USA > Kentucky > Lewis County > History of Lewis County, Kentucky > Part 4
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trates Jas. Boyd and David Ferris, and the evidence was so much in his favor that the case was dismissed. But some member of the grand jury had him indicted at the December term of court of 1859, and his case came up before the June term of the Circuit Court of the next year, Judge Elijah Phister presiding. When the case was called and the witnesses sworn, only two witnesses for the defense had testified when the judge peremptorily threw it out of court, pronouncing it a plain case of self-defense.
Until about 1850 Cabin Creek had never had a resident physician. Dr. W. D. Greer about this time came from New Hampshire and settled about half a mile above Cottageville, and commenced the practice of his profession. Shortly after he came to Cabin Creek his wife died, and he afterwards married Harriet Boyd. In 1861 they moved to Aberdeen, O., and again Cabin Creek was without a physician. Some time in the sixties Dr. Barnett practiced medi- cine a few years at Cottageville; also Dr. Barnes tried it a while immediately after Dr. Barnett. After this there was a space of prob- ably ten years, during which time there was not a physician on the creek; then Dr. N. F. Jordan, of Bloomington, Ill., came and began practicing at Cottageville, and he remained a little over a
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year. A Dr. Winters succeeded him, and re- mained about six months. After him came Dr. Honaker, a former resident of Vanceburg, and remained about three years, and then moved to Pond Run, O. Dr. Morgan Pollitt came next, and remained about two years, and moved to Maysville, leaving his practice to Dr. Dumont, who had already invaded his territory. Dumont remained but a short while, and moved to Georgetown, Ky. Dr. Winder then, after purchasing a nice house and lot of T. J. Tully, and beginning like a man who intended to do something, moved his family and began the practice of medicine in 1893 at Cottageville. Since then he has built up a good- paying practice, gained the respect and esteem of the community, and has made himself so useful that he could not well be dispensed with. Dr. T. J. Rowland also practiced medicine at Cottageville a few years, probably about 1858-59, and Dr. Day at Poplar Flat, sometime during the seventies.
Ebenezer Presbyterian Church house was located about 1806, and is consequently one of the oldest church houses in the county. It was first built of logs, and the old log structure re- mained until 1850, when it was remodeled in- side and out, Mr. Jas. Gidding doing the work. It seemed to be an idea of those olden times
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that church, schoolhouse, and grave ground should be located near each other-that the trio formed an inseparable combination; and in accord with this idea a schoolhouse was located within fifty yards of the church house, and the church house was located inside the graveyard. Some who are living on Cabin Creek to-day attended school for the first time in this old schoolhouse, but about 1847 it was torn away, and schoolhouses began to spring up in new places. Washington, Brown's Run, and Owl Hollow schoolhouses were built about the time Ebenezer schoolhouse was abandoned, and afterward these houses determined the location of school districts; for, in districting the county, according to the public-school system which was at this time being set in oppo- sition, these houses were made, as nearly as possible, the centers of districts. Sometime in the fifties, D. H. Baldwin, of D. H. Baldwin & Co., of Cincinnati, O., taught singing school at Ebenezer Church. He could not sing on account of some defect in his voice, but was fully acquainted with the principles of music, and had good use of the violin, so that he was a successful teacher. Ebenezer being the only church house for miles around had much to do with shaping the religious sentiment of the neighborhood, so that the community was, and
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is yet, strongly Presbyterian. Dr. Grundy, of Maysville, was their preacher for many years. Rev. Hendrick, of Flemingsburg, has preached there, regularly, a portion of the time, and, occasionally, for the last fifty years. He seemed to have, by common consent of the members, a general supervision over the affairs of the Church, and is to-day regarded by them as their best adviser. Rev. Condit, of Washing- ton, Mason County; Adams, Fate, Gould, Fields, and Brown, who is their pastor now, have all preached there. The last four were regularly installed as their pastors for the time being.
