USA > Kentucky > Fayette County > Lexington > History of Lexington, Kentucky : its early annals and recent progress, including biographical sketches and personal reminiscences of the pioneer settlers, notices of prominent citizens, etc., etc. > Part 11
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The center of "the garden spot of Kentucky," justly famous the world over for its magnificent blood stock, was devoted to the turf while Lexington was scarcely a village. As early as 1787, "the commons," as our present Water street was then called, was a favorite resort of horsemen when their charming pastime of racing through Main street was interfered with by the troublesome trustees of the rising town .* The settlers pursued pleasures under diffi- culties in those days, as the " red-skin varmints " had all by no means disappeared from the state. In August, 1789, the only newspaper published in Kentuckyt contained the following notice, which we give verbatim, viz : " A purse- race will take place at Lexington, on 2d Thursday in Octo-
*Trustees' Book.
1Old Kentucke Gazette.
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LEXINGTON RACING ASSOCIATION.
1787.]
ber next, free for any horse, mare, or gelding; weight for age agreeable to the rules of New Market (three-mile heats), best two in three. Each subscriber to pay one guinea, and every person that enters a horse for the purse to pay two guineas, including his subscription. The horses to be entered the day before running with Mr. John Fowler, who will attend at Mr. Collins' tavern on that day. Sub- scriptions taken by Nicholas Lafon, Lexington." Races were pretty regularly kept up after this time. Simeon Buford and Colonel Abraham Buford owned the winning horses in 1795. In 1802, races were in full blast in Lex- ington, and in 1809, the Lexington Jockey Club was organ- ized. It existed until 1823, and held its meetings near Ashland. The report made by the secretary, W. G. Wilson, of its final October meeting, is as follows :*
" The first day's purse, for the four-mile heats, was taken by Mr. Burbridge's gelding, Tiger by Tiger, 5 years old, at two heats, beating Captain Harris' b. h. Paragon, by Whip, 4 years old, and Colonel W. Buford's s. m. Carolina, by Sir Archie, 4 years old. Paragon was drawn the second heat. Time of the first heat, 8:15; of the second heat, 8:25.
" The second day's purse, three-mile heats, was won by Mr. Watson's s. h. Sea Serpent, by Shylock, beating Mr. Blackburn's Sophy Winn, by Whip, at two heats. Time of the first heat, 6:7; of the second heat, 6:10.
" The third day's purse, two-mile heats, was won by Mr. Barnett's s. h. Diamond, by Brilliant, 3 years old, at three heats, beating Mr. W. Sanders' Stifler, by Ex-Emperor, and Mr. Harlans gelding, Black Snake, by Sky Lark. The Black Snake won the first heat and was drawn the third heat. Time of the first heat, 4:2; of the second heat, 4:8; the third heat was won by Diamond with ease.
"The Handy Cap purse on Saturday, one mile heats, best three in five, was won by Captain Harris' Paragon, beat- ing the Irishman and Virginia. Time of the first heat, 1:52; of the second heat, 1:51; of the third heat, 1:53 ; each heat was closely contested by the Irishman and Virginia."
*Lexington Paper.
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HISTORY OF LEXINGTON.
[1787.
