Class _E-4_SfL Book .Lo>1^3 Gqp^'right}]" COPYRIGHT DEPOSm //JS/C- HISTORY LEXINGTON KENTUCKY |Tg IJaRLY ^NNAL? and I^ECENT pROQREg^ INCLUDING BIOGRAPIITCAL SKETCHES AND PERSONAL REMINISCENCES OF THE PIONEER SETTLERS, NOTICES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS, ETC., ETC. c By GEORGE W. RANCK CINCINNATI Robert Clarke & Co 1872 Entered according to Act of Congress, In the year one thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, By G. W. RANCK, In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. TO MY AV I F E dm mri]) jjaitcli A DESCENDANT OF EARLY SETTLERS OF LEXINGTON AND FAYETTE COUNTY, AND THE ONE WHO SUGGESTED THIS WORK AND WAS THE CAUSE OF ITS COMPLETION THESE PAGES ARE AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED PREFACE. No American city of its age has clustering around it more interesting associations than Lexington. Founded in the midst of a great revolution; built up by daring men in the heart of an almost boundless wilderness, and nur- tured and protected through years of hardship and Indian warfare, she played the most prominent part in the early and tragic days of the Dark and Bloody Ground. Lexing- ton then was substantially Kentucky herself. She was more. She was the Jamestown of the West; the advance-guard of civilization ; the center from which went forth the con- querors of a savage empire. During another long and eventful era, she was the polit- ical, literary, and commercial metropolis of "the great Northwest." She was crowded with men who made her famous. She has now entered upon the third epoch of her exist- ence, an epoch material, during which steam will give her an industrial prosperity proportionate to her great natural advantages. Very much of the rich past of Lexington has died with her founders. Even the traditions of her pioneer days are dim, and the old landmarks are being rapidly obliterated, liealizing these sad truths, and appreciating Lexington's history, the author of this book resolved to save for those M'ho will come after us all that could be gathered from this PREFACE. wreck of time. These pages are the result of his efforts. If he has preserved something which ought not to have been lost, or if his work will encourage some abler hand to gather and perpetuate other annals of our city which he overlooked or slighted, he will have attained his object. The author has used every means to make his work ac- curate. If it is not entirely so, the fault is to be attributed to the peculiar disadvantages which always surround the local historian. In the preparation of these pages, he has consulted many of the oldest and best-informed inhabitants of Lexington and Fayette county, and also every other at- tainable authority considered reliable. For reasons obvious to every fair-minded person, he has ignored the many ex- citing events which occurred in Lexington during the late war between the States. It is to be hoped that they will receive attention of a chronicler in the unprejudiced future. As propriety required as little extended mention of the living as possible, the writer confined himself, in that re- spect, to sketches of a few aged citizens, and brief notices of ministers of the gospel and persons in some official connection. As it is the work of the local historian to furnish the first elements of general history, to record facts rather than deductions from facts, the author has contented himself with a plain statement of past events, to the neglect of or- namental rhetoric and romantic conclusions. Lexington, Ky., August, 1872. History of Lexington. CHAPTER I. Ancient Lexington. The city now known as Lexington, Kentucky, is built of the dust of a dead metropolis of a lost race, of whose name, and language, and history not a vestige is left. Even the bare fact of the existence of such a city, and such a people, on the site of the present Lexington, would never have been known but for the rapidly decaying remnants of ruins found by early pioneers and adventurers to the " Elkhorn lands." But that these remains of a great city and a mio^hty people did exist, there can be not the shadow of a doubt. The somewhat notorious Ashe, who published a volume of travels in 1806, says : " Lexington stands on the site of an old Indian town, which must have been of great extent and magnificence, as is amply evinced by the wide range of its circumvallatory works and the quantit}'- of ground it once occupied." These works he declares were, at the time he saw them (1806), nearly leveled with the earth by the ravages of time and the improvements that had been made by the settlers. The testimony of the lenrned Prof. C. S. Rafinesque,* of Transylvania University, fully corresponds with this, and proves the former existence in and about the present Lexington of a powerful and somewhat enlight- ened ante-Indian nation. Other proofs are not wanting. ♦Western Review, 1820. HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. The first settlers of Lexington found here a well, regularly and artificially built with stone,* a domestic convenience unknown among the American Indians, and they plowed up curious earthen vessels,! such as could only have been manufactured by at least a semi-civilized people. In 1790, an old lead mine, which had every appearance of having been once worked and abandoned, was opened near this city.J Kentucky's first historian^ tells us of stone sepul- chres, at Lexington, built in pyramid shape, and still ten- anted by human skeletons, as late as two years after the siege of Bryant's Station. "They are built," says he, "in a way totally different from that of the Indians." Early in this centurj', a large circular earthen mound, about six feet in height, occupied a part of what is now called Spring street, between Hill and Maxwell. It was located between the property of Dr. Bell and the rear outbuildings of Mr. P. Yeiser. In course of time it was leveled, and was found to consist of layers of earth of three different colors. In the center was discovered an earthen vessel of curious forna and a quantity of half-burnt wood.§ The mound is supposed to have served the purpose of a sacrificial altar. A stone mound, which stood not far from Russell's cave, in this county, was opened about 1815 and found to contain human bones.* These well-attested facts, together with the tradition re- lated to this day of an extensive cave existing under the city of Lexington, relieve of its improbable air the state- ment that a subterranean cemetery of the original inhab- itants of this place was discovered here nearly a century ago.f In 1776, three years before the first permanent white settlement was made at Lexington, some venturesome hunters, most probably from Boonesborough, had their curi- osity excited by the strange appearance of some stones they saw in the woods where our city now stands. They removed these stones, and came to others of peculiar workmanship, * Morse. j Im'-'iy^ P^S^ 2^^- J Old Kentucky Gazette, 1790. ^ John Filson. g Benj. Kciser. * Prof. Rafinesque. t Letter to Robt. Todd, published in 1809. ANCIENT LEXINGTON. 8 which, Upon examination, they found had been [)laced there to conceal the entrance to an ancient catacomb, formed in the solid rock, tifteen feet below the surface of the earth. They discovered that a gradual descent from the opening brought them to a passage, four feet wide and seven feet high, leading into a spacious apartment, in which were numerous niches, which they were amazed to find occupied by bodies which, from their perfect state of preservation, had evidently been embalmed. For six years succeeding this discovery, the region in which this catacomb was located, was visited by bands of raging Indians and aveng- ing whites; and during this period of blood and passion, the catacomb was dispoiled, and its ancient mummies, prob- ably the rarest remains of a forgotten era that man has ever seen, were well nigh swept out of existence. But not entirely. Some years after the red men and the settlers had ceased hostilities, the old sepulchre was again visited and inspected.'^ It was found to be three hundred feet long, one hundred feet wide, and eighteen feet high. The floor was covered with rubbish and fine dust, from which was extracted several sound fragments of human limbs. At this time the entrance to this underground cemetery of Ancient Lexington is totally unknown. For nearly three-quarters of a century, its silent chamber has not echoed to a human footfall. It is hidden from sight, as effectually as was once buried Pompeii, and even the idea that it ever existed is laughed at by those who walk over it, as heedless of its near presence as were the generations of incredulous peasants who unconsciously danced above the long lost villa of Dioraedes, That Lexington is built upon the site of an ancient walled city of vast extent and population, is not only evi- dent from the facts here detailed, but the opinion becomes almost a certainty when viewed in the light of the historic proofs that can be produced to support the claim, that all * Ashe. niSTORY OF LEXINGTON. the region round about her was at a distant period in the past the permanent seat of a comparatively enlightened people. As early as 1794,* it was well and widely known that in the neighborhood of Lexington there existed two distinctly defined fortifications furnished with ditches and bastions. One of these ancient monuments was visited in 1820 by Rafinesque, the celebrated professor of natural history in Transylvania University, a gentleman whose opinions on the subject of the ancient remains in the Mis- sissippi Valley are so often quoted by historians and so much respected. His map and plate of the remains near Lexington constitute one of the most valuable features of the " Smithsonian Contributions."t He says| of the forti- fication already named : "I have visited, wnth a friend, the ancient monument or fortification situated about two and a half miles from Lexington, in an easterly direction, and above the head of Hickman creek; and we have ascertained that it is formed by an irregular circumvallation of earth, surrounded by an outside ditch. "The shape of this monument is an irregular polygon of seven equal sides. The whole circumference measures about sixteen hundred of my steps, which I calculate at nearly a yard, or three feet each ; or, altogether, four thou- sand eight hundred feet — less than a mile. The difierent sides measure as follows : west side, three hundred and sixty feet; southwest side, seven hundred and fifty feet; south side, seven hundred and fifty feet ; east-southeast side, six hundred and sixty feet ; east-northeast side, one thousand and eighty feet ; northeast side, six hundred feet ; north- west side, six hundred feet. Total, 4,800 feet. " The angles are rather blunt. Two of the angles .have deep ravines ; one lies at the angle between the west and the southwest sides, and the other between the east-south- east and the east-northeast sides. This last is the largest and deepest — it reaches to the limestone, and had water in * Imlay's Western Territory, page 368. t Vol. I, page 27. X "Western Review, April, ANCIENT LEXINGTON. it. It forms a brook running easterly, and is formed by two rills meeting near the angle and nearly surrounding the central. Another ravine comes out near the north cor- ner. All these originate within the circumvallation, which incloses one of the highest grounds near Lexington, and particularly a large, level hill which is higher than any in the immediate neighborhood, and stretches, in part, toward the northwest. "The sides are straight. The earthen walls are raised upon a level or raised ground, and are nowhere lower than tlie outside ground, except for a few rods toward the north- east side. The situation is, therefore, very well calculated for defense, and it is very probable that there were for- merly springs within the walls. "The whole surface is covered with trees of a lar^e growth, growing even on the walls and in the ditch; ex- cepting, however, a small corner toward the northwest, which is now a corn-field. It may include from five to six hundred acres. "At present the heighth and breadth of the wall and ditch are variable — from eight to sixteen feet in breadth, and from two to four in depth, the average being twelve in breadth and three in depth ; but these dimensions must have been greater formerly. The wall was probably six- teen feet broad throughout, and four feet high, while the ditch was rather narrower, but deeper. The walls are made of the loose earth taken from the ditch. There is only one large distinct gateway, on the northeast side, where there is no ditch and hardly any wall." After this survey some little interest was excited in the subject, and other remains were visited and inspected. Several in the vicinity of the one described; another, a square inclosure, west of Lexington, " near the northern Frankfort road;" many mounds and graves south of the cit}^ and two groups lying on the south side of North Elk- horn, about a mile from each other. Extraordinary as it may appear, these monuments, though so near our city, and as singular as any on this continent, were never sur- veyed till as late as 1820. Some months after he had ex- 6 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. amined and described the fortification at the head of Hick- man creek, Prof. Ratinesque surveyed the upper group on !N^orth Elklioru, near Russell's cave, or what is now known as the West place. We quote his description of it, which will be read with more and more interest and wonder as time passes, and slowly but surely levels with the earth and blots out forever all that is left to remind us of a lost race, whose stupendous structures covered the fertile tract which afterward became the favorite hunting ground of savage tribes. He says :* "I visited this upper group of monuments, a few days ago, in company with two gentlemen of Lexington. They are situated about six miles from this town, in a north- northeast direction, on the west and back part of Colonel Russell's farm, which stands on the road leading from Lex- ington to Cynthiaiia. "The ground on which they stand is a beautiful level spot, covered with young trees and short grass, or line turf, on the south side of a bend of North Elkhorn creek, nearly opposite the mouth of Opossum run, and close by Hamil- ton's farm and spring, which lie west of them. They ex- tend as far as Russell's cave, on the east side of the Cyn- thiana road. "No. 1, which stands nearly in the center, is a circular inclosure, six hundred feet in circumference, formed of four parts: 1. A broad circular parapet, now about twenty feet broad, and two feet high. 2. An inward ditch, now very shallow and nearly on a level Avith the outward ground. 3. A gateway, lying due north, raised above the ditch, about fifteen feet broad, and leading to the central area. 4. A square central area, raised nearly three feet above the ditch, perfectly square and level, each side seventy feet long and facing the four cardinal points. " No. 2 lies northeast of No. 1, at about two hundred and fifty feet distance; it is a regular, circular, convex mound, one liundred and seventy-five leet in circumference, and nearly four feet high, surrounded by a small outward ditch. ►Western Review, 1820, page 53. ANCIENT LEXINGTON. " No. 3 lies nearly north, of No. 1, a»id at about two hun- dred and fifty fuet distance from No. 2. It is a singular and complicated monument, of an irregular square form, nearly conical, or narrower at the upper end, facing the creek. It consists: 1. Of a high and broad parapet, about one hundred feet long and more than five feet high, as yet, above the inward ditch on the south base, which is about seventy-five feet long. 2. Of an inside ditch. 3. Of an area of the same form with the outward parapet, but rather uneven. 4. Of an obsolete broad gateway at the upper west side. 5. Of an irregular raised platform, con- nected with the outward parapet, and extending toward the north to connect it with several mounds. 6. Of three small mounds, about fifty feet in circumference, and two feet high, standing irregularly around that platform, two on the west side and one on the east. "No. 4. These are two large sunken mounds^ connected with No. 3. One of them stands at the upper end of the platform, and is sunk in an outward circular ditch, about two hundred and fifty feet in circumference, and two feet deep. The mound, which is perfectly round and convex, is only two feet high, and appears sunk in the ditch. An- other s'milar mound stands in a corn-field, connected by a long raised way to the upper east end of the parapet in No. 3. "No. 5 is a monument of an oblong square form, con- sisting of the four usual parts of a parapet, an inward ditch, a central area, and a gateway. This last stands nearly opposite the gateway of No. 3, at about one hun- dred and twenty-five feet distance, and leads over the ditch to the central area. The whole outward circumference of the parapet is about four hundred and forty feet. The longest side fronts the southwest and northeast, and is one hundred and twenty feet long, while the shortest is one hundred feet long. The central area is level, and has exactly half the dimensions of the parapet, being sixty feet long and fifty wide. It is raised two or three feet as well as the parapet. The end opposite the gateway is not far from Hamilton's spring. g HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. "No. 6 is a mound without a ditch, one hundred and ninety feet in circumference, and live feet liigh. It Uea nearly west from No. 1. " No. 7 is a stone mound, on the east side of Russell's spring, and on the hrim of the gulley. It lies east trora the other monuments and more than half a mile distant. It is ten feet high and one hundred and seventy-five feet in circumference, being formed altogether by loose stones heaped together, but now covered with a thin soil of stone and grass. " No. 8 is a similar stone mound, but rather smaller, lying north of No. 7, at the confluence of Russell's spring with North Elkhorn. "Among the principal peculiarities, which I have no- ticed in this group of monuments, the square area of No. 1, inclosed within a circular ditch and parapet, is very in- teresting, since it exhibits a new compound geometrical form of building. The ditch must have been much deeper once, and the parapet, with the area, much higher; since, during the many centuries which have elapsed over these monuments, the rains, dust, decayed plants, and trees must have gradually filled the ditch, etc. I was told by Mr. Martin that Avithin his recollection, or about twenty-five years ago, the ditch in the monument at the head of Hick- man's creek was at least one foot deeper. Whenever we find central and separated areas in the AUeghawnan monu- ments, we must suppose they were intended for the real places of worship and sacrifices, where only the priests and chiefs were admitted, while the crowd stood probably on the parapet to look on; and, in fact, these parapets are generally convex and sloping inward or toward the central area. " The ditched mound. No. 2, is remarkable, and must have had a peculiar destination, like the sunken mounds, No. 4, which dift'er from No. 2 merely by being much lower, and appearing, therefore, almost sunk in the ditch. " The stone mounds, Nos. 7 and 8, are also peculiar and evidently sepulchral. But why were the dead bodies cov- ered here with stone instead of earth ? Perhaps these ANCIENT LEXINGTON. mounds belonged to different tribes, or the conveniency ot" finding stones, in the rocky neighborhood of RusselTs cave and spring, may have been an inducement for employ- ing them," Some of these mounds described by Rafinesque were visited in 1846, and found to be nearly obliterated ; others, however, near the dividing line between the old military survey of Dandridge and Meredith, were still distinct, and were described in 1847* as follows, viz : " The most east- erly work is on the estate of C. C. Moore. It is on the top ot a high bluff, on the west side of JSTorth Elkhorn, in the midst of a very thick growth, mostly of sugar trees, the area within a deep and broad circular ditch is about a quar- ter of an acre of bind. The ditch is still deep enough in some places to hide a man on horseback. The dirt taken from the ditch is thrown outward ; and there is a gateway where the ditoli was never dug, some ten feet wide on the north side of the circle. Trees several hundred 3'ears old are growing on the bank and in the bottom of the ditch and over the area which it incloses, and the whole region about it. There is another work a quarter of a mile west of the above one. It commences on the Meredith estate and runs over on the Cabells' Dale property, and contains about ten acres of land. The shape of the area is not unlike that of the moon when about two-thirds full. The dirt from the ditch inclosing this area is thrown sometinaes out, sometimes in, and sometimes both ways. An ash tree was cut down in the summer of 1845, which stood upon the brink of this ditch, which, upon being examined, proved to be four hundred years old. The ditch is still perfectly dis- tinct throughout its whole extent, and in some places is so deep and steep as to be dangerous to pass with a carriage. A mound connected with this same chain of works was opened in thesummer of 1871. It is situated about half a mile west of the earthwork already described as on top of the bluff, and about a quarter of a mile north of tiie larger oval one. It is on the farm of Mr. James Fisher, adjoining the * Collins. 10 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. plantation on Avhich Dr. Eobert Peter at present resides, and is part of the old Meredith property before mentioned.* The mound has a diameter of about seventy feet, and rises with a regular swell in the center to the height of three and a half to four feet above the general level of the valley pas- ture on which it is located, only about fifteen feet above low water in the iJ^Torth Elkhorn creek, and about three hundred and twenty-live feet south from its margin. Mr. Fisher made an excavation into the center of this mound about four to five feet in diameter and about three and a half feet deep, in which, in a bed of wood-ashes containing charred fragments of small wood, he found a number of in- teresting copper, flint, bone, and other relics of the ancient Mound Buiklers, which were carefully packed by Dr. Robert Peter (who resides on the adjoining Meredith farm), and transmitted to the Smithsonian Institute, at Washing- ton, for preservation. The copper articles were five in number; three of which were irregularly oblong-square implements or ornaments, about four inches in length and two and one-eighth to three and three-quarter inches wide and one-quarter inch thick at lower end (varying somewhat in size, shape, and thickness) ; each with two curved horns attached to the corners of one end, which is wider and thinner than the other end. These were evidently made of native copper, by hammer- ing, are irregular in thickness and rude in workmanship, and have been greatly corroded in the lapseof time, so that they not only have upon them a thick coating of green car- bonate and red oxide of copper, but the carbonate had cemented these articles, with adjoining flint arrow-heads, pieces of charcoal, etc., into one cohering mass, in the bed of ashes, etc., in which they were found lying irregu- larly one upon the other. The other two co}>per implements were axes or hatchets ; one nearly six inches long, the other nearly four inches; each somewhat adze-shaped wider at one end, which end had a sharp cutting edge. * Description by Dr. Peter. ANCIENT LEXINGTON. H With these were found nearly a peck of flint arrow-heads, all splintered and broken, as by the action of lire ; also, three hemispherical polished pieces of red hematitic iron ore about two inches in diameter; some door-button shaped pieces of limestone, each perforated with two holes; several pieces of sandstone, which seemed to have been used for grinding and polishing purposes ; and many fragments of bones of animals, mostly pai'ts of ribs, which appeared to have been ground or shaped ; among which was one, blackened by tire, which seemed to have been part of a handle of a dag- ger; also, some fragments of pottery, etc. The fragments of charcoal, lying near the coi)per articles, were saturated with carbonate of copper, resulting from the oxidation of the coj)per articles, i)arts of which were oxidized to the cen- ter, although a quarter of un inch in thickness; and many pieces of this coal and portions of flint arrow-heads remain strongly cemented to the copper implements by this carbo- nate. To what uses these rude, obl(^ng- square horned copper articles were put, except for ornament, can not be conjec- tured. No inscription or signiticant mark was found on any of them. No human bones could be distinguished among the fragments found, but only the immediate center of the mound was opened. The citizens of Lexitigton may, in truth, muse among the ancient ruins and awe-inspiring relics of a once mighty people. Who and what were the beings who fought with these weapons, ate from these vessels, built these tombs and mounds and altars, and slept at last in this now concealed catacomb ? Where existed that strange nation, whose grand chain of works seemed to have Lexington for its nucleus and center? We can only speculate ! One* inclines to the opinion that they were contemporaries of the hardy Picts. Anotherf declares them identical with the Alleglia- wians or progenitors of the Aztecs, and cites as proof, the remains of their temples, which are declared to be wonder- * Imluy, page 369. t Rafinesque. 12 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. fully similar to those of the ancient Mexicans described by Baron Humboldt. The earthen vessels here plowed up from the virgin soil, he says, were like those used by the AUeghawians for cooking purposes. Still another writer,* dwelling upon the mummies here discovered, sees in the original inhabitants of Lexington, a people descended from the Egyptians. Other authors, eminent and learned, almost without number, have discussed this subject, but their views are as conflicting as those already mentioned, and nothing is satisfactory, except the negative assurance that the real first settlers of Lexington, the State of Kentucky, and the entire Mississippi valley, were not the American Indians, as no Indian nation has ever built walled cities, defended by entrenchments, or buried their dead in sepul- chres hewn in the solid rock. Who, then, were these mysterious beings? from whence did they come? what were the forms of their religion and government? are questions that will probably never be solved by mortal man ; but that they lived and flourished centuries before the Indian who can doubt? Here they erected their Cyclopean temples and cities, with no vision of the red men who would come after them, and chase the deer and the buti:'alo over their leveled and grass covered walls. Here they lived, and labored, and died, be- fore Columbus had planted the standard of old Spain upon the shores of a new world ; while Gaul, and Britain, and Germany were occupied by roving tribes of barbarians, and, it may be, long before imperial Rome had reached the height of her glory and splendor. But they had no litera- ture, and when they died they were utterly forgotten. They may have been a great people, but it is all the same to those who came if they were not, for their greatness was never recorded. Their history was never written — not a letter of their language remains, and even their name is forgotten. They trusted in the mighty works of their hands, and now, indeed, are they a dead nation and a lost race. The ancient city which stood where Lexington now ♦Josiah Priest's "American Antiquities." ANCIENT LEXINGTON. 13 stands, has vanished like a dream, and vanished forever. Another has well said: " Hector and Achilles, though mere barbarians, live because sung by Homer. Germanicus lives as the historian himself said, because narrated by Tacitus; but these builders of mounds perish because no Homer and no Tacitus has told of them. It is the spirit only, which, by the pen, can build immortal monuments." 14 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. CHAPTER II. The Indian Occiqyation. It is a favorite theory of many that the Indians of I^orth America migrated from Asia; that the once noble race, which Ijas almost melted away, was descended from the ten tribes of Israel* which were driven irom Palestine seven hun- dred years before the birth of Christ. But this is a theory only. The advent of the Indians and the stock from which they sprung will never be determined ; but that they came after the " Mound Builders" is evident. Tlie appearance of the Indians was the death-knell of that doomed race whose rich and beautiful lands and spoil-gorged cities in- flamed the desperate and destitute invaders. The numer- ous tumuli which yet remain attest the fierceness of the conflict which ensued. A great people were swept out of existence, their cities disap)peared, the grass grew above them, and in time the canebrakes and tlie forests. Out of all this vast extent of conquered territory, the In- dians selected a portion as a hunting-ground and called it " Kantuckee," because it had been in truth to them a "dark and bloody ground." It was a shadow-land to the Indians. In 1800, some Sacs who were in St. Louis said of Kentucky that it was full of the souls of a strange race which their people had long ago exterminated.! They resrarded this land with superstitious awe. Here they hunted and here they fought, but no tribe was ever known to settle permanently in it.J And while they hunted and roamed and paddled here their bark canoes, unknown cen- turies rolled away. Jamestown, the germ and herald of a * Roger Williams, Dr. Boudinot. and others. tPri^JSt's Antiquities. X Hall's (Sketches, THE INDIAN OCCUPATION. 15 mighty empire was building', and royal colonies of tlieir future enemies waxed strong, while they sported and slept; and even when their brethren " across the mountains " were falling like ripe grain before the reaper, while forests were disappearing, and villages, and towns, and churches, and mills, and colleges were multiplying, they built their camp-fires undisturbed where Lexington now stands — for even to Virginia, the vast area since called the ISTorth western Territory was then an unexplored and unknown country. But the handwriting was upon the wall, and the same fate to which the lied Men had consigned the Mound Builders was in waiting for them also. 16 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. CHAPTER III. Coming of the White Man. The genius of civilization pointed out to her chosen pioneer a savage land to be reclaimed; and on the ever memorable 7th of June, 1769,* Daniel Boone, the " Colum- bus of the land," stood upon a lofty cliff which towered above a branch of the Kentucky river, and gazed enraptured upon the Italy of America, and feasted his eyes upon the beauty and fatness of a country celebrated now the wide world over in story and in song. The conqueror of the wilderness had come, a vast army was following at his back, and the future of the Dark and Bloody Ground was decided. In 1770,t the Long Hunters crossed the rocky barrier which shut out the old settlement from the wilderness, and pene- trated the fabled region, and in 1773 they were followed by a band of Virginia surveyors appointed by Lord Dunmore.