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 21
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"The best disciplined troops in the world are sometimes panic struck-then can it be surprising that militia, under these circumstances, and who had seen scarce thirty days service, should become so? In small parties, by tens and by twenties, they arrived at the batteries, thereby falling an easy prey to the regular force of the enemy, who, early in the action, had retaken them from the right column. Thus, upward of eight hundred men, who had set out with the most flattering prospect of success, led on by imprudence, were overwhelmed by numbers, cut up, and defeated. About one hundred and seventy only having made good their retreat before the close of the battle, escaped across the river in our boats.
"Immediately after the surrender, we were marched off toward Fort Maumee, one and a half miles below, near the British encampment. We had gone but a short distance before we met the head of the left line of Indians who had been inclosing us. Having surrendered to Englishmen en- tirely, I expected we should be treated with that tenderness and humanity indicative of a noble mind, and always due the unfortunate. What was, then, my astonishment when, so soon as we met the Indians, they began, in facc of the En- glish guard, of General Proctor, Colonel Elliot, and other officers who were riding up the line, to rob us of our clothing, money, watches, etc. Almost all lost in this way their hats and coats, some even their shirts, and some their pantaloons also. He who did not instantaneously give up his clothes, frequently paid his life for it. No difference was made be- tween well and wounded in this as well as what followed.
265
DUDLEY'S DEFEAT.
1813.]
It would be almost impossible to relate all the acts of indi- vidual outrage that took place. I shall never forget the demoniac look of the villain who stripped me, nor shall I soon forget those who encouraged, since, notwithstanding my request, they did not hinder him from doing it. I showed him my wound. "Twas vain; before I could un- fasten the bandage, regardless of my pain, he tore my coat off from my shoulders. I had gone but little farther before I saw ten or twelve men, lying dead, stripped naked, and scalped. Near them were two lines of Indians formed from the entrance of a triangular ditch in front to the old gate of Fort Maumee, a distance, I think, of forty or fifty feet. The idea immediately struck me that all the pris- oners ahead of me had been massacred. I determined, if such was the case, to go no further. Upon inquiring, a soldier told me they were in the fort, and showed me the way, which was between those two lines of Indians. Dur- ing this moment's delay, a man who was walking behind, stepped before me; just as we entered the defile, an Indian put a pistol to his back, and fired-he fell. I ran through without being touched. My feelings were somewhat re- lieved at finding about two-thirds of the prisoners already within. How many were killed afterward I am unable to say. We heard frequent guns at the place during the whole time the remaining prisoners were coming in. Some, although not killed, were wounded severely with war clubs, tomahawks, etc. The number who fell after the surrender was supposed by all to be nearly equal to the killed in battle. We now hoped, however, that we were secure from further insult or injury-but no sooner had all the prisoners got in than the whole body of Indians, regardless of the opposi- tion of our little guard, rushed into the fort. There seemed to be almost twice our number. Their blood-thirsty souls were not yet satiated with carnage. One Indian alone shot three, tomahawked a fourth, and stripped and scalped them in our presence. It seems to me, even to this day, when- ever I think of this circumstance, that I again see the struggles of the dying prisoner and hear him cry, in vain, for mercy. The whole then raised the war-whoop and com-
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HISTORY OF LEXINGTON.
[1813.
