USA > Kentucky > Franklin County > The history of Franklin County, Ky. > Part 22
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On May 27, 1884, the South Frankfort Presbyterian Church, South, was organized by a commission from West Lexington Presbytery. There were thirty-one members en- rolled, all of whom had signed the petition for the organization of the church. Joseph Robinson, Thomas G. Poore and Peter Jett were installed as the first elders. The church building
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THE HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
had been erected on the same lot where the present building is located. It was a frame structure and fronted on Third street. On June 1, 1884, the church was dedicated, Rev. E. O. Guer- rant preached the dedicating sermon. In a short time after the church was organized it was transferred from West Lexington to Louisville Presbytery. On September 8, 1886, union was effected with the old Franklin Church near Bridgeport. Dr. E. O. Guerrant and others preached during the summer of 1884. On October 31, 1884, Rev. Robert E. Caldwell was called and he became the first regular pastor.
During the twenty-eight years since its organization, nine ministers have served either as stated, supply or pastor, towit: Robert E. Caldwell, 1884 to 1886; Dr. J. T. Hendricks (sup- ply) 1886 to 1887; B. M. Farris, 1887 to 1888; C. R. Jones, 1888 to 1890, died in office; W. G. Neville, 1890 to 1893. D. Clay Lilly, 1893 to 1895; William Crowe, 1896 to 1908; W. Monroe Clark, 1908 to 1909; Robert L. Cowan, 1909 to 1912.
Mr. Cowan has lately resigned his charge to become secre- tary of the local Young Men's Christian Association.
On November 6, 1904, the present church building was dedicated. It was completed at a cost of twelve thousand dol- lars. The old building was given to the Salvation Army, whose officers removed it to the army headquarters on Clinton street, North Frankfort.
During the twenty-eight years there have been five hun- dred and fifty members enrolled. The church has contributed to all causes $60,000.
The First Baptist Church (colored) was organized in 1833. Prior to that time the white and colored people wor- shiped together. A colored man by the name of John Ward donated the ground where the church stands. The deed was made to the First Baptist Church in 1844.
The first regular preacher was Henderson Williams, who began his service in 1838 and served five years. The preach- ers who succeeded him whose names have been preserved were James Monroe, 1845; Robert Martin, who remained for twenty years and who baptized hundreds of converts: George W. Pat- terson, Eugene Evans, (1887). J. W. Hawkins left one thous-
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THE HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
and dollars in the treasury with which to purchase ground for a new church. Robert Mitchell, A. M., D. D., purchased the lot on the corner across from the Governor's mansion on High street, at the price of $4,000, and petitioned the City Council for the right to build the church. The city refused to grant the right and a long legal fight ensued. The Court of Appeals passed on the case in 1904 and sustained the church, and the building was erected at a cost of twenty-five thousand dollars. It is the handsomest building for colored people in the State. C. C. Wakefield succeeded Dr. Mitchell in 1903, and W. R. Payne became pastor in 1904; Dr. W. T. Silvey in 1905, since which time he has performed an acceptable service for the church. During his eight years of service the church has prospered; the membership in 1912 numbered seven hundred and forty-two.
The Corinthian Baptist Church, located on Mero street, between St. Clair and Washington streets, was organized in 1876. James H. Parrish was the first regular pastor called. He was succeeded by C. C. Stumm in 1879. Rev. Reuben Strauss was called in 1882, and in a few months thereafter he was succeeded by James M. Mason, who continued in the work until 1884. The succeeding pastors are as follows: E. Richie, 1884; R. H. C. Mitchell, 1885; W. H. Craighead, called temporarily ; Wm. A. Creditt, 1890; Benjamin W. Farris, 1892; W. E. Claybrook, 1896; D. S. Oner, 1897; E. T. Fish- back, 1898; F. G. Brookins, 1909, and E. J. Jackson, the pres- ent pastor, was called in 1910. Rev. Jackson is highly re- graded by both races. The church property is valued at $15,- 000. Membership number 105.
