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 18
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*Old Kentucky Gazette.
+Id.
224
HISTORY OF LEXINGTON.
[1802-3-4.
Dr. Joseph Buchanan* settled in Lexington in 1804, and soon became noted as one of her most extraordinary citizens. He was born in Washington county, Virginia, August 24, 1785, but spent his boyhood in Tennessee, where he attended a grammar school, and astonished every one by his remarkable progress. In the course of nine months, in 1803, he mastered the Latin language. He was so fond of originality in all his essays, that he would not even condescend to write on any subject on which he had ever read anything.
He entered Transylvania University at the age of nine- teen, t and was so delicate and diffident that he passed for a simpleton, until he detected and offered to demonstate an error in his mathematical text-book (Ferguson on Optics), which brought him into direct collision with the professor of mathematics. During the vacation of the college, he published a mathematical pamphlet of twenty pages, in which he demonstrated the sufficiency of gravitation for all the celestial motions, and showed the inaccuracy of some of the hypotheses of the very distinguished Sir Isaac Newton.
In 1805, he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Samuel Brown. Removing to Port Gibson, Mississippi Territory [then], in 1807, in order that he might, by med- ical practice, obtain means to complete his medical educa- tion in Philadelphia, Dr. Buchanan then wrote a volume on fevers, which, while it defeated his first object, that of earning money, was his favorable introduction to the dis- tinguished professors of the University of Pennsylvania, and especially to Professors Barton and Rush. But his means being insufficient for the completion of his medical studies there, as well as for the publication of his book, he tralked back to Lexington, in 1808, in twenty-seven days, where the degree of A. B. having been conferred on him, at the instance of President Blythe, he was, in 1809, ap- pointed to the chair of the Institutes of Medicine in the university.
In 1812, he published an able volume on the "Philosophy
* University Records.
*Collins.
225
DR. JOSEPH BUCHANAN.
1802-3-4.]
of Human Nature," and almost immediately abandoned the medical profession, to visit the East to learn the new Pestalozzian system of education, and to introduce it into Kentucky. Subsequently, he invented a " capillary" steam engine, with spiral tubes for boilers; and in 1825, he made a steam land carriage which attracted general attention in Louisville, through the streets of which city it was run; and, we are told, discovered a new motive principle, de- scribed as being derived from combustion, without the aid of water or of steam.
This remarkable philosophical, mathematical, and in- ventive genius died in Louisville, in 1829, "little known, except as a writer, to more than a small circle of friends."
In the language of his biographer, "the life of Dr. Buchanan affords an instructive moral," to young men, we add, showing that for success in this world, talents of the highest order, industry the most untiring, or self-denial the most strict, are not alone sufficient, unless combined with ยท steadiness of purpose and unvarying concentration of effort in the right direction.
226
HISTORY OF LEXINGTON.
[1805.
CHAPTER XXX.
Burr's Visit-Trustee Chronicles-William T. Barry.
AARON BURR, one of the most extraordinary men of his age, made his first visit to Kentucky in 1805, arriving in Lexington, August 19th, and attracting universal attention. After a stay of several days, he went south, but returned again, and remained a considerable time in Lexington. It was at this time that Colonel Burr commenced, it is be- lieved, to lay his unsuccessful plans for the erection of a magnificent Southern empire. He was met in Lexington by the studious and accomplished Blannerhasset and his gifted wife, around whose lives fate wove so strange and sad a web.
The trustees of Lexington distinguished themselves, in 1805, by prohibiting the citizens from keeping "pet pan- thers;" by encouraging the introduction of "chimney sweeps," and by indorsing the "Bachelors' Society for the Promotion of Matrimony," which met weekly at Wil- son's tavern. For the sum of five dollars, they "allowed Thomas Ardon to shew his lyon," which constituted the first menagerie that ever visited Lexington.
William Taylor Barry commenced the practice of law in Lexington in 1805. This illustrious orator and statesman was born in Lunenburg county, Virginia, February 15, 1784 .* His parents, who were respectable, energetic, and poor, emigrated to Kentucky in 1796, and settled first in Fayette, and then in Jessamine county; and conscious that they could not give their son wealth, resolved to educate him. Young Barry was sent to the Kentucky Academy in Wood- ford, and finishing his collegiate course at Transylvania
*Observer and Reporter.
227
WILLIAM TAYLOR BARRY.
1805.]
University, after the union of the Kentucky and Transyl- vania Academies.