menced loading their guns. What were our feelings at this moment, he, who has never realized, can not imagine. A description is impossible. Without any means of de- fense or possibility of escape, death in all the horror of savage cruelty, seemed to stare us in the face. Rendered desperate by this idea, and the perfect disregard which the British evinced for that duty, held sacred by all civilized nations (the protection of prisoners), much did we wish for our arms, and had we then had them, they would have been surrendered but with our lives. Or, had this been carried much farther, the prisoners would, at any risk, have sold their lives as dearly as possible. Tecumseh, however, more humane than his ally and employer, generously inter- fered and prevented farther massacre. Colonel Elliot then rode slowly in, spoke to the Indians, waved his sword, and all but a few retired immediately. After a short consulta- tion with those who remained, they came and took from among us a number of young men, of whom the British said they wanted to make sons, but we feared they took them as hostages for the lives of those Indians who were wounded. Just at dusk, boats came up and carried us to the fleet, eight miles below. Notwithstanding the naked condition of the prisoners, and the disagreeableness of the weather (which was rainy and excessively cold for the sea- son), many of them were obliged to remain all night in the open boats in ankle-deep mud and water. The wounded were put into the holds of the different vessels, where their only bed (and a good many had not even this), was the wet sand thrown in for ballast, without blankets or any other kind of covering. Provision was issued to them the next day about twelve. Their treatment afterward was nearly as good, I am induced to believe, as the British could afford, being themselves scant of provisions. I feel myself partic- ularly indebted to some of the officers for their politeness and attention.
"I can not conclude without testifying to the bravery and carelessness of danger displayed by the troops throughout the engagement. The only contest seemed to be, while any hope of victory remained, who should first oust the
-
1813.]
BATTLE OF THE THAMES.
267
enemy from his hiding places. And I am convinced, when the retreat commenced, by far the greater part had no idea of surrender, but exhausted, confused, and overcome, were forced to it on their arrival at the batteries."
But an end came to defeats and massacres at last. On the 10th of September occurred the splendid and decisive victory of Perry over the British fleet, on Lake Erie. A thrill of joy went through Kentucky; Lexington in particu- lar was given up to rejoicing. The city was illuminated, bonfires were lighted, and all the bells rung out their mer- riest peals. The Federalists of that day were most cordially detested by a vast majority of Kentuckians, and a chroni- cler* does not fail to state that, " while the joy bells of Lexington were ringing for Perry's victory, the bells of Massachusetts were tolling in disappointment at the defeat of the British."
Perry's success was the death knell of British power in the Northwest, where hostilities ceased entirely after the battle of the Thames. This glorious and eminently decisive vic- tory occurred on the 5th of October, and in it the volun- teers from Lexington and Fayette played a most gallant and distinguished part, and sustained heavy losses. The Forty-second regiment commanded by a Lexingtonian, Col- onel George Trotter, who served in this campaign as a brig- adier-general, was presented with a drum; taken at the battle of the Thames. The drum was ornamented with the Brit- ish coat of arms, and the inscription, "41st Reg." Before being presented, the following was added to the inscription : " Presented by General Harrison and Governor Shelby to Colonel George Trotter, for the Forty-second regiment, Kentucky militia, as a testimony of its patriotism and good conduct, and for having furnished more volunteers than any other regiment."
The success of General Harrison on the Thames gave Lexington another occasion for rejoicing. The news was announced to the citizens by the mail carrier, who galloped into town with "victory," in big letters, exhibited on the
#Observer and Reporter.
tMcCabe.
268
HISTORY OF LEXINGTON.
[1813.
front of his hat, and thereupon all the schools were dis- missed, business was suspended, and there was a grand procession, speeches, and general rejoicing. The term of service of the volunteers expired about this time, and their return was the signal for balls, parties, and displays, in their honor.
With the battle of the Thames, which closed the war in the Northwest, Lexington and Fayette had no farther direct share in the struggle, which became mainly confined to the eastern and southern borders of the country. It was time that Kentucky was allowed a little rest, for she may be said to have almost fought through the two first years of the war by herself. Virginia gave the Northwest to the nation, and her daughter, Kentucky, saved it from conquest by savage and foreign foes at the cost of her noblest blood.
269
HERO OF FORT STEPHENSON.
1814.]
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
Spotted Fever-The Hero of Fort Stephenson-Joy over Jack- son's Victory-Drafted Men-Amos Kendall commences Life in Lexington-Agricultural Societies-The Kentucky and Mechanical Association, Officers-W. B. Kinkead-Present Society- William. Preston-Leading Agriculturists.
