USA > Kentucky > Franklin County > The history of Franklin County, Ky. > Part 11
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Those who died in the service were Rowland S. Parker, Leander Ford, Thomas J. Chambers, Lafayette B. Frederick, James S. Johnson, and Francis Lecompte. Henry Wolf, Wil- liam Blackwell, Samuel Bartlett, and Major Updike were killed at the battle of Buena Vista February 23d. 1847. Those who were discharged on account of disabilities were William K. Major, James R. Page. James E. Coleman. Merriat Young. James W. Harris, James Blazehard, Wesley Christopher,
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Benjamin Robinson, John Taylor, Matthew L. Hazelett, Stephen Sesfield, Alexander Moss, Enoch Ford, and Thomas J. Todd. The deserters were John White, who deserted at Louis- ville, June the 13th, and James Crummery, who deserted at Matamoras, Mexico, August the 22d.
The trustees of the town of Frankfort appropriated $200 for the purpose of bringing the bodies of the Franklin County men, who fell at Buena Vista back home, and the county of Franklin appropriated a like sum for the same purpose. Maj. B. C. Milam went to Mexico after the remains of the men in his company and those of Captain Chambers. He met with Mr. Ruben A. Hawkins at New Orleans, who returned to Mexico with him to point out the graves of those parties whom he had buried there. Mr. Hawkins reached Frankfort with the remains of John Sanders, John Ellingwood, James Seston, Major Updike, L. B. Bartlett, Henry Wolf, W. Blackwell, .J. J. Thorp, H. Edwards, A. Goodpaster, Enoch Burton, and Robert Latta. The bodies were received at the wharf by the returned volunteers, under Major Milam and Captain Cham- bers, and the McKee Guards, under Captain Crittenden. They were buried in the State ground at Frankfort on Thursday, the 16th day of September, 1847, with military honors. About 3,000 people from Franklin and the surrounding counties were present and took part in the ceremonies.
On July 27th, 1847, the burial of the remains of Col. William R. McKee, Lieut. Col. Henry Clay, Capt. William T. Willis, Adjt. E. P. Vaughn, Lieut. JJoseph Powell, W. W .. Bayless, William Thwaits, N. Ramsey, Thomas Weigert, Alex G. Morgan, C. Jones, II. Carty, T. McH. Dozier, H. Trotter, C. B. Thomas, and W. T. Green, the honored Kentuckians who were killed at the battle of Buena Vista, took place in the pres- ence of a large concourse of people. The crowd was variously estimated from fifteen to thirty thousand. From sunrise to 10 o'clock a cannon was fired every hour from the battery stationed in the cemetery grounds, under the direction of Captain Goins. At 10 o'clock two guns were fired in quick succession, the signal for the ceremonies to begin.
Henry Clay, the venerable and distinguished father of
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THE HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
Colonel Clay, was present, and near him sat the little orphan children of Colonel Clay. Col. Richard M. Johnson was also present. He was a guest of the McKee Guards. The orator of the day was John C. Breckenridge, whose fine appearance and pleasing address added greatly to his reputation as an orator.
The bodies were removed from the rotunda of the State Capitol and placed in hearses which were arranged in a semi- circle on the northwest end of the Capitol grounds. The right of the procession rested on Market street. It moved in the fol- lowing order :
George W. Triplett, marshal, led the column.
1. Jessamine Cavalry, under Captain Worley.
2. Fayette Cavalry, under Captain Willson.
3. Woodford Cavalry, under Captain Thornton.
4. Mortonsville Cavalry, under Captain Edwards.
Marshal, Col. R. T. P. Allen, assisted by Capt. Thomas H. Taylor, adjutant of the day.
5. Clay Guards, under Captain Taylor.
6. McKee Guards, under Captain Crittenden.
7. Fayette Guards, under Captain Robinson.
S. Lexington Light Artillery, under Captain Happy.
9. Jessamine Artillery, under Captain Hill.
10. Keene Artillery. under Captain Coons.
11. Lexington Artillery, under Captain Cadwallader. Music.
Marshall, E. A. Dudley, assisted by G. P. Theobold and John T. Roberts.