The St. John A. M. E. Church was established in 1839. The first building was erected in that year on the old site ou Lewis street. The building and grounds were given by Mrs. Triplett, a white woman. to her servants, Benjamin Dummore and Benjamin Hunley. It was afterwards deeded in trust to Harry Mordecai and George Harlan. The first pastor was George Harlan, who was in charge until 1840. Those who succeeded him were Moses Pitman, Aaron Green, Reuben Thomas, Henry Henderson (1850), Anderson Bryant, Jacob
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THE HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
Williams, Henry Hensley, William Brown, Henry J. Young, Ross Lee, Jilson Francis, Geo. H. Schaffer, Washington Hill, Grafton Graham, Alfred Newman, C. J. Waters, B. F. Lee, J. W. Riley, Chas. Herbert, Jessie IIenderson, George Steamer, Levi Evans, D. S. Bentley, J. W. Asbury, J. F. Thomas, G. H. Burk, Geo. W. Bryant, Emanuel Wilson, J. M. Turner, J. W. Frazier, P. A. Nichols, G. F. David, J. M. Holt, D. D., 1906; J. Allen Viney, 1907-8-9; T. A. Thompson, 1910. During the pastorate of Rev. J. Allen Viney the mortgage debt of two thousand dollars was paid. The "mortgage burning" was the occasion of great rejoicing among the members.
D. C. Carter is the present pastor in charge. The member- ship numbers 235. In 1893 the present church was built.
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THE HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
CHAPTER XVII.
Present Time, November 1912.
The assessed valuation of land as returned by
the Assessor of Franklin County for the year 1912 is $3,004,646 00
Town lots assessed at. 3,124,164 00
Personalty assessment 1,178,638 00
Total assessment $7,307,448 00
Tax on 2,877 tithes at $1.50. $4,315 00
Tax on railroads 2,109 52
Tax on whiskey withdrawals. 8,614 96
Tax on shares of bank stock
2,680 09
Tax on corporations and franchises
2,472 05
Revenue on storage accounts
8,420 31
The total gross revenue for the preceding fiscal year was $79,140 98
The number of acres of land in the county as shown
by the assessor's books is 131,799
The number of town lots 2,325
Pounds of hemp raised. 1,851
Tons of hay 2,291
Bushels of corn. 129,163
Bushels of wheat
26,001
The number of bushels of oats raised . 2,110
The number of bushels of barley raised. 4,020
Bushels of grass seed 1,327
The number of acres in wheat. 1,667
The number of acres in corn 4,831
The number of acres in meadow
1,769
The number of acres in woodland SS5
The number of acres in tobacco 1,204
A statement of the bonded indebtedness of Franklin County is as follows :
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THE HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
$62,000.00 at 41/2 per cent issued July 1st, 1898, and due July 1st, 1918.
$57,000.00 at 5 per cent issued January 1st, 1904, first payment due January 1st, 1913; second and. last payment due January 1st, 1918.
$23,000.00 at 5 per cent issued April 15th, 1904; first payment due April 15th, 1920; second and last payment due April 15th, 1924.
$19,000.00 at 5 per cent issued November the 1st, 1905, and will be due November the 1st, 1925.
$130,000.00 at 4 per cent Kentucky Midland Railroad bonds issued July 1st, 1899, and will be due July 1st, 1919.
The total amount of bonded indebtedness of the county is $291,000.00.
Poor House claims for fiscal year $789 20
Pauper claims for year 646 70
Salaries and fees of county officers 8,380 83
Turnpikes and bridges 38,032 88
Promiscuous claims 14,964 75
Claims paid election officers 294 88
Amount of interest paid on bonds. 7,765 00
Total amount paid out. 70,870 00
The amount of net revenue for year 74,126 02
The assessed valuation of property for city purposes is gen- crally higher than the assessment on the same property for State and county purposes. The assessed valuation of the real estate in the city of Frankfort for the preceeding year was $3,225,323.00, and the personal property was assessed at $1 .- 640,630.00, making a total valuation of $4,865,961.00. The rate being $1.70 per hundred, the revenue would be $82,721.33.
The city spent during the year on the improvement of the streets the sum of $12,425.35, and on the sewers the sum of $3,- 070.00, and for cleaning the streets the sum of $1,298.42. The postoffice receipts for the fiscal year ending March, 1912, were $38,000.00.
James T. Buford represented the county in the House of
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THE HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
the Kentucky Legislature in the sessions of 1908 and 1910, and Elwood Hamilton in the session of 1912.
An appropriation of $75,000.00 was made at the legisla- tive session of 1912 for the purpose of purchasing a site and erecting a mansion for the Governor. The commissioners selected a beautiful place adjoining the capitol grounds over- looking the Kentucky river and the Louisville and Nashville and the Kentucky Highland Railroads. If the plans for the new building are strictly carried out, it will be in keeping with the new State House and a credit to the State and to all who are connected with its construction.