| Parties of colonial soldiers from the Old Dominion came out in search of homes. Cabins were erected and corn raised at Old Town, now Harrodsburg, in 1774,§ and the spring of the year following found Boone building on the Kentucky river the log fort and capital of the famous Transylvania Colony. " With this year," (1775,) says Marshall, " begins the first permanent and real settlement of Kentucky," an event which filled the Indians with rage. To them the white men were invaders and robbers. From their first appearance they had tracked them with torch and tomahawk and scalping knife, never doubting but that by bloodshed and cruelty they would be able to drive them from their hunting-ground ; and now when they saw them * Filson. t Annals of the West, 119. % Marshall. § Butler. COMING OF THE WHITE MAN. lY deliberately preparing^ perniaiient settlements, their indig- nation and mortification knew no bounds. They resolved to utterly exterminate their persistent foes, to repossess every foot of soil so daringly appropriated — and from this time for many a long year after were enacted scenes of blood and horror, the recital of which is enough to sicken the stoutest soul. 2 18 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1775. CHAPTER IV. Discovery and Naming of Lexington. Until the 3'ear 1775, no white man is positively known to have visited the place now called Lexington, but in that year, sa^'s General Robert McAfee, in his history of the war of 1812, "Robert Patterson, Simon Kenton, Michael Stoner, John ILiggin, John and Levi Todd, and many others took possession of the north side of the Kentucky river, includ- ing Lexington. " Fortunately the names of a few of those included in the indefinite phrase, "many others" are pre- served. They were John Maxwell, Hugh Shannon, James Masterson, William McConnell, Isaac Greer, and James Dunkin. * They were sent out from the fort at Harrods- burg. Clothed in their quaint pioneer style of buckskin pantaloons, deerskin leggit s, linsey hunting-shirt, and peltry c;ip, and armed each with a trusty flint-lock rifle, a hatchet and scalping-knife, they toiled tlirongh the track- less woods and almost impenetrable cane-brakes in the direction of the future Lexington. On or about the 5th of June, the approach of night ended one of their solitary and dangerous marches; and glad forest, the tired hunters camped on a spot afterward known successively as McCon- nell's Station, Royal's Spring, and the Headly dirftillery prop- erty. It is only a few steps from the present " Old Frank- fort road," and is nearly opposite the beautiful Lexington Cemetery.f The spring from which the pioneers drank and watered their horses still exists, with a stream as cool, clear, and grateful as then. After posting one of their number od the "look out" for the "redskin varmints," who were ever on the alert to slay the "pale-face," the rest seated themselves around a blazing brush-heap on logs *Brad ford's Notes. tBradford's Notes, and Observer and Keporter of July 29, 1809. 1775.] DISCOVERY AND NAMING OF LEXINGTON. 19 and buflalu hides, and, with hnn^er for sauce, supped with gusto upon the then inevitable '"jerk" and parched corn. While eating their simple meal, they talked with enthu- siasm of the beautiful country they had just traveled over, and surprised and delighted with the prospect about them, they determined that their place of settlement should be around the very spot where they were then encamped. And no wonder they were delighted with their new-found home, for of ail the broad rich acres they had seen in all " Kan-tuck-ee, " these were the fattest and most fertile. Never before had their eyes feasted on such an untold wealth of blue grass pasture. The deer, the elk, the bear, and buiialo crowded the woods with juicy food. They forgot the skulking savage and the dangers on every hand, and glowed with the excitement which only a hunter can feel, as the}' surveyed the virgin glories of the red man's most cherished hunting-groumls, and realized the full truth of the wondrous tales they had heard of a distant El Dorado. The hunters assisted William McConnell to build a rude little cabin on their camping-ground as the foundation for a title, for Virginia as early as the year 1774, had oficred four hundred acres of land to each person who cleared a piece of land, built a cabin, and raised a crop of Indian corn.* The name of the settlement that was to be, was discussed with animation. One suggested " York, " another *' Lancaster, " but both were dropped with a shout for " Lex- ington !"f as the conversation turned to the strange news that had slowly crept through the wilderness, and which, after being weeks on the way, they had just heard, of how ''King George's troops, on the 19th of April, had called American ' rebels,' and shot them down like dogs at Lex- ington, in Massachusetts colony." The story of Lexing- ton's christening — the historic fact of how she got her name, is as romantic as the legend of the beautiful Princess Pocahontas, and is an incident far more interesting, because more true than the fabulous one told of the founding of ancient Rome. *Iml;iv. t-B rad ford's Notes. 20 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1775. So the hunters called the new settlement Lexington, in memory of that bloody field hundreds of miles away, and some of them soon after joined the Continental army, and fought long and bravely to avenge the minute men who fell that day. How strange the story of that pioneer camp ! Here almost a hundred years ago, when Kentucky was a wilderness territory of the royal province of Virginia ; here, far away from civilized life, in the heart of an un- broken forest, at the dead of night, a little band of adven- turers erected the first monument ever raised on this conti- nent in honor of the first dead of the revolution ! It is true, the ceremonies of its dedication were not attended with glittering pomp or show, for the oflS.cials were only clad in buckskin and honest home-spun, and the music of their choir naught but the scream of the panther, the howl of the wolf, or the far-off yell of the savage ! But it was con- secrated by the strictest virtue and truest patriotism, and nature smiled benignantly upon it from an Eden of luxu- riant beauty. Those pioneers have long since passed away, and some of their graves are still to be seen not far from the spot where they encamped on that memorable occasion. 1776.] LEXINGTON AN INDIAN CAMPING GROUND. 21 CHAPTER V. Lexington an Indian Camping Ground. The frail and hastily-built little hut of McConnell gave Lexington her name, and that was all, for no settlement was efiected until four years after its erection. The sum- mer of 1776 found no white man in all the length and breadth of the present Fayette county. McConnell's cabin was deserted and falling to pieces, and the would-be settlers of Lexington had all retired to the much needed protection of the few log forts then in existence. The American Revolution had now fairly opened. Ticonderoga had been captured, the battle of Bunker's Hill had been fought, and one of the saddest tragedies of that eventful struggle had been enacted upon the Plains of Abraham. The Indians, consistent with the policy they ever pursued of leaguing with the strongest, had early enlisted on the side of England, and the northwestern tribes in particular were not slow to act. They came to Kentucky with the buds of spring, and summer had not commenced before all Fayette county and the adjoining region were filled with roaming bands of angry Shawanese, Cherokees and their associates.* All ideas of attempting to make new settle- ments were abandoned by the whites, personal safety was the one thing thought of, and fear and anxiety prevailed, for the savages clearly indicated that they had not aban- doned their cherished desire of driving their enemies from the country. Settlers were killed every few days ; on the 14th of July two of Colonel Calloway's daughters and one of Daniel Boone's were captured within rifle shot of Boones- borough, and about the same time Hinkston's settlement on * Western Annals, 154. 22 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1776. Licking creek was broken up. Dark days had come and still darker were ahead, and many even of the stoutest-hearted settlers left the country entirely.* The wilderness country heretofore a part of Fincastle county, Virginia, was formed into " Kentucky county," on December 7, 1776,t but the protection of the " Old Do- minion," whose forces were needed to lead the van of the contineutial array was barely felt in the newly-creaeted department. The handful of brave pioneers struggled with their savage foes alone and unaided, and to their suf- ferings were added the horrors of the winter of starvation, which marked the opening of the year 1777. The succeed- ing spring and summer gave them as little encouragement. To attempt to raise corn was certain death, game was shot at the peril of the hunter's life. Harrodsburg, Boones- borough, and Logan's fort were constantly watched, and each in succession attacked by the Indians ; and at this time the whole military force of the newly-made Kentucky county amounted to only one hnndred and two men.J Fortunately Colonel Bowman arrived from Virginia early m he fall with a hundred men, and hope rose again in the hearts of the almost despairing settlers. The prospect con- tinued to brighten during the year 1778. The well-planned and swiftly-executed movements of that brilliant soldier and remarkable man. Colonel George Rogers Clark, against the British posts of Kaskaskia and Vincennes, met with wonderful success ; the grand attack of an overwhelming force of Indians and Canadians, under Du Quesne, upon the heroic little garrison of Boonesborough, signally failed, confidence was restored, immigration again commenced, and the settlers once more ventured out to " possess the land." *Col. Floyd's Letter. tMorehcad's Address. t^utler and Marshall. 17V9.] SETTLEMENT OF LEXLXGTON. 23 CHAPTER VI. Settlement of Lexington — The Block-House — The Settlers — Col. Robert Patterson — John Maxwell — James Masterson — The McConnells and Lindsays — John Morrison — Lexing- ton Fort — McConneWs Station — Bryant's Station — Its Set- tlers — Grant's Station — Col. John Grant and Capt. Wil- liam Ellis — Natural Features about Lexington Station — Soil, Forests, Game, and Flowers. In the latter part of March, 1779, Col. Robert Patterson, since distinguished as the founder of two cities, was a^ain ordered from the fort at Harrodsburg, to establish a garri- son north of the Kentucky river,* and this time he was successful. At the head of twenty-five men he commenced his march for the beautiful and fertile garden spot he had visited four years before, and which he had never forgotten. The party reached its destination the last day of the month, and encamped, for rest and refreshment, at a magnificent sprnig, whose grateful waters, in an unusual volume, emptied into a stream near by, whose green banks were gemmed with the brightest flowers. The discovery of this spring determined the location of the little garrison, and bright and early on the morning of the next day, the Ist of April,f the axes of the stout [)ioneers were at work; trees were felled, a space cleared, and a block-house, sur- rounded by a stockade, and commanding the spring, was soon under headway. This rude but powerful defense was quickly completed, as no unnecessary labor was spent upon it. The logs for the walls were chopped out, provided with ports, and " raised;" the long and wide clapboards, rough * McAfee. t Butler and Marshall. 24 BISTOR Y OF LEXING TON. [1779. from the ax and firmly secured by wooden pins, formed the roof; trees split in two, and cut to the proper length, made the floor; a substantial slab door was provided, and these, together with openings to admit the light and carry off the smoke, constituted the block-house. The ground upon which this block-house was erected, and which is now so rich in historic associations, is at present occupied by the "Carty Building," on the corner of Main and Mill streets, and upon no other spot has the pro- gress of Lexington been more distinctly indicated. The infancy of our city was here shown, in 1779, by the rude block-house ; this was succeeded, in 1788, by a frame one ; in 1807, what was then called " a splendid two-story brick," was erected, and in 1871, this gave place to the four-story iron front which now marks the spot where the settlement of Lexington commenced, and is, at the same time, an ap- propriate monument to commemorate the beautiful char- acter of one of her greatly beloved and respected citizens— the lamented John Carty. The spring near the block- house was the principal one of the series of springs now concealed by a number of buildings on Main street, which have been erected over them. When Lexington grew to be a "station," the spring was embraced within the walls of the stockade, and supplied the entire garrison with water, and when the fort was removed, the spring was deepened and walled up for the benefit of the whole town,* a large tank for horses was made to receive its surplus water, and for many years, under the familiar name, "the public spring," it was known far and wide. As soon as the block-house was completed, it was occu- pied by Col. Eobert Patterson, John Maxwell, James Mas- terson, William and Alexander McConnell, and James and Joseph Lindsay, who proceeded to raise a crop of corn on the ground now covered by Cheapside, the court-house, and a part of Main street, and all other necessary prepara- tions were made to insure a permanent settlement, f The year 1779, thanks to the pioneer successes we have mcn- * City Eecords. t Butler, Marshall, and old documents. 1779.] SETTLEMENT OF LEXINGTON. 25 tioned, was one of comparative peace. Immigrants came to Keutiicky in increasing numbers, eager to be in time to get the benefit of the " settlement right," under which Vir- ginia guaranteed them a magnificent estate, which "right" was to cease iu 1780.* A tew of the bolder of tliese new comers ventured, during the summer, to the solitary block- house at Lexington, "the forlorn hope of advancing civil- ization," and built cabins adjoining its protecting walls. In the autumn, a little company, of which John Morrison and his wife were a part, removed from Harrodsbu rg, and still further additions were made to the defenses of the set- tlement. The fort, which had by this time become a place of some importance, had assumed the shape of a parallelo- gram, two sides of which were formed by the exposed walls of two rows of cabins, the extreme ends of the fort being defended by stockades of sharpened posts fixed se- cure!/ in the ground, and furnished with ports. The pickets and walls were about ten feet high. Another row of cabins stood in the center of the in- closed place, which was largo enough to shelter, not only the settlers and new comerc*, but also all the live stock which might, at any time, have to be driven in Ironi the reach of their destroying foe. The fort had but one gate, a large slab one, and it was on the side of the station which extended from the Wock-houso, on Carty's corner, to about the center of West Main street, near or on the site of the building now occu[)ied by Celia Allen, between Mill and Broadway, where James Masterson's house once Btood.f The station embraced and inclosed a part of Main street between the two streets just named, and a good por- tion of the ground now covered by business houses on East Main, included between the same streets. While this little outpost was being established on the extreme frontier of Virginia, a large part of her territory, nearer home, was benig devastated by an enemy but little less savage than thor-o who were the terror of lier distant county of Ken- tucky, and great events, brilliant, disastrous, and motnent- * Filson, 1784. t Butler and old inhabitnnls. 26 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1779. ous, were rapidly occurring and shaping the destiny of a nation, of whose future greatness no mind was so daring as to dream. Lexington was founded in the midst of a mighty revo- lution, and her founder was a man suited to the time and born for the purpose. Col. Robert Patterson was of Irish parentage, and was born March 15, 1753, near Cove Moun- tain, Pennsylvania. He came to Kentucky in 1775, and settled at Harrodsburg, and in that year, as we have already related, he visited Fayette county. In 1776, he assisted in building a fort at Georgetown. During the years which intervened between this time and the settlement of Lexing- ton, he figured conspicuously as a gallant Indian tighter. As Captain Patterson, he served under Clark in his expe- dition against the Shawanese, on the Little Miami. He was promoted to a colonelcy for important services, and was second in command in the terrible battle of Blue Licks. He was badly wounded in 1786, while with General Logan, in his expedition against the Shawanese towns. Subse- quently, he became the owner of a third of the original town plot of Cincinnati, and may be called the founder of that city also. In 1783, Col. Patterson built him a log house, on the southwest corner of Hill and Lower streets, near or on the site of the present residence of S. T. Hayes. The large tract of land owned by Col. Patterson in that part of the city, included the present property of M. C. Johnson. The log house was, in course of time, succeeded by a substantial two-story stone one, which stood there for many years. In 1804, Col. Patterson removed to Dayton, Ohio, where he died, August 5, 1827. In person. Col. Pat- terson was tall and handsome. He was gifted with a fine mind, but like Boone, Kenton, and many others of his simple-hearted pioneer companions, was indulgent and neg- ligent in business matters, and, like them, lost most of his extensive landed property by shrewd rascals. Those who aided Col. Patterson in founding Lexington are not to be forgotten ; and of these, none are more wor- thy of mention than John Maxwell. He was born in Scot- land, in 1747, and was brought to America by his parents 1779] SETTLEMENT OF LEXINGTON. 27 while in the fourth year of his age. He was one of the early adventurers in the wilds of Kentucky, arriving before a solitary station or even a cabin existed within its limits. In pioneer days, he owned a large part of the land now in- cluded in the city limits of Lexington, but, true to the old hunter nature, it rapidly slipped from his grasp. He and Sarah, his wife, were the tirst persons married within "the fort." John Maxwell was the first coroner of Fayette county; was one of the original members of Dr. Rankin's Presbyterian church; was one of the founders of the old St. Andrew's Society, and from him "Maxwell's spring" gets its name. This useful and greatly respected citizen died in 1819, and was buried in what was then "Maxwell's Graveyard," but which now forms part of the neglected old City Cemetery, on Bolivar street, in which stands the "Mission Church." James Masterson, after whom "Masterson's station," five miles west of this city was named, was a genuine specimen of the pioneer type. He was straight as an Indian, and de- voted to the woods and the excitements ot a woodman's life. Long after Lexington had become an important town, he continued to dress in the primitive hunter style, and in- variably wore his powder-horn and carried his rifle. He loved to tell of the dangers which threatened " the fort" when he was married in it, and the number of deer and buffalo he had killed between it and the present " Ash- land."* His walking ability and powers of endurance may be inferred, from the fact that he undertook to go to a point considerably below the falls of the Ohio and return, in " a day or so," with a big bag ot salt. He returned in the time specified with the bag of salt on his back. It was the first used in the fbrt,t and was welcomed with a shout. He lived to a green old age. The McConnells and Lindsays were among the first ad- venturers who followed Boone out into "the wilderness." They assisted Col. Patterson in several dangerous enter- prises, and shared iu the perils of the Blue Licks disaster. ♦ McCuUough, S. D. t McCubo. 28 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1779 William McConnell established "McCoimell's station," at "Eoyal's spring," in 1783, but it was soon merged in Lex- ington station. McConnell's station stood on the ground lately occupied by Headley's distillery,* on the old Frank- fort road, and the fine spring there ("Koyal's") was, at an early day, the favorite resort of the people of Lexington on public occasions. Alexander, the brother of William McConnell, was the hero of the thrilling adventure nar- rated in another chapter, in which he proved himself, un- aided, a match for five Indians. The McConnells and Lindsays were buried in the " Station Graveyard," opposite the present Lexington Cemetery. The wife of Major Mor- rison, ah'eady mentioned was the first white female that set- tled in " the fort," and her son, Capt. John Morrison, who fell at Dudley's defeat, in 1813, was the first native of Lex- ington.f One of the results of the increased immigration to Ken- tucky, in the fall of 1779, was a settlement, made at a point about five miles northeast of the Lexington "fort," and known as " Bryant's station."^ The immigrants were principally from I^lorth Carolina, the most conspicuous of whom were the family of Bryants, from whom the place took its name. There were four brothers, viz.: Morgan, James, William, and Joseph, all respectable men, in easy circumstances, with large families of children, and mostly grown. William, though not the eldest brother, was the most active, and considered their leader. His wife Avas a sister of Col. Daniel Boone, as was also the wife of Mr. William Grant, who likewise settled in Bryant's station, in 1779. The death of William Bryant, who died of a wound received near the mouth of Cane run, so discouraged his friends that they returned to North Carolina, and the greater part of the population from that State left the fort about the same time, which would have so reduced the strength, as to compel the remainder also to remove, if the fort had not acquired new strength, in a number of families from Virginia. Kobert Johnson (the father of the lion. *F. McCallio. tMcCabe. page 6. Jliradford's Notes. 1779.] SETTLEMENT OF LEXINGTON. 29 Richard M. Johnson), the Craigs, Stuckcrs, Hendersons, and Mitcliells were among the number who removed to Bry- ant's station, and kept up the strength of the place at what it had been, if not greater than at any former period. A buffalo " trace" fortunately ran from this station close to Lexington, and the settlers of both places joined forces in clearing it of logs, undergrowth, and other obstructions ; a wise measure, as subsequent events proved, for, owing to it, the troops from Lexington that went to the assistance of the besieged station, in 1782, were enabled to reach it much sooner than they could otherwise have done. One day, late in September, 1779, a little caravan of armed and watchful hunters, leading their loaded and tired pack-horses, stopped for a night's rest at Lexington fort. They were all up and moving bright and early the next morning, and before the week closed had established Grant's station, in what is now called the Huffman, Ingels, and Hardesty neighborhood, five miles irom Bryant's, in the direction of the present town of Paris. The settlement was made under the direction and leadership of Col. John Grant, of North Carolina, and Capt. William Ellis, a native of Spottsylvania county, Virginia, and grandfather of Mrs. John Carty, of Lexington. The station was, subse- quently, greatly harassed by the Indians; in 1780, they made pioneer life such a burden to the settlers, that they returned to Virginia. Capt. Ellis entered the Continental army, and commanded a company until the close of the Revolutionary war, when he and Col. Grant came again to Kentucky, and Col. Grant settled permanently at the old station. Capt. Ellis, Timothy and James Parrish, and a number of other Virginians, settled a fertile tract of country on the head waters of Boone's creek, in Eay- ette county, near their old neighbor from Spottsylvania, the Rev. Lewis Craig, the most prominent of the early Baptist preachers in Kentucky. In 1786, Capt. Ellis mar- ried Elizabeth Shipp. Subsequently, he was with St. Clair in the terrible " defeat," of November 4, 1791. After arriv- ing at an advanced age, the old pioneer died, and was buried in the county he had helped to settle. lie was a man of great 30 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1779. energy, liberality, and hospitality. The strength of his mind and the integrity of his character gained for him the respect and esteem of all who knew him. With the building of "the fort," at Lexington, came also the cutting of the cane, the girdling of the trees, and the opening of the land for cultivation ; and civilization had never before demanded the sacrifice of the primeval glories and wild beauties of such a region as that of which Lexington was the center. Boone styled Kentucky " a second paradise," and if its general characteristics merited such a eulogy, what must have been the virgin charms of the country around Lexington, which is conceded by all to be the finest in the State. John Filson, the biographer of Boone, and who was himself one of the early settlers and residents of Lexington, refers to it as the most luxuriant portion of "the most extraordinary country on which the sun has ever shone." The black and deep vegetable mold, which had been accumulating for untold centuries, made it " a hot-bed of fertility," and an early traveler says of it,* "in the spring no leaves are found under the trees, for the ground is so rich and damp that they rot and disappear during the winter." It was in such a soil as this that the founders of our city raised their first crop of corn, the only grain cultivated at that time. The surrounding for- ests abounded in game, and it was an unusual thing for the fort not to be well stocked with the meat of the deer, buf- falo, bear, elk, and minor animals. The thick canebrakes, though the chosen retreat of the panther and the wildcat, were thronged with birds prized by the hunters. Provender for the horses and cattle was not wanting. They waded, up to their knees, in native clover; they reveled in waving oceans of wild rye and buft'alo grass, and grew fat upon the young shoots of the nourishing cane. The earth glowed with the beauty of numberless natural flowers, many of which are now rarely, if ever, seen here. Lilies, daisies, pinks, wild tulips, and columbines delighted the eye; beds of sweet violets and fragrant wild hyaeiuths perfumed •American Museum. 1779.] SETTLEMENT OF LEXINGTON. 31 the air, and the brilliant cardinal flower and the admired crown imperial grew spontaneously here, in greater beauty than in any other part of the world.* A scene of wild and picturesque loveliness, such as is rarely accorded to men, must have greeted the eyes of the settlers of Lexington ; and it had not lost all of its natural charms, even as late as 1794, when visited by Captain Imlay, an officer of the Revolutionary army, if his florid language is an indication. He says, " Lexington is nearly central of the finest and most luxuriant country, perhaps, on earth. Here, an eter- nal verdure reigns, and the brilliant sun, piercing through the azure heavens, produces in this prolific soil an early maturity, which is truly astonishing. Flowers, full and perfect as if they had been cultivated by the hand of a florist, with all their captivating odors, and with all the variegated charms which color and nature can produce, here, in the lap of elegance and beauty, decorate the smil- ing groves. Soft zephyrs gently breathe on sweets, and the inhaled air gives a voluptuous glow of health and vigor, that seems to ravish the intoxicated senses. The sweet songsters of the forest appear to feel the influence of the genial clime, and in more soft and modulated tones, warble their tender notes, in unison with love and nature. Everything here gives delight, and in that wild eflulgency which beams around us, we feel a glow of gratitude for the elevation which our all-bountiful Creator has bestowed upoti us." Fortunately for the settlers at Lexington, the winter suc- ceeding their arrival was a peaceful one,t and they took advantage of it. They strengthened the fort and increased its comforts, with the wise design of attracting settlers, and their efibrts were rewarded. *Inilay. tCollins, page 388. 32 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1V80. CHAPTER VII. The Indians — John and Levi Todd — Life in the Fort — Inci- dents and Tragedies — A Terrible Winter — Fayette County Formed — Early Cemeteries — First Schools — Transylvania University — Its Origin — Incidents — George Nicholas — Pres- idents Moore, Ely the, Holley, Woods, Peers, Coit, Davidson, Bascom, Green — Professors of the Academical, Medical, and Law Colleges — Fires, Buildings, Donations, Sectarian Contention — James Morrison, Peter, Hunt, and others — Normal School — Decline of the University — Consolidation — Kentucky University — Origin — Removal to Lexington — Regent Boivman — Organization of Various Colleges — Presi- dents, Professors, and Officers, Milligan, Johnson, Harrison, Gratz, Beck, and others. The spring which succeeded the peaceful winter of 1780 as usual brought with it the Indians, small parties of whom almost constantly watched the traces leading to Lexington station, and the settlers were frequently fired upon. At this time game, and particularly the butFalo, was the chief dependence of the garrison for food, bread being a rare luxury until corn was fit to make meal of; and in order to get the much-needed game, and at the same time escape the Indians, the hunters found it necessary to start early enough to get out in the woods three or four miles before day, and on their return, to travel a like distance after night.* Colonel John and Levi Todd came to Lexington this year, where the}' had located large tracts of land some time before. Colonel Todd was at this time military governor *Bradford's Notes. 1780.] LIFE IN THE FORT. 33 of Illinois, and although he settled his newlj" married wife in the fort here, he was soon compelled to leave her, to at- tended to the affairs of that new county of Virij;-iMia. He managed, however, to pass a good part of his time at Lex- ington, and in 1781, made it his permanent home, and was one of its most prominent and highly esteemed citizens. He commanded the Lexington militia in the battle of the Blue Licks, 1782, and died gallantly fighting at their head, leaving his wife and one child (a daughter), who afterward became the wife of Robert Wicklift'e, Sen.