12. Committee of arrangements, with the officers of the cemetery.
13. Bodies of the dead, drawn in hearses built on cannon carriages, the cannons being shrouded in crepe. The gun taken at Cerro Gordo and the "Thames Piece" were mounted for the occasion. The carriages were hung in black. The hearse which contained the body of Colonel McKee was built on a brass cannon in the possession of the Lexington Legion. and was drawn by four white horses. Following this was the hearse containing the remains of Lieutenant Colonel Clay; the ro-
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THE HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
mains of Captain Willis came next, Adjutant Vaughn next, etc., the whole attended by pallbearers.
14. Lexington Rifles, under Captain Jouett.
15. Families and relatives of the dead.
16. Ministers of the gospel.
Music-Band from Newport Barracks, at that time recog- nized as being one of the best in the United States.
Marshal, Col. James Davidson, assisted by J. H. Slaughter.
17. The Second Kentucky Volunteer Regiment, under Major Fry.
18. The Kentucky Volunteer Cavalry, under Colonel Marshall and Colonel Field.
19. The First Regiment of Kentucky Volunteers, Louis- ville Legion, under Colonel Ormsby.
Twenty officers of the United States army and soldiers of the Mexican war.
Music-Col. H. C. Pindell, Marshal.
21. The Governor and suite.
22. Officers of the State and United States government.
23. The Sons of Temperance.
24. Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
25. Masonic Fraternity.
Marshal, Captain Anderson.
26. Students of colleges and various departments of learning.
27. Literary societies.
28. Fire companies.
Marshal, Captain J. W. Russell.
29. Citizens on foot.
Chief Assistant Marshal, Landon A. Thomas.
30. Citizens in carriages.
At half past eleven the procession was formed and moved through the principal streets of Frankfort to the cemetery. A gun was fired every five minutes while the procession was moving.
John Swigert, John Scott, and W. Holeman, members of Capt. Milam's company, were captured near Encarnacion by a Mexican force. In July, 1847, they escaped from their guard,
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THE HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
and after many perilous and thrilling adventures reached their homes in Frankfort.
The town of Bridgeport, in Franklin County, was incor- porated in 1848. John Jenkins, Frederick Robb, and H. Ed- wards were appointed trustees. The act provided that the grounds laid out should not exceed fifty acres.
Pleasant Hill, located on Main Elkhorn, near the mouth of Johns Branch, in 1848, elected trustees as follows: Lewis C. Sullivan, Alexander B. Bacon, John T. Hawkins, James M. Graham, and John F. Graham.
The Frankfort and Lawrenceburg road was incorporated in 1847. Franklin County was authorized to take stock in it.
The telegraph line between Louisville and Frankfort was completed February 25th, 1848. The first message ever re- ceived at Frankfort by telegram was the announcement of the death of ex-President John Quincy Adams, which was received at 9 o'clock a. m. February 25th, 1848. The line to Louisville was completed several days before the line to Lexington.
The use of gas for illuminating purposes was introduced in Frankfort in September, 1848.
President-elect Gen. Zachary Taylor paid a visit to Frank- fort on the 19th of February, 1849. He came up on a boat and was met at the wharf by the joint members of the Ken- tucky Legislature, the old Mexican soldiers, and a large con- course of citizens. His visit was especially to Governor Crit- tenden, who was at that time Governor of the State.
In June, 1849, there was a great religious revival in Frankfort. Several hundred people joined the various churches of the city.
Samuel Crockett was Sheriff of Franklin County in 1849, and T. N. Lindsey was elected a member of the constitutional convention from the county.
The Benson bridge, near the mouth of Benson Creek, was built in 1849.
William T. Herndon was appointed Sheriff in 1850.