LEXINGTON was visited with spotted fever during the month of March, 1814, and to such an extent did it rage that from eight to a dozen persons died daily .*
On the 4th of September of this year, Major George Croghan, whose heroic defense of Fort Stephenson, in August, 1813, forms one of the most brilliant chapters in American history, was given a complimentary party in Lexington, and was honored by the citizens as he deserved. Congress, with her usual tardy justice, voted him a gold medal twenty-two years after his wonderful repulse of the British and Indians.
The patriotic citizens of Lexington indulged in an illu- mination on the night of October 1st, in their joy at the news just received of Jackson's victory over the British at Mobile .; The " barracks" were resplendent with candles, which were placed on the tops of the buildings, and other lights were placed in the boughs and on the tops of the trees surrounding the " barracks," making a most romantic effect. Rows of candles lined the windows of the houses in the town, and a procession, with a thousand candles, and headed by a drum and fife, paraded the streets. The battle had taken place on the 15th of September, and it was two weeks before Lexington got the news. In 1814, the tran- sit of the ordinary mail from Washington to Lexington oc- cupied twelve or thirteen days.
*Kendall's Journal.
+Id.
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HISTORY OF LEXINGTON.
[1814.
Two companies of drafted men, under Captains James Dudley and A. S. Drake, were raised in the fall of this year, but peace was declared before they reached the seat of war. The whole number of companies raised in Lex- ington and Fayette, for the common defense, during the war of 1812, was thirteen. This fact is, of itself, the high- est tribute that can be paid to their gallant patriotism.
Amos Kendall, who afterward became postmaster-gen- eral of the United States, and the devoted friend and right- hand man of that just and unflinching old hero, General Jackson, may be said to have commenced life in Lexington, where he arrived, a young man, in the spring of 1814 .* He came poor and unknown, and at the instance of Judge Bledsoe, whom he had met in Washington City when that powerful orator was a member of the United States Senate. Mr. Kendall walked from Maysville to Lexington. He started as a teacher in the family of Mr. Clay, who was then working at the peace negotiations at Ghent. At the same time, he studied law, and subsequently took the pre- scribed oath, and was qualified as an attorney in our pres- ent old court-house. Mr. Kendall died November 12, 1869, in Washington City, at the age of eighty, after attaining a position before the nation befitting the high order of his mind and talents. The teacher of the children of the great and eloquent leader of the Whig party became one of the most renowned Democrats of the old regime. The poor tutor in Mr. Clay's family became one of the most honored and respected members of the cabinet of his most formid- able antagonist, "Old Hickory." Who will say that truth is not romantic? Mr. Kendall was a native of Dunstable, Massachusetts.
1
The unsurpassed natural advantages of the now famous " Blue Grass Region " for stock raising were quickly appre- ciated by its settlers, who, at a very early day, turned their attention to the raising and improvement of live stock of various kinds. Horse and cattle "shows" were regularly held at Lexington, even before the commencement of the
*Kendall's Biography.
271
KENTUCKY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
1814.]
present century. But it was not until 1814 that the city could claim to have a regular society for the improvement of live stock and the promotion of kindred interests. In the year named, the "Kentucky Agricultural Society "* was organized in Lexington, and for many years held annual exhibitions at "Fowler's Garden," on the Maysville turnpike, the same property in which "Scott's Pond" is now included, and which was then the favorite place of public resort. The following programme of the societyt will convey an idea of the character of primitive Lexing- ton fairs :
" NOTICE .- A meeting of the members of the Kentucky Society for promoting Agriculture will take place at Fowler's Garden, adjoining Lexington, on the last Thurs- day in next September, and continue for three days, at which time and place the society will award twenty-three silver cups-one to each of the articles named below. Members are requested to be punctual in their attendance. " To the best gelding, a silver cup.
66
suckling colt, a silver cup.
imported or country raised bull, a silver cup. 66
cow, a silver cup.