After he left the university, he commenced the study of law with the Hon. James Brown, minister to France, and finished his law studies at William and Mary College in Virginia. Then, like his great competitor of after years, Henry Clay, he commenced life in Lexington at the age of twenty-one-young and poor, with neither family nor in- fluence to bring him into notice, and with nothing to rec- ommend him but his virtues and attainments. Shortly after, he commenced business he married the daughter of Waller Overton, of Fayette county. His first wife dying in 1809, in 1812, he married again, in Virginia, a daughter of General S. T. Mason.
From the year of his arrival in Lexington to the time of his death in a foreign land, the life of the gifted Barry was a brilliant panorama of success. Soon after he came to the bar, he was appointed attorney for the commonwealth, which office he filled for several years, and in 1807 he was for the first time, elected a representative from Fayette county, and was re-elected for several years in succession almost without opposition. He rose rapidly in his profes- sion ; soon took the first rank as a great lawyer and an eloquent advocate, and in a little while was the recognized peer of Rowan Bledsoe, Haggin, and " Harry of the West." In 1810, Mr. Barry was elected a representative to Con- gress from the Ashland district, and distinguished himself by his eloquent denunciations of the aggressive insults then being offered to the United States by England. After the declaration of war in 1812, he not only strongly advocated its vigorous prosecution, but took the field as an aid to Governor Shelby, and served during the severe and glorious campaign, which resulted in the capture of the British army, the death of Tecumseh, and the conquest of a large part of Upper Canada .*
In 1814, Mr. Barry was again sent to the state legislature by an almost unanimous vote; was made speaker of the
*Collins.
228
HISTORY OF LEXINGTON.
[1805.
house, and shortly after elected to the United States Sen- ate, where he remained for two sessions. Here occurred one of the most remarkable events of his life. He resigned his seat in the senate, to accept the position of circuit judge with a meager salary. Public men rarely abandon national honors, position, and pay so easily at this day. It was during Mr. Barry's judgeship that a tipsy mountaineer stalked into the presence of the court shouting: "I am a horse !" "Sheriff," said Judge Barry, "take that horse to the stable."
In 1817, he was forced by the people to become a mem- ber of the state senate. While in the legislature, Mr. Barry, who was ever alive to home interests, was actively engaged in promoting the success of Transylvania Univer- sity, and was persevering in his efforts to have it endowed, and to bring it under the patronage of the state .* He suc- ceeded in his undertakings, for his struggles and his elo- quence principally induced the legislature to give the insti- tution about $20,000, and the name of Wm. T. Barry gave it free passport among the people. The law department of this institution, with which, by his profession, he was more particularly connected, also commanded his attention. He was instrumental in giving it funds sufficient to purchase a good library. In this department he was the first regular professor and law lecturer after the reform in the uni- versity. Under his management it prospered beyond ex- pectation, and surpassed the most sanguine anticipation of its friends.
In 1820, he became a candidate for the office of lieuten- ant-governor. The people recollected his services and his struggles in their cause, and gave him an overwhelming vote. At this period he decidedly stood foremost in the affections of the people of Kentucky. Subsequently, he was made secretary of state during the administration of Governor Desha, and after the appellate court of the state was reorganized, he was appointed chief justice. In the change of parties in Kentucky in 1825, produced by Mr.
*Observer and Reporter.
229
WILLIAM TAYLOR BARRY.
1805.]
Clay's adherence to Mr. Adams,* Major Barry became the leader of the Democratic party in the state, and was de- voted to its principles to the day of his untimely death.
In 1828, Mr. Barry was the Democratic candidate for the office of governor, while Mr. Clay was the champion of the opposing party, and it was during that bitter and hotly contested struggle that Barry exhibited so powerfully the wonderful resources of his great intellect, and achieved his greatest triumph, for though he was defeated by a small majority for governor, it was mainly through his almost superhuman exertions in that campaign that the vote of Kentucky was given to General Jackson in the presidential election which followed. Mr. Barry's astonishing oratori- cal powers were all brought out in this campaign. As a speaker; he was full of energy, action, and fire, and on the stump, filled as he always was, on such occasions, with eloquence and majesty, he seemed every inch a towering tribune of the old Roman commonwealth. The rare pecu- liarity of Mr. Barry's style was, that, instead of commencing a speech with deliberation and coolness, and gradually warming up with his subject, he launched out at once with words as bold and eloquent as those which invariably attended his blazing perorations. One of Judge Barry's finest efforts was made in 1828, when standing upon a table placed against the rear wall of the present court-house, he defended himself, before an immense crowd, against some partisan charges made by his political opponents.