The members of the Frankfort bar in 1850 were Lysander Hord, Thomas N. Lindsey, Landon A. Thomas, S. F. J. Trabuc, l'. U. Major, John C. Herndon, Robert Henry Crittenden,
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THE HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
James Monroe, Philip Swigert, Richard C. French, Thomas Hart Taylor, Jno. M. Hewitt, Ben Monroe, James Harlan, William Harlan, T. P. A. Bibb, O. G. Cates, W. B. Reed, G. W. Craddock, C. S. Morehead, R. P. Letcher, T. D. Tillford, Austin P. Cox, Mason Brown, A. S. Mitchell, and Andrew Monroe.
The physicians were W. T. Price, E. HI. Watson, Dr. Phythian, O. S. Willson, Churchill J. Blackburn, Luke P. Blackburn, and Alex M. Blanton.
Franklin County members of the House of Representatives of Kentucky from 1840 to 1850 were:
Charles S. Morehead, 1840, 1841, 1842, and 1844.
James Milam, 1843.
James Harlan, 1845.
William D. Reed, 1846.
Landon A. Thomas, 1847.
John A. Holton, 1848.
James Monroe, 1849.
Lysander Hord, 1850.
The population of Franklin County in 1840 was 9,420, in 1850 it was 12,462.
The number of slaves in 1840, 2,846; in 1850, 3,365.
The population of Frankfort in 1840 was 1,917; in 1950 it was 3,308.
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THE HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
CHAPTER X.
Course of Events from 1850 to 1860.
In the year 1850 the Kentucky river was under the con- trol of the State; there was a resolution by the General As- sembly "That the military monument which had been made under the direction of the committee appointed for that pur- pose and which is to be erected in memory of the brave officers and soldiers who have fallen in the defense of the honor of their country, be permitted to pass through the locks of the river without payment of toll." This military monument was erected in 1850, the statue of victory on the top of it was raised to its place on July 1st, 1850.
In 1851 the Legislature directed the Governor of Ken- tucky to purchase from the Frankfort Cemetery Company lots Nos. 131-132-143-144-154 and 155 in which to bury the remains of Kentucky's illustrious dead, the price for same was six hundred dollars:
There was an act in 1851 appropriating eighty dollars with which to bury some Kentuckians who were killed at the River Raisin. In 1848 Col. Edward Brooks, acting under the authorities of the town of Monroe, Mich., delivered the re- mains of fifteen Kentuckians who fell at the battle of the River Raisin, and by resolution, the Governor of Kentucky was directed to have them buried in the Frankfort Cemetery.
The sum of four hundred dollars was paid by resolution of the General Assembly, to Edward H. Nock, as compensation for painting the portrait of Governor Isaac Shelby. This por- trait hung in the Legislative Hall in the Old Capitol building for more than a half century, but when the archives of the State were removed to the new Capitol in 1909 it was placed in charge of the State Historical Society, where it was given one of the most prominent positions in the Hall of Fame.
The State, by act of the Legislature, appointed Ambrose W. Dudley, E. H. Taylor and Philip Swigert, Commissioners to superintend the erection of an Arsenal, on any ground not
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THE HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
less than one-half mile from the Capitol building. The sum of eight thousand dollars was appropriated and the Commis- sioners were directed to act "according to such plans and speci- fications as they may deem best suited for a building for said purpose."
By an amendment, the Commissioners named were author- ized to select at their discretion the most suitable place within the town of Frankfort or in its vicinity, as to them may seem most eligible for the location of the Arsenal. The building was completed in 1850 and the military equipments of the State were removed from a small building on the State House square to the new Arsenal, during that year.
The incorporated towns of South Frankfort and Frank- fort (North Frankfort) were consolidated by act of the Legis- lature approved March 4th, 1850. The most prominent men of South Frankfort in 1818 were Edward S. Coleman, Chair- man of the Board of Trustees; David Graham, George Gayle, Larkin Samuels, George W. Graham, Israel Ellis, Hosea Cook, Henry Wingate, John Campbell, George Todd and Evan Evans; Sam South was chairman of the Board of Trustees in 1823; S. I. M. Major in 1825; John J. Vest in 1827; Rev. S. M. Noel in 1829; John J. Vest in 1831; Chas. S. Morehead in 1833; Littleberry Batchelor in 1834; O. G. Cates in 1837; Ed- ward S. Coleman in 1841 and for several years thereafter. In 1845 Coleman's Tan Yard was in operation near Coleman's spring at the south end of Steele street; the buildings were one story with basements.