66
66
66
66
66
stall-fed bullock, silver cup. country bred bull, silver cup. 66 between three and four years old, silver cup.
66 country bred bull, between two and three years old, silver cup.
66
country bred bull, between one and two years old, silver cup.
66 bull calf, not exceeding twelve months old, silver cup.
66
66
country bred cow, silver cup.
66
heifer, between three and four years old, silver cup.
*Kentucky Gazette.
+Id.
66
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HISTORY OF LEXINGTON.
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"To the best heifer, between two and three years old, silver cup.
66
heifer, between one and two years old, silver cup.
66 heifer, not exceeding twelve months old, silver cup.
66
66 carpeting manufactured in private families, silver cup.
66
66
hemp or flax linen manufactured in private families, silver cup.
66
table linen manufactured in private families, silver cup.
66
66 cloth manufactured in private families, silver cup.
cassinett or jeans manufactured in private families, silver cup.
66
66
whisky, not less than one hundred gallons, of this year's make, silver cup.
66 cheese of the present year's make, silver cup.
66
wheat, quality, quantity, and excellence of crop will be considered, silver cup.
"It is confidently believed that much fine stock will be exhibited, and much bought and sold within the three days of the fair; therefore, those who either wish to sell or pur- chase will do well to attend.
H. TAYLOR, JAS. SHELBY, ROBT. WICKLIFFE,
ROBT. CROCKETT,
E. WARFIELD.
" Committee."
In 1832, a fair was organized by the Kentucky Racing Association,* and in September, 1833, the first of a series of annual exhibitions on the Association Course was given under the management of a committee, consisting of Ben- jamin Warfield, James Shelby, Thomas Smith, John Brand,
*Association Record.
6€
273
AWARD OF PREMIUMS.
1814.]
and Walter Dunn. Referring to this fair, a Lexington newspaper says:
"On this occasion will be assembled for exhibition, com- petition, or sale, specimens of the most approved and cele- brated breeds of English cattle, and we learn that breeders and others will be thus enabled, by actual comparison, to judge of the relative qualities of the cattle imported by Sanders, Smith, and Tegarden, in 1817, and the short-horns imported by Colonel Powell, of Philadelphia. Garcia, Lu- cilla, and Pontiac, of the Powell stock, will be exhibited for premiums, and some calves by Pontiac and Sultan, of the Powell stock."
We append the list of awards for the 12th and 13th of September, 1834, viz :
FRIDAY.
To President, a bull, by Cornplanter, he by imported Te- cumseh, and out of Lady Monday, and she by San Martin, and out of Mrs. Motte (imported), is awarded the first pre- mium. The property of J. C. Talbott.
To Melville, a bull, by Haggin's full-blooded Teeswater bull, his dam by San Martin, is awarded the second pre- mium. The property of E. Warfield.
To Pioneer, a two-year old bull, by Exchange, his dam Beauty, is awarded the first premium. Bred by B. War- field. The property of J. Scott.
To Slider, by Duroc, dam Lady Monday, is awarded the second premium. Bred by and the property of James Garrard.
To Clay, one-year old bull, by Accommodation, dam Beauty, is awarded the first premium. Bred by and the property of B. Warfield.
To Mordecai, by Sultan, dam -, second premium. Bred by and the property of Lewis Sanders.
To bull calf Accident, by Pioneer, dam Helen Eyre, is awarded the first premium. Bred by B. Warfield. The property of James N. Brown.
To bull calf , by Oliver, dam a Patton cow by Ma-
274
HISTORY OF LEXINGTON.
[1814.
rauder, second premium. Bred by H. Clay. The property of L. P. Yandell.
To Lady Caroline, a cow of the Holderness breed, im- ported, is awarded the first premium. The property of Walter Dun.
To Lucilla, got by Memnon, imported, dam Virginia (be- gotten in England), by General, second premium. The property of George N. Sanders.
