his single-barrel rifle pis- tol and fired, killing his victim dead where he stood. Mrs. Norwood witnessed the killing, and with shrieking anguish rushed to the body of her dying husband. Brown fled to the woods and was soon out of sight.
No incident in the history of Henderson County, criminal or otherwise, had ever created such profound sympathy or righteous in- dignation. The neighbors congregated, the whole town was unnerved and ready at a moment's warning to shoulder arms and scour the county for the assassinator of the unfortunate man. The feeling grew more and more intense as additional intelligence of the shooting was received. Men went on horseback and in buggies to learn the facts, and contribute, if possible, in any way to the comfort of the bereaved family, and to the capture of the outlaw.
Captain Bill Quinn, who then lived in Henderson, was the owner of one or two noted blood hounds, and he, in company with a half- dozen or more gentlemen, volunteered their services to search the woods and fields, and out-buildings of the whole county if need be, for Brown. Mounted upon magnificent horses, and as regulators, they took their reckoning from the spot where the doctor was killed, and were soon following on the heels of Brown with the blood hounds in the lead.
From some cause, perhaps delay, the keen-scented hounds failed to take the track, and it was not long before the pursuers recognized that they would have to rely upon their own shrewdness in effecting the capture. Several times during the chase slight information was gained of Brown's whereabouts, but in every instance after strict search he was found missing. He knew he was pursued and yet fool- ishly failed to flee the country, but continued to hang around, sleep- ing at night in barns, under fodder stacks, and other places. After
560
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
following close upon his trail and locating him near the Madisonville Road at Mr. Milan Hancock's, the mounted troopers approached that place cautiously early on the morning of the tenth day of April. They had been scouring the country for nine days and nights, with but little rest, and although fatigued and worn, they yet hurried on more deter- mined than ever upon the murderer's capture. At this place a negro woman gave them the first reliable evidence they had ever been able to obtain concerning his true whereabouts. She told them that Brown had been seen to enter Mr. Hancock's hayloft the night before, and that she had fed him. By this time the fame of Brown had extended over the county, and by the negroes particularly, he was regarded in holy horror. They professed to dread him, and for this reason re- fused to give information. After getting this, the first reliable informa- tion, the troopers were satisfied that the end was near at hand for they expected to capture him in Mr. Hancock's hayloft. Before approach- ing the stable, however, the woman told some of the men that they had best go quickly to William J. Marshall's, in sight and not over a half- mile beyond, for she supposed that he had left Hancock's and gone there some time in the night. Acting upon this suggestion, John Quinn, Bunk Hurt, John H. Marshall and others, went forthwith to Marshall's while a sufficient number remained to investigate Han- cock's premises.
Both farms were surrounded, and much to the chagrin of the party at Hancock's it was found that the murderer had fled, leaving behind him signs of having slept in the hay the night before. The party then started to rejoin the others at Marshall's, when the sharp keen crack of a rifle was heard coming from the second story of the barn, and a rush by the outer guards into the building was plainly noticed. They then hurried on as rapidly as their horses could carry them, and arriving at the spot were saluted with the joyful intelli- gence that Brown was there, but a lifeless corpse.
When Quinn, Hart and Marshall entered the barn, they instituted search by driving long pronged pitchforks through the hay, one of which pricked the murderers leg, whereupon he threw the hay from off his head, and, without warning, snapped his pistol at Quinn, and then at the others. Fortunately for Quinn the weapon was a self- cocker, with its hammer underneath the barrel, and this was caught by the straw so as to prevent an explosion. He was repeatedly called to surrender under the penalty of death, but replied, "shoot and be d-d." John H. Marshall, as brave a man as ever pulled trigger, lev- eled his rifle, and taking aim, fired, the ball striking him in the right
561
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
temple, causing instant death. The news of the shooting soon reached the town, and before noon hundreds of people visited the scene. A jury was empaneled by Esq. Francis E. Walker, and an inquest held, resulting in exonerating Marshall and posse of any blame whatever. Brown's remains were turned over to the Surgeon of the town, and the carcass was scientifically carved, furnishing an abundance of informa- tion for young students of anatomy and surgery. Brown belonged to Mrs. Saraphine Pentecost, of this county, and was a most desperate and blood thirsty villain.
THE MILITIA AND THE QUIZZICALS.
In early times, the fourth day of July, twenty-second day of Feb- ruary and Christmas were more days for joy and pleasure than they are in these days of wondrous inventions and universal selfishness. There were no squibs, sky rockets and Roman candles, &c., but there were dried bladders in abundance that answered the purpose of noise- making. These days, however, were no greater than what were known as "Muster " days, when the populace turned out to witness the militia drill. Muster days were acknowledged holidays-time ap- pointed by local pugilists to settle the title to the "best man," the time for the devotee of John Barleycorn to test his capacity for drink- ing all the liquor in town.