During the year 1850 the following incidents are noted : The Farmers' Bank was organized, the largest stockholders and organizers of this bank were James Harlan, John II. Hanna, J. Swigert, William Tanner, John W. Russell, P. Swigert, A. C. Keenon, A. G. Hodges, John C. Herndon, II. I. Todd and S. Robinson.
James M. Todd was appointed postmaster at Frankfort.
On August 8th, the cornerstone of the Episcopal Church was laid, the address was delivered by Rev. Mr. Craik of Louis- ville, Bishop Smith, Rev. Messrs. Claxton of Madison, Ind.,
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TIIE HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
Elwell of Shelbyville and Norton of Frankfort assisted in the ceremonies.
Cholera made its appearance in Frankfort again, during the year, but there were only a few deaths from its effects.
The publication of a religious paper known as "The Methodist Monthly" was commenced in October, the Rev. T. N. Ralston was the editor. He was assisted by Rev. G. W. Bush and W. H. Anderson.
Mr. Joseph Belt, who served five years and seven months in the American Army during the War of the Revolution, died, domiciled in Franklin County, September 10th, 1850. IIe was ninety-nine years old at the time of his death.
Col. Richard M. Johnson, who had been Vice President of the United States and who had held many offices of trust and who was known as one of the greatest men of that time, died in Frankfort and was buried in the Frankfort Cemetery, No- vember 12th, 1850. The funeral services were held in the House of Representatives. An immense crowd of citizens and strangers were in attendance. Rev. Stewart Robinson preached the funeral discourse. "The procession was long and impos- ing, the Masons and Odd Fellows especially making a fine ap- pearance." Minute guns were fired as the procession entered the cemetery and until the ceremonies at the grave were con- cluded. Obituary addresses concerning Col. Richard M. John- son were published in pamphlet form. The following Legisla- ture authorized Mason Brown, John M. Huett, Edward H. Taylor and William Tanner, Commissioners with authority to contract with Robert E. Launitz for the erection of a monu- ment to his memory in the Frankfort Cemetery, and for which nine hundred dollars were appropriated, and for this small sum the Commissioners secured one of the most beautiful and artistic monumental structures that was ever erected on the Western Continent, up to that time.
The first money appropriated by the County Court for the purpose of macadamizing the county roads was placed on the Glenn's Creek road in 1851. The Frankfort and Law- renceburg turnpike road was built during this year. The county of Franklin owned a large part of the stock in this
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THE HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
road when it was completed. At the close of the year 1851 there were seventy-four public roads in the county, all of which were under the supervision of County Surveyors and were repaired by warning in the hands assigned to their re- spective roads.
After the adoption of the Constitution of 1849, the first election held under the new Constitution was in 1851, at which time John C. Herndon became the first County Judge of Franklin county ; Alexander H. Rennick was the first clerk elected by the people; William T. Herndon the first Sheriff; John R. Graham, Coroner; Benjamin Luckett, Jailer; William M. Bristow, Assessor, and Lysander Hord, for some reason was appointed County Attorney. Samuel I. M. Major was elected Surveyor, but his election was contested by William F. Graham on the grounds that Major was not of age. The Court held that said Major was not twenty-one years of age and conse- quently could not hold the office, the Constitution having provided that a man was not eligible until he was twenty-one; a new election was ordered. The County Judge's salary was fixed at two hundred and fifty dollars per year. On May 29th. 1851, the first passenger train of cars from Louisville arrived upon the banks of the river opposite Frankfort; this was an important era in the history of Frankfort and Franklin county and the public-spirited citizens of the county celebrated the event. The railroad bridge across the river at that point was completed during that year, the contract price for its con- struction was originally $27,000, but some changes were made and the amount was increased to $30,000. During this year Joseph Patterson, a civil engineer, surveyed a route for a rail- road from Frankfort to Harrodsburg, the distance being thirty- two miles and one thousand and forty-feet to the railroad junction on the west side of the river. His estimated cost was $26,232 per mile. The proposition as to whether the county of Franklin would vote the appropriation of $225,000 as her part of the expense of building the road failed to receive a ma- jority of the votes.