SYCAMORE .- Sycamore Creek has its head near Covedale, and runs in a northerly direction to the Ohio River. Like many of the other streams of Lewis County, it had along its course many of the early settlers. Chief among the historic spots along Sycamore is the site of the old water mill back of Concord, which was operated by Elijah Wade more than seventy years ago. He sold out to Jesse Marklin, who operated the mill until about 1884. Since then the old mill has fallen into decay. The machin- ery has been removed and the building used for a barn.
Among the early settlers were Rolley Fea- gans, Paul and Abraham Blew, Joseph Epson,
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William Reed, John Vance, Henry Tolle, Charles Wood, Frank Feagans, and Henry Schwartz.
It is said that the noted and eccentric Lorenzo Dow, a Methodist preacher, once owned land and lived on this creek.
COVEDALE .- Covedale is situated on the watershed at the head of Sycamore Creek, and one branch of the east fork of Cabin Creek. The public buildings consist of a schoolhouse and a church, owned by the Christian denomina- tion.
E. M. Marshall is postmaster and general merchant, and J. H. Reidinger, D. F. and S. V. Fry are tobacco merchants; and J. N. Hughes is a dealer in lumber. O. E. Secrest, Matthew Virgin, H. C. Myers, Bruce Vance, O. M. Reganstien, A. H. Graham, C. A. Taylor, and G. W. George are prosperous farmers.
CONCORD .- We are under obligations to W. R. Burns for the following history of Concord:
"In 1828 Chauncy B. Shepard, the repre- sentative from Lewis County, had a bill before the General Assembly which authorized the formation of a town or village on the land owned by John and Edward Stephenson in said county, and at the March term of the Lewis County Court, in 1830, on petition of said John and Edward Stephenson, said petition was granted and the name Concord given the
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village. It is situated on the Ohio River, im- mediately below the mouth of Sycamore Creek. The area was 4614 acres, and the same was vested in the hands of Chauncy B. Shepard, George Boyd, Tavenor Moore, and William Watkins, as trustees.
"Samuel Stephenson was appointed clerk for said village. The village was laid off in lots, streets, alleys, and out-lots. The lots were sold on July 16, 1830, and Thomas Lindley was made treasurer, and Isaac Chandler, collector.
"To give all the names or history of those who were here in the earlier days would be impossible now; all are dead, perhaps, and their descendants gone.
"Samuel Stephenson was the first postmas- ter. He had a general store in these days. Only two or three mails each week were re- ceived, and these by overland route. In those days Mr. Stephenson and John Lovel, who was also in the general store business, bought their goods in Philadelphia and Baltimore, going and coming in wagons.
"Mr. Stephenson retired from business here and moved his family to his farm, a few miles from here, where he died some years later. Luther and Calvin Stephenson are his sons, who inherited his estate and are among our most thrifty farmers and respected citizens.
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"There was at one time a large tannery here, operated by the Grimes family, who were related to Jesse R. Grant, who worked in the tannery for a time. It is said that General U. S. Grant did some work also in this tanyard. The large currier's stone used to dress hides on in this yard is now in front of the Burns' home.
"When the village was laid out, a large part of it, fronting on the river, was reserved for the purpose of the farmers, who put their logs, wood, and tanbark there to send away on flatboats, or to sell to the steamboats. Some times three or four wood yards were here sup- plying the boats with fuel, and a number of cords were sold daily. All this reserved ground has been carried away by the river, and what was once a wide street (100 feet) none remains. In 1874 several feet of land and several build- ings were carried away by a slip in the bank; fortunately, no lives were lost.
"Flatboat building was at one time carried on extensively here, as many as eight or ten buildings at one time. Five or six steamboat hulls have been built here.
"Mr. John Lovel had the first saw mill here, and did a large business. Several houses now standing received their lumber from this mill. Uncle Patrick Bivan (colored) was the engineer. He lived near here on a little farm. (Died 1901.)