To Cleopatra, a two-year old cow, by Accommodation, dam Nancy Dawson, is awarded the first premium. Bred by and the property of S. Smith.
To Silvia, by Contention, dam young Pink, second pre- mium. Bred by and the property of Dan. Boyce.
To Helen Eyre, a one-year old heifer, by Accommoda- tion, dam Pink, is awarded the first premium. Bred by B. Warfield. The property of James N. Brown.
To Pocahontas, by Exchange, dam Nancy Dawson, sec- ond premium. Bred by and the property of S. Smith.
To Anna Fisk, a cow calf, by Oliver, dam Beauty, is awarded the first premium. Bred by and the property of B. Warfield.
To Mary Tilford, by Symmetry, dam Holderness cow, second premium. Bred by and the property of Walter Dunn.
To Mr. Boyce is awarded the premium for oxen.
To James N. Brown is awarded the first premium for fat bullocks.
To John King, the second.
We, the subscribers, appointed judges to award prizes to cattle, on the 12th of September, 1834, have adjudged the preceding.
H. CLAY, JAMES RENNICK,
JACOB HUGHES, ISAAC VANMETER,
WILL. P. HUME.
September 12, 1834.
275
AWARD OF PREMIUMS.
1814.]
SATURDAY. Award on Horses.
To Lance, a stallion, the property of E. Blackburn, is awarded the first premium.
To Woodpecker, a stallion, the property of R. B. Tarlton, is awarded the second premium.
To Sir Walter, a two-year old stallion, the property of A. Stanhope, is awarded the first premium.
To Red Rover, a two-year old stallion, the property of E. W. Hockaday, is awarded the second premium.
To Henry Duncan's yearling stud colt is awarded the first premium.
To Jas. Erwin's yearling stud colt is awarded the second premium.
To Jas. Erwin's sorrel sucking colt is awarded the first premium.
To Chas. Carr's young collier colt is awarded the second premium.
To Susan Hicks, a mare, the property of E. Warfield, is awarded the first premium.
To Letitia, a mare, the property of Jas. Erwin, is awarded the second premium.
To Jas. Erwin's filly, out of Letitia, the first premium. To G .. N. Sanders' filly, - , the second premium.
To Wm. H. Eanes' gelding, - , the first premium. To Jos. L. Downing's gelding, -, the second pre- mium.
To Jas. Erwin's carriage horses is awarded the first pre- mium.
To Jos. L. Downing's young carriage horses is awarded the second premium.
We, the judges on horses, unanimously agreed to the above award. C. CARR, G. D. HUNT,
JOHN W. MOORE, J. S. BERRYMAN, JOHN HUDSON.
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HISTORY OF LEXINGTON.
[1814.
Awards on Jacks, etc.
Best jack-Warrior, exhibited by P. B. Hockaday, first premium.
Hector, exhibited by Robt. C. Boggs, second premium.
Best jenny-Miss Palafox, exhibited by A. McClure, first premium.
Calypso, exhibited by Henry Clay, second premium.
For best pair of mules-Brown mules exhibited by Isaac Shelby, first premium.
For best two-year old mules-A. Brown, exhibited by Isaac Shelby, premium.
For best year old mule-Awarded to Thos. H. Shelby's brown mare mule.
For best sucking mule-Awarded to Isaac Shelby.
We, the undersigned, appointed a committee to award the premiums on the above stock unanimously agree in awarding the above.
DAVID McMURTRY,
LEWIS DEDMAN, JAMES SHELBY.
James Shelby agrees to the above, with the exception of the mule colts, upon which he declines acting.
On Sheep and Swine.
To Henry Clay's Saxon ram is awarded the first premium. To Bird Smith's boar is awarded the premium for boars. We, the judges, unanimously agree to the above award.
JOHN HART, ROBERT C. BOGGS.
