USA > Kentucky > Lewis County > History of Lewis County, Kentucky > Part 6
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There are five church buildings, viz .: the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, the Presbyterian, the Christian, and the Heinsch Chapel Colored Methodist Church.
The public school building and the build- ings of the Riverside Seminary are edifices that denote the intellectual vigor of the citizens, and, together with their effects, these buildings
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are a monument to education of which all Vanceburg citizens are proud. Beside these there is now open each year a county high school, under the efficient management of Professor C. S. Dale and two assistants. Also each year there is conducted a normal for the benefit of young men and women wishing to prepare for examinations.
In the mercantile pursuits there are three drygoods stores-G. W. Stamper, S. J. Pugh & Co., and J. T. Ort; M. Marcus, gent's clothing; three drygoods and grocery stores-E. G. Clark, and Hike, of South Vanceburg, and E. Heinisch; and six grocery stores-G. W. Stamper & Co., J. M. Donehoo & Co., J. L. Chadwick, John Cox, Bagby & Co., and D. Boyd, of South Vanceburg; and two hardware stores-N. G. Fisher & Son, and Ingram and Foster; one planing mill-John Cox & Son; one button factory-The Vanceburg Button Factory Co .; one canning factory-Vanceburg Canning Fac- tory; one tannery-A. J. Stein & Co .; one tobacco hogshead stave factory-W. W. Dugan & Co .; one ice and electric light plant combine -Vanceburg Electric Light and Ice Co .; two livery, feed, and sale stables-Sam'l Pollitt & Son, and Benjamin Stricklett; three blacksmith shops-William Grote, Huber & Co.,
- -; three feed stores-Henderson and Stricklett,
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HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING, VANCEBURG.
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Staggs Bros., and Captain Webb & Co .; three hotels-Carter House, St. Nicholas, and St. Charles; three millinery establishments-G. W. . Stamper, Mrs. Powers, and M. Marcus; two fur- niture stores-John Cox & Son and G. W. Stamper; one printing office-The Vanceburg Sun; one poultry commission house-H. A. Staly & Son; one telephone exchange-The Vanceburg Telephone Co .; three barber shops- Hawthorne, Ham and Barnes; two drug stores -The Gem Pharmacy and Opera House Drug Store; one undertaker's establishment-Plummer Bros; one monumental works-The Vanceburg Monumental Works Co. As these pages go to press there is being completed plans for a Loose Leaf Tobacco Warehouse, to be erected inside the city limits.
Professional .- Four physicians and dentists and three lawyers. One magistrate and county attorney and circuit judge and the county judge; the sheriff and circuit clerk; coroner and county surveyor. There are four resident ministers- two Methodist, one Presbyterian, and one Disciples minister; eight teachers in the city schools, and the county superintendent of schools has his home and office here.
The city has seemed to be able to pass through all the close, panicky times without serious damage.
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Compared with other cities of like dimensions (Vanceburg is a city of the fifth class) and wealth, Vanceburg seems to be in better condi- tion than many others. (For taxes, debts, offi- cers, etc., see table at end of this chapter.)
This city has hitherto drawn its support from the timber resources of the adjacent country, but that supply is nearly exhausted, and other means must be found to continue the growth and prosperity of the city. One important industry started in the country near is fruit growing. The canning establishment now being operated in the city, which will be an impetus to that industry, already of no mean propor- tions, and will give spirit and enterprise to all kinds of business from the money it will dis- seminate.
The County Fairground is located one mile south of Vanceburg -- a cut of which is shown on page 135.
Some Incidents of Note .- The land for the county buildings was donated by W. C. Hal- bert, Sr. Probably the first bonds issued by Lewis County were those issued by County Clerk Thos. W. Mitchell for the purpose of building the court-house, in 1864. There were no stubs left of these bonds, and it is not certain just how many were issued, but it is known that the buildings cost $25,000. Bonds were a new
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sort of investment in Lewis County, and capital seemed a little chary of them; but Judge Thomas came forward and subscribed for $1,500 worth of them, and then afterward they went lively, for then, as now, people put confidence in the judgment of the judge in all financial transac- tions.
Joshua B. Fitch was the sheriff to whom was intrusted the collection of the additional levy to pay off this bonded debt. Socrates Holbrook, whose picture hangs in the court-house as a souvenir of kindly remembrance by Lewis County people, was county judge at this event- ful period in our county's history.