Boys, negroes and men on foot, on horseback, in cart and wagon, crowded from every direction and hurried on with anxious speed to the scene where mimic battles were to be fought. Old shotguns, rusty rifles, long untried fowling pieces, cornstalks and hickory sticks were in great demand. Cider wagons, ginger cakes, apples, whisky, and all the other et cetera of the camp was rushed pell mell into the place of rendezvous. Henderson had her muster days attended with horse racing, cock fighting, rifle shooting, wrestling matches, boxing set tos and such like. Each of these pastimes had their votaries in large numbers. Babel, in the palmiest day, was a "tempest in a tea- pot " compared with a militia muster. The carnival at Rome or the ancient Saturnalia of the Romans in the height of their reveling would be tame and insipid when placed in juxtaposition with such an occa- sion. A modern mass political convention might be compared for noise and wild confusion with what had been accredited a regiment of boisterous militia. The commanding officer of the day would strip his saddle of its 'red girth, belt on his trenchant blade, don his swallow- tailed blue, adorned with bullet buttons and red calico, wave his
36
562
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
plumed beaver around his head. and shout his orders, "parade," and this was about all he knew of the tactics. Forming his men into a straight line was one of the hardest things to do and was seldom done without the aid of a corn row.
In the line were tall, low, long, short, thin and fat, old and young, men and boys, clothed with fur and wool hats and caps and no hats at all ; cloth coats and jeans, calico and linsey, and no coats at all ; boots, shoes and moccasins, and no shoes at all; new and old pants, white, black and striped, and no pants at all ; shirts ruffled and unruffled, white, black, blue, green, grey and red, cotton, linen and calico, and no shirts at all ; all mingled together in the most hetero- geneous and checkered confusion. The officers were more frequently selected for their muscle and abundant voice than for any knowledge they possessed of the tactics. They realized that it was alone their business to give the commands and then for the company to obey and perform, and if they failed, it was their look out.
Many of the Captains, Majors, etc., undertook the difficult task of forming a line but once during the day, and that was early in the morning. Many of the militia were far more steady when going into the fray than when coming out, and such was a militia muster at any time from 1812 to 1847, a great, grand, laughable silly farce, not only tolerated, but legalized and commanded by the laws of the State. No. body wanted to muster but the Captains, Majors, and so on, yet the people, like good citizens, obeyed three times annually, leaving labor, home duties and business to undergo this most absurd of absurdities. The sober, intelligent class of people became more and more dis- gusted. They were annoyed, bedevilled and out of all patience, and longed for the day to come when the Legislature would have sense enough to repeal the law, and thus end, a miserable farce and infer- nal nuisance. It seemed this long looked for day would never come, so the people, that is those who wanted to work and did not want to submit longer to the orders of a few bullet-headed, self opinionated mock patriots, determined to place quietus upon the militia drills. How to do this was a question uncertain with many but the leaders. It was soon determined to meet the militia half way on the drill ground, and, if possible, to present a front uniformed in more colors, more rags, worse hats, and meaner guns than the soldiers could procure in a week's search. Under the law, company drill was appointed in April, battalion drill in May and regimental muster in October. Thus three times a year business men were required to turn out and make fools of themselves. A secret meeting of a few leaders was appointed
563
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
in March, 1847, and at this meeting it was determined to parade a company in the month of April which should be known as the " Quiz- zicals." Recruiting officers were appointed and the strictest secrecy was enjoined upon each man. Strange as it may seem, there were some good citizens, actuated from patriotic motives and nothing more, who honestly believed it to be the duty of every militiaman to muster at the appointed time and were equally horrified at any at tempt to throw cold water upon the organization. They lamented the lethargic spirit so plainly manifested and governed by the old maxim, " Birds which can sing, and won't sing, must be made to sing," and boldly announced that belief. Some even went so far as to say, " Give me a commission and I'll make 'em drill." This coercive spirit made the " Quizzicals " more determined than ever, and every remark was seized and safely stored away in memory's safe basket for future use. The " Quizzicals" held their secret meetings, formed their plans and not a breath had ever articulated a sound whereby the object of the rebels could be suspicioned. There was danger ahead, yet they braved it all, and on the April muster day, when the village was filled with militia men armed with cornstalks, flintlock guns without any flints, squirrel rifles without hammers, old sabres eaten up by rust, and many other instruments of military insignificance, the Quizzicals came slowly and noislesssly out from their half dozen secret meeting rooms, arrayed in all the paraphernalia of ingenious burlesque. Their ar- rangements had been so perfected, so well understood and so system- atically and accurately carried out, the militia were made ashamed, not only of their military training, but of their dress, which was now shown up by the burlesques in all of its hideousness.
At a certain signal, the several squads were on the march and with regular precision swung into line. No single human outside of the command had anticipated their coming. No human knew where they had come from, who they were, what was up or what they intended doing.
Soon a golden banner emblazoned in great golden letters,“ Soldiers in Peace, Citizens in War," was elevated over the head of a horrid Fal- staphian, and this the immense stomached monstrosity as he appeared, was considerate enough to conspicuously display to the amazed and uneasy multitude. The rank, more than the file, were inhumanely attired in rags of many colors, false faces of unheard of shapes and imaginations, cows, tin and wooden horns, tin and wooden sabres from six inches to ten feet in length, spurs from the size of a shirt button to that of a town clock face, guns from the ordinary toy to one the
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.