The Legislature also appropriated $10,000.00 with which to make some needed improvements on the old State House and executive building, it being understood that several depart- ments of the State government are to be removed to the old State building.
On the 13th of November. 1912, the Arboretum of Ken- tucky was established. Each of eighty-five counties in the State sent a tree to be planted on the new capitol grounds. An effort will be made to secure a tree from each of the remaining counties. Mr. H. F. Hillenmeyer, of Lexington, has agreed to complete the arboretum by furnishing such trees indigenous to Kentucky as have not been sent in by the counties.
During the present year the Frankfort Water Company has commenced the installation of a filter plant which will cost seventy-five thousand dollars.
The Young Men's Christian Association has just com- pleted a fine building which is located at the South end of the St. Clair street bridge; the building cost about sixty thousand dollars.
Frankfort's seven-story building, erected by the McClure Realty Company, on the corner of Main and St. Clair streets, and which was known as "The McClure Building." has been purchased by The United American Insurance Company and its name has been changed to that of "The United American Building."
The United American Insurance Company has recently
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THE HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
been organized in the city of Frankfort with a capital of one million of dollars.
A secret benevolent organization known as the Modern Knights of the American Home has also been recently or- ganized in Frankfort. The supreme council is composed en- tirely of Frankfort citizens. A Widows' and Orphans' Home is to be established at Frankfort. If the plans of these two organizations are carried out the city of Frankfort will be greatly benefited.
The State Journal has purchased a site on Main street and it now has under course of construction a large brick build- ing. When completed it will be an ornament, and a great acquisition to the city.
The tobacco industry is one of the greatest in the county. The limestone soil seems especially adapted to the production of the white burley tobacco; more than twelve hundred acres of it were raised in the county in year 1912.
During the past few years Frankfort has built up a good loose leaf tobacco market. In the year 1909, the T. C. Geary Company sold about two millions of pounds. In 1910 The Farmers' Tobacco Warehouse Company built a large warehouse on Second street and during the year the two houses sold about eight and one-half millions pounds. In the year 1911, the two houses sold a little over five million pounds.
The Burley Tobacco Company is building a large ware- house on Holmes street, this building is now nearing comple- tion and in a short time will be in competition with the other two houses. It appears now that the Frankfort market will go above the ten million mark, from the sales of the three houses during the year of 1912. The product has commanded good prices and the sales at this point have been more satisfactory than were those made in other sections of the State.
1
Some of the largest tobacco companies in the world have had their representatives at Frankfort, buying and shipping to all sections of the country. Among them were the American Tobacco Company of Richmond, Virginia; Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company, Louisville, Ky. ; R. J. Reynolds, of Winston- Salem, N. C .; J. P. Taylor & Co., of Lexington, Ky .; W. L.
ยท
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THE HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
Petty Co., of Lexington, Ky .; Hancock Bros., of Lyneliburg, Va .; G. O. Tuck & Co., of Louisville, Ky .; Brasswell & Levy {exporters), Rockymont, N. C.
In the amount of capital involved, as represented in the buildings, machinery, raw material and labor, combined with the vast stored products, the distillery interest of Franklin County is its largest and most conspicuous industry. The en- tire outlay embraced in this branch of manufacture, including the finished goods ripening for the markets of the world in storage barns, represents an investment and valuation of many millions of dollars.
The distinguishing character of the whiskey produced and shipped from the local distilleries are classed and recognized in all the markets of the commercial spirit trade, as a pure "straight whiskey" of the greatest excellence and highest value. It belongs exclusively to the sour mash method of distillation. It is boiled and vaporized in copper stills, condensed and re- ceived in copper worms and cisterns, and finally aged and ripened in wooden easks which are stored in large dry ware- houses. In constituent elements and qualities, this whiskey is wholly unlike the fraudulent imitations or mixtures and com- pounds which the rectifiers so extensively advertise and sell to those who desire cheap goods regardless of quality. The su- periority of Franklin County whiskey emanates not only from the character of grain used, the methods of manufacture and the essential elements of perfect maturation, but also from the constituent properties of the water which is used in the manu- facture and which is found in the bird's eye limestone forma- tion. peculiar to this region alone.
In fruitiness of flavor, richness of aroma, ripeness of ma- turity and delicacy of finish, the whiskey of the State Capital and its environs surpasses all other spirit products of grain as a table beverage.