The present noted Kentucky association was organized at Mrs. Keene's inn, Lexington, July 29, 1826, by about fifty of the prominent turfmen of Central Kentucky, among whom were E. Warfield, T. H. Pindell, Jas. K. Duke, Leslie Combs, J. Boswell, R. Downing, J. L. Down- ing, Geo. H. Bowman, John Bruce, John Tilford, B. W. Dudley, W. R. Morton, R. J. Breckinridge, Wm. Buford, John Brand, and Robt. Wickliffe .* The object of the association, to use the words of the original agreement, was "to improve the breed of horses by encouraging the sports of the turf." The first racing meeting held under the arrangement commenced October 19, 1826, on the old Williams' track, which was on what is now known as the Lee property, near the Lexington Cemetery. The first race was for a purse of $300; four started; was won by Andrew Barnett's Diomed gelding, Sheriffe, in two straight heats. For the second day's purse of $200, three started. Won by Ralph P. Tarlton's horse, Old Count. The third and last day's racing, for the purse of $100, was won by Ludwell Berkley's gelding, Sir Sidney. For this purse, five horses started. The time is not given.t
For the year 1827, the race for the first day was for a purse of $150, for two miles and repeat; the second day, a race of four miles and repeat, for a purse of $400, and the third day a race of three miles and repeat, for a purse of $250. The first was won by Willa Viley's b. m. Mariah, in 4:15. The time of second heat not given. The four mile race was won by R. B. Tarlton's s. s. Old Count, in 8:17, 8:48. The three-mile race was won by Sidney Bur- bridge's b. m., Limber. The heats were broken. The time as follows: 6:09, 6:07, 6:46, 6:18. A sweepstakes was opened for the following day, one mile, best three in five, which was won by Willa Viley's Mariah. Time, 1:53}, 1:522, 1:512, 1:51, 1:51.1
The old Williams' track was used by the association until 1828, when the present track, at the east end of Fifth street, was bought by John Postlethwaite. In 1834,
*Association Records.
tObserver and Reporter.
{Id.
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LEXINGTON RACING ASSOCIATION.
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a tract of land adjoining the course, was purchased from Jeremiah Murphy, and added to the original purchase. The association now own about sixty-five acres of land, all of which is inclosed with a high plank fence. In this year (1834), it was ordered that the wieghts heretofore adopted, be changed to conform to those established by the Central Course of Maryland. It was also ordered that Wm. Buford, W. Viley, J. K. Duke, A. K. Woolley, and Leslie Combs, be appointed a committee to apply to the legislature for a charter .*
A motion was adopted instructing the secretary to have a bulletin of the races published every morning, giving a description of horses and rider's dress, which is carried out to this day.
An early frequentert of the course says of this period (1834): "We can recollect when nothing but an old post and rail fence inclosed the track; the judges' stand stood at the cow-pens, and the grand stand was an old, rickety building, with high steps, which stood on top of the hill in the center of the course. Admittance to the course was free, to the stand twenty-five cents. John Wirt was secretary. We recollect seeing Woodpecker, the sire of Gray Eagle, run. We remember vividly the race between Dick Singleton and Collier, when the latter sulked, and John Alcock rode Collier and broke a beautiful ivory whip over the head of the obstinate beast.
." We can recollect when the judges' stand was placed where the timing stand is now, when Rodolph ran at Lex- ington, anu subsequently defeated the great. Tennessee crack Angora, at Louisville, Kentucky, in 1836. The year the course was fenced in, about 1835, we witnessed the great sixteen-mile race between Sarah Miller, Jim Allen, and Grayfoot; the great and exciting struggle between May Dacre (afterward Belle Anderson, the dam of Zenith) and Susette, three-mile heats; the brilliant promise of Gray Eagle, as a three-year old, in 1838, and his subsequent de- feat by the renowned Wagner, at Louisville, in 1839.
* Association Records.
tSee Turf, Field, and Farm, April, 1872.
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HISTORY OF LEXINGTON.
[1787.
These two great races between Wagner and Gray Eagle excited the highest interest throughout the country."
The year 1840 was memorable at Lexington for the great three-mile heat race, in which nine stallions started. Blacknose, by Medoc, out of Lucy, by Orphan, won the first heat in 5:40, the fastest and first time 5:40 had been made in America. Red Bill, another son of Medoc, won the second and third heats in 5:48, 5:49. The following year, 1841, was no less memorable, when Jim Bell, by Frank, ran a second heat in 1:46, the fastest mile up to that time ever run in America. This time stood for many years before it was beaten. In 1842 the great match be- tween Zenith and Miss Foote was made. Zenith broke down in training, and Miss Foote walked over. The last of the same meeting Miss Foote beat Argentile and Alice Carneal, the honored dam of the unapproachable Lex- ington, four mile heats, in 7:42, 7:40, the best time ever made in Kentucky before .*
In 1843, the Great Produce Stakes for three-year olds, seventy-two subscribers, at $500 each, $100 forfeit, with a gold cup valued at $500 added, was won by Ruffin, by imp. Hedgford, dam Duchess of Marlborough, by Sir Archy. This was one of the most valuable stakes ever run for in Kentucky.