W. C. Halbert, Sr., who donated the land for the buildings, was county attorney, and to him the people are indebted for the decent public buildings they now possess, and it may be said for the very existence of Vanceburg as any- thing more than a one-store town, with a hitch- ing rack and two good-sized mudholes; for it was to his indefatigable effort in securing a petition with the names of all the voters in the county and presenting the same to the Legis- lature that the act was passed to remove the county seat from Clarksburg to Vanceburg. Just think of Clarksburg as a county seat after a railroad was built along the river, and see how Lewis County was helped to the front by
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the removal in 1864. In fact, the act of Judge Thomas in subscribing for bonds, the push and vim of Mr. Halbert, and the industry, energy, and honesty with which the county officials, as a body, did their whole duty, brought Lewis County to the front, and made the county town equal to those more wealthy districts of the State.
SCENE ON THE VANCEBURG FAIRGROUNDS.
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CHAPTER III
LEGISLATIVE ACTS IN FAVOR OF THE COUNTY.
ACTS OF 1808: An Act establishing academies in the Counties of Lewis and Clay.
First .- Be it enacted by the General Assembly that Winslow Parker, Robert Robb, Aaron Stratton, William Walker, John Radford, James Barclay, and Rowland Thomas, gentlemen shall be, and are hereby constituted a body politic and corporate, to be known by the name of the trustees of the Lewis Academy, and by that name shall have perpetual succession and a common seal, with power to change or alter the same at their pleasure; and as a body corporate, shall be authorized to exercise all the powers and privileges that are now enjoyed by the trustees of any academy or seminary of learning within this State; and, on the death, resignation, or other disqualification of any of the trustees aforesaid, or their successors, a majority of the remaining trustees shall fill such vacancy, and the person so appointed shall be vested with the same power and authority as if specially named by this act; and the by name and style of the trustees of the Lewis Academy may sue and
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implead, or be sued and impleaded in any court in law or equity, or before any tribunal having cognizance of the same.
Second. The said trustees and their suc- cessors shall have power in their corporate capacity to purchase, or receive by donation, any lands, tenements, inheritance, moneys, rents, goods, and chattels, and to hold same by the name aforesaid to them and their successors forever for the use of said Academy, and to sell, alien, or transfer any such lands, goods, and chattels and apply the proceeds thereof to the use and benefit thereof.
Third .- The said trustees are entitled to locate, survey, and patent the quantity of six thousand acres of vacant land, on the terms and conditions prescribed in an act entitled, "An Act to establish and endow certain acade- mies," and the several acts amendatory thereto; and for that purpose, any contract with any person or persons, to locate and have the same surveyed, for which services they are authorized to give and convey to such person or persons a part of said lands, not exceeding two thousand acres, and may also dispose of one thousand acres for the purpose of erecting the necessary buildings and providing books and other ap- paratus for the use of the said academy.
Fourth .- The person first named herein, or,
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in his absence or refusal to act, the next, shall notify the time and place for the first meeting of the trustees, and on an attendance of a majority thereof they shall appoint a chairman and clerk, who shall severally take on oath "well and truly to execute the duties of their office," and thereafter the board may be called by the chairman or any two of the trustees. The said trustees shall have power to adjourn from day to day, to make and ordain such laws, rules, and ordinances as they may deem proper, not inconsistent with the laws of this Commonwealth; and moreover, to fix on a proper place for erecting the buildings for the said academy. Provided, that a majority of all the trustees shall be necessary to attend on the making of any contract, by-laws, or fixing the permanent seat for the same.
Fifth .- A majority of the said trustees shall have power to engage and employ a competent number of masters and professors to said acad- emy, to fix their salaries and the salary of their clerk, as also the terms of tuition; and, on the misconduct of any master, professor, or student, may dismiss or expel such master, professor, or student from the said academy.
ACTS OF 1809: An Act allowing additional justices of the peace in certain counties.
First .- The County of Lewis shall have one
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in addition to the number already allowed by law.
An Act for fixing the permanent seat of justice of Lewis County.