There were some carly attempts on Glenn's Creek and at Leestown to produce an acceptable article of whiskey, but the structures used were unsuited, the appliances crude, the meth- ods imperfect and the output raw and unfinished as well as insignificant in quantity. It was not until after the close of the
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THE HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
Civil War, about the year 1868, that the growth and develop- ment of the distillery business in this county took an origin which has grown into its present magnitude and prosperity. It was then that the foresight, sagacity and energy of Col. Edmund HI. Taylor brought him to the front and he became, and has continued to be, a recognized leader in distillery construction, development and improvement. It would be impossible to give an accurate history of the growth and expansion of this branch of county prosperity without mentioning him as a leader in the manufacture of pure whiskey. It was under his personal su- pervision that the IIermitage. The Old Oscar Pepper, O. F. C., Carlisle and Old Taylor distilleries were established and to him also was due the naming of the brands "Old Taylor," "Old Crow," "Old Oscar Pepper," "O. F. C.," and "Carlisle," which have since gained a celebrity, national and international. Col. Taylor was also the most noted advocate before Congress and in the public prints, of the spirit provisions of the pure food laws, and he was one of the first to erect in this locality an establish- ment for bottling whiskey in bond under that act.
Since 1868 the distillery growth and expansion have been steady and substantial, until today they represent vast plans, with an enormous area of distillery and storage structures filled with costly machinery. The Old Taylor distillery, located on Glenn's Creek, is owned and operated by E. HI. Taylor, Jr. & Sons, Incorporated. Its medieval castle structure, colored tiled roofs, concrete bridges and avenues, its ornamental flower garden, fountain and gold fish basin attract visitors from all sections of the country. The Old Crow distillery plant, owned and operated by W. A. Gaines & Co., Incorporated, is located on the Woodford County line near the mouth of Glenn's Creek. The "Old Crow" brand of whiskey is one of the most noted in the world. A Scotchman, by the name of James Crow, came to Kentucky in 1835, and located on Glenn's Creek where he commenced making whiskey. He was a scientific distiller and he continued in the business until his death in 1856. To him is ascribed the first hand-made sour mash process with the use of spent beer or slop, which owing to its acidity caused the term "sour mash." The same method adopted by James Crow
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THE HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
has been adhered to by the W. A. Gaines & Co., down to the present time. The popularity of James Crow has been per- petuated in the name "Old Crow." So popular has this whiskey become, that the company has concluded to withdraw the sale of it in cask and the entire output will now be bottled in bond. The Hermitage distillery on the banks of the Kentucky river in South Frankfort is owned and operated by the same firm; it has a capacity of one hundred barrels per day. On the opposite side of the river is the John Cochran or Spring Hill distillery which is operated by the Kentucky Distillers & Warehouse Co.
The O. F. C. and Kentucky River (formerly Carlisle) dis- tilleries, located at Leestown on the Kentucky river one and a half miles below the city, are owned and operated by the Geo. T. Stagg Co. The Swastika or Frankfort distillery, on Elkhorn Creek, near Elkhorn Station on the F. & C R. R., is owned and operated by the Baker Bros. One mile west of Frankfort is the Old Judge distillery owned and operated by the S. C. Herbst Importing Company. The main offices of these dis- tilleries are nearly all located in the city of Frankfort.
The distillery plants embrace an extensive, systematic ar- rangement of main manufacturing edifices, storage warehouses. grain elevators and cribs, slop drying houses or cattle pens, with establishments for bottling the product under the Pure Food Act of Congress.
The principal edifice enclosing distillery operations are, in most cases, substantially built of brick, stone or wood. The machinery employed in distillation is of modern type and in some cases of very costly construction. The processes vary ac- cording to the experience or skill of the operator or to the par- ticular trade want that is sought to be filled. The product is either a high grade whiskey or it belongs to a cheaper variety, but in no case does it descend to the level in character or quality of the impure and unwholesome output from the neutral spirit factories' and rectifiers' tubs.
The bonded warehouses attached to the distilleries and held under government supervision are appropriated to the care and maturation for market of the barreled product of this large and valuable industry. They cover many acres of ground,
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THE HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
are substantially built and have an estimated aggregate capacity for storage of nearly 600,000 barrels. Many of these warehouses are capable of holding from 10,000 to 40,000 barrels each. They are principally of the patent rick variety and arranged with a view to light, ventilation, dryness and facility in the handling of the whiskey stored. The barrels rest on dunnage in tiers, one above the other, each package unburdened by any weight except its own.