Mr. Barry was called to Washington in 1829, as post- master-general, which office he held until unable, from physical disability, to discharge its onerous duties. Ardently hoping that a milder climate would restore the now shat- tered health of this ornament of his cabinet, President Jackson appointed him minister to Spain, for which coun- try Mr. Barry. sailed in 1835. He was destined to never reach Madrid. His health rapidly declined, and Barry, the great orator, the favorite of fortune, the idol of the people, died a few days after reaching Liverpool.
*Collins.
tJames O. Harrison.
230
HISTORY OF LEXINGTON.
[1805
It has been truly said that " no man who has figured so largely in the well-contested arena of western politics ever left it with fewer enemies or a larger number of devoted friends than William T. Barry." His great abilities and lofty virtues made him the hero of his party, and his politi- cal opponents loved him as they felt the singular charm of his mild and conciliating disposition, and the influence of his generous and exalted soul.
In our court-house yard stands an unpretending, weather- beaten monument of granite, surrounded by a plain iron railing. It has been there so long, and has such an old- fashioned look, that hundreds pass it daily without once giving it so much as a glance, and without the thought once occurring to them that it stands there to remind them of one of the loftiest spirits that ever did honor to Lexing- ton and our commonwealth. The rains and snows of many winters have descended upon it, but the angel of immor- tality has shielded that old shaft with her protecting wings, and it still tells its proud story.
On one side is the inscription :
"To the memory of William Taylor Barry this monu- ment is erected by his friends in Kentucky (the site being granted by the county court of Fayette), as a testimony of their respect and admiration for his virtues."
On another side is carved this beautiful sentence:
" His fame lives in the history of his country, and is as immortal as America's liberty and glory."
Mr. Barry lived in the house now owned by Joseph Wolfolk, near the corner of Hill and Rose streets.
The remains of Barry, after reposing nearly nineteen years in a foreign land, were brought back to Kentucky, by act of the legislature, and reinterred in the State cemetery at Frankfort, with many honors and great respect, Novem- ber 8, 1854. The eloquent Theodore O'Hara, who was the orator of the occasion, concluded his eulogy upon Barry in these burning words :
" Let the marble minstrel rise to sing to the future gen- erations of the commonwealth the inspiring lay of his high genius and lofty deeds. Let the autumn wind harp on the
-
231
WILLIAM TAYLOR BARRY.
1805.]
dropping leaves her softest requiem over him; let the win- ter's purest snow rest spotless on his grave; let spring entwine her brightest garland for his tomb, and summer gild it with her mildest sunshine, and let him sleep em- balmed in glory till the last trumph shall reveal him to us all radiant with the halo of his life."
232
HISTORY OF LEXINGTON.
[1806.
CHAPTER XXXI. Currency-Stray Pen-Felix Grundy.
THE currency used in trade in Lexington, in 1806, was miscellaneous in its character. Raccoon and other skins were given in exchange for goods, but Spanish dollars, cut into halves, quarters, and eighths, were mostly used, while very small change was effected by means of papers of needles and pins. In this year a Lexington merchant carried one hundred pounds of "cut silver" with him to Philadelphia.
The Lexington "stray pen " was located about this time, on Market street, near the present Press office.
Felix Grundy, long eminent as a Democratic leader and statesman, was a resident of Lexington and a trustee of Transylvania University in 1806, and for some time anterior to that date. He was born in Berkley county, Virginia, September 11, 1777, came to Kentucky when a boy, studied law, and soon acquired a high reputation as an advocate in criminal cases. Before his removal to Nash- ville in 1808, he had served in the Kentucky legislature, and as chief justice of the court of appeals. He died December 19, 1840, after filling the positions of representative and senator in Congress, and attorney general of the United States.
233
THE OBSERVER AND REPORTER.
1807.]
CHAPTER XXXII. The Observer and Reporter-Editors-Biographical Notices- Incidents.