Whereas, it is represented to the present General Assembly that the seat of justice for Lewis County is improperly fixed; for remedy whereof,
First .- Be it enacted by the General Assembly that Thomas Sloo, John Howison, and Jesse Hard, of Mason County; Robert Morrison, James Reed, of Fleming; Thomas Warring, Sr., and Charles Lewis, of Greenup, be and they are hereby appointed commissioners, or a majority of them, to fix upon and establish a place for the permanent seat of justice in said County of Lewis.
Second .- Be it further enacted, that the said commissioners or majority of them, after having severally taken an oath before some justice of the peace for said county, that they will well and truly execute the trust confided by this act, without favor, affection, or partiality shall meet at the present place of holding court. in said county, on the third Monday in March next, or any such day thereafter as may best suit, and having so assembled, shall proceed to view so much of the said county as in their opin- ion will be necessary to form a correct knowledge
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of the probable population thereof, and such review being made, shall proceed to fix upon a place for a permanent seat of justice in said County of Lewis.
Third .- And be it further enacted, that the said commissioners or majority of them, having so fixed upon a spot for such permnaent seat of justice, shall make out their report in writing, signed and sealed; therein laying off, by proper miles and bounds, one acre of land, designated for the establishment of public buildings; which report shall be returned to the next County Court of said county, to be entered on the record therein.
Fourth .- And be it further enacted, that the County Court of said county shall immediately thereafter proceed to contract by purchase, or otherwise, for said acre of land; as soon as may be, have the necessary public buildings erected thereon for the use of the county, which shall thereafter be the permanent seat of justice for said County of Lewis.
Fifth .- And be it further enacted, that each of the commissioners attending under this act shall be entitled to two dollars per day for each day they may be employed in the execution thereof, to be levied and paid out of the next county levy of said county.
ACTS OF 1809: An Act to alter the time of holding certain Circuit Courts.
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SECTION 6 .- The Circuit Court of Lewis County shall commence and be held on the third Monday in March, in every year, instead of the fourth, and may, at such time, continue six judicial days, if the business thereof require it.
ACTS OF 1810: An Act to alter the holding of the Lewis County Circuit Court.
First .- Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Section 3, that the Circuit Court for the County of Lewis shall be held on the third Mondays in June and September instead of the fourth Mondays in July and October. And the County Courts for said county shall, after the first day of March next, be held on the same Mondays in every month, in which Circuit Courts are respectively directed to be held, except the months in which the Circuit Courts are holden.
There seems to be no acts in favor of Lewis County in the years of 1811-12. In 1813 we find an Act, approved January 8, 1814, author- izing one additional justice of the peace in Lewis County; also an Act approved January 30, 1812, changing the Circuit Courts to the fourth Mon- days of April, July, and October in each year, and the County Courts to the same days, except the months in which the Circuit Courts are held. (See Act of 1812, p. 55.)
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ACTS OF 1814: There is an Act on page 292 of the Acts of 1814 establishing an election pre- cinct in Lewis County.
ACTS OF 1815: There were no Acts in favor of Lewis passed at this session, so far as can be determined from the record.
ACTS OF 1816: We find an Act, approved February 4, 1817, changing the time of holding the Lewis Circuit Courts to the third Mondays in April, July, and October. (Acts of 1816, p. 240.)
ACTS OF 1817: An Act to authorize the County Court of Lewis County to lay an ad- ditional levy.
WHEREAS, it has been represented to the General Assembly of Kentucky that the jail in the County of Lewis was consumed by fire since the sitting of the last levy court in said county, and in consequence thereof the citizens of said county are subject to considerable in- convenience: For remedy thereof, Be it enacted, etc., that the County Court of Lewis County be, and is hereby authorized, at their next February court, to lay an additional levy and make an appropriation for the erection and building of a jail in said county, a majority of all the justices in commission for the county being present at said court.
ACTS OF 1818: An Act to establish election
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precincts, Section 3. Be it further enacted, that the place of holding the election in the first precinct in Lewis County be changed, and that hereafter the election in said precinct shall be held at the house of John D. Everitt.
There seem to be no Acts in 1819-20-21-22. ACTS OF 1823: An Act to declare "Kinni- connick," in part, a navigable stream.
WHEREAS, it is represented to the present General Assembly that it would be of great ad- vantage to a portion of the citizens of Lewis County to declare Kinniconnick a navigable stream, so far up from its mouth as Jeremiah Moore's mill.