In 1836, the date previously fixed to be taken in deciding the age of horses, was changed to the 1st of January. The months of May and September were decided upon in 1844, as the times for the spring and fall meetings, and have been adhered to ever since.
The fastest time for three-quarters of a mile ever run on the association course is 1:184.
The fastest time for one and one-quarter miles is 2:142.
The fastest time for one and half miles is 2:38, which was made by Exchange in the spring of 1870. This time has never been beaten on any course except by Glenelg, who ran in 2:372.
The fastest time for two and one-half miles is 5:22}.
*Turf, Field, and Farm.
1
1787.]
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LEXINGTON RACING ASSOCIATION.
The following is the number of races run on the course since its organization up to 1871, for the different distances : Three-quarters of a mile, 4 races ; one mile, 213 races; one and a fourth miles, 2 races ; one and a half miles, 3 races ; two miles, 141 races; two miles and a half, 2 races; three miles, 49 races ; four miles, 23 races ; hurdle races, 2 .*
The following is a list of the presidents and secretaries of the association from the date of its organization, in 1826, to the present time, viz :
Presidents .- 1826, Wm. Pritchart; 1830, E. J. Winter; 1833, Thos. H. Pindell; 1845, Thos. H. Hunt; 1848, Charles Buford ; 1853, Leslie Combs ; 1855, John R. Viley ; 1864, B. G. Bruce; 1866, John R. Viley; 1871, John R. Viley ; 1872, John C. Breckinridge.
Secretaries .- 1826, John Wirt; 1837, Thos. P. Hart ; same year, Richard Pindell; 1845, J. R. McGowan ; 1850, E. E. Eagle; 1857, Charles Wheatly ; 1865, E. E. Eagle ; 1869, H. Rees ; 1871, T. J. Bush.
The efficiency and accomplishments of Captain Bush in his department are too well known to require comment.
The Kentucky Association is the oldest living club in America, and General Combs is believed to be the only living representative of the original fifty subscribers who formed it.
That it is the fastest course in America can easily be demonstrated .ยก Fadladeen and Salina each ran a mile on this course in 1:43, in 1871. Frogtown ran one and one- quarter miles in 2:09}, in 1872. Exchange ran one mile and a half in 2:38, in 1871. Frogtown ran one mile and three- quarters in 3:07, in 1872. Lyttleton ran two miles in 3:34}, in 1871.
The time here given is the fastest and best on record. It is true that Glenelg ran two miles in 2:372 with 100 lbs .; but Exchange, carrying 110 lbs., ran the same distance on this course in 2:38, which makes his the best time. Hegira ran two miles on the Metairie course, carrying 71} lbs., in
*Observer and Reporter, 1871.
tHome Journal.
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HISTORY OF LEXINGTON.
[1787.
3:344, but Lyttleton, with 104 lbs., made it on the Kentucky Association course in 3:342.
This old course has been the scene of the debut and sub- sequent renown of the most noted horses that have figured on the American turf for the last thirty years. Here Jim and Josh. Bell, Sarah Morton, Rocket, Motto, Grey Medoc, Ruffin, Ludu, Alaric, Darkness, Doubloon, Florin, Louis D'Or, Rube, Zampa, Star Davis, Sally Waters, Frankfort, Blonde, the renowned Lexington, Wild Irishman, Charley Ball, Dick Doty, Vandal, Balloon, Princeton, Daniel Boone, Ruric, Bonnie Lassie, Nantura, Lavender, Satellite, Mollie Jackson, Lightning, Thunder, Asteroid, Lancaster, Sherrod, Colton, Magenta, Solferino, Mammona, Bettie Ward, Good- wood, Lilla, Herzog, Versailles, Fadladeen, Littleton, Long- fellow, Enquirer, and a host of others, first gave promise of their after fame and renown.