In 1850, the Maxwell Springs Company was organized and incorporated,* and secured the grounds fronting on Bolivar street, and including " Maxwell's Spring," and now being converted by the city into a park. These grounds are noted for their fine springs of water, as the time-hon- ored gathering-place to celebrate the Fourth of July, and as the spot where the " Old Infantry " and other volunteer
* Acts Legislature.
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AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES-OFFICERS.
1814.]
companies that suffered at Raisin met and bade their friends and relatives adieu, on starting to join Harrison. Here, also, on public occasions, Clay, Barry, Scott, and a host of other prominent men have addressed immense crowds.
The Kentucky Agricultural and Mechanical Association was incorporated December 7, 1850,* and bought grounds adjoining those of the Maxwell Springs Company, and in July, 1853, the two societies entered into an arrangement by which the Kentucky Agricultural and Mechanical Asso- ciation obtained provisional use of the Maxwell Springs Company's land, on which to hold annual exhibitions. The entire grounds were then greatly improved, a handsome and capacious amphitheater, and all other needed buildings, were erected, trees and shrubs were planted, and the place soon became noted far and wide for its extraordinary beauty and convenience. The first officers of the Kentucky Agri- cultural and Mechanical Association were elected April 13, 1850, as follows :
Benjamin Gratz, president; Henry C. Payne, vice-presi- dent ; Jas. A. Harper, secretary; David A. Sayre, treasurer. Dr. R. J. Breckinridge, Abram Vanmeter, Henry T. Dun- can, Edward Oldham, Joseph Wasson, Charles W. Innes, James Kinnaird, Richard Allen, of Jessamine, James O. Harrison, and Isaac Shelby, were elected directors.
On the night of December 18, 1861, the splendid build- ings of the association were destroyed by fire while being used by federal troops. Ever since that calamity the annual fairs have been held on the grounds of the Kentucky Racing Association.
In 1868, W. T. Hughes was president of the association, R. J. Spurr, vice-president, and Ernest Brennan, secretary and treasurer.
The agricultural associations of Fayette county have had no more energetic and valuable friend than Benjamin Gratz, whose efforts contributed greatly to their success. (See chapter on Transylvania University.)
Another public-spirited and most efficient president was
# Acts Legislature.
278
HISTORY OF LEXINGTON.
[1814.
Judge W. B. Kinkead, well known both as a lawyer and an agriculturist. He was born in Woodford county, Ky., and was appointed a circuit judge by Governor Letcher. He has been a resident of Lexington for many years.
In the spring of 1872, the Maxwell Springs Company and the Kentucky Agricultural and Mechanical Associa- tion were dissolved to give place to a more effectual organ- ization - The Kentucky Agricultural and Mechanical Society, of which Gen. Wm. Preston was made president. General Preston was born in Louisville, but has long made Lexington his home. He served in the Mexican war, has represented his state in Congress, was United States min- ister to Spain, and was a major-general in the service of the late Confederate States. General Preston is a fine lawyer and a good speaker. He is a man of very superior abilities, and his highly-cultivated mind is stored with information.
The last exhibition of the society was held in the beauti- ful grove at Ashland. Its future fairs are expected to be held in an extensive amphitheater, to be erected on the old historic grounds at Maxwell's Spring, which were so long in use before the late war.
Among the agriculturists of Fayette-in addition to those already named-who have encouraged and sustained her associations, and have been awarded premiums, may be mentioned those short-horn breeders, Messrs. Wm. Warfield, Jesse H. Talbott, W. H. Richardson, W. B. Kinkead, J. G. Kinnaird, Hart Boswell, C. W. Innis, John P. Innis, and John Burgess. Among the association's other active friends, representing various agricultural interests, are I. C. Van- meter, R. J. Spurr, W. H. Smith, T. H. Shelby, Jr., .J. R. Viley, W. R. Estill, D. S. Coleman, H. A. Headley, William Bryan, N. P. Berry, Gran Weathers, E. C. Bryan, J. W. Berry, and David Prewitt.
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