* Levi Todd came from Virginia to Harrodsburg, in 1775, and some years after attempted to settle a station in Fay- ette county, but being compelled by the Indians to aban- don it, he came to Lexington. He was the first county clerk of Fayette; represented her in conventions and in the legislature, and was long one of her most useful and respected citizens. f Life in the fort in 1780 was more picturesque than easy and delightful. The men "by tnrns " stood guard, and kept up a sharp lookout for the enemy ; while those off guard risked their lives in hunting to supply the garrison with food, cleared the land, planted, plowed, brought in the cows, and did mending, patching, and all manner of work. The women milked the cows, cooked the mess, pre- pared the flax, spun, wove, and made the garment of linen or linsey, and when corn could be had, ground it into meal at the hand-mill, or pounded it into hominy in the mortar. Wild game w^as the principal food, and that was eaten most of the time without salt, which w^as seldom made at the "licks" without loss of life. Sugar was made from the mai)le trees, coffee was unknown, but fine milk sup- plied its place as long as the lutlians spared the cows. Wooden vessels,^ either turned or coopered, were in com- mon use as table furniture. A tin cup was an article of delicate luxury, almost as rare as an iron fork. Every hunter carried his knife; it was no less the implement of a warrior. Not un frequently the rest of the family was left *Collin9, 536. tCollins, page 274. tMarshall. 34 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1780. with bat one or two for the use of all. The cradle was a small rolling trough. A like workmanship composed the table and the stool — a slab hewn with the ax, and sticks of a similar manufacture set in for legs supported both. Buffalo and bear-skins were frequently consigned to the iioor for beds and covering. When the bed was by chance or refinement elevated above the floor and given a fixed place, it was often laid on slabs placed across poles, sup- ported on forks set in the earthen floor; or, where the floor was puncheons, the bedstead was hewn pieces pinned on upright posts, or let into them by anger holes. Other utensils and furniture were of a corresponding description, applicable to the time. The now famous Kentucky hunting- shirt was universally worn by the settlers. It was made either of linsey or dressed deerskin, and provided with a pocket in the bosom for tow used in cleaning the rifle. Every hunter carried a tomahawk and scalping-knife, wore deer-skin breeches, moccasins of the same material, and generally a bear-skin hat. The little money in circulation was depreciated Continental paper. The spring of 1780 marked the beginning of an era in the history of Lexington, so rich in deeds of daring, and so fraught with thrilling adventures, experiences of intense suffering, and incidents of danger and of blood as to rival in romantic interest the days of Wallace, or the times of the hunted Huguenots. Could a record of all the forgotten events of this eventful period be gathered and combined with those that are preserved, Lexington, and the region round about it, would in time become as favorite a theme for the poet and the novelist as are now some of the story- lands of the old world. As the spring advanced, the number of the Indians in- creased, and several parties of hunters pursued by them were compelled to take refuge in the fort. One of the set- tlers named Wymore, having ventured out alone, was killed and scalped by the Indians near where the Masonic HiU, on Walnut street, now stands, and another barely escaped a like fate near the present residence of Mr. F. K. Hunt, 1780.] INCIDENTS AND TRAGEDIES. 35 where he had been waylaid by an Indian, who was quietly awaiting his chance to slay him. He discovered his foe barely in time to save his life; shot him just as he was preparing to throw his tomahawk, and carried his reeking scalp in triumph to the station.* One of the saddest trag- edies of the year took place about the first of May. A very young man, brave as he was handsome, and greatly beloved by the settlers, was mortally wounded by a band of the savages, who fired upon him while he was driving up the cows, and pursued him nearly to the fort. He staggered up to the gate, which a pitying and courageous woman who loved him unbarred with her own hands, and covered with blood, he died a few minutes after, clasped in her last fond embrace.f Closely following this was the attack on Strode's station, near the present town of Winchester, by a large body of Indians,! and the news of this event in- creased the gloom at Lexington, caused by anxiety and an- ticipations of evil. These forebodings were not without foundation, and were only providentially kept from being realized. Suddenly, in June, the settlers discovered the woods about the station swarming with Indians, who de- stroyed their corn, drove off' all the horses that were not hurriedly sheltered within the walls of the fort, and then without doing further damage, disappeared as quicklj'^ as they had come. The astonishment of the alarmed garri- son at this unaccountable proceeding was increased ten-fold on hearing faint but unmistakable reports of distant artil- lerj^ the first sounds of that kind which had ever awak- ened the echoes of the dark and bloody ground. Anxious but determined, the little force remained closely within the stockades, with ready rifles, watching and wondering day and night until all was explained, and the dark cloud lifted by the arrival, foot sore and hungry, of the brave Captain John Hinkston, who had just escaped from the retreating Indians, who constituted a large part of the formidable force under Colonel Byrd, during this, his celebrated inva- sion of Kentucky. Captain Hinkston gave the settlers the *01d Journal. tTradition. JOollins, 234. 36 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1780. first news of the capture of Ruddell's and Martin's sta- tions,* both of which were distant only a few hours march from Lexington. The discouraged inmates of Grant's sta- tion, which was between Bryant's and the present town of Paris, dreading a like fate, abandoned it and sought refuge in the more secure fort at Lexington, where some of them remained during the winter. But the immediate danger was now over. Colonel Byrd, either from disgust and in- dignation at the barbarous conduct of his savage allies, or through fear of the sudden falling of the waters of the Licking, hastily retreated without an attempt at the capture of Lexington and Bryant's stations, though strongly urged by the elated Indians to move against them.f The eifect of this invasion was the rapid formation of another expe- dition of retaliation by the Indian's dreaded foe, Colonel G. Rogers Clarke, who again swooped down upon them like an eagle. Lexington was largely represented in thia campaign, which was made against the Indians of Ohio. It was secret, short, and so decisive, that no large bodies of the enemy invaded Kentucky during the whole of the next year. The hardships and sufte rings of the Puritans, in the two first years of the Plymouth settlement, were not greater than those of the founders of Lexington for a like period in her infancy. To the wearing anxieties, constant alarms, and bloody afflictions, endured by the inmates of the fort, must be added the privations of the terrible winter which fol- lowed Byrd's invasion.| It was a season not only of intense sufferings, but of protracted sufiering. The pioneers had never known a winter in Kentucky to set in so early, and to continue so long. Snow and ice were on the ground without a thaw from November to the succeeding March. The small streams were solid ice. Snow fell repeatedly, but as it did not melt it became almost impassible for man or beast, and it was only with the greatest difficulty that the hunters were able to find such of the wild animals as had not been starved or frozen to death. § As the corn had been ^Collins, 343. fid. 342. JBoones Nar. §Marshall. 1780.] FAYETTE COVNTY FORMED. 37 destroyed in the summer, bread was rarely seen in the fort, and when it was, a single johntiie-cake was divided into a dozen parts, diritribiited and made to serve for two meals.* The use of bread ceased entirely, long before the winter was oyer. On one occasion when Colonel Todd returned to the fort almost famished, the provisions were so nearly exhausted that his wife could offer him nothing but a gill of milk and a little piece of hard bread two inches square, and this was turned over in silence to his starving servant.f The cattle, after starving to death for want of fodder, were devoured by the inmates of the station, and from the time the cattle died until spring the settlers subsisted upon venison carefully dis- tributed, and water; clothing was insufficient, the roughly- built cabins let in the piercing cold, and the firewood was chopped from trees incased in walls of snow and ice. Freez- ing and starving — such was the condition of the heroic settlers of Lexington, througli this long and fearful winter of suffering. Ill the month of November of this j^ear (1780), Virginia formed Kentucky county into a district, composed of the three counties of Faj^ette, Lincoln, and Jefferson.J The new county of Fayette was given the name of that dis- tinguished friend of Washington, General Gilbert Mortier de La Fayette, and was defined as " all that part of the said county of Kentucky which lies north of the line, beginning at the mouth of the Kentucky river, and up the same and its middle fork to the head, and thence south to the Wash- ington line-"|j Fayette then included more than a third of the present State of Kentucky, and since that time she has enjoyed the proud distinction of being the mother of great counties and populous cities, and her sons have helped to lay the foundations of many of the emjiire states of the mighty West. The organization of the county was not completed until the next year (1781). § The settlers killed by tlie Indians, in the summer of 1780, were sadly and reverently carried, by an armed band of »Davidsou, 62. tCollins, 536. JCollins, 24. ||Marshull, gButler. 38 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [178a. their surviving companions, along the cow-path which ex tended by the side of the fort, on to what the garrison called the "first hill," now known as the Baptist churchyard, on Main street.* A small space on this hill was cleared of cane, and here, after a silent prayer, the earliest settlers of Lexington were buried. This ground was afterward set aside by the trustees of the town for religious purposes.f This was the first cemetery used, and was for a long time the only one. During the fatal cholera season of 1833, when the citizens of Lexington were swept off by the hundreds, tier upon tier of bodies were buried in this graveyard, and it ceased to be used after that terrible time. The next earliest graveyard established was that of the McConnells, opposite the present Lexington cemetery, and between Main street and the track of the Louisville, Lexington and Cincinnati Eailroad, and there many of the pioneers of the city and county rest in obliterated graves. The Maxwell burying-ground, on Bolivar street, was used shortly after that of the McConnells. In 1834, the city bought the ground adjoining the Maxwell graveyard, and the two were merged in what is now called the "Old City Graveyard." Here the mother of John Maxwell was buried in 1804, his wife in 1811, and the old pioneer himself in 1819. In this neglected spot the ancient tablets are broken and crumbling, and upon one of them can scarcely be made out the in- scription : John Maxwell, sr., Died July 13tli, 1819. Aged 72 years. Emigrated from Scotland to the United States in 1751, and to the wilds of Kentucky in 1774. The Catholic cemetery, on Winchester street, was conse- crated about forty years ago. Dr. Samuel Brown, Judge Hickey, Annie Spalding, the first superioress of St. Catha- rine's Academy, are among the sleepers in this last resting place. The Episcopal cemetery had its origin in 1837. Many prominent persons are buried there, and there are few Lex- *01d Journals. tCity Records. 1780.] FIRST SCHOOLS. 39 iiigton families that have not a sad interest in its sacred ground. The same can be said of the Presbyterian burying- ground established shortly after the last mentioned. The large trees which now throw so grateful a shade over it, owe their presence to the mournful interest of Dr. Daniel Drake, whose wife was buried there. lie raised the means to pay both for the trees and their planting. For history of Lex- ington cemetery, see year 1849. The history of education, in Lexington, dates from the commencement of the city itself; and the germ of that which afterward made her the literary and intellectual center of the state was laid with her foundation. Because the settlers of Lexington were out on "the frontier," because their life was one of hardships, and because their rude huts were destitute of costly adornments, did not prevent many of them from being what they certainly were, men of cul- ture, education, and refinement, and endowed with all the ease and polished manners of the best society of Virginia? North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. The fort had its little school as early as 1780, taught by John McKinney, who had settled at Lexington the year before, at the solicitation of Colonel Patterson ; and Transylvania Seminary, which was subsequently located here, was chartered by the legisla- ture of Virginia the same year. After the close of the Revolutionary war, when the British and Indians ceased to annoy and distress the settlers, McKinney moved out of the fort, and taught in a log school -house, erected on tlje site of the pump on the present Cheapside.* It was in this house that his famous fight with the wildcat took place, an ac- count of which will be found in the chapter on 1783. The tirst trustees of the town took an early op[)ortunity to lay off and reserve ground for "Latin and English schools,'"f and this encouragement brought to Lexington, in 1787,| Mr. Isaac Wilson, of Philadelphia College, who established the "Lexington Grammar School." He informs the citizens, in his advertisement, that " Latin, Greek, and the different branches of science will be carefully taught. Price of *^cCiibe, 9. tCity Records. |01d Ga/.ette. 40 BISTORT OF LEXINGTON. [1780. tuition four pounds, payable in cash or produce, and board- ing on as reasonable terms as any in the district." The fol- lowing spring "John Davenport" opened in what was then known as Captain Young's house, which stood on part of theground now occupied by Jordan's Row,* the first dancing school Lexington ever had, and from that day to this the saltatory art has had a host of admirers in this city. In 1788, Transylvania Seminary was opened in Lexington, and from this day forward schools accumulated, and the love of literature grew, gaining for the city an enviable fame throughout the country. Transylvania University was the first regular institution of learning founded in the mighty West. The influence it has exerted, both morally and intellectually, has been im- mense, and its name is not only venerated and respected in all civilized America, but is well known in Europe. Its history begins with the history of Lexington, and its estab- lishment has been attributed to the enlightened exertions of Colonel John Todd, then a delegate from the county of Kentucky in the Virginia General Assembly — the same Colonel Todd who soon afterward fell at the disastrous battle of Blue Licks. In 1780, nearly twelve years before Kentucky became a member of the Union, the legislature of Virginia passed a law to vest eight thousand acres of escheated lands, formerly belonging to British subjects, in the county of Kentucky, in trustees for a public school ; in order, says the preamble of the bill, " to promote the diffu- sion of useful knowledge even among its remote citizens, whose situation in a barbarous neighborhood and savaare intercourse might otherwise render unfriendly to science. "f In 1783, the school was incorporated, and styled Tran- sylvania Seminary; the name "Transylvania" — a classical rendering of "the backwoods" — being the same that Co- onel Richard Henderson & Co. applied to the proprietary government they attempted to establish in Kentucky, in 1775, regardless of the authority of Virginia. The teach- ers and pupils were exempt from military service. At the *McCabe, 8. fActs Virginui Assembly. 1780.] TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITF. 41 time of its incorporation, the seminary was endowed with twelve thonsand additional acres of hmd. Alter Kentucky was erected into a state, laws were passed exempting lands from escheat, the eft'ect of which was to deprive Transylvania Seminary of all the escheated lands with which she had been endowed by the State of Virginia, except eight thousand acres, from the sale of which she received thirty thousand dollars. This sum of money was afterward invested in the stock of the Bank of Kentucky. The legislature repealed the charter of that bank, by which a loss is alleged to have been subsequently sustained by the "university" of twenty thonsand di)llars. Tlie trustees of the seminary met at Crow's station, in Lincoln county, November 10, 1783, when the Rev. David Rice was elected cliairnian, and the enterprise was en- couraged by the donation of a library (the nucleus of the present one), from the Rev. John Todd, the first Professor of Sacred Literature in the seminary, and uncle of the above-named Colonel Todd. In February, 1785, the seminary was opened, in the house of Mr. Rice, near Danville, and that gentleman be- came its first teacher, the endowment being too unproduct- ive to afford more than a scanty salary for one professor. " Old Father Rice," who was one of the very first pioneer Presbyti'rian ministers who emigrated to Kentucky, was born in Hanover county, Virginia, December 20, 1733, and was educated at "Nassau Hall," now Princeton College. He was ordained in 1763, and came to Kentucky in 1783. He was largely instrumental in raising up both Transyl- vania Seminary and its subsequent rival, Kentucky Acad- emy. After a long life of ministerial usefulness, he died, June 18, 1816, in Green county, Kentucky.* In 1787, Virginia further endowed the seminary with one-sixth of the surveyor's fees in the District of Kentucky, formerly given to "William and Mary College. This law was repealed by the legislature of Kentucky in 1802. In 1788, the school w^as located in Lexington. " Tuition, *Davidson. 42 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1V80. five pounds a year, one-half cash, the other in pj'operty. Boardino^, nine pounds a year, in property, pork, corn, to- bacco, etc." John Filson, to whom Daniel Boone dictated a memoir of his life, was a zealous friend and advocate of the school. Being a northern man, he favored the em- ployment of teachers from that section, which caused a correspondent of the old Kentucky Gazette to ask hiru the vevy sensible question : " What peculiar charm have northern teachers to inspire virtue and suppress vice that southern teachers do not possess?"* The first building used by Transylvania Seminary, in Lexington, was a plain two-story brick one. It stood on the north end of the "college lawn," facing Second street, and with the present Third street in its rear. The lot on which it was erected, was donatedf by a number of citizens of Lexington, who were anxious to have the school in their midst. Isaac Wilson, of Philadelphia, was a teacher in the seminary at this time. Another teacher was added t > the seminary upon its removal to Lexington, its course was extended, and nothing occurred to mar its prosperity until 1794, when the trustees, with John Bradford as chairman, elected as principal Harry Toulnim, a talented Baptist minister, with strong inclinations to the priestly school of theology, and who subsequently became secretary of state under Governor Garrard. Sectarian jealousy was at once developed. The Baptists claimed equal rights in the seminary, as a state institution. The Presbyterians claimed control, on the ground that its endowment was due to their exertions, and they finally withdrew their patronage from the school, and, in 1796, established and supported " Kentucky Academy," at Pisgah, near Lexington. Fortunately, the troubles between the rival institutions were adjusted, and, in 1798, both schools were merged in one, under the name of "Transylvania University," with Lexington as its seat. But one department of the univer- sity, the academical, was in existence in 1798. The first *01d Gazette. tPresidcnt's Report. 1780.] TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY. 43 president of the united institutions was the Rev. James Monre,* noticed at length in the chapter, in this volume, on ('hvist Church. His colleagues were the Rev. Robert Stuart and the Rev. James Blythe. In 1709, the institution was given the appearance of a regular university, by the addition of law and medical de- partments. Colonel George Nicholas,! who became the first profes- sor in the law dejiartment, was an eminent lawyer of Vir- ginia, who had served as colonel in the Revolutionary war, and came to Kentucky at an early day. He was an influ- ent'al member of the Virginia Convention which ado[)tcd the Federal constitution, and was one of the most promi- nent spirits in the convention which framed the first con- stitution of Kentucky. This able man, whose statesman- ship* was long prominent in this commonwealth, was for many years a citizen of Lexington. His residence was on the site of the present Sayre Institute. He died at about the age of fifty-five, shortly after he accepted the law pro- fessorship in Transylvania University. Colonel Nicholas was succeeded in the chair of law by Henry Clay, James Brown, John Pope, and William T. Barry (of whom see biographical sketches in this volume). In 1819, when Dr. Holley became president of the univer- sity, the law college was regularly organized with three professors, and it soon attained a reputation co-extensive with the country, and no similar college in the United States was considered its superior in reputation, the ability of its teachers, and the number of its students. Its law society was noted. Its library, donated by the city of Lex- ington, was, at that time, the best one of the kind in the West. The following professors have adorned the law department since the incumbency of those already named, viz: Jesse Bledsoe, John Boyle, Daniel Mayer, Charles Humphreys, George Robertson, Thomas A. Marshall, and A. K. Woolley. (See biograpical sketches in this book.) Tlie earliest professor of medicine in Transylvania and ♦Davidson. tCollins. 44 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1780. ill the West was the distino^uislied Dr. Samuel Brown,* who was born, January 30, 1769, and was a son of the Rev. John Brown, and Margaret, his wife, residents of Rock- bridge county, Virginia. After graduating at Carhsle Col- lege (Pa.), he spent two years studying medicine in Edia- burg, after which he removed to Lexington. He was pro- fessor of medicine in the university until 1806, when he resigned, but was again appointed in 1819. He died in Huutsville, Alabama, January 12, 1830. Dr. Brown was a man of unusual learning and scientific attainments. His name appears among those of the contributors to the American Philosophical Transactions, and to the med- ical and scientific periodicals of the day, in this country and in Europe. He is specially noted as the first introducer of vaccination into the United States.f The first place where medical instruction is believed to have been given to students, in Lexington, was in the orig- inal old University building. Dr. Frederick Riilgely, who was appointed a medical professor very shortly after Dr. Brown, was the first who tauglit medicine by lectures in the West. He was appointed surgeon to a Virginia rifie corps in the Revolutionary army, when nineteen years old, removed to Kentucky in 1780, was one of the foumlers of the medical college, and was one ot the early preceptors of the distinguished surgeon, Dr. Ben. W. Dudley. Dr. Ridgely lectured his class at one time in a room in "Trotter's warehouse," which stood on the site of the present china store, on the corner of Mill and Main. The first president of Transylvania University, Rev. James Moore, was succeeded, in 1804, by Dr. James Blythe. Rev. James Blythe, M. D., was born in North Carolina, in 1765, and was educated for the Presbyterian pulpit at Hampden- Sidney College. He came to Kentucky in 1791, and two years after was ordained pastor of Pisgah and Clear Creek churches. He continued to preach up to the time of his death. For six years before his accession to the *Annals of Transylvania University. tMichaux, 1802, [1780. TRANSYLVANIA UNIVEnSITV. 45 presidency of the university, he was professor of mathe- matics and natural philosophy, and often supplied the pulpit of the First Presbyterian churcii. lie was president for nearly fifteen years, and after his resignation, filled the chair of chemistry in the medical college until 18-31, when he accepted the presidency of Hanover College (Indi- ana), which prospered greatly under his charge. He was a faithful and animated preacher and fine debater. He died in 1812. The first academical degree was conferred in 1802. In the spri!ig of 1801, a party of Shawunese Indians placed their children at Transylvania University to be in- structed. In 1805, llev. James Fishback, M. D., was appointed to the chair of the Theory and Practice of Medicirie. It was in the office of Dr. P., that Dr. Ben. Dudley studied the rudiments of physic. At this early period, the medical department met with but small success, and in 1806,* the professors resigned. An eftbrt was made to organize a full faculty and estab- lish a medical school in our university, in the year 1809. Dr. B. W. Dudley was appointed to the chair of Anatomy and Surgery; Dr. Elisha Warfield, to that of Surgery and Obstetrics; the noted Joseph Buchanan, referred to in an- other chapter, to that of the Institutes of Medicine, and Dr. James Overton, to that of the Theory and Practice of Medicine. It does not appear, however, that any lectures were de- livered at this time. In 1815, Dr. William H. Richardson was added to the medical faculty, and his connection with the school continued until his death in 1835, Dr. Daniel Drake was appointed to the chair of Materia Mcdica in 1817. Dr. Drake resigned in a short time, and afterward became a professor in the Cincinnati Medical College. He died in 1852. The class of 1817 numbered twenty pupils. The degree of M. D. was conferred, at the end of this course, in 1818, for the first time in the West, perhaps, on a *Dr. Peters' Lecture. 46 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1780. citizen of Lexington, one of this class, John Lawson McCullough, brother of our worthy fellow-citizen, Samuel D. McCullough.* In 1817, a large and handsome college building was erected in the college lawn and in front of the old edilice. The house and lot known as the Blythe property was bought and donated to the university by a number of liberal gen- tlemen, Mr. Clay being among the number. The grounds of the institution were beautified with trees, flowers, and shrubbery, and a determined eftbrt was made to great!}'^ in- crease the usefulness of the university. The trustees of the institution and the citizens of Lexington labored to- gether in the work of its up-building, and Dr. Horace Hol- ley, then of Boston, was invited to the presidency, which he accepted, and was inducted into office, December 19, 1818, and voted a salary of three thousand dollars. Dr. Holley, the third president of Transylvania Univer- sity, was born in Salisbury, Connecticut, February 13, ITSl.f He assisted in the store of his father (who was a self- taught and self-made man) until he was sixteen, when he was sent to Yale College, where he graduated, in 1803, with a high reputation for talents and learning. Soon after, he studied theology with Dr. Dwight, and, in 1809, accepted the pastorate of the Hollis-street church, in Boston, and such was his popularity that a larger and more elegant edifice was soon rendered necessary. In this charge he re- mained nine years, greatly admired and beloved. To a re- markably tine person was added fascinating manners and brilliant oratory. His eloquence may he inferred from the fact that, during one of his sermons delivered before the ancient artillery company of Boston, he extorted a noisy demonstration of applause, the only instance known of a staid New England audience being betrayed into forgetful- ness of their wonted propriety.^ Dr. Holley was welcomed to Lexington with the most flattering attentions, and immediately set to work to make the university a success. The institution was at once thor- ♦Peters' Lecture. tCaldwell's Memoir. jPierpont. 1780.] TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY. 47 onglily reorganized, and the medical school in particuhir dates its astonishing progress from this time, when the eminent surgeon, Dr. B. W. Dudley, the apostle of phre- nology in the West, Dr. Charles Caldwell, and the learned antiquarian. Dr. C. S. liatinesque, were called to its chairs. These gentlemen are specially mentioned in other chapters of this hook. At this time, lectures were delivered to the medical class in a large room in the upper story of a then tavern huilding, on Short street, between Upper and Market, now occupied by banks. The events which took place during Dr. Ilolley's presi- dency are full of interest. In the year 1819, the legislature of Kentucky appropri- ated the bonus of the Farmers and Mechanics' Bank at Lexington, for two years, to the use and benefit of Tran- sylvania University, which amounted to the sum of $3,000. In 1820 the sum of $5,000 was appropriated to the medical department. In the year 1821, an act was passed appropriating one- half of the clear profits of the Branch Bank ot the Com- monwealth of Kentucky at Lexington to the university, from which it is stated the sum of $20,000, in the paper of the said bank, was received — equal to $10,000 in specie — and there was a grant of twenty thousand dollars from the state treasury in 1824. All ot which suras of money were expended in the purchase of books, philosophical ap- paratus, and in the payment of the debts of the institution. There was probably no college library in the United States superior to that of Transylvania University in 1825. In addition to the books purchased through the liberality of Lexington and the State, the library had been enriched by a handsome donation from the British government, and by contributions from many private individuals, among whom may be named Edward Everett, who presented a collection of line classical works which he had personally selected in Europe. The medical library selected by Pro- fessor Caldwell, in France and England, was the best in the country at that time. The university was visited by Pres- 48 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1780. ident Monroe, General Jackson, Governor Shelby, and others, in 1819. In 1825 it was visited by Marquis de La- fayette, at which time it was the center of attraction in the entire West to all scholars and eminent characters, both native and foreio;n. About this time, also, Lord Stanley, afterward Earl of Derby, made a personal examination of the institution. At the time of his visit, Judge Barry, one of the law professors, was absent. Dr. Hoi ley, in addition to his regular duties, temporarily filled the judge's chair, and lectured the class before the distinguished visitor, on the subject of the similarity of the governments of the United States and England as regards the responsibility of public agents to the people.