Henry Clay died in Washington City on the 29th day of June, 1852; out of respect to his memory, Governor Powell or-
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THE HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
dered all the public business of the State to be suspended and the offices closed and the buildings to be clothed in mourning. The City Council was convened in extraordinary session and resolutions passed; the citizens of Frankfort and vicinity held a mass meeting at which appropriate resolutions were passed.
During this year Mr. David Meriwether built the Meri- wether Hotel, on the corner of Broadway and Ann streets. For many years this hotel was the political headquarters for the politicians of the State.
The Frankfort Woolen Mills were incorporated in 1852, J. M. Lancaster, John H. Hanna, Jacob Swigert, Nathaniel Hart, P. Swigert, John Watson, S. Brownwell and William L. Vance were the incorporators. The capital stock was placed at one hundred thousand dollars.
General Winfield Scott, a candidate for President of the United States, visited Frankfort in the month of September; a reception committee met him at the train and escorted him to the Capitol building, where he addressed the assembled multitude on the political questions of the day; a public re- ception was held at which a large number of people met him. At that time Franklin county was nearly evenly divided be- tween the Democrats and Whigs. Pierce, the Democrat, re- ceived 759 votes and Scott, the Whig, received 833 votes in the county.
Joshua McQueen, a Revolutionary soldier, died at his home near Frankfort on April 3rd, 1853, at the age of 106 years. Ile was appointed sergeant by General Washington, which position he held during the war. He left surviving him a large family of children, grandchildren and great grand- children. On December 11th of the same year James Brisco, in his 94th year, also died. Ile was a soldier and seaman of the Revolution. He was at the siege of Yorktown and the surrender of 'Cornwallis. He served as boatswain under Com- modore Taylor. At the time of his death, Cornelius Fenwick was the only surviving Revolutionary soldier in Franklin County.
Ben F. Johnson was appointed postmaster at Frankfort in May, 1853. IIe succeeded James M. Todd, who resigned,
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TIIE HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
In December of this year the Capital Hotel was opened to the public and for more than half a century it has been one of the leading hotels of the State.
William T. Herndon was re-elected Sheriff of the county in 1853.
John M. Harlan, who has since become one of the Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States, was appointed Notary Public in and for the county of Franklin, March 20th, 1854, and during the same year he was elected City Attorney for the city of Frankfort. In 1855 he was one of the Sons of Temperance, and in 1856 he was re-elected City Attorney; in 1858 he was elected County Judge of Franklin County; in 1859 he made the race for Congress in the Ashland District, but was defeated by a small vote, during the same year læ was appointed Adjutant General of the State of Kentucky, and in 1877 he was appointed Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.
Ex-President Millard Fillmore visited Frankfort in March, 1854. He was entertained at the Capitol Hotel. IIon. John J. Crittenden presided. Addresses were made by Col. Thomas L. Crittenden, Gov. C. S. Morehead, Governor Powell, Gov. Crittenden, Gov. Letcher and Colonel Brown.
The year 1854 was the most disastrous year ever known to the people of Frankfort and Franklin County. The drought was so severe that practically nothing was raised in the way of farming products, the heat and drought were the severest ever known in Franklin County. The Kentucky river was ten feet lower than it was ever before known. The farmers had to haul water for miles; that period has been known since then, as the year of the great drought, and it has also been known by the people of Frankfort as the year of the great fire. The greatest conflagration ever known to the people of Frankfort occurred on April 29th. The fire commenced near the cen- ter of the square on St. Clair street between Broadway and Main streets. It burned every house up to and including the house on the corner of Main and St. Clair, and extended up Main street to Lewis street and down Lewis, about two-thirds of the square. There were twenty-four houses consumed, seven-
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THE HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
teen of which were brick. It was the business portion of the city which burned. A large part of the property was occupied by tenants, most of whom lost their entire stock of goods.