Therefore, Be it enacted, etc., that from and after the passage of this Act the said stream, known by the name aforesaid, in the said County of Lewis, shall be, and the same is hereby de- clared, a navigable stream from its junction with the Ohio River so far up as the mill of said Jeremiah Moore, and any person or persons who may be convicted of felling timber into said stream, or otherwise obstructing or in any way injuring the navigation thereof, from its said junction with the Ohio River to the afore- said mill, shall be subject to all the pains and penalties now imposed by law for a like offense, in relation to any other navigable waters within the Commonwealth; Provided, however, that
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rights of any person or persons now owning or possessing any mill, or other machinery, upon said stream shall not hereby be impaired or lessened.
ACTS OF 1823: An Act to allow additional justices of the peace.
SECTION 12 .- That there be allowed to the County of Lewis one justice of the peace, in addition to the number now allowed by law, to reside on the waters of Kinniconnick Creek, in the neighborhood of Solomon Thomas.
ACTS OF 1825: An Act to authorize the trustees of Lewis Academy to sell the lands belonging to that institution.
The trustees are authorized to sell and con- vey the lands of the institution, and to take bond from any agents they may appoint to sell the land. (See Acts of 1825, p. 26.)
ACTS OF 1826: Chapter 70 is an Act for the benefit of Margaret Alice Tracy, nee Norman, relieving her of marriage vows with Isaac Tracy, who was spending her fortune in Indiana. She had left him and started back to Lewis County, Ky., but he overtook her at Cincinnati and had her remaining property, by an order of court, vested in a trustee in said city; and she was unable to get it while she was legally his wife. For this reason she was granted divorce.
ACTS OF 1827: CHAPTER 101 .- "That town 10
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of Vanceburg in Lewis County shall be, and hereby is established, a town, by the name aforesaid; and that it shall be the duty of the County Court to appoint five trustees for said town as soon as practicable: the said trustees to meet at the house of R. T. Parker, in said town, and take the oath of office of trustee aforesaid, form a board, appoint a clerk, and cause a survey to be made in conformity to the original plan of said town," etc. This is the first legislative charter for Vanceburg, and was approved January 24, 1827.
ACTS OF 1828: An Act to establish election precincts, etc.
SECTION 4 .- Be it further enacted, that all that part of the County of Lewis included and lying on the waters of Kinniconnick Creek, and between said creek and the Greenup County line, and including what is called Upper Kinni- connick, shall be an election precinct in said County of Lewis, and that the elections be held at the house now owned and occupied by William McEldowney, Esquire.
ACTS OF 1829: An Act to change the time of holding Circuit Courts in certain counties.
SECTION 3 .- Be it further enacted, that the Circuit Court for the County of Lewis shall commence on the third Mondays in March, June, and September in each year, and sit, at
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each term, six judicial days, if the business thereof shall require it; and all writs, subpoenas, recognizances, attachments, or other process, which has been or may be made returnable to the next term of the Lewis Circuit Court, shall be returnable to the same at the time herein provided for its sitting.
ACTS OF 1830: An Act to change time of holding Circuit Court, etc.
SECTION 4 .- Be it further enacted, that the Circuit Court for the County of Lewis shall hereafter sit on the fourth Mondays in the months of March, June, and September, and may sit six judicial days if the business requires it.
Act Act for the benefit of Archibald Frizzell, coroner of Lewis County.
Be it enacted, etc., that Archibald Frizzell, coroner of the County of Lewis, be, and he is hereby, allowed until the first day of April next to renew his official bond, which may be given at any time before said time; and any forfeiture, which may have taken place on account of failing to renew his bond aforesaid, is hereby released.
ACTS OF 1831: An Act to change voting pre- cinct, etc.
SECTION 2 .- Be it further enacted, that the place of voting in the election precinct in Lewis
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County, "Kinniconnick" precinct be, and the same is hereby changed to the house of John Thompson; and it shall be the duty of the County Court of Lewis County to appoint judges and a clerk of the election, who shall meet at the house of the said John Thompson and conduct the elections according to the laws of this Commonwealth regulating elections.
An Act to change the time of holding Circuit Court in Lewis County.