* The rise and prosperity of the medical college of the university was remarkable. In 1818, the class numbered twenty, with one graduate, and in 1826, it numbered two hundred and eighty-one, with fifty-three graduates. f In 1827, the medical college had attained such a position and celebrity as to be regarded as second only to the University of Pennsylvania. It was complete in its corps of eminent professors, and in its magnificent library and chemical and anatomical apparatus. In addition to the distinguished men already mentioned, the following professors had been connected with the medical college up to 1827, and some of them remained in it for years after, viz: Dr. John Estin Cooke, of Virginia, author of the celebrated congestive theory of fevers; Dr. Lunsford P. Yandell, editor of the Transylvania Journal of Medicine, founded in 1827; Dr. H. H. Eaton, of New York, who greatly improved the chemical department, and Dr. Charles W. Short, who re- signed in 1838. In 1823, the "Morrison Professorship," in the academical department, was endowed and established by a bequest of twenty thousand dollars from Colonel James Morrison, of Vk^hom mention will again be made in this chapter. The grand design of Dr. Ilolley was to make Transyl- vania a genuine university, complete in every college, and *0b3erver and Reporter. tt!ollege Eecords. 1780.] TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITF. 49 liberally sustained by a great endowment. Under great disadvantages he accomplished much of his work, but his own imprudent conduct and Unitarian sentiments, together with prejudice and sectarian animosity, prevented its coni- pletiou. Ilis religious opinions and his love of amuse- ments were unceasingly discussed and denounced by secta- rians, who were disappointed in obtaining control of the institution. Finally, a storm of opposition was raised, which was continued with great bitterness by ministers of all denominations,* until Dr. Ilolley was forced to resign the presidency, which he did in 1827, to the great regret of a majority of the citizens of Lexington, and the sorrow of his pupils, a large number of whom immediately left the university. Two facts speak volumes for Dr. Ilolley's administration. When he came to the university, it was comparative!}' little known — when he left it, it was cele- brated all over this country and Europe. During the six- teen 3^ears before he came, twenty-two students had grad- uated in it — in the nine years of his presidency, the insti- tution turned out six hundred and sixty-six graduates.f Immediatelj^ after his resignation. Dr. Holley was en- gaged as president of the College of New Orleans, and was meeting with the most flattering success when he was prostrated by fever. Upon his recovery he embarked for the North, in hopes that the sea air would benefit him. On the voyage he was seized with yellow fever, and, after suffering intensely for five days, he died, and on the 31st of July, 1827, the body of this distinguished man was com- mitted to the deep. The scholar's cloak was his winding sheet, the ocean is his grave, and the towering rocks of the Tortugas are his monument. Tiie academical department, or college of arts, of Tran- sylvania University was crowded with students daring Dr. Holley's administration. Its corps of instructors, near the close of his term, were : President Ilolley, Professor of Philolog}'', Belles-lettres, and Mental Pliilosophy; John Roche, l*rofessor of Greek and Latin Languages ; Rev. *Flint's Mississippi Valley 1826. tCaldwell's Memoir. 50 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1780. George T. Chapman, Professor of History and Antiquity; Thomas J. Matthews, Morrison Professor of Mathematics; Rev. Benjamin O. Peers, Professor of Moral Philosophy. The resignation of Dr. Holley was a heavy blow to the university; but the trustees were not idle. On the 16th of April, 1827, the corner-stone of a new medical hall was laid by the Masonic fraternity, on the site of the present City Library, on the corner of Market and Church streets. The eloquent William T. Barry delivered an appropriate oration before the immense crowd assembled. The trustees of the university, at that time, were John Bradford, Thomas Bodley, Charles Humphreys, Benjamin Gratz, Elisha War- field, James Fishback, John W. Hunt, James Trotter, Elisha I. Winter, George T. Chapman, William Leavy, Charles Wilkins, and George C. Light. In June, 1828, the trustees called to the presidency of the university the Rev. Alva Woods, D. D.,* who was then at the head of Brown Univiversity. Dr. Woods was a Baptist clergyman, and the oldest child of Rev. Abel Woods, of Massachusetts, and had a high reputation for learning and liberality. He was president of Transylvania for but two years, when he resigned, and accepted the presidency of the University of Alabama. A few years ago he was still alive and residing at Providence, Rhode Island. On the night of May 9, 1829, during Dr. Woods' admin- istration, the principal building of the university, together with the law and societies' libraries, was destroyed by fire. The exercises of the institution were not interrupted a single day, nor did a solitary student leave in consequence of the disaster. The Transylvania Literary Journal, Professor T. J. Mat- thews, Editor, was established in 1829. In 1832, Dr. Robert Peter, the present able and noted Professor of Chemistry, became connected with the univer- sity, and has continued to reflect honor upon it for forty years. Dr. Peter was born in England, in 1 805. He is a graduate of the Transylvania Medical College. ♦Observer and Keporter. 1780.] TRANSYLVANIA VNIVERSIT7. 5| The fifth president of Transylvania was the Rev. Benja- min O. Peers, an Episcopal minister, who was born in Loudon county, Virginia, in 1800, and brought to Kentucky in 1803. After graduating at Transylvania, he studied theology at Princeton, after which he joined the Episcopal Church, and located in Lexington, where he established the Eclectic Institute, which soon became one of the most val- uable educational establishments in the West. He did much to bring about the present common school system of Kentucky, for which, together with his sound learning and ardent piety, he will long be remembered. Mr. Peers was president of Transylvania about two years. He died in Louisville, in 1842. The assistants of President Peers, in tiie academical department of the university', were Profes- sor S. Hebard, of Amherst College, and Professor John Lutz, of the University of Gottingen. During the Peers term, the present Morrison College building was completed, and on the 14th of November, 1833, it was thrown open, with appropriate inauguration ceremonies, at which time the oath of office was adminis- tered to Mr. Peers by the chairman of the university board of trustees. While Mr. Peers was president, a theological department, under the auspices of the Episcopal Church, was opened in the university. Morrison College was founded through the liberality of Colonel James Morrison, who was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1775, and was the son of an humble Irish inmiigrant. After serving in the war of the Revolution, he came to Kentucky, and settled in Lexington, in 1792. Possessed of strong sense, energy, and decision of character, he rapidly elevated himself. He became, in succession, state representative from Fayette, quartermas- ter-general, president of the branch of the United States Bank, and chairman of the board of trustees of Transyl- vania University. He acquired immense wealth, much of which he used in the promotion of letters. He died, in Washington, D. C, April 23, 1823. Whether he was a Unitarian or a Presbyterian is undecided. He bequeathed twenty thousand dollars to establish a professorship in 52 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1780. Transylvania University, and a residuary legacy of forty thousand dollars, with which the present Morrison College edifice was established.* The societies flourishing in the University, in 1833, were the Union Philosophical, the Whig, and the Adelphi Alpha. The public exercises of the institution, at this time, wore always conducted with much dignity and state. Probably no state governor in this country has ever been inducted into office with more imposing and impressive ceremonies than those formerly attending the inauguration of a Tran- sylvania president. The long procession, composed of stu- dents, alumni, college societies, city associations and orders, members of the bar, members of Congress, governor and stafi', banners and music, the immense crowd of eager citi- zens, strangers, and beautiful women, the solemn oath of office, delivery of university keys, address to the president and his reply, all made up a scene of surpassing interest and brilliancy. Among the number of those who have acted as tutors in the university, we find the names of Jesse Bledsoe, Daniel Bradford, Mann Butler, C. S. Morehead, and James Mc- Chord. Rev. Thomas W. Coit, D. D., another Episcopalian di- vine, became tVie sixth president of the university, in 1835. Dr. Coit came from New England, in 1834, to fill a profes- sorship in the Episcopal Theological Seminary, in Lexing- ton. He acquired some celebrity for his writings in favor of Trinitarianism, and for his pungent essays on the history of the American Puritans. He presided over Transylvania for nearly three years. At present, he is rector of St. Paul's church, Troy, New York. In 1837, an efiort was made by a majority of the faculty of the medical college, to remove it bodily to Louisville. They were unsuccessful, and such was the public indigna- tion, that the enemies of the Lexington College found it convenient to resign. ^Davidson's History. 1780.] TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY. 53 The Medical College suffered by the treachery of pre- tended friends and open enemies, but it speedily recovered. The faculty was at once reorganized, and the following gentlemen were elected : To the chair of Anatomy and Surgery, B. W. Dudley, M. D., Professor, and J. M. Bush, M. D., Adjunct Professor; Institutes of Medicine and Medical Jurisprudence, James C. Cross, M. D. ; Theory and Practice of Medicine, John Eberle, M. D.; Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children, William H. Richardson, M. D.; Materia Medica and Therapeutics, Thomas D. Mitchell, M, D. ; Chemistry and Pharmacy, Robert Peter, M. D. The interest of the entire community was strongly awakened, and a united eflbrt made to increase the en- dowment of the university. In 1838-39, the city of Lex- ington donated S70,000 ; seventy gentlemen, incorporated February 20, 1839, by the name of the Transylvania Insti- tute, contributed §35,000, out of part of which fund the present dormitory building was erected; £Mid the profes- sors of the medical department, by private contributions, purchased the lot of ground on which a new medical hall was soon built. These gentlemen also paid, out of their own funds, residuary debt on that building to the amount of more than $15,000. The libraries, museums, chemical and philosophical appa- ratus, and the means of instruction generally, were greatly increased, and the university was put on a more favorable footing than it had ever been. The new medical hall re- ferred to was built on the corner of Second and Broadway, and occupied the site of the present residence of Dr. Bush. The corner-stone was laid July 4, 1839, and the oration was delivered by Robert Wicklifte, Jr. In 1838, after the resignation of Dr. Coit, the Academical Faculty consisted of Dr. Louis Marshall, President 'pro tern.., and Professor of Ancient Languages; Rev. Robert David- son, Professor of Moral and Mental Philosophy; Dr. Arthur J. Dumont (who succeeded Mr. Priczminski), Professor of Mathematics ; Robert Peter, M. D., Professor of Natural 54 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1780. History and Experimental Philosophy; Rev. Charles Crow, Principal of Preparatory Department. Rev. Robert Davidson, D. D., a Presbyterian minister, referred to more especially in the clia[)ter in this volume on the Second Presbyterian Church, was the seventh regular president of Transylvania University, and was inaugurated in November, 1840. In the fall of 1842, the Methodist Church was given the control of the university, which by this time had become considerably prostrated, particularly in the literary and academical department. The eloquent and untiring bishop, Henry B. Bascom, D. D. (see chapter on First Methodist Church), was made president of the institution, and it soon prospered as it had not done for years. There were four times as many students in it two years after the Methodists obtained control than there was the year before they took possession. Bishop Bascom resigned in 1849, and the uni- versity again reverted to the state. Professor J. B. Dodd, well known as the author of a number of mathematical works, succeeded Dr. Bascom, and acted as presiilent ^ro tern, up to the reorganization of the university in 1856. Professor Dodd died in Greensburg, Kentucky, March 27, 1872, aged sixty -hve. In 1855, the chairs of the Law College were filled by Professors George Robertson (see chapter on year 1835); George B. Kinkead, a native of Woodford county, Ken- tucky, Secretary of State under Governor Owsley, and dis- tino:uished both for his hifi^h-toned character and lesjal ability ; and Francis K. Hunt, born in Lexington, a gradu- ate of Transylvania Law School, a gentleman of rare graces and culture, and one of the first lawyers in Kentucky. The university was reorganized in 1856,* and in connec- tion with it, a normal school, for the education of teachers, was established, under the patronage of the state, as an indispensable aid to the common school system of Kentucky. The scheme was a noble one; the legislature appropriated §12,000 per annum to its support, and the cause of popular ♦Acts L(.'gii?l;iture. 1780.] TRANSyLVANIA UNIVERSITY. 55 education in Kentucky never looked more promising. Rev. Lewis "W. Green, D. D., was called to the presidency, and the university opened March 4, 1856, with eighty pupils. Dr. Green, the ninth and last regular president of Tran- sylvania University, was the son of Willis and Sarah Reed Green, and was born near Danville, Kentucky, January 28, 1806.* He was a student at Transylvania for some time, but graduated at Centre College, in 1824, after which he entered the Theological Seminary at Princeton, studied for the Presbyterian ministry, and was finally ordained. He spent two years in Europe, at the Universities of Bonn and Halle, and while studying biblical literature and the oriental languages, enjoyed the instructions of Neander, Hengsten- berg, and other distinguished scholars. When called to Transylvania, he was president of Hampden Sidney College, Virginia. He labored, with satisfaction and success, at Lexington, for two years, at the end of which time, for some reason, the legislature withdrew the yearly appropria- tion for the normal school, and abandoned the project. Dr. Green accepted the presidency of Centre College, entered upon his duties there in January, 1858, and filled the posi- tion up to the time of his death, which occurred May 26, 1863. He was buried in the Danville cemetery. Dr. Green was an eloquent divine, and, in point of learning, had few equals in the Presbyterian Church in the West. His tine character and amiable disposition always gained for him the sincere love of his pupils. The Medical School continued to exist with varying suc- cess up to the commencement of the late war betw^een the States. In 1859, its faculty was composed of Drs. Ethel- bert L. Dudley (see year 18G2), S. L. Adams (see First Methodist Church), W. S. Chipley (see Lunatic Asylum), B. P. Drake, S. M. Letcher, H. AL Skillman,and J.M. Bush. Dr. Drake is a graduate of this school, and now hves in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky. Dr. Letcher, a native of Lancaster, Kentucky, was also a graduate of the Transylvania Medical College. He is well *JBiogiaphy. 56 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1780. remembered, not only as a fine physician, but as a fine in- structor in his department. He died in Lexington, in 1862. Dr. Bush, born in Frankfort, Kentucky, and Dr. Skill- man, a native of Lexington, are both graduates of the school in winch they were teachers, and both now stand in the front rank of their profession in Kentucky. From its founding up to its dissolution, at the beginning of the late war, the Medical College had conferred the de- gree of M. D. upon nearly two thousand graduates.* The university, which had been declining for years, sunk hopelessly after the failure of the normal school. The academical department struggled on for a few years, owing its existence mainly to that superior instructor, Mr. Abram Drake. It settled into a grammar school, during the late war, under whose depressing influences all educational in- stitutions languished, and through that period its principal was Professor J. K. Patterson, the present accomplished presiding officer of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Kentucky University. In January, 1865, the trustees of Transylvania, desiring to perpetuate for Lexington her character and usefulness as an educational center, conveyed the entire property of the institution to, and consolidated it with Kentucky Uni- versity, on the condition of its removal to Lexington. From 1865, the history of Transylvania University blends with that of Kentucky University, of which it now forms a part. The record of Transylvania, both at home and abroad is a proud one. Among the names of her thousands of graduates, appear those of Jefferson Davis, Thomas F. Marshall, Dr. B. W. Dudley, Richard H. Menifee, John Boyle, James McChord, Dr. Joseph Buchanan, Richard M. Johnson, John Rowan, W. T. Barry, Jesse Bledsoe, C. S. Morehead, Elijah Hise, "Duke" Gwin, C. A. Wickliffe, and a host of others — with cabinet ofiicers, foreign minis- ters, governors, generals, physicians, divines, and men of every grade and business of life. There is scarcely a town ♦Biography. 1780.] KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY. 57 of any size in all the West and South that does not con- tain one or more of her graduates. Tlie power that Transylvania has exerted will be felt for generations to come. Kentucky University, the successor and perpetuator of Transylvanin, was incorporated in February, 1858, and located in Harrodsburg, Kentucky. Its endowment then consisted of $150,000, obtained by Mr. John B. Bowman, from members of tlie Christian Church and other liberal friends of education. At the same time, it received the funds and property of Bacon College, an institution founded by the Christian Church in 1836, in Georgetown, but which was removed to Harrodsburg in 1840, and finally failed for want of a sufficient endowment.* John B. Bowman, the founder of Kentucky University, its present regent, and the one to whom its efficiency and pros[)enty is so largely due, was born at Bowman's station, near Harrodsburg, Kentucky, October 18, 1824. His grand- parents were among the first settlers of Mercer county. His father, born near Lexington, is probably the oldest liv- ing native of Fayette county. Regent Bowman gradu- ated at Bacon College under President Shannon, and in February, 1846, married Mary D., daughter of Dr. Charles Williams, of Montgomery county, Kentucky, The accom- l»lishraents and self-sacrifice of Mrs. Bowman have had no little to do with the success of Kentucky University. From the time he left college, up to the year 1855, Mr. Bowman was occupied in farming, but ever since that year, his life has been devoted to the up-building of the great institution of which he is the head. He is a man of extraordinary energy, executive ability, and financial sagacity. " Taylor Academy," a preparatory school ot the univer- sity, was opened in the old Bacon College building, at Har- rodsburg, in September, 1858, with nearly one hundred students in attendance. The College of Arts, the first regular department of the university to go into operation, was opened iu September, •University Records. 58 niSTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1780. 1859, under the presidency of Robert Milligan. Pesident Milligan is a native of Ireland, and is now in the lifty-niuth year of his age. He is a graduate of Washington College, Pennsylvania, and was at one time Professor of Matiie- matics in Bethany College. His colleagues at Harrodsburg were Professors R. Richardson, Robert Graham, L. L. Pinkerton, Henry White, and J. H. Neville. All of the professors with one exception (Professor Richardson) sub- sequently taught in the university after its removal to Lex- ington. There were about two hundred students in the university during its first session.* In February, 1864, the old edifice of Bacon College, used by the university at Harrodsburg, was destroyed by fire, together with its apparatus and library. At this juncture, it was found that the trustees of Transylvania University were willing to convey the gounds and buildings of that institution to the curators of Kentucky University, on the condition of its removal to Lexington. The board left the w^hole question of removal and location to a committee, of whom Mr. Bowman was chairman. f Accordingly, Mr. Bowman called the committee to meet at Frankfort, in January, 1865 ; but an expected denouement followed. While there, the proposition of Congress to do- nate to Kentucky 330,000 acres of land, for the purpose of agricultural and mechanical education, came up for consid- eration. The state was not prepared to accept the grant with the conditions imposed, and the munificent provision of Congress seemed likely to be lost to the state. Mr. Bowman proposed to make the State Agricultural College a department of Kentucky University, and to consolidate into the great institution the University of Harrodsburg, Transylvania, and the Agricultural College, and the whole to be located at Lexington. He further proposed, if this should be done, to provide an experimental farm, and all the requisite buildings, and to give gratuitous instruction to three hundred students, to be selected by the state ; and he furthermore pledged, that the board of curators would ♦University Jiecords. fid- 17S0.] KENTUCKY UNIVERSITF. 59 cany out, in the agricultural department, the spirit and intent ot the act of Congress encouraging the education of the industrial classes. A bill to this eftect was accordingly drawn up, and, after long and animated discussion in the General Assembly, it was jia-sed by a large majority, and Kentucky University was removed from llarrodsburg, the grounds and buildings and endowment of Transylvania were transferred, and the State Agricultural College was made a part of the univer- sity, with an aggregate capital of more than one-half million of dollars. As a condition of this removal, the cura- tors of Kentucky University bound themselves to refund to citizens of Mercer county $30,000 which they had con- tributed to the institution, and also furnish $100,000 more, to be invested in an experimental farm and buildings. Mr. Bowman set to work at once to secure the amounts needed, and the following gentlemen, in a printed address,* strongly urged the people of Lexington to assist him, viz: M. C. Johnson, John Carty, Benj. Gratz, J. G. Chinn, John B. Tilford, J. G. Allen, II. T. Duncan, Jr., John B. Payne, Jr. In three months the money was obtained by subscription, principally from the citizens of Lexington and vicinity, of all creeds and denominations. The first session of Kentucky University, at Lexington, commenced on Monday, October 2, 1865,* with formal and appropriate exercises, in the chapel of Morrison College. Four otlier departments, in addition to the College of Arts, had, in the meanwhile been created, and went at once into active ojieration. At its opening in Lexington, therefore, the university consisted of the College of Arts, the Law College, the Agricultural and Mechanical College, the Bible College, and the Academy. The college of arts, up to the present time, has halic square and so disgraceful to the county. The court- house can boast of nothing but its associations. Its walls *City records. tOld Gazette. ^Gazette. 1T81.] FIRST LOT OWNERS. 73 liave echoed to the voices of Chiy, Barry, Bledsoe, Crit- tenden, the Wicklitfes, Menifee, E,. J. and John C. Breckin- ridge, Thomas F. Marshall, and a host of other distinguished men both living and dead. On the 26th of December, 1781,* the trustees of Lexing- ton station adopted a plan for the town, and the lots defined in it were disposed of by them to the inhabitants, who " were required to pay a proportionable part of the money neces- sary to build the public houses and expenses arising toward good order and regularity in the town." The names of those who secured lots at that time are recorded as Follows in " the Trustees' Book : " James jSIaster- son, William McDonald, Henry McDonald, Samuel McMul- lins, David Mitchell, Thornton Farrow, Nicholas Brobston, James McBride, William Henderson, Samuel Martin, John Torrence, William Martin, Sen., John Clark, William Nib- lick, Francis McDonald, Francis McConnell, Daniel Mc- Clain, Robert Stanhope, John Wymore, Hugh Martin, Da- vid Vance, William Mitchell, Timothy Payton, Elisha Collins, John Morrison, Stephen Collins, Levi Todd, Eph- raira January, Alexander McClain, Caleb Masterson, Sam- uel Kelly, Joseph Turner, Samuel Kelly, John Wymore, William McConnell, John McDonald, Joseph Lindsey, Jane Thompson, John Todd, James Lindsay, Alexander Mc- Connell, Hugh Thompson, James Morrow, Robert Thomp- son, Hugh McDonald, James McGinty, John Martin, Sam- uel Johnson, James Januar}^ James Wason, William Haydon, Josiah Collins, Matthew Walker, James Mc- Connell, John M. McDonald, Michael Warnock, William Martin, James McDonald, Alexander McConnell, William McConnell, a clergyman, John Williams, Peter January, Joseph Waller, John Niblick, Charles Seaman, Francis McDermid. *City Records. 74 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1782. CHAPTER IX. Trouble with the Indians — Incidents — The War Closed — Lex- ington Incorporated — The Great Invasion — Siege of Bryant's Station — Aaron Reynolds — Battle of the Blue Licks — Ben- jamin Netherland — The Terrible Defeat — Burial of the Bead — Sorrow and Gloom — The Women of Lexington — James Morgan — Clark's Expedition — John Filson — Thomas Mar- shall, The year 1782 was one of excitements, stirring events, and mournful disasters to Lexington and Fayette county. The outlook, so bright with hope to others, was gloomy indeed to them. Far across the Atlantic, even from the commencement of the year, the British House of Commons had been ringing with eloquent demands for a termination of the war against the American colonies; but here, on this side of the great ocean, even while those cries for peace were going up, the tribes of the great Northwest were gathering their incensed and desperate warriors, to strike what they hoped would be a final and crushing blow at the frontier settlements. ]Sl umerous small scouting parties of Indians were ordered to Kentucky, and soon the woods teemed with savages, and no one was safe beyond the walls of a station. Late in March, a hunter from the fort at Lexmg- ton was killed by some Indians in ambuscade near the present Lexington Cemetery,-^ and a few weeks after, an- other settler was shot and dangerously wounded in a field where the jail now stands, and his savage foe was running, knife in hand, to scalp liim, when he was himself shot by a skillful marksman then on watch in the block-house, and ♦Tradition. 1782.] LEXINGTON INCORPORATED. 75 fell dead upon the body of his wounded enemy.* It is strongly iutimated by one historianf that the marksman who made this iamons shot was the celebrated Daniel JBoone himself. Certainly, the "picking oii'" of an Indian at such a distance, while he was kneeiinij above the fallen settler, and a shot so directed as to kill the one without injury to the other, was a feat not unworthy the grand old pidneer. In May, a courier brought the news to Lexington of Estell's defeat, a calamity which made a profound sen- sation in every settlement, and the more because the bold and masterly movement of the Indians which decided the fate of the day, indicated an advance in military science, which presaged no good to the settlers. Lexington and Brj'ant's stations were now the most exposed points in Kentucky, and as Estell's defeat confirmed the general im- pression that another Indian invasion was imminent, the settlers were weighed down with anticipations of evil. At this gloomy juncture, the second board of trustees of Lexington received a copy of the law passed by the Vir- ginia Assembly, at Richmond, on the 6th of May, incorpo- rating Lexington % The law was entitled, "An act to establish a town at the court-house, in the county of Fay- ette,** and was worded as follows, viz: " Whereas, It is represented to this assembly that six hundred and forty acres of unappropriated land in the county of Fayette, whereon the court-house of said county stands, has been by the settlers thereon laid out into lots and streets for a town; and that the said settlers have ]»ur- chased seventy acres of land lying contagious to the said six hundred and forty acres, being part of a survey made for John FJoyd ; and whereas, it would tend greatly to the improvement and settling of the same if the titles of settlers on the lots were confirmed, and a town establisiied tiiereon: Be it therefore enacted, That the said seven hundred and acres of land be and the same is hereby vested in fee simple in John Todd, Robert Patterson, William Mitchell, Andrew Steele, William Henderson, William McConnell, and Will- ♦Eoone's Narrative. tBogart, 226. ^Trustees' Book. 76 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1782. iam Steele, gentlemen trustees, and established by the name of Lexington. And be it further enacted, That the said trustees, or any four of them, shall, and they are hereby empowered and required to make conveyance to those persons who have already settled on the said lots, as also to the purchasers of lots heretofore sold, agreeable to the condition of the con- tracts, and may also proceed to lay ofi' such other parts of the said land as is not yet laid off and settled into lots and streets; and such lots shall be by the trustees sold or other- wise disposed of for the benefit of the inhabitants of the said town, and convey the same in fee simple agreeable to the condition of the contract : Provided, always, that the lots in the said town which have been laid off and set apart for erecting thereon the public buildings of the said county shall be and remain to and for that use and purpose, and no other whatever. And be it further enacted, That the said trustees, or the major part of them, shall have power from time to time to settle and determine all disputes concerning the bounds of the said lots, and to settle such rules and orders for the resrular buildin": of houses thereon as to them shall seem best and most convenient. And in case of the death, re- moval out of the county, or other legal disability of any of the said trustees, it shall and may be lawful for the remain- ing trustees to elect and choose so many other persons in place of those deceased, removed, or disabled, as shall make up the number; which trustees so chosen shall be, to all intents and purposes, individually vested with the same power and authority as any one in this act particularly mentioned. And be it further enacted, That the settlers, as well as pur- chasers of lots, in the said town, so soon as they shall have saved the same according to the conditions of their respect- ive deeds of conveyance, shall be entitled to have and enjoy all the rights, privileges, and immunities which the free- holders and inhabitants of other towns in this state not incorporated by charter or act of assembly have and enjoy. 