The election of county officers for Franklin County in 1854 resulted in the election of J. C. Herndon, County Judge; A. H. Rennick, County Clerk; H. I. Morris, Sheriff; P. U. Major, County Attorney ; R. A. Brawner, Jailer; J. J. Smither, Assessor; J. R. Graham, Coroner; W. F. Graham, Surveyor ; John W. Pruett, Constable of the Frankfort District, and James Monroe, Police Judge of the City of Frankfort. There were 528 votes in favor of a road tax and 847 against it.
The General Assembly of Kentucky by resolution in 1854, directed Gov. L. P. Powell to have the remains of Gov. Charles Scott, Major William T. Barry and Captain Bland Ballard and wife, to be brought to Frankfort and re-interred in the grounds belonging to the State in the Frankfort Ceme- tery. The Governor named November 8th as the day for the ceremonies.
"The Commonwealth" of November 10th gives the following description of the proceedings: "Wednesday, the 8th day of November, 1854, was a great day in Frankfort, and one not soon to be forgotten. The last and distinguished honors pro- vided by Kentucky for three men who had served her cause, in the council and in the field, and whose lives had contributed to the glory of her history, were paid with befitting circum- stance, in the presence of an immense crowd of Kentucky's sons and daughters. Strangers began to arrive on Tuesday, and on Wednesday morning every avenue leading to our lit- tle city poured in a living stream. The public square, streets, sidewalks, hotels and private houses were soon swarming with the crowd. Among those present were a great many of Ken- tucky's noblest sons-men distinguished upon the field of bat- tle and men distinguished in almost every department of pub- lic service and of life-in the Executive chair, in Congress, in the Legislature of the State, upon the bench, at the bar, at the bedside of the sick, in the sacred desk, in the editorial of- fice, in mercantile pursuits, and in the mechanic arts. Ken- tucky beauty was well represented in maiden loveliness and
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THIE HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
matronly grace; and the whole blending together formed an immense concourse of just such men and women as would have swelled the hearts of the honored dead with gratitude and joy could their mortal eyes open upon them. The procession formed about 11 o'clock and slowly moved its long length to- wards the cemetery. In it we noted a number of the officers and soldiers of the War of 1812, and of the War with Mexico. A delegation of officers from the Louisville Legion, under com- mand of Col. DeKorponay; a fine volunteer company from Georgetown, commanded by Capt. Grant; the cadets of the Kentucky Military Institute, commanded by Col. Morgan; several lodges of Odd Fellows; several divisions of the Sons of Temperance ; the pupils of Mr. Sayre's High School, and an in- numerable throng of citizens and strangers in carriages. The march of the whole was enlivened by excellent music from Arbogast's and Plato's Saxhorn Bands of Louisville, whose performances throughout the day added greatly to the enjoy- ment of the occasion. Upon the cemetery grounds a platform for the speakers had been erected near the beautiful tomb of the Trabue family, and facing a gentle slope which rose like an amphitheatre around it. Here the exercises were opened with prayer by the Rev. Dr. John D. Mathews. Governor Powell then introduced the further proceedings by a brief and appropriate address, and concluded by presenting to the audi- dence Col. Thomas L. Crittenden, who delivered an oration of classic elegance and marked appropriateness upon the life and character of Governor Charles Scott. After music from the band Col. Theodore O'Hara was introduced and delivered a glowing, eloquent and ornate eulogy upon Major William T. Barry. To this succeeded a speech from Col. Humphrey Mar- shall upon the life and character of Major Bland Ballard-an effort marked by discriminating fidelity to truth, by great pro- priety and force of diction, and a nervous manly elocution, which won new laurels for the well-known orator. After the close of the speeches the remains were re-interred in the ground belonging to the State. Rev. Mr. Norton of Frankfort and Rev. Mr. Berkley of Lexington officiating in the closing re-
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