The leading feature of this warehouse storage is, that it ripens and perfects the whiskey for market, developing its es- sential oils and essences. In rectified whiskey these oils and essences are almost totally absent, so that age gives no improve- ment and storage is a waste.
The growth of the bottling in bond business, in the past few years, in this county, has been marvelous. Bottling houses are now attached to every distillery and the daily output dur- ing the operating season is about 3.000 cases or 36,000 bottles. The whiskey is bottled from bond under government super- vision, not less than four years old, and is protected to the con- sumer in any part of the world, in its proof, age, quantity and genuineness by the unbroken green stamp over the cork of each bottle. This method of bottling in bond has had a de- pressing effect upon the bottling of impure free whiskies.
The whiskey industry of the county gives remunerative employment to hundreds of employees. It furnishes a home market for all surplus grain and it pays, probably, 85 per cent of the local taxes, State, county and municipal.
There are six banks located in Frankfort, the capital stock of which aggregate five hundred and fifty thousand dollars. At the end of the fiscal year, June 29th, 1912, the sworn statements made by the cashiers of the six banks, show that the deposits amounted to the sum of $1,748,454.78. The loans and dis- counts amounted to $1,983.402.70. The surplus and un- divided profits amounted to $291,623.49. The real estate was valued at $73,328:29. The total assets amounted to $3,288,- 673.67.
A shoe factory of such magnitude as to be aptly classed one of Kentucky's important industries, has its home in Frank-
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THE HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
fort, and it is an enterprise of great benefit to the city and State by its extensive operations. The manufacturing concern of Hoge-Montgomery Company is maker of a superior product of all-solid leather shoes for women, girls and boys. This line of shoes is known far and near for its established values, and has become celebrated for its wearing qualities and the extremely reasonable price at which this dependable and staple footwear is sold. The official personnel of this company is as follows:
Chas. E. Hoge, President.
Jas. F. Montgomery, Vice-President and General Manager.
S. French Hoge, Treasurer.
II. II. Roberts, Secretary.
Chas. F. Straussner, Sales Manager.
The business was established in 1889 and was originally known as the Frankfort Shoe Manufacturing Co., but was changed in name in 1905. The capacity of the plant at the time of its inauguration in 1889 was about seven hundred pairs of shoes daily, but it flourished steadily and uninterruptedly. and the plant has been so successively enlarged and improved that at the present time there is a daily output of seven thousand two hundred pairs of well made shoes.
The factory operates every day in the year with the ex- ception of Sundays and legal holidays. The machinery is of the most modern and improved type and the plant is larger than that of any other factory south of the Ohio river.
By contract with the State for a part of the prison labor. the company pays in to the State Treasury more than a quarter of a million dollars annually.
It is understood that this company pays a higher price than that obtained by any other State in the Union for similar labor, therefore, instead of this penal institution being a burden to the taxpayers it is more than self-sustaining, after a por- tion of the hire, as required by law, is set aside for the benefit of the prisoners or their dependent families. In the free labor factory of the company, pleasant and light employment, at good wages, is afforded to as many women and girls as can be secured. Although the company has never been able to oi,- tain as much of this class of labor as it would like to employ,
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THE HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
there are now over three hundred free operatives whose pay roll exceeds three thousand dollars per week.
To dispose of the large and steady output of shoes, the company employes a traveling force of thirty-five experienced shoe salesmen. The product of the factory is sold in every State in the Union, from the Atlantic to the Pacific. "Frank- fort Shoes" are known and appreciated throughout the land, being everywhere handled by the largest dealers, and besides, a substantial export trade is being developed.
The ambition of the company is to furnish comfortable shoes, that wear longer and cost less than can be obtained from any other factory in existence, and, as a result of the impetus given by it to the manufacturing industry, Frankfort may in the days to come be known as a great factory city. The Hoge- Montgomery Company has done much to place Frankfort far on the road to such fame.
The Franklin County rural school system has been greatly improved during the past three years. According to the school census of 1912, Franklin County, outside of the corporate limits of the city of Frankfort, has three thousand and eighty-seven children between the ages of six and twenty years. Of these, two thousand eight hundred and seventy-three are white and two hundred and fourteen are colored.
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