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John Taylor succeeded Mr. Lovel in the milling business, and he was succeeded by Hon. R. B. Lovel and G. L. Purcell.
"At one time the fine Merchant Flouring Mill, built by Taylor & Brown, did a large business and made the best of flour; for a few years last past it has done no other than a small custom business in grinding and sawing lumber, there having been a saw mill attached to it.
"The old saw mill, first built and then re- built on the same ground, was wrecked in the flood of 1884, being then owned by G. L. Purcell. It has never been rebuilt since that time.
"There are three churches in the village- the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, built in 1848; the Freewill Baptist Church, built in 1888; and the old Union (brick) Church, built in 1830 and deeded to trustees to be used by all religious denominations in good standing, has been replaced by a building now owned by the Christian, or Disciples denomination.
"We have a good new schoolhouse, just completed, which is a credit to the village.
"In 1850 Concord had the first newspaper published in the county. It was called the Concord Pioneer, and later Pioneer of Progress. It was edited and published by E. Holderness. A few copies are still to be seen. We extract
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from the issue of September 6, 1850: 'A Gala Day at Concord.'-'A gala day at a celebration given by the Sons of Temperance of this place.' 'Professor Bell, of Maysville,' was orator of the day, and the 'Manchester Band' discoursed sweet music. 'Fifteen hundred to two thousand people were present.' The editor then lauds the citizens of Concord for their hospitality, etc. 'Sam. P. Armstrong' also made one of his fine speeches. 'Pacific Division' of the Sons was then one of the largest in the State, and it seems to have been spreading itself on this occasion.
"In the same issue, J. L. Boyd advertises as having just received a fine, large stock of goods and groceries, and adds, 'Call, and get more than you can carry away, for a little money.'
"'The Boyd House and Wharfboat, No. 1,' 'John R. Duke, Saddler,' 'Wn. Rea, Hotel and Wharfboat,' are among the advertisers.
"The Pioneer was a four-page, four-column, 14 x 20 sheet, published weekly, containing very good editorial matter, together with some prose and poetry as general reading matter. Its motto was: 'Justice, Truth, and Virtue.'
"At the regular election for village officers the following voters and candidates appeared: "J. H. Hayslip, John Irvin, William Wade, 6
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John Lovel, James H. Davis, D. B. Morgan, Edward Stephenson, M. Harvey, J. L. Boyd, James M. McMiller, John Greenlee, A. Levy, Thos. Tucker, Arthur Stephenson, Thos. Lind- ley, D. Sampson, William Greenlee, W. Barrett, C. B. Shepard, Samuel Stephenson. The candi- dates received the following vote: J. M. Hay- slip, 13; Arthur Stephenson, 15; E. Berriman, 12; John Lovel, 13; David Sampson, 14; Samuel Stephenson, 11; J. L. Boyd, 8; J. H. Davis, 2. "Wyatt Owens, R. M. Owens, R. D. Taylor, J. V. White, and William Sparks have been blacksmiths here at different times. The only one of these now living is Mr. White, who resides at Manchester, O. J. M. Freeman, Samuel White, and John Sparks, Sr., have been the wagon makers, of whom Mr. Sparks is still alive and living here, and Mr. White living at Manchester, O. Mr. Freeman died a few years ago. All these shops had a good run of business -wagons, plows, single and double-trees being shipped from here to the South. Many of the wagons-timber wheels-for the South, had only two wheels, 10 or 12 feet in diameter, with an iron screw through the axle to raise logs up from the ground while hauling. The tongue of these wagons was crooked so as to come down to the level of the team to be attached.
"In the early part of this century, Mrs.
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Camming, a widow with seven sons, came to this county and located on the farm now known as the Bedford farm. They bought the land just below Stout's Run, at the foot of Brush Creek Island, down to Sycamore Creek. At the foot of this island they had a horse mill, and also a mill built on two flatboats with a water wheel between them, so that the current of the river ran the mill.