Extensive improvements were made by the association in the spring of 1872 .* The track was regraded and widened to about double its former width. It is now just one mile and six inches long. The old stands have been torn down and new ones erected. The grand stand, which is built twenty-seven feet back from the track, is a model building of its kind, being one hundred and fifty by thirty feet, and about thirty-two feet high. The lower story is built of brick. Immediately in front of the grand stand, and just at the edge of the track, is the judges' stand, an octagon building, with a small room below, where the scales are placed to weigh the riders. Just across the track is the timers' stand. The old distance stand has also been re- moved, and a new one erected. Where the old stand was, there has been built a substantial frame building, which is intended to accommodate all those who formerly went to the field. The cooling ground has been changed from the rear to the front. There are eleven stables on the ground, in which more than seventy-five horses can be accommo- dated.
The association course is now one of the handsomest in
* Daily Press.
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LEXINGTON RACING ASSOCIATION.
1787.]
the United States. Captain O. P. Beard, who directed and personally superintended these improvements, was presented with a fine timing watch, ordered from England, by his friends, as a token of their appreciation of his taste and untiring energy.
Nearly a hundred horses owned near Lexington were present at the last spring meeting of the association. The stables in attendance belonged to J. A. Grinstead, B. G. Thomas, H. P. McGrath, John Clay, Zeb. Ward, J. F. Rob- inson, A. Buford, George Cadwallader, John Harper, Daniel Swigert, J. W. Hunt Reynolds, Warren Viley, A. K. Rich- ards, Caleb Wallace, and others.
We may mention with propriety, in this connection, that in addition to the twenty-five or thirty regular breeding establishments in Fayette county, nearly every farmer in it is to some extent a breeder, and the whole county is one vast stock farm. Here was bred, by Dr. Elisha Warfield, the world-renowned "Lexington," and this county is the native place of the famous thorough-breds, " Grey Eagle," bred by H. T. Duncan, Sen .; "Daniel Boone," " Kentucky," and " Gilroy," bred by John M. Clay ; " Herzog," bred by B. G. Thomas; " Fadladeen," bred by Mr. McFadden ; and " Frogtown," bred by William Stanhope and H. A. Head- ley. At the head of the list of noted fast trotters that were bred in Fayette are Dunlap's "Lady Thorn," William Brad- ley's "John Morgan," Enoch Lewis' " Ericson," Andrew Steele's " Blackwood," and Dr. L. Herr's " Mambrino Ber- tie." The following is a list of the principal breeders and the names of the stallions at the head of each stud, viz :
Thoroughbreds .- John M. Clay, " Star Davis;" J. A. Grin- stead, " Lightning" and " Gilroy ;" H. P. McGrath, " Blar- ney Stone ;" B. G. Thomas, -; J. R. Viley, -; Zeb. Ward, -; George Cadwallader, - -.
Trotters .- Dr. L. Herr, " Mambrino Patchin ;" Enoch Lewis, "Ericson;" Drs. S. and D. Price, " Sentinel;" R. Lowell, " Abdallah Pilot;" Hunt Brothers, "Darlboy;" Thomas Coons, " American Clay;" John Mardis, " Clark Chief, Jr .; " Charles Headley, "Banquo;" A. Coons, -;
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HISTORY OF LEXINGTON.
[1787.
W. J. Bradley, -; Alexander Brand, -; R. & J. Tod- hunter, Jos. Bryant, Jr., -.
The names of the professional trainers in Fayette are: Thomas Britton, C. B. Jeffreys, B. J. Tracy, R. Lowell, James Chrystal, W. R. Brasfield, A. L. Rice, H. Lusby, and W. J. Bradley.