1782.] THE GREAT INVASION. 77 And be it further enacted, That the said trustees shall cause the survey and plat of the said town to be recorded in the court of the said county of Fayette, leaving to all persons all such right, title, and interest which they, or any of them, could or might have to the lands, or any part thereof, hereby vested in the said trustees as if tbis act had never been made." The Indian invasion, so dreaded by the infant settlements, was now near at hand. JMost of the summer following Estell's defeat had been spent by the savages in perfecting a plan by which they hoped to regain for themselves the possession of their lost hunting grounds in the West. Early in August, detachments of Indian warriors from the Cherokee, Wyandot, Tawa, and Pottowatomie nations, as well as from several other tribes bordering on the lakes, assembled in grand council at Chillicothe, where they were met by Simon Girty, James Girty, and M'Kee, three rene- gade white men, who urged tbem to proceed at once to the step the}^ so much desired to take. The advice of the white savages was quickly acceded to, the council ended with a war whoop, and the IndiaUv^, with a few Canadian allies, took up the line of march for Ken- tucky, with the understanding that Bryant's station should be taken first, and then Lexington station, after which they were to act as circumstances should direct. The force in this noted expedition has been variously estimated from six hundred to one thousand. Of the two stations marked out for destruction, Lexington was the strongest. Its garrison consisted of about sixty efiective men,* and it enjoyed the very superior advantage of an abundant and never-failing supply of water iy}side its walls. Bryant's station stood on a gentle rise on the south- ern bank of the Eikhorn, a few paces to the rigiit of the road from Maysville to Lexington, and consisted at this time of about forty cabins, was built in the usual parallelo- gram siiape, was about two hundred yards long by fifty wide, strengthened with block-houses at the angles, and where the *Bradford's Notes. 78 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1782 cabins did not join, the vacancies were filled with strong pickets. The garrison consisted of fort3^-four men. Unfor- tunately, there was no supply of water within the fort, and the only rlependence was a spring on its northwestern side. The station was situated on a tract of land admired by all the settlers for its natural beauty; and it doubtless merited the o-lowing praise of the poet*, who speaks of " A picketed station on fair Elkhorn, Surrounded by groves of the milk-white thorn, And paw-paw, with long and silvery stem, And dogwood of beautiful diadem ; Green meadows with antlered deer yet dotted, And lawns with flowers the loveliest spotted." The savage array entered Kentucky, and penetrated with celerity and great secrecy into the very heart of the district. A party was at once sent out to demonstrate against Mc- Gee's and Strodes' stations, with the object of drawing away from their posts the garrisons of Bryant and Lexing- ton stations. On the morning of the 14th of August, this party defeated Captain Holder, and the stratagem of the wily red men barely escaped being crowned with complete success, as subsequent events will show. The main body of the Indians moved carefully forward, and on the night of the 14th gathered as silent as the shadows around Bry- ant's stationf. The great body of Indians placed them- selves in ambush in some high weeds, within pistol shot of the spring, while one hundred select men were placed near the spot where the road now runs after passing the creek. Providentially for the garrison, a messenger had arrived just before night with the intelligence of Holder's defeat, and they set to work immediately to prepare for an early march in the morning to the general rendezvous at Hoy's station. The Indians seeing the lights glancing from block-houses and cabins, and hearing the bustle of preparation, believed that their approach had been discovered, though the settlers were utterly unconscious of their presence. Under the im- pression that their stratagem to decoy the garrison from the »"W. D. Gallagher, t^cClung's Sketches. 1782.] SIEGE OF BRYANT'S STATION. 79 fort had failed, the band of a hundred men was ordered to open a brisk fire early in the morning, and show themselves to the garrison on that side of the station, for the purpose of drawing them out, while the main body held themselves in readiness to rush upon the opposite gate of the fort, hew it down with their tomahawks, and force their way into the midst of the cabins. Day stole through the forest, the set- tlers rose from their brief slumbers, took their arms, and were on the point of opening the gates to march, under the command of Captain Elijah Craig, to the assistance of their friends, when the crack of rifles, mingled with yells and howls, told them in an instant how narrowly they had es- caped captivity or death. The former practice of this fort was known, and the Indians expected every man to run to the spot where the firing commenced, which would leave it undefended on the side where the main body lay; but the number of guns discharged, and the near approach of the party, convinced the people of the fort that it was a plan to draw the men out ; and, instead of falling into this trap, the opposite side of the fort was instantly manned, and several breaches in the picketing at once repaired.* Their greatest distress rose from the prospect of suftering for water. The more experienced of the garrison felt satisfied that a powerful party was in ambuscade near the spring, but at the same time they supposed that the Indians would not unmask themselves until the firing upon the opposite side of the fort was returned with such warmth as to induce the belief that the feint had succeeded. Acting upon this impression, and yielding to the urgent necessity of the case, they summoned all the women, with- out exception, and explaining to them the circumstances in which they were placed, and the improbability that any injury would be offered them until the firing had been re- turned from the opposite side of the fort, they urged them to go in a body to the spring, and each to bring up a bucket- ful of water. Some of the ladies, as was natural, had no relish for the undertaking, and asked why the men could ♦Bradford's Notes. 80 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1782 not bring water as well as themselves, observing that they were not bullet-proof, and that the Indians made no dis- tinction between male and female scalps! To this it was answered that women were in the habit of bringing water every morning to the fort, and that if the Indians saw them engaged as usual, it would induce them to believe that their ambuscade was undiscovered, and that they would not unmask themselves for the sake of firing at a few women, when they hoped, by remaining concealed a few moments longer, to obtain complete possession of the fort; that if men should go down to the spring, the Indians would immediately suspect that something was wrong, would despair of succeeding by ambuscade, and would instantly rush upon them, follow them into the fort, or shoot them down at the spring. The decision was soon made. A few of the boldest declared their readiness to brave the danger, and the younger and more timid rallying in the rear of these veterans, they all marched down in a body to the spring, within point-blank shot of more than five hun- dred Indian warriors! Some of the girls could not help betraying symptoms of terror, but the married women, in general, moved with a steadiness and composure which completely deceived the Indians. ISTot a shot was fired. The party were permitted to fill their buckets, one after another, without interruption, and although their steps became quicker and quicker on their return, and when near the gate of the fort degenerated into a rather unmilitary celerity, at- tended with some little crowding in passing the gate, yet not more than one-fifth of the water was spilled, and the eyes of the youngest had not dilated to more than double their ordinary size.* Being now amply supplied with water, they sent out thir- teen young men to attack the decoy party, with orders to fire with great rapidity, and make as much noise as possible, but not to pursue the enemy too far, while the rest of tiie garrison took post on the opposite side of the fort, cocked their guns, and stood in readiness to receive the ambuscade *McClung and Bradford. 1732.] SIEGE OF BRYANTS STATION. 81 as soon as it was unmasked. The firing of the light par- ties on the Lexington road was soon heard, and quickly became sharp and serious, gradually becoming more distant from the fort. Instantly, Girty sprung up at the head of his five hundred warriors, and rushed rapidly upon the west- ern gate, ready to force his way over the undefended pali- sades. A small body of the most daring reached the fort, and set fire to a few houses and stables, which were con- sumed; but the rest of the fort and the lives of the people were saved by an easterly wind, which drove the flames from the houses. Into the immense mass of dusky bodies the garrison poured several rapid volleys of rifle balls with de- structive effect. Their consternation may be imagined. With wild cries they dispersed on the right and left, and in two minutes not an Indian was to be seen. At the same time, the party who had sallied out on the Lexington road, came running into the fort at the opposite gate, in high spirits, and laughing heartily at the success of their ma- neuver. A regular attack, in the usual manner, then commenced, without much effect on either side, until two o'clock in the afternoon, when a new scene presented itself. Upon the first appearance of the Indians in the morning, two of the garrison, Tomlinson and Bell, had been mounted upon fleet horses, and sent at full speed to Lexington, announcing the arrival of the Indians, and demanding reinforcements. Upon their arrival, a little after sunrise, they found the station occupied only by some women and children and a few old men, the rest having marched to the assistance of Holder. The two couriers instantly followed at a gallop, and, overtaking them on the road, informed them of the danger to which Bryant's station and Lexington were ex- posed during their absence. The whole party, with some volunteers from Boone's station, instantly countermarched and repaired, with all possible dispatch, to Bryant's station. They were entirely ignorant of the overwhelming numbers opposed to them, or they would have proceeded with more caution. The couriers had only informed them that the sta- tion was surrounded, being themselves ignorant of the num- 82 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1782. bers of the enemy. At about two p. m. the men from Lexing- ton and Boone's station arrived in sight of the fort, at the mo- ment the firing had ceased, and no indications of danger ap- peared. The reinforcement believed it had been the victim of a false aUirm, and the sixteen mounted men approached the fort the usual route along a narrow lane, which was lined for more than one hundred yards by the enemy on both sides, who commenced a fire unperceived at a few feet distance. It is believed the great dust which was raised by the horses' feet in a considerable degree protected the party; they got safely into the fort without the shghtest wound on man or horse.* The men on foot were less fortunate. They were advancing through a corn-field, to the left of what is now the Mays- ville and Lexington road, and might have reached the fort in safety but for their eagerness to succor their friends. Without reflecting that, from the weight and extent of the fire, the enemy must have been ten times their number, they ran up, with inconsiderate courage, to the spot where the firing was heard, and there found themselves cut off from the fort, and within pistol shot of more than three hundred savages. Fortunately the Indian guns had just been discharged, and they had not yet had leisure to reload. At the sight of this brave body of footmen, however, they raised a hideous yell, and rushed upon the Lexington infantry, tomahawk in hand. Nothing but the high corn and their loaded rifles could have saved them from destruction. The Indians were cautious in rushing upon a loaded rifle, with only a tomahawk, and when they halted to load their pieces, the Kentuckians ran with great rapidity, turning and dodging through the corn in every direction. Some entered the wood and escaped through the thickets of cane, some were shot down in the corn-field, others maintained a running fight, halting occasionally behind trees and keep- ing the enemy at bay with their rifles; for, of all men, the Indians are generally the most cautious in exposing them- selves to danger.f A stout, active young fellow was so hard ♦Bradford's Notes. tid. 1782.] SIEGE OF BRYANTS STATION. 83 pressed by Girty and several savages, that he was compelled to discharge his rifle (however unwilling, having no time to reload it), and Girty fell. It happened, however, that a piece of thick sole-leather was in his shot-pouch at the time, which received the ball, and preserved his life, although the force of the blow felled him to the ground. The savages halted upon his fall, and the young man escaped. Although the skirmish and the race lasted for more than an hour, during which the corn- field presented a scene of turmoil and bustle which can scarcely be conceived, yet very few lives were lost. Only six of the white men from Lexington were killed and wounded, and probably still fewer of the enemy, as the whites never fired until absolutely necessary, but reserved their loads as a check upon the enemy. Had the Indians pursued them to Lexington, they might have possessed themselves of it without resistance, as there was no force tiiere to oppose them; but after following the fugitives for a iew hundred yards, they returned to the hopeless siege of the fort. It was now near sunset, and the cattle and stock, while attempting to return, as usual, to the fort, were mostly killed; the few sheep were totally destroyed. By this time the fire on both sides had slackened. The Indians had become discouraged. Their loss in the morn- ing had been heavy, and the country was evidently arming, and would soon be upon them. They had made no im- pression upon the fort, and without artillery could hope to make none. The chiefs spoke of raising the siege, but Girty determined, since his arms had been unavailing, to try the efiB.cacy of negotiation. He approached, under cover of a thick growth of hemp, to a large stump of a tree, which stood not far from the spot where the dwelling-house of Mr. Rogers was afterward erected, and hailed the fort, demanding a surrender, stating that the forces were com- manded by him, and inquired if he was known to the peo- ple of the fort. He declared that the prisoners should be protected if they would surrender, which was out of his power if the place was taken by storm, as it would be that 84 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. night, on the arrival of his cannon and strong reinforce- ments, which were hourly expected.* This language from Girty, and the recollections by the people in the fort, that cannon were employed in the reduction of Ruddle's and Martin's stations, was calculated to create considerable alarm. But one of the garrison, a young man by the name of Aaron Reynolds, remarkable both for wit and courage, and afterward distinguished for a noble act at the battle of the Blue Licks, perceiving the effect of Girty's speech, took upon himself to reply to it. To Girty's inquiry, " whether the garrison knew him," Reynolds replied " that he was very well known ; that he himself had a worthless dog to which he had given the name of ' Simon Girty,' in conse- quence of his striking resemblance to the man of that name ; that if he had either artillery or reinforcements, he might bring them up and be d — d ; that if either himself or any of the naked rascals with him found their way into the fort, they would disdain to use their guns against them, but would drive them out again with switches, of which they had collected a great number for that purpose alone ; and, finally, he declared that they also expected reinforce- ments ; that the whole country was marching to their as- sistance ; and that if Girty and his gang of murderers remained twenty-four hours longer before the fort, their scalps would be found drying in the sun upon the roofs of their cabins." Girty took great offense at the tone and language of the young Kentuckian, and retired with an expression of sor- row for the inevitable destruction which awaited them on the following morning. He quickly rejoined the chiefs; and instant preparations were made for raising the siege. The night passed away in uninterrupted tranquillity, and at daylight in the morning the Indian camp was found de- serted. Fires were still burning brightly, and several pieces of meat were left upon their roasting-sticks, from which it was inferred that they had retreated a short time before daylight, t *Bradford's Notes. tMcClung. 1782.] SIEGE OF BRYANT'S STATION. 85 And thus ended one of the most remarkable and cele- brated sieges known in the history of Indian warfare, and one crowded, brief as it was, with strange and thrilling events. The firing in the morning was in time to prevent the march of nearly all the men to a distant point, and the enemy so far overrated their plan, that instead of drawing the men out, every one prepared for a siege. Then there was the providential circumstance of the wind springing up from the east, and saving the place from the flames. Add to this, the almost miraculous escape of the two couriers to Lexington, the daring charge of the sixteen death-defying heroes from Lexington through a cross-fire of hundreds of Indians, and their entrance into the fort unhurt, and the escape of their gallant comrades on foot, with a loss of only six killed and wounded, when all of them seemed doomed toutterdestructiou, and we have a chapter of truths stranger Tar than many a page of highly-wrought fiction. Only two persons, Mitchell and Atkinson, were killed in the fort. One of the most heroic of the brave little garrison, Nicho- las Tomlinson, was slightly wounded in the arm. He was one of the most active defenders of his country, and was employed in Harmer's expedition, in 1790, as a spy. At the defeat of a detachment of the army under Colonel John Hardin, on the Oglaze, the daiing Tomlinson, being in ad- vance, was literally shot to pieces by an ambuscade of more than one thousand Indian?.* The loss of the Indians in the seige of Brj'ant's station has never been accurately ascertained, but it is known to have been very considerable. The residence and improve- ments of Mr. Charlton Rogers now (1872) cover part of tlie ground upon which the fort stood. The famous spring, from which the heroic women of the garrison drew water, still pours forth a grateful stream. Swift couriers carried the news of the presence of the Indian army to the various stations, and while the savages were retreating, the hunters were rapidly gathering at Bry- ant's station, to pursue them. Colonel Daniel Boone ac- *Bradford's Notes. 86 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1782. companied by his youngest son, Isaac, and Samuel, the brave brother of the old pioneer, headed a strong party from Boouesborongh. Colonel Stephen Trigg brought up the force from Ilarrodsburg, and Colonel John Todd com- manded the Lexington garrison. Todd and Trigg, as senior colonels, took command.* Dispatches had been sent to Colonel Benj. Logan, in Lin- coln county, during the seige, and he had hastily collected about three hundred men, and started upon his march, but before he was able to reach Bryant's station, the Indians had raised the seige and 2;oue. Colonel Loofan followed as fast as possible, in the ho[»e of coming up with those who marched from the neighborhood of Lexington before they overtook the Indians, but met them not far from Bryant's on their return. In the Uiidst of trying scenes of tears and sadness, the misgivings of the wife, and the forebod- ings of the mother, the brave men made every preparation for the march. On the morning of the 18th of August, their force amounted to one hundred and eighty-two men,t and thousrh it was well-known that the numbers of the enemy were overwhelmingly superior to this, the pursuit was urged with that precipitate courage which has so often been fatal to Kentuckians, and on the afternoon of the same day, the march was commenceil.| The Indians had followed the buffalo trace, and the Ken- tuckians had not proceeded more than nine or ten miles, before the lynx-eyed Boone discovered certain signs on the route indicating a willingness on the [»art of the Indians to be pursued, which was plainly evmced by their leaving a plain trail. Notwithstanding, they evidently used all the means in their power, to conceal their number, for which purpose they marched in single lile, treading in each other's footsteps. The pursuing force, after a hard march, camped that night in the woods only a few miles distant from th.e now sadly famous battle-gound, the appearance of which, at that time, is thus quaintly described by one§ who fought *G. Rogers Clark. IBradford'a Notes. JMcClung. ^Bradford. 1782.] BATTLE OF THE BLUE LICKS. 87 upon its 8ano;uinary soil: "The Blue Licks are situated about forty miles from Lexington, and about thirty -five from Bryant's station. The Licking river at this place is about three hundred feet wide at common water, and forms a semi-elipsis, which embraces on its northeast side, toward Limestone, a great ridge of rocks which had been made bare by the stamping of buffalo and other game, drawn together from time immemorial to drink the water and lick the clay. Two deep ravines, heading in this ridge near each other, and extending in opposite directions, formed the longest diameter of this elipsis. This ridge had very little timber on it, and what it had was very indiffer- ent, and exhibited a very dreary appearance; but the ravines were furnished not only plentifully with timber, but with a thick brushwood also." On the following day, by an easy march, the Kentuck- ians reached the lower Blue Licks, where for the tirst time since the pursuit commenced, they came within view of an enemy. As the miscellaneous crowd of horse and foot reached the southern bank of Licking, they saw a number of Indians ascending the rocky ridge on the other side. Tliey halted upon the appearance of the Kentuckians, gazed at them for a few moments in silence, and then calmly and leisurely disappeared over the top of the hiU. A halt immediately ensued. A dozen or twenty officers met in front of the ranks, and entered into consultation. The wild and lonely aspect of the country around them, their distance from any point of support, with the certainty of their being in the presence of a superior enemy, seems to have inspired a portion of seriousness, bordering upon awe. All eyes were now turned upon Boone, and Colonel Todd asked his opinion as to what should be done. The veteran woodsman, with his usual unmoved gravity, replied: "That their situation was critical and delicate; that the force 0[>posed to them was undoubtedly numerous and ready for battle, as might readily be seen from the leisurely retreat of the few Indians who had appeared upon the crest of the hill; that he was well ac([uainted with the ground in the neighborhood of the lick, and was appre- 88 HigTORF OF LEXINGTON. [1782. hensive that an ambuscade was formed at the distance of a mile in advance, where two ravines, one upon each side of the ridge, ran in such a manner, that a concealed enemy- might assail them at once, both in front and flank, before they were apprised of the danger. "It would be proper, therefore, to do one of two things. Either to await the arrival of Logan, who was now un- doubtedly on his march to join them, or if it was deter- mined to attack without delay, that one-half of their num- ber should march up the river, which there bends in an elliptical form, cross at the rapids, and fall upon the rear of the enemy, while the other division attacked in front. At any rate, he strongly urged the necessity of reconnoitering the ground carefully before the main body crossed the river."* Such was the counsel of Boone. And although no meas- ure could have been much more disastrous than that which was adopted, yet it may be doubted if anything short of an immediate retreat upon Logan, could have saved this gallant body of men from the fate which they encountered. If they divided their force, the enemy, as in Estill's case, might have overwhelmed them in detail ; if they remained where they were, without advancing, the enemy would cer- tainly have attacked th-em, probably in the night, and with a certainty of success. They had committed a great error at first, in not waiting for Logan, and nothing short of a retreat, which would have been considered disgraceful, could now repair it. Boone was heard in silence and with deep attention. Some wished to adopt the first plan; others preferred the second; and the discussion threatened to be drawn out to some length, when the boiling ardor of McGary, who coald never endure the presence of an enemy without instant battle, stimulated him to an act, which had nearly proved distructive to all. He suddenly interrupted the consulta- tion with an Indian war whoop, spurred his horse into the ♦Bradford and McClung. 1782.] BATTLE OF THE BLUE LICKS. 89 stroain. ami shouted aloud, " Let all who are not cowards, follow me." The rasliness of McGary was contagious. He was fol- lowed in quick succession by the whole party, who crossed the river in great disorder and confusion, whilst the officers were relnctantly borne along in the tumult. After cross- ing the river, no authority was exercised, nor any order observed in the line of march, but every one rushed for- ward, tumultuously pursuing the road over the rocks to the end of the ridge of hills, where a forest of oaks and deep ravines, with underwood, concealed the enemy from view, who awaited in their ambuscade to receive them. McGary lead the van of the army, closely followed by Major Ilarlan and Captain William McBride, supported by the men on horseback. They reached the spot mentioned by Boone, where the two ravines head on each side of the ridge, when Girty, with a clidsen part of his tawny host, rushed forward from their covert, and with horrid shrieks and yells, attacked them with great impetuosity. The con- flict instantly became hot and sanguinar3\ The advan- tageous position occupied by the Indians enabled them to assail the whole of the whites at the same moment. The officers suflered dreadfully, and many were already killed. The Indians gradually extended their line to turn the right of the Kentnckians and cut off their retreat. This was quickly perceived by the weight of the fire from that quarter, and the rear instantly fell back in disorder, and attempted to rush through their only opening to the river. The motion quickly communicated itself to the van, and a hurried retreat became general. The Indians instantly sprung forward in pursuit, and falling upon them with their tomahawks, made a cruel slaughter. From the battle- ground to the river, the spectacle was terrible. The horse- men generally escaped, but the foot, particularly the van, which had advanced farthest within the wings of the net, were almost totally destroyed. Colonel Boone, after wit- nessing the death of his son and many of his dearest friends, found hini:iscopal Cemetery, where her remains still repose. The only relic of the venerable heroine known to be in existence is a patch-work quilt which she made with her own hands, and gave to a sympathetic lady of Lexington, who was a friend to her in her days of sorrow and af- fliction. That Mrs. Vaughn was the first white woman born in Kentucky, there can not be the slightest doubt; the fact is placed beyond dispute by the frequent declarations of many of the earliest settlers of this state to persons still livino*. Mrs. Vaughn, herself, always declared that she had never heard a statement to the contrary. Mrs. Vaughn was a woman of excellent mind, warm heart, and sincere piety; and neither her true pride, nor the beautiful characteristics of her christian life, were abated by her poverty and misfortunes. How strange were her experiences. The fate-star of sorrow, which beamed upon her birth, seemed ever to follow her with its saddening influence. She was born when the tomahawk and the torch were busiest; the hope of her declining years died upon a field of battle, and she breathed out her own life in the midst of a terrible civil war. Her parents helped to reclaim and settle an empire; their daughter died without a foot of land that she could call her own. "Will justice, even now, be done to her memory? Will the state appropriately mark the spot where rest the mortal remains of the first white woman boru in the now great Commonwealth of Kentucky. 118 BISTORT OF LEXINGTON. [1786. CHAPTER XIII. Baptist Church — Pastors — Incidents — The Creath, Fishback, and Pratt Troubles — Fires. The Baptists were the pioneers of religion in Kentucky, and were the most numeroub body of Christians in the early settlement of the state ; but, as we have seen, they were not the first to found a church in Lexington. But they were not far behind, for a little baud of them were meetiug, from house to house, as early as 1786,* and were frequently preached to by Elder Lewis Craig, who, in 1783, had organ- ized, in Fayette county, on South Elkhorn, the first wor- shiping assembly in the state.f This valiant soldier of the cross was born in Spottsylvauia county, Virginia, and was several times imprisoned, in the Old Dominion, for preach- ing contrary to law. He was greatly gifted as an exhorter, and his constant theme was, " practical godliness and every- day Christianity." He died in 1827, aged eighty-seven years, sixty of which he spent in the ministry. In 1787, Elder John Gaao, of New York city, settled in Central Ken- tucky,J and, in conjunction with Elder Payne, aided greatly to build up the church in Lexington. In 1789, the congregation erected a log meeting-house on the same lot where the present church stands, in the "old Baptist grave- yard," and Rev. John Gano became its first pastor. Mr. Gano, who was born at Hopewell, N. J., July 22, 1727, ha(i been a chaplain in the American army during the Revolu- tionary war, was one of the most eminent, eccentric, and successful ministers of his day, and was personally known almost throughout the United States. Elder Gano, after being connected with the Lexington church for many yeard, *01d Journal. fTaylor's History. ^Benedict. 