"The horse mill on the bank was later turned into a steam mill. At this mill lumber was sawed to build several flatboats and the steamboats 'John Hancock,' 'Clendel,' 'Lady Byron,' and 'Elk.' They also had a flour and saw mill just above the mouth of Sycamore Creek. At this mill George Dozier went crazy over trying to produce a perpetual motion machine. One of the buhrs used in this mill is now in front of Burns' residence in the village. William Cum- mins was the first man to command a steam- boat between Cincinnati, O., and Charleston, W. Va. He married Eliza Myers, on February 1, 1827. His widow and two daughters, now in Newport, Ky., still survive him. He owned about three hundred acres of land, known as 'the Cummin's tract,' and about thirty slaves at one time.
"Some Short Items of Interest About Con- cord .- At Cummin's mill, near Sycamore, Jack
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Stevenson built a 'horse-boat' to run from Maysville to the mouth of Great Kanawha ..
"In 1859 Jack Parker killed Solomon Dil- linger with a skiff oar.
"John Calvin was shot and killed in Parkers' Hollow in 1861.
"Wilson Phipps shot and killed Pleasant Stricklett in 1874.
"Aunt Polly Stevenson burned to death in a fire.
"John T. Wood gored to death by a bull in 1874.
"Some time in the '40's Ezekiel Berriman had a carding mill here, run by horse power.
"Buck Fegeans was killed in the saw mill here in 1855.
"Edward Stevenson was first magistrate; Larkin J. Proctor, first attorney; David Mum- ford, first hotel and bar-room; King D. McClain, first brickyard-all the brick houses now in Concord got the brick at this yard; Dr. Lindley, first physician; John Lovel, first cabinet maker; Samuel Stevenson, first merchant and post- master; Martin Bliss, first tailor; Thomas Brown, first regular ferryman. Mr. Brown also built barges and flatboats. His two sons, Hon. Paris C. (dead) and August W. Brown, are now in business in Cincinnati.
"J. P. Hendrickson was the first cooper, and John Taylor had the first wharfboat.
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"In ye olden time, and up to 1870, perhaps, large balls were given, where the brave lads and fair lassies would trip the light fantastic toe after the music of Roch. Robb and the Mitchell brothers until the wee sma' hours.
"In December, 1845, the steamboats "Del- arck' and 'Martha' collided in front of Con- cord, and both boats were a total loss. A few weeks after, in January, 1846, the 'Raleigh" run into the 'Lawrence,' just below town, and both boats sank in very shallow water. Two of these boats were laden with flour.
"In the town to-day there is a lodge of Free Masons and a lodge of Independent Order of Odd Fellows; both have good halls for their meetings, and each have a large number of members.
"Concord and vicinity sent many brave boys to the war in 1861; some wore the blue and some-a few-wore the gray. Many re- turned to their homes after the war. Some were killed or died in the service. Dr. Cartmell, now of Maysville, Ky., was a physician here in 1830-40, and was a surgeon in the 16th Regiment Kentucky Volunteers, a company of which came from Lewis County. Cartmell was succeeded as physician in Concord by Dr. M. H. Burns, in 1847, who practiced his profession here until October, 1864, when he died suddenly of apoplexy. At the time of his death he held
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the second highest office in the Grand Masonic Lodge in the State. Dr. L. A. Grimes and Dr. W. H. Campbell located here after the death of Dr. Burns. Dr. Grimes is still living here. Dr. Campbell moved to Vanceburg several years ago. Dr. W. L. Day is also a resident physician here, and at this time both these physicians have a good practice. Hon. R. B. Lovel, born and reared here, was at one time a merchant and saw mill owner in the village, and later sheriff of Lewis County for two terms, and once State Senator, representing Lewis and Mason Counties in the Kentucky Legislature. Mr. Lovel is now in business in Maysville and enjoys a flourishing trade.