Be it enacted, etc., that hereafter the Circuit Court for the Lewis Circuit shall commence on Wednesdays succeeding the fourth Mondays in March, June, and September; and that all process and bonds, or recognizances returnable to the March term of said court, and hereto- fore held, shall be taken and considered return- able to the time fixed by the Act for holding the said March term.
ACTS OF 1832: An Act to change the time of holding Circuit Courts, etc.
Be it enacted, etc., that the Lewis Circuit Court shall hereafter commence on the second Monday in April, the second Monday in June, and the second Monday in October, and con- tinue six judicial days, if the business thereof require it.
An Act to change places of voting, etc.
SECTION 1 .- Be it enacted, etc., that the
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place of voting in the election precinct called Everett's, in Lewis County, be changed from the house of John D. Everett to the town of Concord, and the same rules and regulations shall be observed in voting and comparing polls as now directed by law.
SEC. 2 .- Be it further enacted, that the place of voting in Forman's Bottom precinct, in Lewis County, be changed from the house formerly occupied by Green Smith to the house now occupied by William Marshall, and the same rules and regulations shall be observed in voting and comparing polls as now directed by law governing election in this Commonwealth. (The session of 1832 passed an act authorizing the Legislature to meet on the last day of De- cember in each year.)
ACTS OF 1833: There is a long Act passed by this Assembly relating to land warrants to be issued and laid on vacant land in the county for the purpose of improving the State Road from the North Fork of Licking, via Clarks- burg and Vanceburg, to the Greenup County line. For this purpose James Hannah, John McDaniel, and Pleasant M. Savage were ap- pointed commissioners. Also for the improve- ment of the road to Concord from Barton Lee's to the town of Concord. Joseph Cox and Samuel Stevenson were appointed commis-
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sioners for this work. One hundred and fifty dollars worth of land warrants to be issued for the Concord road and three hundred and fifty for the first-named road. The commissioners were prohibited from selling the warrants for less than "Five dollars for one hundred acres."
ACTS OF 1834: An Act allowing additional justice.
SECTION 1 .- Be it enacted, etc., that there shall be allowed an additional justice of the peace to the County of Lewis.
NOTE .- Justices were appointed by the gov- ernor until 1850, the Legislature authorizing a certain member to be appointed in each county, according to populations, etc.
ACTS OF 1835: An Act to change the holding of the Greenup and Lewis Circuit Courts.
SECTION 2 .- Be it further enacted, that the Lewis Circuit Court shall hereafter commence on the first Mondays in April, July, and Oc- tober, and shall continue five judicial days if the business of the court require it.
ACTS OF 1836: It was enacted by the Legis- lature of 1836 that Lewis Circuit Court be changed to last Mondays in March, June, and September.
An Act to establish an election precinct, etc.
SECTION 1 .- Be it enacted, etc., that all that part of Lewis County, including the voters
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living on the waters of Laurel and Grassy Creek, shall be an election precinct, at which the elections shall be held at the house of Staggs, Sr., under the same rules and regula- tions that elections are held in other precincts of said county.
SEC. 2-That hereafter the place of holding the elections in the Kinniconnick precinct shall be at the house of William Heath, in said precinct.
ACTS OF 1837: There were four Acts passed at this session relating to Lewis County-one to appoint commissioners to make the line be- tween Lewis and Greenup Counties, two Acts for the benefit of the sheriff, giving him more time to collect his fees; and one for the benefit of the jailer.
ACTS OF 1838: One additional justice of the peace was allowed Lewis County, and an Act for the benefit of Thompson N. Stratton, late sheriff, was passed at this session.
ACTS OF 1839: In this session Mower's precinct was established, and the place of voting fixed at the house of Jacob Mowery. An Act was passed for the benefit of W. B. Parker, late sheriff, allowing him to list his claims with the present sheriff for collection, as he had moved into Mason County. An Act for the benefit of Charles Cain, sheriff, was also passed,
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and one for the benefit of William Watkins, surveyor.
ACTS OF 1840: The session of 1840-41 passed Acts for an additional constable in Lewis County, for the benefit of Thomas Mitchell, jailer, al- lowing him to live in another house than the county jailer's house, and to collect fees during the time he had no bond in force. Also two Acts for the benefit of Sheriff Chas. Caines, and W. B. Parker.
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