THE Observer and Reporter, now the oldest newspaper in existence in Kentucky, if not in the West, was founded in 1807,* by William W. Worsley and Samuel R. Overton, and was first called the "Kentucky Reporter." Their first office, as the early copies of the paper state, was opposite Mr. Sanders' store," and therefore occupied the site now filled by Clark & Bro.'s warehouse, on East Main street, and was between the first capitol building of the infant commonwealth of Kentucky, and the Free and Easy tavern, so notorious in the early history of Lexington. Near it was a rakish-looking craft of a building, nine feet wide and forty feet long, then commonly called the " Old Gun-boat." This was the first silver-plater's shop used in this city by the late David A. Sayre, and there the ring of his busy ham- mer was often heard far into the night.
Mr. Worsley came to this place from Virginia at an early day, and married a sister of Thomas Smith, at that time editor of the Kentucky Gazette, and afterward editor of the Observer. Aside from his capacity as a writer and pub- lisher, Mr. Worsley was noted for his strict integrity and remarkable amiability. Mr. Overton, who was connected with the Observer only a few months, and in a business way, was a son of Waller Overton, of this county.
The Observer commenced its career as a strong Jeffer- sonian Democratic organ, or rather "Republican," as the party was then called. Its first prospectus contains this
*Ob. and Rep. in Lex. Lib.
234
HISTORY OF LEXINGTON.
[1807.
language :* " The character of the Reporter with relation to politics shall be strictly republican. Highly approving of the principles of the revolution, as contained in the fed- eral constitution, and duly appreciating the enlightened policy pursued by the present administration, it shall be the undeviating object of the editors, as far it may come within the sphere of their influence, to contribute to the promotion and preservation of the former, and embrace every oppor- tunity of testifying to the virtue and faithfulness of the latter. Whenever we may discover ourselves deviating from the principles held sacred by the people, we shall invariably be disposed to retrace our steps and make such assertions as may clearly and satisfactorily present themselves. We shall also rely with confidence on the vigilance of the people to point out those errors to which we may be subject and in which their interests may be involved." The public is also informed that "for the more speedy conveyance of the Re- porter, the editor has established at great expense some private posts."
Mr. Overton retired from the paper, and left Mr. Wors- ley sole proprietor until February, 1816, when he took into partnership his brother-in-law, Mr. Thomas Smith. Mr. Smith married Miss Nannette Price, a niece of Mrs. Henry Clay. He was at one time president of the Frankfort and Lexington railroad. Smith bought out Worsley's interest in 1819, and conducted the paper alone until April, 1828, when he took in James W. Palmer as a partner. Mr. Palmer was an Englishman, whose beautiful disposition and en- gaging manners made him exceedingly popular. He wrote elegantly, but not strongly. He was a devoted Episco- palian, and for years, as was then the custom here, made the responses at public worship in behalf of the congrega- tion. He was well known as the calculator of the almanacs for Kentucky. Mr. Palmer was connected with the Re- porter about a year, after which Mr. Smith had entire charge again, until March, 1832, when the paper passed into the hands of Edwin Bryant and N. L. Finnell, who united
*See files Observer and Reporter.
235
THE OBSERVER AND REPORTER.
1807.]
with it the "Lexington Observer, the consolidated papers being called "The Kentucky Reporter and Lexington Ob- server."* Mr. Smith removed to Pewee Valley, where he died only a few months ago. On his retirement from the paper the gentlemen of Lexington gave him a public recep- tion.
Mr. Finnell came to this place from Georgetown, and had published a paper in Winchester. He was the father of General J. W. Finnell, of Covington, and a practical printer, and often stood at the case and " set up" his own editorials. He was a sprightly writer, and a man of great energy. When his connection with this paper ceased, he, with con- siderable enterprise, established and labored hard to keep up " The Lexington Atlas," a daily paper, but without suc- cess. His subscription list became quite extensive, but the expenses of the establishment were so great that he was compelled to give up the attempt, after several months of disastrous experience. He died near Frankfort, in 1853.
Judge Edwin Bryant came from the old Berkshire hills of Massachusetts, to this city, when but a boy, and was soon a Kentuckian, both in sentiment and by adoption. He was an editor of signal ability, courtesy, and success. After the Observer, he assumed the management of the "Louis- ville Dime," in connection with Mr. W. N. Haldeman, of the present Courier-Journal.
In 1847, failing health induced him to take an overland mule-back journey to the Pacific, and he joined Fremont in one of his famous expeditions. He assisted in the capture of California, and was the first American alcalde (judge) who ever administered justice on that then far distant coast.
Returning home, Judge Bryant published a volume en- titled, " What I saw in California," which had a very extraor- dinary sale.