"The following are the remaining business men and places of Concord:
"W. H. Currin, hotel proprietor and organ and piano dealer; A. A. Shenhurst and Son, general merchants; McCone & Parker, general merchandise; W. W. Secrest and Son, general store and post-office; O. D. Carr, general store; C. A. Taylor, grist mill; A. A. Taylor, grist mill; John Sparks, blacksmith; McClain & Blyew, dealers in logs, railroad ties, and posts; Burns, wharfmaster; one two-room schoolhouse."
CHAPTER II
COUNTY ORGANIZATION : ACT RELATING TO-FIRST COUNTY SEAT-FIRST COURT-REMOVAL OF COUNTY SEAT TO CLARKSBURG-RIVAL TOWNS-REMOVAL' TO VANCEBURG-CONVENIENCES AND INCONVEN- IENCES ARISING THEREFROM-CHANGE OF COUNTY OFFICES-THE INFIRMARY-GROWTH OF VANCE- BURG-WISE HEADS WHO BOUGHT PROPERTY AT THE RIGHT TIME-PRESENT CONDITION OF THE CITY-ITS HOPES FOR THE FUTURE.
ACT ORGANIZING LEWIS COUNTY :- Be it re- membered that in pursuance of an Act of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, passed on the second day of De- cember in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and six, and in the fifteenth year of the said Commonwealth; and an Act supplementary thereto passed on the twenty- seventh day of the same month, for the division of the county of Mason and establishing a new county called and known by the name of Lewis:
George Fearis, Aaron Stratton, Aaron Owings, John G. McDowell, John Stephenson, Landon Calvert, George Brown, Hugh Hannah, and John Dyal met at the house of Oke Hendrickson in the said county, on Monday, the twenty-
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History of Lewis County, Kentucky
seventh day of April, one thousand eight hundred and seven, and each produced Commis- sion from his Excellency, Christopher Greenup, Esquire, Governor of Kentucky, appointing them justices of the peace in and for the said County of Lewis, with all the rights and privi- leges thereto pertaining.
Whereupon Aaron Stratton, Esq., produced a certificate from under the hand of John G. McDowell, a justice of the peace for said county -who had himself been previously qualified as such before Benj. Bayles, Esq., a justice of the peace for the County of Mason-of his having taken as well the oath to support the Consti- tution of the United States as the oath prescribed by the Constitution of Kentucky. S. Plummer Thomas produced his commission as sheriff in the same court. "And therefore a County Court was begun and held for the said County of Lewis."
The first act of the court was to appoint Walker Reid as clerk for said court.
The following attorneys were also admitted to the Lewis County Bar:
Thos. Dougherty, Aaron Beatty, Wm. P. Fleming, John D. Stockton, Marshall Key, John Miller, and John G. Heath.
John G. Heath was appointed common- wealth attorney for the county.
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THE ABOVE GROUP IS A FEW OF THE PAST AND PRESENT OFFICERS OF LEWIS COUNTY:
First Row. left to right: R. M. Parker, Magistrate, District No. 6; W. M. Fry. Magistrate, District No. 1, term expired 1909; Thomas Stone, Magistrate, District No. 4; U. C. Thoroughman, County Attorney; W. R. Henderson, County School Superintendent; O. P. Pollitt, County Clerk: O. F. Lee, Magistrate, District No. 5, resigned. now in Idaho; P. C. Henderson, Magistrate, District No. 7; T. F. Bagby, State Senator; E. A. Jones, Circuit Court Clerk, 1909; Ivan W. Saunders, County Surveyor.
Second Row: J. Q. Adams, County Surveyor, 1909, now County Normal School Teacher; L. N. Rayborn, Deputy Sheriff, District No. 4, 1909; M. M. Bertram, Sheriff of the County, 1909, now Police Judge of Vanceburg.
Third Row: A. R. Campbell, Magistrate, District No. 2; J. M. Lec, County Judge; G. P. Adams, Jailer, 1909.