1786.] BAPTIST CHURCH. 119 moved to Frankfort, and died there in 1804. I£e was buried at Harmony Church, "Woodford county, Kentucky. The Baptist Church in Lexington had its troubles, too, and early in its history. In 1799, Arianism crept into the flock, and created some dissention, but linally died out under the vigorous blows of Elder Gano, who, upon one occasion (while a cripple from a fall), was held up in the arms of his friends to preach against it. But the Arian trouble had hardly died out before another one came up. In 1804, the " Emancipators," who claimed that no fellow- ship should be extended to slaveholders, commenced to dis- tract the church with their zealous efforts, and the mischief grew into a mountain in 1807, when the notorious difficulty about a negro trade took place between Jacob Creath, Sen., and Thomas Lewis; and great party strife and injury to the church ensued. At last peace came with the secession of the " Emancipators," who formed a separate association, long ago extinct, but the church was greatly weakened. It languished on with decreasing numbers until 1817, when prosperous times dawned upon it. In that year, on the 4th of January, a number of its best scattered members assem- bled and reorganized the church, with the assistance of Elders Toler, Jacob Creath, Sen., and Jeremiah Vardeman ; Berry Stout being moderator, and Samuel Ayers, clerk. On the church list of members about that time, we find, among others, the names of James Trotter, R. Higgins, William C. Wartield, Walter Wartield, W. H. Richardson, William Stone, Matthew "EUder^William Payne, Edward Payne, J. H. Morton, J. C. Richardson, Gabriel Tandy, Thomas Lewis, and William Poindexter. The congregation met at this time in the chapel of Tran- sylvania University, but immediate steps were taken to build a new house of worship. It was completed and occu- pied in October, 1819,=*= and was located on North Mill street, opposite the college lawn. It was a substantial two-story brick, provided with galleries, and is noted as being the building in which the first general Baptist Convention of 'Church Records. 120 BISTORT OF LEXINGTON. [1786. Kentucky was organized. Immediately after the reorgani- zation of the church, Dr. James Fishback, who had just been ordained to the Baptist ministry, was called to the pas- torate, at a salary of four hundred dollars per year, a sum considered at that time quite extraordinary for a preacher's services. A quaint feature of the day was the custom, kept up for a long time in the Mill Street church, of giving out hymns line after line. In 1826 the influence of the religions movement headed by Barton Stone and Alexander Campbell caused the intro- duction of a resolution into the First Baptist Church, to change its name to "the Church of Christ,"* which was ad- vocated and opposed by the two parties which had then formed in the church. After a prolonged discussion, the party favoring the resolution " swarmed out," under the the leadership of Dr. Fishback, and organized " the Church of Christ," and worshiped in the building now known as the Statesman office, on Short street, between Upper and Limestone. This church was eventually dissolved. Many of the congregation went back to the First Baptist Church, and the remainder connected themselves with the body now called the " Christian Church." When Dr. Fishback left the First Baptist Church, Rev. Jeremiah Vardeman was called to the pastorate. Mr. Var- deman was born in Wythe county, Virginia, July 8, 1775, and came to Kentucky in 1794. He was a faithful and laborious minister of the gospel, and in the pulpit was clear, earnest, fervid, and convincing.! He was often assisted by Elders W. C. Breck and J. B. Smith. Mr. Vardeman was pastor up to 1831. Rev. R. T. Dillard was the next incumbent. Mr. Dillard was born in Caroline county, Virginia, November 17, 1797, served in the war of 1812, came to Kentucky, and settled at Winchester in 1818, and began the practice of law, which he abandoned in 1825, when he was licensed to preach. He came to Fayette in 1828, and was for very many years pastor of David's Fork and East Hickman Baptist Churches. •Church Record. tSprague's Annals. 1780.] BAPTIST CHURCH— PASTORS. 121 111 1838 he traveled in Europe for his health. lie was sub- sequently Superintendent of Public Instruction, has mar- ried six Imiulred and seventy couples, and is at present a resident of Lexington. Rev. Silas M. Noel* succeeded Mr. Dillard, in October, 1835. Dr. Noel was born August 12, 1783, in Essex county, Virginia, and was educated for the bar. He came to Ken- tucky in 1806, and practiced law until 1811, when, after much study of the subject of religion, he united with the Baptist Church, and was ordained to the ministry in 1813. Being poorly paid, like all the Western preachers of that day, he accepted, in 1818, the position of circuit judge in the Fourth Indiana district, without relinquishing his supe- rior office. Mr. Noel was the originator of the Baptist Educational Society of Kentucky. He was a man of much more than ordinary powers, and as a speaker was noted for his flueucy, chasteness, and elegance. He died May 5, 1839, and was buried near Frankfort, Kentucky. Mr. Noel's successor was Eev. W. F. Broadus, who was born in Culpepper county, Virginia, about the year 1802. He was descended from a preaching family, and was himself a laborious pastor and excellent preacher. He filled the pul- pit in this city until 1845, after which he became president of a female college, in Shelbyville. He is now one of the prominent Baptist ministers of Virginia. The church called Rev. William M. Pratt, of New York, in 1845. During his administration the congregation worked together with harmony, its efibrts were attended with great success, and in 1854, the old church opposite the college lawn was sold, and a handsome new one erected on Mill, between the present new First Presbyterian house of worship and Church street. It was dedicated the 19th of November, 1855, the regular pastor, Mr. Pratt, being assisted by Rev. R. T. Dillard and Dr. S. W. Lynd, then president of the Theological Seminary at Georgetown. This house was unfortunately destroyed by tire, January 1, 1859, but in the May following the erection of another one was *Sprague's Annuls. 122 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1786. commenced in the old churchyard, on Main, the site of the pioneer Baptist Church of Lexington. While digging the foundation many relics of the old settlers and citizens were exhumed, and all not identitied were buried in a vault under the church. This house was dedicated January 1, 1860. President Campbell, of Georgetown, Rev. G. C. Lorrimer, and the pastor officiating. In 1863, after having been pastor for seventeen years, Mr. Pratt resigned, and the Rev. W. H. Felix, a native of Woodford county and graduate of Georgetown College, was called. Some months after Mr. Felix came the church was again burned, but mainly through his eflbrts another one was built on the same spot, and dedicated August 20, 1865, only to be visited by fire again in February, 1867. The untiring congregation set to work once more, and the pres- ent building was completed in a short time after the disas- ter. Even at this late date the war feeling had not entirely died out. A little while after the last fire, Mr. Pratt, W. E. Bosworth, and others asked and were given letters of dismission, and they proceeded to organize a " Second Baptist Church." The little congregation met for some time in the City Library building, but is now disbanded, most of the members having returned to the First Church. Mr. Felix resigned his charge in April, 1869, and was suc- ceeded the June following by Rev. George Hunt, the present faithful pastor, a native of Fayette county. The Baptist Church has exhibited great energy under many misfortunes, and is now enjoying the abundant prosperity it so well deserves. 1787.] CONVENTIONS, ETC. 123 CHAPTER XIV. Paint Lick Expedition — Delegates to Conventions — Society for Promoting Useful Knowledge — Old Kentucky Gazette — The First Western Newspaper — Lexington Racing Clubs — Ken- tucky Association — Founders — Incidents — Officers — Great .Horses — Improvements — Turfmen — Breeders — The Great " Lexington." The events of the year 1787, if not of great importance, were of more than ordinary interest. The Indians con- tinued to show great restlessness and dissatisfaction. On information given by some friendly Shawanese that a party of Cherokees, at Paint Lick, were meditating a predatory raid, Colonel Robert Todd made an expedition against them and dispersed them, killing three, and taking seven pris- oners, who escaped the next day after capture.* Fayette sent two delegates to the Virginia convention, which in this year ratified the constitution of the United States. The delegates were Humphrey Marshall and John Fowler.f Another convention, the fifth, met at Danville, in Septem- tember, 1787, and Fayette was represented by Levi Todd, Caleb "Wallace, Humphrey Marshall, John Fowler, and "William "Ward.J A number of gentlemen, alive to the interests and ad- vancement of the district, assembled in the month of De- cember, 1787,11 and arranged for the establishment of the " Kentucky Society for Promoting Useful Knowledge." At least half of the members of the society were citizens of Lexington, and many of them were afterward counted *Mar£hall. fButler. |01d Gazette. ||Gazette. 124 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1787. among the most eminent men of the state. We give the names of all the members. They were : Christopher Greenup, Humphrey Marshall, J. Brown, Isaac Shelby, James Garrard, Charles Scott, George Muter, Samuel McDowell, Harry Jones, James Speed, Wm. McDowell, Willis Green, Thos. Todd, Thos. Speed, G. J. Johnson, Joshua Barbee, Stephen Armsby, J. Overton, Jr., John Jewett, Thos. Allen, Robert Todd, Joseph Crockett, Ebenezer Brooks, T. Hall, Caleb Wallace, Wm. Irvine, James Parker, Alex. Parker, John Fowler, John Coburn, George Gordon, A. D. Orr, Robert Barr, Horace Turpin, Robert Johnson, John Craig, David Leitch. The first newspaper ever published west of the Alle- ghany mountains was established in Lexington, in 1787, by John Bradford. It was then called the Kentucke Ga- zette, but the final e of Kentucky was afterward changed to y, in consequence of the Virginia legislature requiring certain advertisements to be inserted in the Kentucky Ga- zette. This paper was born of the necessities of the times. The want of a government independent of Virginia was then universally felt, and the second convention that met in Danville, in 1785, to discuss that subject, resolved, "That to insure unanimity in the opinion of the people respecting the propriety of separating the district of Kentucky from Virginia and forming a separate state government, and to give publicity to the proceedings of the convention, it is deemed essential to the interests of the country to have a printing press." A committee was then appointed to carry out the design of the convention ; but all their efl^brts had failed, when John Bradford called on General Wilkinson, one of the committee, and informed him that be would estabhsh a paper if the convention would guar- antee to him the public patronage. To this the convention acceded, and in 1786 Bradford sent to Philadelphia for the necessary materials. He had already received every en- couragement from the citizens of Lexington, and at a meeting of the trustees in July, it was ordered "that the use of a public lot be granted to John Bradford free, on 1787.] FIRST NEWSPAPER. 125 condition that he establish a printing press in Lexington ; the lot to be free to him as long as the press is in town." Mr. Bradford's first office was in a log cabin, on the corner of Main and Broadway, now known as " Cleary's," but then known as " opposite the court-house." lie subse- quently used a building on Main, between Mill and Broad- way, about where Scott's iron front building stands. At last, after being months on the route, the precious printing material arrived, and on August 18, 1787, ap- peared the first number of the first newspaper ever pub- lished in the then western wilderness. It was a quaint little brown thing, about the size of a half sheet of com- mon letter paper, "subscription price 18 shillings per annum, advertisements of moderate length 8 shillino-s." It was printed in the old style—/ being used for 5. The first number is without a heading, and contains one adver- tisement, two short original articles, and the following apology from the editor : " My customers will excuse this, my first publication, as I am much hurried to get an impression by the time ap- pointed. A great part of the types fell into pi in the car- riage of them from Limestone (Maysville) to this office, and my partner, which is the only assistant I have, throuo-h an indisposition of the body, has been incapable of render- ing the smallest assistance for ten days past. "John Bradford." No wonder " the types fell into pi," for they had to be carried from "Limestone" to Lexington on pack-horses that had swollen streams to cross, fallen trees to jump, and many a terrible "scare" from the sudden crack of Indian rifles, for there was not a half mile between the two places unstained with blood. The Gazette of 1787 is the only indicator extant of the size and importance of Lexington at that time. We are able to surmise some things, at least after looking over the first volumes of the Gazette. They are adorned «\vith rude cuts and ornaments gotten up by Bradford himself. It is well known that he cut out the larger letters from dog-wood. In these volumes we tiud 126 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1787. advertised, among other things, knee-buckles, hair-powder, spinning wheels, flints, buckskin for breeches, and saddle- bag locks. "Persons who subscribe to the frame meeting- house can pay in cattle or whisky." In another place the editor condemns the common practice of " taming bears," and also that of " lighting fires with rifles." Proceedings of the district convention are published. No. 5, of volume 1, contains the constitution of the United States just framed by the " grand convention " then in session. Notice is given to the public not to tamper with corn or potatoes at a cer- tain place, as they had been poisoned to trap some veg- etable stealing Indians. In another number, "notice is given that a company will meet at Crab Orchard next Mon- day, for an early start through the wilderness; most of the delegates to the State Convention at Richmond (to adopt constitution of United States), will go with them." Chas. Bland advertises, " I will not pay a note given to Wm. Turner for three second-rate cows till he returns a rifle, blanket, and tomahawk I loaned him." Later, the names of Simon Kenton and 'Squire Boone appear. The columns of the Gazette are enriched with able and well-written ar- ticles, full of that mental vigor and natural talent for which our pioneer fathers were so justly celebrated; but "locals" are vexatiously scarce. Still the editor got up some. He often speaks of stealing, murdering, and kid- napping by Indians. At one time he speaks of a wonder- ful elephant on exhibition in a certain stable, and at another, "the people of the settlement are flocking in to see the dromedary" — quite a menagerie at that day. We must re- member, if we think his " items " scarce, that at that time steamboats did n't explode, nor cars run off the track, for none of these, or a thousand other modern item-making machines, were in existence. Still the Gazette must have been read with the most in- tense interest ; in fact, a writer in one of its earliest num- bers says : "Mr. Bradford, as I have signed the subscription for your press, and take your paper, my curiosity eggs me on to read everything in it." And no wonder, for all docu- ments of public interest had up to this time been written, 1787.] FIRST NEWSPAPER. 127 were often illegible, and one copy only was to be seen at each of the principal settlements. And then it was the only paper printed within five hundred miles of Lexington, and there was no post-office in the whole district. It was published, too, at a time of unusual interest in politics, and while party spirit ran high. The old national government was crumbling to give place to the new ; the settlements were distracted by French and Spanish intrigues; the peo- ple were indignant and hot-blooded over the obstructed navigation of the Mississippi, and convention after conven- tion was being held to urge on the work of separation from Virginia. What a treat the Gazette was to the pioneers ! Often when the post-rider arrived with it at a settlement, the whole population would crowd around the school- master or " 'squire," who, mounted in state upon a stump, would read it, advertisements and all, to the deeply inter- ested and impatient throng. Bradford's editorial situation, contrasted with the mag- nificent surroundings and princely style of a Xew York journalist of the present day, was quite interesting. His steamboat, railroad, telegraph, and mail carrier was a pack mule. His office was a log cabin. His rude and unwieldy hand-press was of the old-fashioned style, that for centuries had not been improved, and, in addition, it was a second- hand one. He daubed on the ink by hand with two an- cient dog-skin inking balls, and probably managed to get sixty or seventy copies printed on one side in an hour. If he wrote at night, it was by the light of a rousing fire, a bear-grease lamp, or a buftalo tallow candle; an editorial desk made of a smooth slab, supported by two pairs of cross legs ; a three-legged stool, ink horn, and a rifle com- posed the rest of the furniture of his office. The Gazette was, for some time, in its early history, printed on paper made near Lexington, at the mill of Craig, Parker & Co. This pioneer journal of the "West existed for nearly three- quarters of a century. There is no greater treasure in the Lexington library than the old files of the Kentucke Gazette. 128 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1787. Johu Bradford became a citizen of Lexington in 1788. This useful man, whose name is so closely linked with llie early history of our city, was born in Fauquier county, Virginia, in 1749, and married Eliza, daughter of Captain Benj. James of the same county, in 1761. He took part in the Revolutionary war, and was also in the battle with the Indians at Chillicothe. In 1785, he brought his family out from Virginia, and settled in Fayette county. He founded the Kentucke Gazette in 1787, and published the next year the Kentucke Almanac, the first pamphlet printed west of the mountains. Mr. Bradford was chairman of the Lex- ington Board of Trustees, which welcomed Governor Shelby, in 1792, to our city, which was then the capital of the state. He was the first state printer, and received from the legislature one hundred pounds sterling. He printed books as early as 1794, and some of them of that date are still to be seen in the Lexington library. He was at one time, chairman of the Board of Trustees of Transylvania University, and filled many places of trust and honor in Lexington. He was greatly respected, and after leading a life of much usefulness, went to his rest, sincerely mourned by all who knew him. His residence was on the corner of Mill and Second streets. It was built by Colonel Hart, and is the same one now occupied by Mrs. Ryland. The center of " the garden spot of Kentucky," justly famous the world over for its magnifi.cent blood stock, was devoted to the turf while Lexington was scarcely a village. As early as 1787, "the commons," as our present "Water street was then called, was a favorite resort of horsemen when their charming pastime of racing through Main street was interfered with by the troublesome trustees of the rising town.* The settlers pursued pleasures under diffi- culties in those days, as the "red-skin varmints" had all by no means disappeared from the state. In August, 1780, the only newspaper published in Kentuckyf contained the ioUowing notice, which we give verbatim, viz : " A purse- race will take place at Lexington, on 2d Thursday in Octo- *Trnstees' Book. tOld Kentucke Gazette, 1787.] LEXINGTON RACING ASSOCIATION. 129 ber next, free for any horse, mare, or gelding; weight for age agreeable to the rules of Xew Market (three-mile heats), best two in three. Each subscriber to pay one guinea, and every person that enters a horse for the purse to pay two guineas, including his subscription. The horses to be entered the day before running with Mr. John Fowler, who will attend at Mr. Collins' tavern on that day. Sub- scriptions taken by I^icholas Lafon, Lexington." Races were pretty regularly kept up after this time. Simeon Buford and Colonel Abraham Buford owned the winning horses in 1795. In 1802, races were in full blast in Lex- ington, and in 1809, the Lexington Jockey Club was organ- ized. It existed until 1823, and held its meetings near Ashland. The report made by the secretary, W. G. Wilson, of its final October meeting, is as follows :* " The first day's purse, for the four-mile heats, was taken by Mr. Burbridge's gelding. Tiger by Tiger, 5 years old, at two heats, beating Captain Harris' b. h. Paragon, by Whip, 4 years old, and Colonel W. Buford's s. m. Carolina, by Sir Archie, 4 years old. Paragon was drawn the second heat. Time of the first heat, 8:15; of the second heat, 8:25. " The second day's purse, three-mile heats, was won by Mr. Wateon's s. h. Sea Serpent, by Shylock, beating Mr. Blackburn's Sophy Winn, by Whip, at two heats. Time of the first heat, 6:7 ; of the second heat, 6:10. " The third day's purse, two-mile heats, w^as won by Mr. Barnett's s. h. Diamond, by Brilliant, 3 years old, at three heats, beating Mr. W. Sanders' Stifler, by Ex-Emperor, and Mr. Harlan s gelding. Black Snake, by Sky Lark. The Black Snake won the first heat and was drawn the third heat. Time of the first heat, 4:2 ; of the second heat, 4:8 ; the third heat was won by Diamond with ease. "The Handy Cap purse on Saturday, one mile heats, best three in five, was won by Captain Harris' Paragon, beat- ing the Irishman and Virginia. Time of the first heat, 1:52 ; of the second heat, 1:51 ; of the third heat, 1:53 ; each heat was closely contested by the Irishman and Virginia." •Lexington Paper. 130 BISTORT OF LEXINGTON. [1787. The present noted Kentucky association was organized at Mrs. Keene's inn, Lexington, July 29, 1826, by about fifty of the prominent turfmen of Central Kentucky, among whom were E. Warfield, T. H. Pindell, Jas. K. Duke, Leslie Combs, J. Boswell, R. Downing, J. L. Down- ing, Geo. H. Bowman, John Bruce, John Tilford, B. W. Dudley, W. R. Morton, R. J. Breckinridge, Wm. Buford, John Brand, and Robt. Wicklitfe.* The object of the association, to use the words of the original agreement, was " to improve the breed of horses by encouraging the sports of the turf." The first racing meeting held under the arrangement commenced October 19, 1826, on the old Williams' track, which was on what is now known as the Lee property, near the Lexington Cemetery. The first race was for a purse of $300; four started; was won by Andrew Barnett's Diomed gelding, Sheriffe, in two straight heats. For the second day's purse of $200, three started. Won by Ralph P. Tarlton's horse, Old Count. The thirJ and last day's racing, for the purse of $100, was won by Ludwell Berkley's gelding, Sir Sidney. For this purse, five horses started. The time is not given. f For the year 1827, the race for the first day was for a purse of $150, for two miles and repeat; the second day, a race of four miles and repeat, for a purse of $400, and the third day a race of three miles and repeat, for a purse of $250. The first was won by Willa Yiley's b. m. Mariah, in 4:15. The time of second heat not given. The four mile race was won by R. B. Tarlton's s. s. Old Count, in 8:17, 8:48. The three-mile race was won by Sidney Bur- bridge's b. m.. Limber. Tiie heats were broken. The time as follows: 6:09, 6:07, 6:46, 6:18. A sweepstakes was opened for the following day, one mile, best three in five, which was won by Willa Viley's Mariali. Time, 1:53^, 1:521, l:51i, 1:51, 1:51.^ The old Williams' track was used by the association until 1828, when the present track, at the east end of Fifth street, was bought by John Postlethwaite. In 1834, ♦Association liecords. tt>bscrver and Reporter. JId. 1787.] LEXINGTON RACING ASSOCIATION. 131 a tract of land adjoining the course, was purchased from Jeremiah Murphy, and added to the original purchase. The association now own about sixty-five acres of land, all of which is inclosed with a high plank fence. In this year (1834), it was ordered that the wieghts heretofore adopted, be changed to conform to those established by the Central Course of Maryland. It was also ordered that Wm. Buford, W. Viley, J. K. Duke, A. K. Woolley, and Leslie Combs, be appointed a committee to apply to the legislature for a charter.* A motion was adopted instructing the secretary to have a bulletin of the races published every morning, giving a description of borses and rider's dress, which is carried out to this day. An early frequenterf of the course says of this period (1834): "We can recollect when nothing but an old post and rail fence inclosed the track; the judges' stand stood at the cow-pens, and the grand stand was an old, rickety building, with high steps, which stood on top of the hill in the center of the course. Admittance to the course was free, to the stand twenty-five cents. John Wirt was secretary. We recollect seeing Woodpecker, the sire of Gray Eagle, run. We remember vividly the race between Dick Singleton and Collier, when the latter sulked, and John Alcock rode Collier and broke a beautiful ivory whip over the head of the obstinate beast. "We can recollect when the judges' stand was placed where the timing stand is now, when Kodolph ran at Lex- ington, auu subsequently defeated the great Tennessee crack Angora, at Louisville, Kentucky', in 1836. The year the course was fenced in, about 1835, we witnessed the great sixteen-mile race between Sarah Miller, Jim Allen, and Gray foot; the great and exciting struggle between May Dacre (afterward Belle Anderson, the dam of Zenith) and Susette, three-mile heats; the brilliant promise of Gray Eagle, as a three-year old, in 1838, and his subsequent de- feat by the renowned Wagner, at Louisville, in 1839. ♦Association Records. fSee Turf, Field, and Farm, April, 1872. 132 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1787. These two great races between Wagner and Gray Eagle excited the highest interest throughout the country." The year 1840 was memorable at Lexington for the great three-mile heat race, in which nine stallions started. Blacknose, by Medoc, out of Lucy, by Orphan, won the first heat in 5:40, the fastest and first time 5:40 had been made in America, lied Bill, another son of Medoc, won the second and third heats in 5:48, 5:49. The following year, 1841, was no less memorable, when Jim Bell, by Frank, ran a second heat in 1:46, the fastest mile up to that time ever run in America. This time stood for many years before it was beaten. In 1842 the great match be- tween Zenith and Miss Foote was made. Zenith broke down in training, and Miss Foote walked over. The last of the same meeting Miss Foote beat Argentile and Alice Carneal, the honored dam of the unapproachable Lex- ington, four mile heats, in 7;42, 7:40, the best time ever made in Kentucky before.* In 1843, the Great Produce Stakes for three-year olds, seventy-two subscribers, at $500 each, $100 forfeit, with a gold cup valued at $500 added, was won by Ruffin, by imp. Hedgford, dam Duchess of Marlborough, by Sir Archy. This was one of the most valuable stakes ever run for in Kentucky. In 1836, the date previously fixed to be taken in deciding the age of horses, was changed to the 1st of January. The months of May and September were decided upon in 1844, as the times for the spring and fall meetings, and have been adhered to ever since. The fastest time for three-quarters of a mile ever run on the association course is 1:1 8|^. The fastest time for one and one-quarter miles is 2:14|. The fastest time for one and half miles is 2:38, which was made by Exchange in the spring of 1870. This time has never been beaten on any course except by Glenelg, who ran in 2:37|. The fastest time for two and one-half miles is 5:22J. ♦Turf, Field, and Farm. 1787.1 LEXINGTON RACING ASSOCIATION. I33 The followinf^ is the number of races run on the course since its organization up to 1871, for the different distances : Three-quarters of a mile, 4 races; oue mile, 213 races; one and a fourth miles, 2 races ; one and a half miles, 3 races; two miles, 141 races; two miles and a half, 2 races; three miles, 49 races; four miles, 23 races; hurdle races, 2.* The following is a list of the presidents and secretaries of the association from the date of its organization, in 1826, to the present time, viz : Presidents.— IS'26, Wm. Pritchart; 1830, E. J. Winter; 1833,Thos.H. Pindell; 1845, Thos. II. Hunt; 1848, Charles Buford ; 1853, Leslie Combs ; 1855, John R. Viley ; 1864, B. G. Bruce; 1866, John K. Viley; 1871, John R. Viley; 1872, John C. Breckinridge. Secretaries.— 1S26, John Wirt; 1837, Thos. P. Hart ; same year, Richard Pindell; 1845, J. R. McGowan ; 1850, E. E. Eagle; 1857, Charles Wheatly; 1865, E. E. Eagle; 1869, H. Rees; 1871, T. J. Bush. The efficiency and accomplishments of Captain Bush in his department are too well known to require comment. The Kentucky Association is the oldest living club in America, and General Combs is believed to be the only living representative of the original fifty subscribers who formed it. That it is the fastest course in America can easily be demonstrated.f Fadladeen and Salina each ran a mile on this course in 1:43, in 1871. Frogtown ran one and one- quarter miles in 2:09|^, in 1872. Exchange ran one mile and a half in 2:38, in 1871. Frogtown ran one mile and three- quarters in 3:07, in 1872. Lyttleton ran two miles in 3:34J, in 1871. Tlie time here given is the fastest and best on record. It is true that Glenelg ran two miles in 2:37| with 100 lbs.; but Exchange, carrying 110 lbs., ran the same distance on this course in 2:38, which makes his the best time. Ileo-ira ran two miles on the Metairie course, carrying 71J lbs., in *Observer and Reporter, 1871. tHome Journal. 134 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1787. 