He resided in Pewee Valley, Kentucky, until the time of his death, which took place in December, 1869.
Robert Nelson Wickliffe, brother of D. C. Wickliffe, suc- ceeded Bryant in 1833. He graduated with distinguished
*Observer and Reporter.
236
HISTORY OF LEXINGTON.
[1807.
honors at Transylvania University, was admitted to the bar, and in all subsequent oratorial efforts evinced a rare fer- tility and resource of scholarship and literary knowledge. As an editor, he was fully equal to Prentice, and as an orator, was considered by many to be the peer of Clay.
Mr. Wickliffe represented his county in the legislature, was a delegate to the convention which framed the present state constitution, and in 1851 was Democratic candidate for lieutenant-governor,* but he never attained the position his extraordinary powers entitled him to, as he lacked ambi- tion, and was totally indifferent to political and professional honors. For years after his official connection with the Observer had ceased, Mr. Wickliffe contributed to the ed- itorial department. He died at the age of fifty, February 26, 1855.
In September, 1838, Hon. D. C. Wickliffe became sole editor and proprietor of the Observer and Reporter.t
Daniel Carmichael Wickliffe was born in Lexington, Kentucky, on the 15th of March, 1810. He was educated at Transylvania University, and graduated with much honor at the very early age of seventeen. He adopted the law as his profession.
On the 25th of November, 1844, Mr. Wickliffe married Miss Virginia Cooper, a daughter of the Rev. Spencer Cooper, widely-known local Methodist minister of this city.
Anterior to his marriage, and in September, 1838, Mr. Wickliffe succeeded Mr. N. L. Finnell as editor and pro- prietor of the Observer and Reporter, and he gave all the rest of his active life to the profession of journalism, not even excepting the period when he was secretary of state of Kentucky, during Governor Robinson's executive term He was editor of this paper for nearly twenty-seven years, and in very many respects was the ablest one that ever wielded a pen in the whole commonwealth of Kentucky. He gave Mr. Clay no weak support.
Mr. Wickliffe, to his great honor be it said, was almost en-
*Old Kentucky Statesman.
tObserver and Reporter,
237
THE OBSERVER AND REPORTER.
1807.]
tirely a self-made man. In June, 1865, Mr. Wickliffe sev- ered his connection with the press. He died May 3, 1870.
John T. Hogan became associated with Mr. Wickliffe in the editorial department in 1855, and filled the position for four years.
In September, 1862, the Observer office was used by Gen- eral John Morgan as his headquarters, and in 1864 it was occupied by federal troops.
The establishment was purchased by a number of gentle- men in 1865, and the concern was styled the "Observer and Reporter Printing Company," with William A. Dudley as editor. Mr. Dudley resigned the editorial chair for a seat in the senate of Kentucky. He died March 19, 1870, at the age of forty-six, after an exertion of energy in connec- tion with, first, the Lexington and Frankfort, and then the Short Line railroad, that made him most widely known.
W. C. P. Breckinridge succeeded Mr. Dudley, having been elected by the company in July, 1866. The author of this volume succeeded Colonel Breckinridge in July, 1868, and became sole editor and proprietor of the Ob- server and Reporter. In April, 1871, he disposed of the establishment, which is at present owned and managed by a company. Dr. Thomas Pickett, of Maysville, Kentucky, succeeded the writer as editor, and he in turn was succeeded by the present editor, Mr. J. S. Smith.
238
HISTORY OF LEXINGTON.
[1808-9.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
Miscellaneous-Sheep Excitement-Dr. Ben. W. Dudley.
IN 1808, and long after, it was the custom in Lexington to call the hours from twelve o'clock at night until daylight.
All Lexington and Fayette county was excited in the summer of 1808 over a "living elephant," the first one ever seen in the community. One of the newspapers of the town urged every one to go and see it, as "perhaps the present generation may never have the opportunity of seeing a living elephant again."
A long list of " school-books manufactured in this place," was advertised in a Lexington newspaper in 1809.
At an early period, probably at this time (1809), a great excitement was created about Merino sheep, which suddenly acquired an enormous value, and the few in the country were sought after with the most ridiculous avidity. The extent of the speculation may be inferred from the tradition that a master mechanic actually received three merino sheep from Mr. Samuel Trotter as payment for building for him the residence now owned by Judge Robertson, and situated at the corner of Hill and Mill streets .*
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