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Lewis County was made from a part of Mason, and was organized April 27, 1807. Its first county seat was at Poplar Flat, and its first court was held at the house of Oke Hendrick- son by the following magistrates: Landen Calvert, George Fearis, Aaron Stratton, John G. McDowell, George Brown, Hugh Hannah, John Doyle, and John Stephenson. We have found the record of this court, and therefore give further on some of the causes considered by it.
The first sheriff was Plummer Thomas; county clerk, Walker Reid; county attorney, John Heath; coroner, Samuel Cox. The repre- sentatives of these families are still among the best citizens of the county. We note the family of the late Lewis Calvert, near Clarksburg; the Fearis family, at Fearis P. O., on East Fork of Cabin Creek; Mr. Robert Stratton, deceased, on Spy Run; Thomas and David Hannah, of Quick's Run; D. M. Doyle, of Carr's Landing; Thomas and Plummer Thomas, of Kinny, and Dick Thomas, of Kirk Springs; Zachariah Heath and his son Erastus Heath, formerly of Vanceburg; W. H. Cox, late of Concord, are all descendants from that list of first county officers, besides a generation of younger people more remotely connected with them who still reside in the county.
First Court, April, 1807 .- Each of the jus-
A
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tices showed his commission from Governor Christopher Greenup, as also did Plummer Thomas, as sheriff, according to the Constitu- tion of 1799. The record says, "Whereupon a County Court was begun and held for Lewis County." It is styled in the record book "The April Court of 1807." This record book is in good state of preservation in the county clerk's office in Lewis County. The corners of its cover are protected by "buckskin," and it is well bound, but has no lines ruled in the paper. It shows the evidences of the "goosequill pen" of that day. It has a home-made index, which is well executed. The first order appoints Walker Reid as clerk. He produced his certifi- cate from the Court of Appeals, which the Constitution required, before his appointment. He gave bond in the sum of one thousand dollars for the discharge of his duties. His bond was attested by George Fearis, presiding justice --- there was no county judge under that Consti- tution-the magistrate oldest in commission, present, presided at any court. The second order was "That Samuel Cox and Jonathan Kenyon be recommended to the governor for surveyor of the county."
The following constables were appointed: Geo. N. Davis, Murdock Cooper, James Mc- Clain, Elijah T. Davis, and Baldwin Bane.
--
COURT-HOUSE AND SOLDIERS' MONUMENT.
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History of Lewis County, Kentucky
John G. Heath was appointed commonwealth attorney.
The following road reviewers were appointed and all reported at the next term of court: Wil- liam George Wilson, Thomas McIlvain, Robt. Robb, and Wm. Kennard for the road from Lewis to Mason County.
Elijah T. Davis, James Martin, William Sutherlain, and Robt. Voiers, from Sutherlain's, on Quick's Run, to the Ohio River, passing by Catt's and Cumming's mills.
Robert Taylor, William Watkins, Daniel Hendrickson, and Daniel Swearingin from Swear- ingin's mill, on Cabin Creek, to Salt Lick Road where it crosses to Williamsburg (now Orange- burg).
Hugh Hannah, . Thomas Collins, Henry Smith, and Joseph Donovan for the road from Salt Lick to Oharrow's mill.
William Harper, James Wilson, Landen Calvert, and John McDaniel for the road from Gunpowder Gap to intersect Salt Lick Road below McDaniel's.
Samuel Cox produced his commission from the governor as coroner for Lewis County.
Aaron Stratton and George Fearis were au- thorized by the governor to "celebrate" the rights of matrimony.
John McDowell was licensed to ferry from
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Vanceburg to the Ohio shore, etc., "according to law." John Stevenson also established a ferry from the mouth of Sycamore (Concord) to the Ohio shore.
Oke Hendrickson, of Poplar Flat, where the court was held, was granted tavern license.
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