3:34^, butLyttleton, with 104 lbs., made it on the Kentucky Association course in 3:34|. This old course has been the scene of the debut and sub- sequent renown of the most noted horses that have figured on the American turf for the last thirty years. Here Jim and Josh, Bell, Sarah Morton, Rocket, Motto, Grey Medoc, Rufiin, Ludu, Alaric, Darkuess, Doubloon, Florin, Louis D'Or, Rube, Zampa, Star Davis, Sally Waters, Frankfort, Blonde, the renowned Lexington, Wild Irishman, Charley Ball, Dick Doty, Vandal, Balloon, Princeton, Daniel Boone, Ruric, Bonnie Lassie, JS'antura, Lavender, Satellite, Mollie Jackson, Lightning, Thunder, Asteroid, Lancaster, Sherrod, Colton, Magenta, Solferino, Mamraona, Bettie Ward, Good- wood, Lilla,Herzog, Versailles, Fadladeen, Littleton, Long- fellow, Enquirer, and a host of others, first gave promise of their after fame and renown. Extensive improvements were made by the association in the spring of 1872.* The track was regraded and widened to about double its former width. It is now just one mile and six inches long. The old stands have been torn down and new ones erected. The grand stand, which is built twenty-seven feet back from the track, is a model building of its kind, being one hundred and fifty by thirty feet, and about thirty-two feet high. The lower story is built of brick. Immediately in front of the grand stand, and just at the edge of the track, is the judges' stand, an octagon building, with a small room below, where the scales are placed to weigh the riders. Just across the track is the timers' stand. The old distance stand has also been re- moved, and a new one erected. Where the old stand was, there has been built a substantial frame building, which is intended to accommodate all those who formerly went to the field. The cooling ground has been changed from the rear to the front. There are eleven stables on the ground, in which more than seventy-five horses can be accommo- dated. The association course is now one of the handsomest in * Daily Press. 1787.] LEXINGTON RACING ASSOCIATION. 135 the United States. Captain O. P. Beard, who directed and personally superintended these improvements, was presented with a line timing watch, ordered from England, by his friends, as a token of their appreciation of his taste and untiring energy. Nearly a hundred horses owned near Lexington were present at the last spring meeting of the association. The Btables in attendance belonged to J. A. Grinstead, B. G. Thomas, H. P. McGrath, John Clay, Zeb. Ward, J. F. Rob- inson, A. Buford, George Cadwallader, John Harper, Daniel Svvigert, J. W. Hnnt Reynolds, Warren Viley, A. K. Rich- ards, Caleb Wallace, and others. We may mention with propriety, in this connection, that in addition to the twenty-five or thirty regular breeding establishments in Fayette county, nearly every farmer in it is to some extent a breeder, and the whole county is one vast stock farm. Here was bred, bj^ Dr. Elisha Warfield, the world-renowned " Lexington," and this county is the native place of the famous thorough-breds, " Grey Eagle," bred by H. T. Duncan, Sen. ; "Daniel Boone," " Kentucky," and "Gilroy," bred by John M. Clay; "Herzog," bred by B. G. Thomas; "Fadladeen," bred by Mr. McFadden ; and "Frogtown," bred by William Stanhope and H. A. Head- ley. At the head of the list of noted fast trotters that were bred in Fayette are Dunlap's "Lady Thorn," William Brad- ley's "John Morgan," Enoch Lewis' " Ericson," Andrew Steele's " Blackwood," and Dr. L. Herr's " Mambrino Ber- tie." The following is a list of the principal breeders and the names of the stallions at the head of each stud, viz : Thoroughbreds. — John M. Clay, " Star Davis ;" J. A. Grin- stead, " Lightning" and " Gilroy ;" H. P. McGrath, " Blar- ney Stone ; " B. G. Thomas, ; J. R. Viley, ; Zeb. Ward, ; George Cadwallader, . Trotters. — Dr. L. Herr, "Mambrino Patchin;" Enoch Lewis, "Ericson;" Drs. S. and D. Price, "Sentinel;" R. Lowell, "Abdallah Pilot;" Hunt Brothers, "Darlboy;" Thomas Coons, " American Clay;" John Mardis, "Clark Chief, Jr.;" Charles Headley, "Banquo;" A. Coons, ; 136 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON.' [1787. "W. J. Bradley, ; Alexander Brand, ; R. & J. Tod- hunter, Jos. Bryant, Jr., . The names of the professional trainers in Fayette are: Thomas Britton, C. B. Jefireys, B. J. Tracy, R. Lowell, James Chrystal, W. R. Brastield, A. L. Rice, H. Lusby, and W. J. Bradley. The history of the Kentucky Association, and also of Fayette county, " the breeder's paradise," would never be considered complete without a sketch of the pride of both, viz: the famous race-horse, "Lexington," the blind old Milton of the turf, and the king of coursers. "Lexington" was bred by Dr. Elisha Warfield, of Lexington, Kentucky, and was foaled in 1850, at his home, " The Meadows," which is about half a mile from the association grounds. "Lexington"* was by Boston, out of Alice Carneal, by Sarpedon, dam Rowena, by Sampler ; great granddam Lady Gray, by Robin Gray. Boston was by Timoleon out of Robin Brown's dam, own sister to Tuckahoe and Revenge, by Florizel. Alice Carneal, Lexington's dam, was foaled in Kentucky, in 1836, and although she ran second in the first heat of a four-mile race to Miss Foote in 7:42, being distanced in the second heat, she never won a race. Lex- ington was first known on the turf as Darley, and under that name won his first race, a three-year old stake, at the Lexington, Kentucky, May meeting, 1853, mile heats, beat- ing thirteen opponents. He was purchased on the evening after this race by Mr. Ten Broeck, and his name changed to Lexington. At the same meeting he won a two-mile heat race for three-year olds, and his owner soon after matched him to run a three-mile race against the four-year old filly, Sally Waters, by Glencoe, out of Maria Black, for $8,500 ; the backers of the filly staking |5,000 to $3,500 on Lexington. The race occurred on the Metairie course, New Orleans, December 2, 1853, and Lexington won, dis- tancing Sally Waters in the second heat. The time was 6:23| and 6:24J, and the track very heavy. His next en- gagement was in the three-year old stake, at New Orleans, ^Cincinnati Commercial. 1787.] THE GREAT ''LEXINGTON." 137 January 7, 1854, two-mile heats, but being amiss, he paid forfeit to Conrad the Corsair, Argent, and Hornpipe. The following April, on the same course, he won for Kentucky the Great State Post Stake, for all ages, four-mile heats, beating Lecomte, the representative of Mississippi, second in both heats, Highlander, of Alabama, and Arrow, of Louisiana. Highlander was distanced in the second, and Arrow in the first heat ; time 8:08f , 8:04, and track heavy. The next meeting of Lexington and Lecomte was on April 8, over the same track, for the Jockey Club purse of $2,000, four-mile heats, and here Lexington sustained his only, de- feat, Lecomte winning two straight heats in the fastest time ever made up to that date, viz: 7:26, 7:38|. Lexington was second in both heats, and Reube, third on the first, was distanced in the last heat. Notwithstanding his horse's defeat, Ten Broeck offered to run him against Lecomte's best time or against Lecomte himself for S-0, 000, four-mile heats. Eventually, a match was made for $20,000, Lexing- ton to run against the fastest time, at four miles, that is^ Lecomte's 7:26, over the Metairie coarse, New Orleans. This memorable race occurred April 2, 1855, and Lexington, carrying 103 pounds — three pounds over- weight — and rid- den by Gilpatrick, won in 7:19f, which, for seventeen years, has never been equaled. The time was l:47i, 1:52^, 1:51J, and l:48f ; total, 7:19|-. Not satisfied with this. General Wells started Lecomte against Lexington for the Jockey Club purse of $1,000, with an inside stake of $2,500 a side, four-mile heats, April 24, 1855, on the Metairie course, and this time Lexington obtained a decisive victory over his old conqueror, winning the first heat in 7:23|, and gallop- ing over in the second heat, as Lecomte had been with- drawn. Lexington soon after broke down, and, being withdrawn from the turf, was purchased by the late R. A. Alexander, of Woodburn, Woodford county, Kentucky. He is now blind, and has been so for some years. Mr. Alexander paid Mr. Ten Broeck $15,000 for "Lexington," and was ridiculed for giving so large an amount; but subsequent events justified his foresight. A few years later, Lexiug- 138 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1787. ton's son, "ISTorfolk," won the two stakes for three-jear olds at St. Louis, and was then sold for $15,000. Since then, another son, "Kentucky," sold for $40,000, and double that sum would not purchase « Harry Bassett," the greatest of his progeny. 1788.] FIRST CELEBRATION OF THE FOURTH OF JULY. 139 CHAPTER XV. First Celebration of the Fourth of July — Convention Election — Woodjord County Formed — Cincinnati Settled — Free Ma- sonry in Lexington — Native and Resident Painters: Westj Jouett, Frazer, Bush, Price, and others. The first regular and formal celebration of ludependence Day iu Lexington took place in 1788. The scene then ex- hibited stands in striking contrast with modern usage, and the toasts and sentiments of the occasion not only show at once the native strength and clearness of the pioneer mind, but the condition and feelings of the people on the state of affairs in the then District of Kentucky. At one p. M. on the day mentioned, a large company of ladies and gentlemen assembled at what was then known as Captain Thomas Young's tavern, where an elegant enter- tainment and feast of fat things had been prepared, and an hour was passed in festive enjoyment. After dinner an ode composed by a Lexington gentleman was sung to the tune of " Rule Britannia," the entire company joining iu the chorus — " Hail Kentucke, Kentucke, thou shalt be Forever great, most blest and free." This unique production was a poetic embodiment of the universal desire of the people for a separate state govern- ment, and was sung with the greatest spirit and enthusiasm. The following toasts and sentiments were then drank, with a discharge of fourteen rifles at each interval : The United States of America. The illustrious George Washington, Esq.; may his serv- ices be remembered. 140 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1788. The Western World : perpetual union on principles of equality or amicable separation. The navigation of the Mississippi at any price but that of liberty. Harmony with Spain and a reciprocity of good offices. May the savage enemies of America be chastised by arms, and the jobbing system of treason be exploded. " The Convention of Virginia." May wisdom, firmness, and a sacred regard for the fundamental principles of the revolution, guide her councils. Trial by jury, liberty of the press, and no standing army. May the Atlantic States be just, the Western States be free, and both happy. 1^0 paper money, no tender laws, and no legislative inter- ference with private contracts. The above presents a perfect picture of affairs in Ken- tucky at that date, and at no subsequent period in her history up to the eve of the late war has our state been so strangely situated. While Kentucky was struggling for separate state sovereignty the ruins of the old confederation were lying all around her. The Virginia Convention to deliberate on the constitution of a new union was then in session, listening to the eloquent wisdom of Henry, Mason. Pendleton, Grayson, and its other great and sagacious states- men, and Kentucky was watching with the most eager in- terest for its decision. Here, in the very infancy, or rather at the very birth of the republic, we see the Yankee at work. Louisiana was then a Spanish province, and Don Gardozni, Minister from Spain, was making every exertion to effect a political union between the West and Louisiana, and Kentucky was being tempted with the free navigation of the Mississippi; and to all this may be added the rav- ages of the Indians and the dissensions among her own citizens. Kentucky has never celebrated a mach more mo- mentous " Fourth." A regular old "five days election" for delegates to the Seventh Danville Convention was held in Lexington and Fayette county this year, and was an unasnally spirited one. Colonel Thomas Marshall, at the head of the "Court" .] CINCINNATI SETTLED. 141 party, and General Wilkinson, the leader of the " Country" party, labored with unusual zeal. The " Court" won, and sent Thomas Marshall, Caleb "Wallace, William Ward, and John Allen to the convention. General Wilkinson was the only one on the " Country" ticket elected. Virginia contracted the wide borders of Fayette consid- erably this year, by organizing Woodford county out of part of her territory. The city of Cincinnati was settled by a company from Lexington; two citizens of Lexington owned most of the ground on which it stands, and one of them gave it its original name, " Losantiville."* The following notice, which we give verbatim, was published in the old Kentucky Gazette, September 6, 1788: " Notice. — The subscribers, being proprietors of a tract of land opposite the mouth of the Licking river, on the northwest side of the Ohio, have determined to lay ofl' a town upon that excellent situation. The local and natural advantages speak its future prosperity, being equal, if not superior to any on the bank of the Ohio between the Miamis. The in-lots to be each half an acre, the out-lots four acres; thirty of each to be given to settlers, upon pay- ing one dollar and fifty cents for the survey and deed of each lot. The 15th day of September is appointed for a large company to meet in Lexington, and mark a road from there to the mouth of the Licking, provided Judge Symraes arrives, being daily expected. When the town is laid oil", lots will be given to such as may become residents before the first day of April next. "Matthias Denman, Robert Tatterson, John Filson." The road was marked, the present site of Cincinnati was duly visited, and a settlement was made there by Col- onel Patterson's party, in December, 1788. Li the follow- ing June the little village was strengthened and protected by the building of Fort Washington, by which name Cin- ♦Cist Papers, 12. 142 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1788. cinnati was long known to the pioneers of the West. After efi'ecting the settlement, Colonel Patterson returned to Lexington, where lie continued to reside until 1804. Freemasonry in Kentucky, and in all the region west of the Alleghany mountains, had its commencement in "Lodge N"o. 25," established in Lexington, District of Ken- tucky, November 17, 1788, by the Grand Lodge of Vir- ginia. "Masons' Hall," in Lexington, was at that time a small house of primitive style, located on the same lot where the present hall stands, on the corner of Walnut and Short streets. The ground on which it stood was donated to the lodge by William Murray, the first Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky. In 1796, the hall was im- proved from funds realized from a lottery gotten up for the purpose, and the membership of the lodge had so increased by 1799, that St. John's day was celebrated with consid- erable display.* On the 8th of September, 1800,f a con- vention of delegates from all the lodges in Kentucky met at " Masons' Hall," to consider the propriety of separating from the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Virginia, and forming a Grand Lodge in Kentucky. James Morrison, of "No. 25," was chairman. The delegates at this conven- tion from "Lexington Lodge, No. 25," were Thomas Bod- ley, Alexander McGregor, and James Russell. Separation was determined upon, and was agreed to by the Virginia Grand Lodge ; and on Thursday, October 16, 1800, in Ma- sons' Hall, in Lexington, the representatives of the lodges of Kentucky opened a Grand Lodge for the State of Ken- tucky, " the first on the great American roll of the nine- teenth century." Nearly half the oflScers of the Grand Lodge were selected from "No. 25," viz: Alexander Mc- Gregor, Deputy Grand Master ; James Russell, G. Sec- retary; John Bobbs, G. Tyler. At this first session, the seal of Lexington Lodge, No. 25, was adopted by the Grand Lodge, and used for some time. "No. 25" was also placed first in the order of subordinate lodges, in deference to its priority of age, and then became " Lexington Lodge, *Kontucky Gazette. tProceeclings of G. L. 1788.] FREEMASONRY. 143 No. 1," by which title it has been known ever since that time.* Among the distinguished men who were members of Lodge No. 1 may be named Henry Clay, W. T. Barry, Joseph H. Daviess, Jesse Bledsoe, George M. Bibb, Felix Grundy, and B. W. Dudley. In 1806, Lodge No. 1 sent Daniel Bradford and John Bobb as delegates to the con- vention, which met in Lexington that year to frame a Grand Lodge constitution. At the meeting of the Grand Lodge, August 27, 1812, in Lexington, an imposing funeral ceremonial was performed in honor of the heroic Grand Master, Joseph H. Daviess, who fell at the battle of Tippe- canoe, November 7, 1811. The pall bearers were eight Master Masons of Lodge No. l.f Daviess Lodge was erected this year (1812) by a num- ber of the members of Lodge No. 1, and was duly char- tered by the Grand Lodge. It was named in honor of the lamented hero, to whom funeral honors had just been paid, and formed the first instance, in Kentucky, of a lodge being named after an individual. David Castleman was first master, and John Pope, one of the first members, repre- sented it at the next session of the Grand Lodge.| The sword of Colonel Daviess, incased in a casket made of the wood of the oak under which he was standing when he re- ceived his death wound, was presented to the Grand Lodge in October, 1858, by Levi L. Todd. Daviess Lodge ranks third in age among the lodges now in existence in Kentucky. In 1813, the propriety of erecting a grand hall in Lex- ington was first discussed in the Grand Lodge; and in 1817, Lexington Lodge, No. 1, presented to the Grand Lodge its lot on Walnut street as a site on which to build the new temple, "No. 1" reserving to itself the privilege of meeting in said temple.§ The donation was accepted, but it was finally concluded to erect the hall on East Main street, west of Broadway, below what is now known as " Cleary's corner." The building was commenced in 1824, and was dedicated, with appropriate ceremonies, October 26, 1826. The hall was a handsome one, three stories high, and cost between $25,000 and ^30,000. It was in this hall that ♦Pro. G. L. tOld Journals. JKobert .Moiria' Hist. jjrro. of G. L. 144 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1788. General Lafayette was received by the Masons of Lexington in 1825. Two Indians — one of them the celebrated Colonel Ross — were duly examined, introduced and welcomed to the Masons in this hall. They were the only full-blooded In- dian Masons ever thus received in Lexington. The hall was used as a hospital during the terrible cholera season of 1833. The question of removing the Grand Lodge from Lex- ington to Louisville was first agitated in 1830, and in 1833 it was located in Louisville, after having existed in Lexing- ton thirty-three years. The Grand Hall on Main street was destroyed by fire in 1837. This event caused the question of the location of the Grand Lodge to be again agitated. The lot of No. 1 was again tendered to the Grand Lodge on the original terms, again accepted, and with the understanding that the sessions of the Grand Lodge would be permanently held in Lexington, another hall, the present one, costing $25,000, was erected upon the site of the first building devoted to masonic purposes in Kentucky. This hall w^as solemnly dedicated to masonry, according to the ancient form and usage, September 1, 1841, and the next day the Grand Lodge " ordered that its annual communication should be held in the city of Lexington." Devotion Lodge was chartered in September, 1847, Oliver Anderson being first master. In August, 1848, Good Samaritan Lodge was chartered, Samuel D. McCullough, first master. The Grand Lodge was again removed from Lexington to Louie^ville in October, 1858, and its sessions are still held in that city. Lexington was the meeting-place of the Grand Lodge, including both times of its occupation, for sixty years. The high character of the masonic lods'es of Lexington is known everywhere, and is abundantly attested by the great number of officers they have furnished to the Grand Lodge. The lodges, at present, are fully up to the old standard of merit and prosperity. The art annals of Lexington are not to be despised. 178fi.l NATIVE AND RESlDEIiT ARTISTS. 145 "William West, who came to this city in 1788, was the first painter that ever settled in the vast region "this side the mountains." He was the son of the then recfor of St. Paul's Church, Baltimore, and had studied under the cele- brated Benjamin West, in London. His family was a talented one. His brother, Edward West, who had pre- ceded him to Lexington three years before, was the won- derful mechanical genius who invented the steamboat in this city in 1793 (see chapter of that date), and his son, William E. West, is now remembered for the portrait he painted of Lord Byron, at Leghorn. William West painted but few pictures, and they were of only moderate merit. He is best known as " the first painter who came to the West." He died in New York. Asa Park, a Virginian, was the second painter who set- tled in Lexington. He was an intimate friend of William West, in whose family he lived, greatly beloved, for years. He died in the year 1827, "and was buried by the West family on their lot, near the corner of Hill and Mill streets, opposite the present Letcher property. Though Mr. Park attempted portraits, his best productions were fruit and flower pieces. His pictures, like West's, owe their value mainly to the fact of his having been one of the pioneer painters of Lexington. One of the very few of Park's productions is still in existence, and in the possession of Mrs. Kanck. It is an oil portrait of her grandfather, Lewis Ellis. Mr. Beck, erroneously mentioned in Dunlap's Arts of Design as "the first painter who penetrated beyond the Alleghanies," settled in Lexington about the year 1800. He belonged, at one time, to a company of scouts under General Anthony Wayne. He and his wife conducted a female seminary in this city for many years, in which paint- ing was a prominent feature. Mr. and Mrs. Beck were both artists of some ability, and painted many pictures, principally landscapes. W. Mentelle, S. D. McCullough, John Tilford, Mrs. Thomas Clay, and many others own pictures by Beck. Mr. Beck died in 1814. His wife sur- vived until 1833. 146 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1788. Ill 1818, John Neagle, afterward known as the painter of "Pat Ljon, the Blacksmith," visited Lexington with the intention of settling, but he found Jouett so far his superior that he left and settled in Pliiladelphia. He came to this city again in 1844, at the instance of the Whigs of Philadelphia, to paint for them a full length portrait of Henry Claj^, which he did, Mr. Clay sitting for him at the Phoenix Hotel. In November of that year, he presented to Daviess Lodge, of this city, a portrait of Colonel Joseph H, Daviess, from the original by Jouett. The picture is now owned by Major S. D. McCuUough. Chester Harding, a native of Montgomery county, Ken- tucky, and who afterward acquired a national reputation, painted some excellent portraits here in 1819. Mrs. H. J. Bodley, Mrs. Wm. Preston, Mrs. Woodward, Mrs. A. H. Woolley, and others have pictures by him. Harding's studio was in "Higgins' Block." Louis Morgan, a native of Pittsburg, settled in Lexing- ton in 1830, and remained here for many years. He painted pictures which evinced a very high order of talent, and it was only the lack of energy that prevented him from be- coming noted. His best eiibrt is his well-known portrait of Simon Kenton from life. He was gifted with exquisite taste and remarkable feeling for color. He died about the year 1860. Dr. Robert Peter owns some of his pictures. The greatest painter that Kentucky has yet produced, and one whose name has shed no little lustre upon the art annals of America, was Matthew H. Jouett. He was born near Lexington, in 1783, and educated for the bar. After participating in the war of 1812, he returned to Lexington, where he attempted to practice law, but being devoted to art, and rendered dissatisfied by the aspirations of his genius, he abandoned his profession, and in 1817 went to Boston and studied under the noted Gilbert Stuart. In less than five years from that time, he was celebrated as the best portrait painter west of the Allogliany mountains. His studio in Lexington, was first in a two-story brick build- ing, which formerly stood on Short street, between the Northern Bank and the residence of the late D. A. Sayre. 1788.] NATIVE AND RESIDENT ARTIST:! I47 Subsequently he used a room above the first National Bank on the same street. Among his best pictures are those of Henry Clay, Joseph H. Daviess, Dr. llolle}^, Major Morri- son, Governor Letcher, John J. Crittenden, Isaac Shelby, and the full length portrait of the Marquis Lafayette, now owned by the State of Kentucky. Mr. Jouett died in Lexington, August 10, 1827, having just returned from a professional trip to the South. Mr. Jouett was tall and thin of form, gifted with great taste, rare humor, and splendid conversational powers, and his literary and social culture was only second to his great artistic genius. Nearly half a century has elapsed since Jouett's death, but his superior as a portrait painter has never yet arisen in the West. Oliver Frazer, another artist-son of Lexington, was born February 4, 1808, and studied for several years under Jouett. After the death of his distinguished instructor, Mr. Frazer, in company with George P. Healy, went to Europe, where he remained for four years, studying the great works of the old masters. On his retun, he married Miss Martha, daughter of Dr. Alexander Mitchell, of Frankfort, and achieved flattering success as a portrait painter. He died, April 9, 1854, and was buried in the Lexington Cemetery. Unfortunately, his eyesight became injured some years before his death, which prevented him from being a prolific painter, but the few productions of his pencil are of rare merit. His portrait of Clay, and a family group in the possession of Mrs. Frazer, are consid- ered among his best efforts. Mr. Clay spoke in the strongest terms of satisfaction of his portrait by Frazer, who received a number of orders for copies of it. Others of Mr. Frazer's pictures are owned by Major Lewinski, F. K. Hunt, Mrs. M. T. Scott, Wm. Warfield, Judge Kobertson, Mrs. W. A. Dudley, J. S. Wilson, Mrs. A. K. Woolley, J. J. Hunter, and others, and are characterized by their delicate coloring and accurate delineation. Another has well said that Mr. Frazer was a true artist, aud loved his profession for its own sake. He was honest, kind, and true, and was de- voted to the retirement of his ha[)py home. He was greatly 148 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1788. gifted in conversation, well read in the best art and other literature, and his taste was exceedingly delicate and correct. Another artist, Joseph H. Bush, made Lexington his home for many years. Mr. Bush was born in Frankfort, Kentucky, in 1794, and was the son of Philip and Eliza- beth Bush. At the age of eighteen, he went to Philadel- phia, under the care of Mr. Claj^ and remained there three years, studying under the celebrated artist. Sully, after which he pursued his profession in New Orleans, Vicks- burg, Louisville, and Lexington, and attained an enviable distinction. How skillfully he handled his pencil is evi- denced in the reputation of his full-length picture of General Zachary Taylor, and the coloring and the beautiful effect of light and shade in his portraits of Dr. Ben. Dudley, Mrs. Fanny Bullitt, and the rest of his numerous produc- tions. Mr. Bush died in Lexington, January 11, 1865, only a few months after the decease of his fellow-artist, Oliver Frazer. Mr. Bush was a man of deep religious feelings, ana ex- tensive reading and culture, and was most genial and com- panionable with those he knew well. His studio was in an upper room over Sayre's banking house, corner of Mill and Short. In 1867, Mr. Alexander painted some fine pictures in Lexington, one of General John C. Breckinridge, and another of Judge W. B. Kinkead, being among the number. Since Jonett's time, a number of artists have either sojourned in Lexington temporarily, or made it their home. John Grimes, who excelled in delicate forms and colors, painted here, for several years anterior to 1832, at which time he died in Lexington, and was buried in the Episcopal Cemetery. His studio was in the building on Main street, now occupied by Mr. Thomas Bradley. Several of his pro- ductions are in the possession of his aunt, Mrs. Thos. Grant, and Mrs. Fannie Dewees and J. J. Hunter each have one. The well-known miniature engravings of Clay and Jack- son are from original portraits by Dodge, who resided for some time in Lexington. 1788.] NATIVE AND RESIDENT ARTISTS. 149 J. H. Beard, the American Landseer, during a visit to Lexington, painted portraits of the late Robert Alexander, Colonel W. S. Price, and one or two others. William Ver Bryck, who has since attained much celeb- rity, executed some very fine portraits in this city, in 1868, one of Mrs, Dr. Whitney, one each of Mr. and Mrs. Joim Carty, and portraits of several members of Dr. II. M. Skill- man, and Mr. Isaac Scott's families. No visiting artist ever met with as much success in Lexington as Mr. Ver Bryck. His studio was in the Phoenix Hotel. He come to Lexington from the city of N^ew York. Mr. B. F. Rhineheart, in 1869, had a temporary studio in the present Library building, and painted in very supe rior style, portraits of General John C. Breckinridge, Gen- eral John H. Morgan, Mrs. Basil Duke, Dr. and Mrs. Warren Frazer, Mr. Thos. Mitchell, and others. His chief excellences are tine modeling and coloring. Mr. Rhineheart is a native of Ohio. Mr. E. Troye, who was born in England, but has long been a resident of New York, has painted a number of fine animal pictures. Some of his best efforts — pictures of blood liorses — are in the possession of Messrs. J. A. Grin- stead, A. K. Richards, A. Buford, M. Alexander, of Wood- ford, and others. As an animal painter, Mr. Troye has no superior in this country. He has, as yet, attempted but few composition pictures, the " Dead Sea " being one of them. General W. S. Price is one of the most promising resi- dent painters Lexington has had since Jouett. He is a son of the late Daniel B. Price, of Nicholasville, Ky., and was a pupil of the lamented Oliver Frazer. His first effort, made at the age of seventeen, was a portrait of "Old King Solomon," the unterritied grave-digger during the cholera of '33, and long one of the "institutions" of Lexington. This picture merits the celebrity it has attained. Another early picture is a fine portrait of Postmaster Ficklin. The portrait of President Fillmore, in the Phoenix Hotel dining- room, is by Price, and was painted in 1855. One of his most successlul eiiorts is a large picture of General George 150 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1788. H. Thomas, which has become extensively known. Mr. Price has received letters highly complimenting his work from both Mr. Fillmore and General Thomas. A striking likeness of Judge Kobertson must not be forgotten. Lat- terly, General Price has attempted composition pictures, and with marked success. The " Night before the Battle of Chickamauga," the "Young Artist," and "Caught Napping," indicate the latitude, as well as the superiority of his talents. He has reflected honor upon the art history of his state. His studio is in the second story of the Post- otiice building, on the corner of Mill and Short streets. Mrs. Eliza Brown, widow of Professor John Brown, of Transylvania University, who died in 1855, has painted a number of beautiful landscape^:, the merit of which is heightened by the fact that Mrs. Brown commenced with the pencil at a time of life when art eflbrts generally cease. A Rhineland scene, the " Yosemite Valley," a Canadian landscape, and an exquisite bit of Minnesota rock and water, are worthy of special mention. Mrs. Brown, who is now nearly seventy, attempted a few months ago, and for the first time, portrait painting, and with extraordinary success, considering her age. Her residence and studio is on the corner of Short and Upper streets. Mr. Stuart, a South Carolinian, but now a resident of St. Louis, painted some excellent portraits in this city last spring; one each of Mrs. Rosa Jeffrey, Mr. Cooper, city Librarian, and li. A Buckuer, Sen., deceased. 