The history of the Kentucky Association, and also of Fayette county, " the breeder's paradise," would never be considered complete without a sketch of the pride of both, viz: the famous race-horse, "Lexington," the blind old Milton of the turf, and the king of coursers. "Lexington" was bred by Dr. Elisha Warfield, of Lexington, Kentucky, and was foaled in 1850, at his home, "The Meadows," which is about half a mile from the association grounds. "Lexington "* was by Boston, out of Alice Carneal, by Sarpedon, dam Rowena, by Sampler; great granddam Lady Gray, by Robin Gray. Boston was by Timoleon out of Robin Brown's dam, own sister to Tuckahoe and Revenge, by Florizel. Alice Carneal, Lexington's dam, was foaled in Kentucky, in 1836, and although she ran second in the first heat of a four-mile race to Miss Foote in 7:42, being distanced in the second heat, she never won a race. Lex- ington was first known on the turf as Darley, and under that name won his first race, a three-year old stake, at the Lexington, Kentucky, May meeting, 1853, mile heats, beat- ing thirteen opponents. He was purchased on the evening after this race by Mr. Ten Broeck, and his name changed to Lexington. At the same meeting he won a two-mile heat race for three-year olds, and his owner soon after matched him to run a three-mile race against the four-year old filly, Sally Waters, by Glencoe, out of Maria Black, for $8,500; the backers of the filly staking $5,000 to $3,500 on Lexington. The race occurred on the Metairie course, New Orleans, December 2, 1853, and Lexington won, dis- tancing Sally Waters in the second heat. The time was 6:23} and 6:24}, and the track very heavy. His next en- gagement was in the three-year old stake, at New Orleans,
*Cincinnati Commercial.
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THE GREAT "LEXINGTON"
1787.]
January 7, 1854, two-mile heats, but being amiss, he paid forfeit to Conrad the Corsair, Argent, and Hornpipe. The following April, on the same course, he won for Kentucky the Great State Post Stake, for all ages, four-mile heats, beating Lecomte, the representative of Mississippi, second in both heats, Highlander, of Alabama, and Arrow, of Louisiana. Highlander was distanced in the second, and Arrow in the first heat; time 8:082, 8:04, and track heavy. The next meeting of Lexington and Lecomte was on April 8, over the same track, for the Jockey Club purse of $2,000, four-mile heats, and here Lexington sustained his only, de- feat, Lecomte winning two straight heats in the fastest time ever made up to that date, viz: 7:26, 7:382. Lexington was second in both heats, and Reube, third on the first, was distanced in the last heat. Notwithstanding his horse's defeat, Ten Broeck offered to run him against Lecomte's best time or against Lecomte himself for $20,000, four-mile heats. Eventually, a match was made for $20,000, Lexing- ton to run against the fastest time, at four miles, that is, Lecomte's 7:26, over the Metairie course, New Orleans. This memorable race occurred April 2, 1855, and Lexington, carrying 103 pounds-three pounds over-weight-and rid- den by Gilpatrick, won in 7:192, which, for seventeen years, has never been equaled. The time was 1:474, 1:524, 1:51}, and 1:482; total, 7:192. Not satisfied with this, General Wells started Lecomte against Lexington for the Jockey Club purse of $1,000, with an inside stake of $2,500 a side, four-mile heats, April 24, 1855, on the Metairie course, and this time Lexington obtained a decisive victory over his old conqueror, winning the first heat in 7:232, and gallop- ing over in the second heat, as Lecomte had been with- drawn.
Lexington soon after broke down, and, being withdrawn from the turf, was purchased by the late R. A. Alexander, of Woodburn, Woodford county, Kentucky. He is now blind, and has been so for some years. Mr. Alexander paid Mr. Ten Broeck $15,000 for "Lexington," and was ridiculed for giving so large an amount; but subsequent events justified his foresight. A few years later, Lexing-
138
HISTORY OF LEXINGTON.
[1787.
ton's son, "Norfolk," won the two stakes for three-year olds at St. Louis, and was then sold for $15,000. Since then, another son, "Kentucky," sold for $40,000, and double that sum would not purchase " Harry Bassett," the greatest of his progeny.
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FIRST CELEBRATION OF THE FOURTH OF JULY.
1788.]
CHAPTER XV.
First Celebration of the Fourth of July-Convention Election- Woodford County Formed-Cincinnati Settled-Free Ma- sonry in Lexington - Native and Resident Painters : West, Jouett, Frazer, Bush, Price, and others.
THE first regular and formal celebration of Independence Day in Lexington took place in 1788. The scene then ex- hibited stands in striking contrast with modern usage, and the toasts and sentiments of the occasion not only show at once the native strength and clearness of the pioneer mind, but the condition and 'feelings of the people on the state of affairs in the then District of Kentucky.
At one P. M. on the day mentioned, a large company of ladies and gentlemen assembled at what was then known as Captain Thomas Young's tavern, where an elegant enter- tainment and feast of fat things had been prepared, and an hour was passed in festive enjoyment. After dinner an ode composed by a Lexington gentleman was sung to the tune of "Rule Britannia," the entire company joining in the chorus-
"Hail Kentucke, Kentucke, thou shalt be Forever great, most blest and free."
This unique production was a poetic embodiment of the universal desire of the people for a separate state govern- ment, and was sung with the greatest spirit and enthusiasm.
The following toasts and sentiments were then drank, with a discharge of fourteen rifles at each interval :
The United States of America.
The illustrious George Washington, Esq .; may his serv- ices be remembered.
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HISTORY OF LEXINGTON.
[1788.
The Western World : perpetual union on principles of equality or amicable separation.
The navigation of the Mississippi at any price but that of liberty.
Harmony with Spain and a reciprocity of good offices.
May the savage enemies of America be chastised by arms, and the jobbing system of treason be exploded.
" The Convention of Virginia." May wisdom, firmness, and a sacred regard for the fundamental principles of the revolution, guide her councils.
Trial by jury, liberty of the press, and no standing army.
May the Atlantic States be just, the Western States be free, and both happy.
No paper money, no tender laws, and no legislative inter- ference with private contracts.
The above presents a perfect picture of affairs in Ken- tucky at that date, and at no subsequent period in her history up to the eve of the late war has our state been so strangely situated. While Kentucky was struggling for separate state sovereignty the ruins of the old confederation were lying all around her. The Virginia Convention to deliberate on the constitution of a new union was then in session, listening to the eloquent wisdom of Henry, Mason, Pendleton, Grayson, and its other great and sagacious states- men, and Kentucky was watching with the most eager in- terest for its decision. Here, in the very infancy, or rather at the very birth of the republic, we see the Yankee at work. Louisiana was then a Spanish province, and Don Gardozni, Minister from Spain, was making every exertion to effect a political union between the West and Louisiana, and Kentucky was being tempted with the free navigation of the Mississippi; and to all this may be added the rav- ages of the Indians and the dissensions among her own citizens. Kentucky has never celebrated a much more mo- mentous "Fourth."
A regular old " five days election" for delegates to the Seventh Danville Convention was held in Lexington and Fayette county this year, and was an unusually spirited one. Colonel Thomas Marshall, at the head of the "Court"
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CINCINNATI SETTLED.
1788.]
party, and General Wilkinson, the leader of the " Country" party, labored with unusual zeal. The "Court" won, and sent Thomas Marshall, Caleb Wallace, William Ward, and John Allen to the convention. General Wilkinson was the only one on the "Country" ticket elected.
Virginia contracted the wide borders of Fayette consid -- erably this year, by organizing Woodford county out of part of her territory.
The city of Cincinnati was settled by a company from Lexington; two citizens of Lexington owned most of the ground on which it stands, and one of them gave it its original name, "Losantiville."* The following notice, which we give verbatim, was published in the old Kentucky Gazette, September 6, 1788 :
"NOTICE .- The subscribers, being proprietors of a tract of land opposite the mouth of the Licking river, on the northwest side of the Ohio, have determined to lay off a town upon that excellent situation. The local and natural advantages speak its future prosperity, being equal, if not superior to any on the bank of the Ohio between the Miamis. The in-lots to be each half an acre, the out-lots four acres; thirty of each to be given to settlers, upon pay- ing one dollar and fifty cents for the survey and deed of each lot. The 15th day of September is appointed for a large company to meet in Lexington, and mark a road from there to the mouth of the Licking, provided Judge Symmes arrives, being daily expected. When the town is laid off, lots will be given to such as may become residents before the first day of April next.
" MATTHIAS DENMAN, ROBERT PATTERSON, JOHN FILSON."
The road was marked, the present site of Cincinnati was duly visited, and a settlement was made there by Col- onel Patterson's party, in December, 1788. In the follow- ing June the little village was strengthened and protected by the building of Fort Washington, by which name Cin-
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