1783.] TOWN AFyArj;s- JAMES BROWN. 151 CHAPTER XVI. Town A fairs — James Brown — The Methodist Church — Father Foythress — The Cloud — Adams and Centenary Seces- sions — Pastors and Incidents — The Lexington Light In- fantry — Its Brilliant Record — Share in the War of 1812 — Death of Hart and Searles — llie Killed — Incblents — The Man who smoked out the Indians — List of Captains. In 1789, the trustees of Lexington, with an eye to the public comfort and welfare, directed " all fences to be re- moved from the streets," and prohibited " the cutting and removing of timber from the pubhc grounds." A curious phenomenon caused great anxiety among the good citizet>s this year. It was so dark in the afternoon of October 31, that the people had to dine by candle-light, and the dark- ness lasted nearly three hours.* James Brown, who became one of the eminent public men of this county, settled in Lexington in 1789. He was born in Virginia, September 11, 1766, and was educated at William and Mary College. He commanded a company of Lexington riflemen, in Wilkinson's expedition against the Indians, in 1791. At the organization of the common- wealth in this city, the next year he became the first secre- tary of state of the new government, which subsequently necessitated his removal to Frankfort. Soon after the ces- sion of Louisiana, he removed to that state, and was twice elected to the United States Senate. He was also minister to France from 1823 to 1829. He died in Philadelphia, in 1835, distinguished for his eloquence and legal ability. When Mr. Brown lived in Lexington, his residence was ♦Old Gazette. 152 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1789. on the corner of Mill and Short streets, on the site of the building now owned by Mr. Wolverton. The Methodist Church commenced its history in Lexing- ton, in 1789, with a feeble but devout little baud of Christians, who assembled at times in a dilapidated log cabin which stood on the corner of Short and Dewees streets, where the Colored Baptist church now stands. Two years before this, the first Methodist church built in Kentucky (a log one) had been erected at Mastersou's station, five miles northwest of Lexington, and in 1790, the first annual conference of the church in Kentucky was held there, and had the great and good Bishop Francis Asbury as its presiding oflicer.* The father of the little church at Lexington was the impassioned, the self sacrificing, and the unfortunate Francis Poythress, who went from station to station, preaching and toiling and sufl'ering in silence. At a conference in Baltimore, in 1776, Father Poythress bad been admitted into the traveling connection, and in 1778 he was sent to Kentucky. As a preacher, few, in those days, excelled him. His v6ice was clear and musical, his knowledge of the Scriptures vast and accurate, and his sermons fell as the dews of life upon the hearts of his con- gregation. His mind finally gave way, from the excessive draughts made upon it, and he never preached again after the fall of 1800, He died and was buried near Nicholas- ville.f John Page, James O'Cull, and Thomas Allen preached at various times to the Methodists in Lexington, from 1792 to 1800, when Lewis Hunt, a Virginian, was ap- pointed to "Lexington town," where he labored with much acceptability to his little flock. In 1803, the church at Lexington was detached from the circuit, and organized into a station. This was the first Methodist station in Kentucky, and comprised seventy-seven members, forty-seven white and the rest black. Thomas Wilkinson was pastor at that time. He was succeeded by Nathaniel Harris and Burwell Spurlock. Dr. Caleb W. Cloud was assigned to the care ♦Kedford's History. tCollins, 126. 1769.] THE METHODIST CHURCH. 153 of the church in 1811, at which period he was one of the most able and prominent preachers in the state. Dr. Cloud's ability and piety was only equaled by his eccentricity and independence, and his elaborate "spencer," nick-tailed horse, and imprudent language soon occasioned trouble among the members of the church, which, at that day, was noted for its great simplicity. An incident, characteristic of the man, occurred when Postlethwaite's tavern was burned. The doctor, who was then an enthusiastic officer of a fire company, saw a man sitting on a horse amusing himself by watching the fire. He ordered him to assist at the engine; the man declined, saying that he was a "county" man, and "didn't have to help at town fires." Without more ado, the doctor, with words more plain than elegant, pulled him from his horse and made liim "help." The church became so dissatisfied with the doctor's "ways," that, in 1812, he withdrew from it, carrying a number of the members with him, and formed the Inde- pendent Methodist Church. After preaching for several years at his own house, he built " St. John's Chapel," on Main street, where Douglass' carriage factory now stands. The doctor officiated gratuitously, and often invited the various denominations to worship in his chapel. After preaching independently for a long series of years, he at last went back to the church he had left. He died May 14, 1850, aged sixty-nine, and was followed to his grave by the Masons, the medical profession, and a large number of other citizens. But to return. After the withdrawal of Dr. Cloud, the church was blessed with the services of Mr. Akers, but the congregation, crippled by the secession of the independent doctor and his adherents, languished until 1820, when it be- gan to grow under the pastorate of Edward Stevenson, and was still further enlarged by Richard Tydings. Its pros- perity was such in 1822, that a new church building was erected on Church street, between Upper and Limestone, at a cost of $5,000, and was dedicated in that year by Bishop George. It was a plain, well-finished, brick edifice, 154 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1789. measuring fifty by sixtj^ feet. It held seventy-five pews on the ground floor, and was provided with a gallery above. T. P. Satterwhite, Stephen Chipley, iNicholas Headiugtoii, John Shrock, T. K. Lay ton, Thomas Gibbons, James Ham- ilton, J. W. Russell, Harvey Maguire, and B. W. llhoton were members of the church at that time. In 1829, William Holman was pastor. His successor was Bishop H. IL Kavanaugh, who was born January 14, 1802, in Clarke county, Kentucky. He joined the Methodist Church at the age of fifteen, was licensed to preach in 1822, and was regular pastor of the Lexington church, both in 1830 and 1847. He was elected bishop at the general conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, at Columbus, Georgia, in 1854. Bishop Kavanaugh was a resident of Lexington for many years, and was greatly beloved and esteemed. Among the ministers who succeeded him maybe named George C. Light; the worthy and useful Spencer Cooper, who died in 1839, and the eccentric, widely-known, and now aged Peter Cartwright. The wonderfully eloquent Maffit conducted a revival in the church on Church street in 1834. Immense audiences were entranced by his glow- ing words, and many connected themselves with the church. Maflit preached in Lexington again in 1837. The present church edifice on Hill street, between Upper and Mill, was commenced in 1841, and dedicated by the gifted bishop, Henry B. Bascom, in 1842. Bishop Bascom was born in New York, May 27, 1796. His boyhood life was a hard one, and his early manhood full of trials and dis- couragements, but surmounting everj^ obstacle, he lived to gain from Henry Clay the eulogy, "He is the greatest nat- ural orator I ever heard." He was appointed chaplain to the House of Representatives in Congress in 1841, but soon resigned, and accepted, in 1842, the presidency of Tran- sylvania University, which position he held for seven years. In 1849, his volume of sermons was published. He died in Louisville, Kentucky, Se[jtember 8, 1850. On the division of the Methodist Church in the United 1789.] LEXINGTON LIGHT INFANTRY. 155 States, ill 1844, the church in Lexington connected itself with the Southern Conference, and it had abundant pros- perity until 185G, at which time a dispute arose, concerning the power of the officers of the church, and ended in the secession of a large number of the members, under the leadership of Samuel Adams and Nicholas Ileadington. The seceders bought the old medical hall lot, on the corner of Church and Market streets; built the house now known as the City Library with subscriptions raised from the general public; organized an inde[)endent church, and made Samuel Adams their pastor. The church was called "Morris Chapel," after Bishop Morris, of Ohio. A disa- greement between the congregation and the officers of the new church resulted in the resignation of Mr. Adams and the calling of C. B. Parsons, who failed to give satisfaction, and at last, after existing independently for eight or nine years, most of the members returned to tlie "church on the hill,"" and deeded their property to the Church South. The names of some of the ministers who labored for the Hill Street church before this secession are William Gunn, L. D. Huston, S. Adams, T. C. Shelman, J. H. Linn, E. P. Buckner, R. Heiner, W. C, Dandy, Mr. S[)ruell. The Methodist Church, like the Baptist and Presbyterian, had its war troubles also, which grew worse and worse, until they culminated, in September, 1865, in an open rup- ture, when the party favoring the ]Srorthern Conference se- ceded, and formed what is now called the Centenary Meth- odist Church (see chapter on 1865). Since that time the Hill Street church has enjoyed the services of the followino- pastors, viz : H. P. Walker, B. M. Messick, K. K. Hargrove, S. X. Hall, H. A. M. Henderson, and W. S. Rand, the present untiring and acceptable minister. No church in Lexington has had more discouraging circumstances to con- tend with than the Hill Street church, but she has come out nobly from them all, and is now rapidly growing in strength and usefulness. ^ The Lexington Light Infantry, of glorious memory, and the oldest military company in Kentucky, and perhaps in 156 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1789. this country, was organized in 1789.* Its formation was due to a threatened Indian invasion, and to the martial passiou of General James Wilkinson, who was chosen its first captain. Its first ensign was John Fowler, afterward postmaster of Lexington. Since that time a host of stirring associations have chistered about the simple name " Old Infantry," for it has been connected with victories and defeats, conflicts and massacres, and with some of the most brilliant military achievements recorded in the annals of Kentucky. It was led by Wilkinson in successful expeditions against the In- dians; shared in the disastrous defeats of Harmar and St. Clair ; bore a gallant part in the victorious campaign of "old Mad Anthony" Wayne against the Sciota and other Indians,! and, in 1792, escorted Governor Shelby into Lex- ington, then the capital of the state, and assisted in the ceremonies of his inauguration. These were the days when the " Old Infantry" delighted in flint-lock muskets, and in tinder-boxes and steel. In 1803, the company was called out by President Jeffer- son to go to Louisiana, but the purchase of that state by the government superseded the necessity. It was about this time that the well-known and historic uniform suit of the company was adopted. It consisted of a blue cloth coat, with cutis, breast, and collar faced with red and ornamented with bell-buttons. The pantaloons were of blue cloth, the hat black, and the plume red. The favorite parade ground of the company, at this time, was a beautiful level spot back of, and belonging to the property of Mrs. John Cartj', on Broadway. Subsequently, the Maxwell Spring grounds were used. A "turn-out" of the Old Infantry in early days was a grand event in Lexington, and was always wit- nessed by a large and admiring crowd of natives of all ages, sexes, colors, and conditions. The Lexington Light Infantry was one of the first com- panies to volunteer in the war of 1812, it having organized for the campaign on the 11th of May of that year, with N. S. G. Hart as captain. The " silk-stocking boys," as *01d Journals. tGsizette, and Ob. and Rep. 1789.] LEXINGTON LIGHT INFANTRY. 157 the members of the company were then often called, were attached to the Fifth Regiment of Kentucky Volunteer Militia, commanded by Colonel William Lewis, and marched for the Northwestern army in August, 1812. On the march to Fort Wayne an incident occurred, which, amusing as it may appear, speaks volumes for the principles which ac- tuated the men. A member of the company having stood manfully up under the severe fatigues of the march until the last day, at length sank on the grass of the prairie through which the company was marching, and, whilst his comrades were passing rapidly on, he shed bitter tears at his condition. An officer* approached him, in company with one or two others, to aid him to one of the few wagons that attended the march, and on inquiring the cause of his tears, he earnestly exclaimed, " What will they say in Lexing- ton when they hear that James Huston gave out?" The glorious share which the "Old Infantry" had in the terrible battle and sickening massacre at Frenchtown, on the river Raisin, in this campaign, is told in our chapter on the year 1812. At that river of death, the heroic band lost half its members in killed, wounded, and prisoners ; the brilliancy of their uniform causing the men to be readily picked ofi' by the enemy. The gallant captain of the com- pany, who was wounded and disabled in the battle, was barbarously murdered by the savages after having trusted himself to the protection of his pretended friend, Ca[)tain Elliott, of the British army, who infamously abandoned him to the mercy of the Indians.f The heroic death of Charles Searles, another gallant mem- ber of the Light Infantry, wounded in the battle of the 18th, should never be forgotten.f On the morning of the 23d, by strong exertion, he was able to walk, and so to con- ceal his wound, that he was allowed to accompany his cap- tors unmolested, until they stopped for the night. No doubt the fatigue, aided by the suiterings from his wound, at length revealed to the savages his disabled condition, and marked him out as a victim. He, with several other prison- *Gen. J. M. McCalla. tWestcrn Annals. JMcCalla's Address. 158 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1789. ers, was seated on the ground, partaking of some food, when one of the savages rose up, and drawing his toma- hawk, approached Searles from behind. The prisoner marked the movement, and apprehending his intention, watched the descending blow, and tried to catch it in his hand, but only partially succeeded, the wenpon inflicting a deep wound in the shoulder. Rising to his feet, he seized his antagonist, who was unprepared for such a bold resistance, and snatching the tomahawk from his hand, was about to inflict a deserved vengeance on his cruel as- sailant, when Dr. Bower, of the regiment, told him that if he struck the Indian all the prisoners would be murdered, and his death, now inevitable, would not be prevented. As soon as he found that he might endanger his comrades by resisting, he dropped the uplifted arm, let fall the weapon, and, without a murmur or a complaint, waited until the as- tonished savage picked up the tomahawk, and coolly and deliberately dispatched his victim. Can Roman or Grecian annals display a more sublime in- stance of manly generosity and magnanimity than this ? It was at the battle of Frenchtown that a member of the " Old Infantry " company, James Iliggins,* astonished even the boldest of his comrades by his daring contempt of death. Vain efforts had been made to dislodge a large number of Indians from a barn, into which they had crowded, and from which they were pouring a destructive tire into Colonel Lewis's command. The soldier we have mentioned asked permission to " smoke 'um out." It was granted. He then coolly picked up a large blazing " chunk " from a camp fire, deliberately walked up to the barn in the very face of a hail storm of bullets, and applied the " chunk." The barn was soon one mass of flames, and the brave infantryman quickly had the satisfaction of seeing all the Indians "smoked out." The most remarkable feature of the case was that the man had always been regarded at home as ridiculously timid, and had often been imposed upon, both by his neighbors and comrades in arras. But after this bold deed, the past *Gener:il S. L. Williams and T. P. Dudloy. y 1789.] LEXIXOTOX LIGHT INFANTRY. 159 was forgotten, and it was not safe for any one to say any- thing in the presence of the "Old Infantry" against the man "who smoked out the Indians." James Iliggins, the hero of this glorious incident, was born near Side View, Montgomery county, Kentucky, but removed to Lexington, and was one of her citizens when he enlisted in the Old Infantry. This gallant man died many years ago. A few names of the killed of this company have been preserved, viz: N. S. G. Hart, Charles Searles, J. E. Blythe (son of President Blythe, of Transylvania University), Jesse Cock, Alexander Crawford, Samuel Elder, William Davis, Jesse Riley, Armston Stewart, George Shindlebower, Sam- uel Cox, and Charles Bradford. On the 11th of September, 1839, the Light Infantry cele- brated in Lexington its fiftieth anniversary. At eleven o'clock A. M., a procession, consisting of the Louisville Guards, Captain Anderson ; the Volunteer Artillery, Cap- tain Trotter; the Mechanics Infantry, Captain Forbes; and the "Old Infantry," under Captain G. L. Postlethwaite, marched to the beautiful woodlands of John Love (now J. H. Mulligan's, adjoining the Maxwell Spring grounds), where an exceedingly appropriate and interesting address was delivered by General John M. McCalla, after which came a banquet, and then the survivors of the war of 1812 reviewed their hardships and dangers, and fought their bat- tles over again. At the commencement of the war with Mexico, the Light Infantry again took the field, under the command of Captain Cassius M. Clay, and was known in the army by the remark- able name of the "Lexington Old Infantry Cavalry." In that war, the Kentucky cavalry used as its regimental fiixg the colors which the ladies of Lexington had presented to the " Old Infantry," some years before, on an anniversary of the battle of the Raisin. In times of peace, the company amused itself with target shooting at Maxwell's spring. On one of these occasions, Captain Richard Parker, then commanding the Old Infan- try, but now one of our oldest citizens, was accidentally 160 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1789. shot in the hip, and he still suffers from the wound then received. In 1860, the Old Infantry took its stand in the Kentucky State Guard, with the following officers, viz : Captain, Samuel D. McCullough ; First Lieutenant, George W. Did- lake ; Second Lieutenant, S. W. Price ; Third Lieutenant, J. B, iTorton; Ensign, R. H. Prewett; Surgeon, Dr. G. W. McMillin; Right Guide, Charles Dobyns; Left Guide, W. W. Dowden; Third Sergeant, B. W. Blincoe; Fourth Ser- geant, Charles Schultz ; Fifth Sergeant, M. Hogarty. In the memorable summer of 1861, just before Kentucky was drawn into the gigantic civil contest then waging, the Old Infantry held a reunion in the densely crowded Odd Fellows' Hall, on the corner of Main and Broadway. The company was conducted to the hall by those two noted or- ganizations, the " Lexington Rifles " and the " Chasseurs," headed by the splendid Newport band. An opening address was delivered by Judge L. L. Todd, of Indianapolis, a former captain of the Old Infantry, after which a new flag was pre- sented to the company by General Combs, in behalf of the donor, Mr. David A. Say re. The old flag of the Old In- fantry, which had gone through the leaden storm of Buena Vista, was then unfurled, a roll of all the captains called, and the Star Spangled Banner sung, after which the meeting adjourned. Many of the members of the company served gallantly on either side in the terrible war between the States, and fully maintained the ancient renown of the venerable or- ganization, which, for the credit of Lexington, should never be permanently abandoned. From the year 1789 to the present time, the Lexington Light Infantry has been commanded by the following cap- tains, viz : General James Wilkinson, 1789 ; James Hughes and Samuel Weisiger, 1791 ; Cornelius Beatty, 1793 ; John Postlethwaite, 1797; Thomas Bodley, 1803; N. S. G. Hart, 1811-12 ; and since the last date by Daniel Bradford, J. G. Trotter, Adam Beatty, "William Logan, Levi L. Todd, Robert Megowan, Richard Parker, G. L. Postlethwaite, T. 1789.] LIST OF CAPTAINS. 161 P. Hart, Thomas Smith, R. Morrison, John M. McCalla, Lawrence Daly, James O.Harrisou, T. Monks, T. W. Lowry, W. Allison, Levyis Barbee, F. G. West, Joseph Hoppy, G. L. Postlethwaite, J. B. Clay, C. M. Clay, S.D. McCullough, S. W. Price. 162 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1790. CHAPTER XVII. Town Affairs — Harmar's Defeat — John Pope — The Jail — Fire Companies. While the actual population of Lexington, in 1790, was not large, the town was a place of some importance as a stopping point for traders, as it was on the line of com- munication between the East and the West. In this year, the trustees ordered a " canal " to be dug to carry the water of the " Branch " straight through town. They also made the announcement that "the town commons shall hereafter be known as Water street." Lexington's encour- agement of art in 1790 is exhibited in the eagerness of the citizens to obtain " black profile likenesses, taken by the physiognotrace." In July of this year, the delegates from Fayette attended the eighth convention, held at Danville. At this convention, an act of separation, passed by the Virginia legislature, was finally accepted, and a ninth convention, to form a state constitution, was called for April, 1791. Incursions and murders by the Indians had now become so frequent and unbearable that the new general govern- ment, which had just gone into operation, sent out a mili- tary force to protect the frontier. In the fall, Colonel Trotter, with some volunteers from Lexington, went to Fort Washington (Cincinnati), and joined the expedition of General Joseph Harmar against the Miami towns. The campaign ended disastrously. That distinguished statesman, John Pope, came to Lex- ington in 1790, at which time he was about twenty years of age. He lived in this city for many 3'ears. Mr. Pope was born in Prince William county, Virginia, and emi- 1790.] JOHN POPE— THE JAIL. 163 grated to Kentucky while quite a boy.* He was a man of great ability and remarkable talents, and was one of the most formidable opponents Mr. Clay ever had; and, like Mr. Clay, he attained distinction by his own exertions. Mr. Pope was often a member of the Kentucky legislature, was for many years a representative in Congress, was United States Senator in 1807, and was for six years gov- ernor of the Territory of Arkansas. He died in Wash- ington county, Kentucky, in 1842, aged seventy-two. He built and resided in the house now occupied by Joseph Wolfolk, near the junction of Rose and Hill streets. When Mr. Pope ran against Mr. Clay, in the Lexington district, it was in the vigor of their days, when each one was able to do his best. It was Wagoner and Gray Eagle against each other. Mr. Clay was the winner, but did not, we believe, distance his competitor. The race was honor- able to both, and if Mr. Pope had had the same passionate determination, and the same fiery and never- relaxing am- bition of Mr. Clay, there would have been two Clays in the state without room enough to hold them. An amus- ing incident occurred during this race.f Mr. Pope had but one arm. On the approach of the contest, Mr. Clay called upon an Irishman in Lexington, who had been his political friend heretofore, but now declared his intention to go for Pope. Mr. Clay wanted to know the reason. The answer was, "Och, Misther Clay, I have concluded to vote for the man who has but one arm to sthrust into the sthreasuiy." A log jail succeeded the pillory and the stocks in Lex- ington in 1790, and stood near the first court-house on Main, not far from the corner of Broadway.J In these early days, when imprisonment for debt was in vogue, the "jail bounds," or the precincts within which a debt pros- oner could walk, was marked on the pavements and the houses near the jail by a broad stripe of black paint. A larger jail was erected in 1797, on the same ground where the present jail stands, was destroyed by fire in 1819, and another one was completed the next year. The building ♦Collins. tCorrospondence Cincinnati Gazette. fOld Gazette. 164 BISTORT OF LEXINGTON. [1790- of the present prison commenced in 1850. The fol- lowing is an incomplete list of those who have filled the office of jailer, viz: Innis B. Brent, Clark, Bar- ker, "Wm. Bobbs, Nathaniel Prentiss, Richard Sharp, Joseph R. Megowan, T. B. Megowan, White, Ben. Blincoe, W. H. Lusby, and Thos. B. Megowan. Including all the terms he has served, Mr. T. B. Megowan has been a jailer for nearly forty years. Lexington's first regular fire company was organized at Brent's tavern in 1790, with John Bradford as secretary. It was styled the Union Fire Company, and used buckets only. Before this, in case of a fire, each citizen was re- quired, when the alarm was given, to attend with a bucket filled from his own well. The Union company's " bucket- house " was a building on Main, near Scott's block. Later, it was on Water street, and was finally converted into an engine house. In 1805, the officers of the " Union" were: Captains — Dan'l Bradford, Christopher Keiser; Directors — William Macbeau, George Anderson, John Jones, Alex- ander Frazer, Thomas Hart, Jr., John Jordan, Jr., Thomas Bodley, Alex. Parker, Charles Wilkins, Lewis Sanders, William Ross, Thomas Whitney, Maddox Fisher. The trustees passed a resolution in 1812, authorizing a committee "to procure four additional ladders, four fire-hooks, three rope-ladders, and three tubs to put under the pumps, all to be marked with the name of the company, etc., and a fine of ten dollars imposed on any person who will use them, un- less in case of fire." In 1818, two little " newly-invented" engines w^ere bought by the town authorities. They at- tracted great attention and admiration. The fire department was organized in 1832, when the city was incorporated. In 1840, the city could boast of the " Kentuckian," "Lyon," and "Resolution" hand-engines, and others were added from time to time. The period in- cluded betwee.j 1850 and 1860 was the golden age of the fire companies m Lexington. Then the Fourth of July was the day of their glory, and the old Lyon, Clay, Kentuckian, and other engines, with their hose carnages, were resplen- dent with beautiful decorations fashioned by the ladies of the 1790.] FIRE COMPANIES. 165 city. Three hundred firemen have been known to turn out in procession on such occasions, presenting a splendid ap- pearance with their brilliant uniforms and gay trappings. But these are memories of an age which ended with the purchase of the first steam fire engine, in March, 1864. The "Lyon" engine house was on Limestone street, near the corner of Hill ; the " Clay," on Broadway, betweeu Short and Second, now known as Pruden's marble works; the '* Union," on Short, between Upper and Limestone, is now the headquarters of the steam fire department. IQQ BISTORT OF LEXINGTON. [1791. CHAPTER XVIII. Survey of Lexington — Expeditions of Scott and WiUc'rison — St. Clair's Defeat — Delegates to the Ninth Conoention. During the spring of 1791, the trustees of Lexington made war on " wooden chimneys," the use of which, for the future, was prohibited. They also ordered "all the post and rail fences across Short street to be taken down." In the latter part of March, the following survey of the town was made, the report of which we give verbatim, with the drawing which accompanied it.* " Surveyed by order of the trustees of the town of Lex- ington, 204 acres of land, including the court-house of Fayette county in the center, in a circular figure of two miles in diameter. Beginning at A, one mile southeast from the said court-house, at a post on the northeast side of the road, running thence south 56|^, west 125 poles to a post crossing Tate's creek road at 85 poles ; theuce south 78f, west 125 poles to a post, thence north 78|, west 125 poles to post ; thence north 56|^, west 125 poles to post crossing the Hickman road at 25 poles, thence north 33f, west 125 poles to post crossing Craig's mill road at 45 poles ; thence north V\.\^ west 125 poles to a stake in Hackney's field, about 40 poles southeastwardly from his house; thence north llj, east 125 poles to post; thence north 33f, east 125 poles to post 15 poles northeast of the old Leestown road, crossing the head of McCounell's mill pond at 45 poles; thence north 56^, east 125 poles to post, passing and leaving out Eckle's and Brown's plantations ; thence north 78|, east 125 poles to post, crossing John- ston's mill road at 35 poles ; thence south 78|, east 125 •Trustees' Book. 1791.] SURVEY OF LEXINGTON. 167 poles to post, leaving out Irvine's house, 14 poles; thence south bfj\, east 125 poles to post crossing Russell's road at 75 poles ; thence south 33f , east 125 poles to post near Springle's house in the survey, and crossing Bryan's road at 25 poles; thence south Vl\, east 125 poles to post; thence south 11:^, west 125 poles to post near Captain Wil- son's house, leaving him in the survey ; thence south 33|, west 125 poles to the beginning, leaving Javell 14 poles in the survey, and passing Masterson, and leaving him out." ^"«fS; HACKNEYS. The Indians, greatly emboldened by their success over Harmar, extended their incursions, and immigrants were killed by them even in the neighborhood of Lexington. In May, General Charles Scott organized an expedition of mounted volunteers to punish the Indians on the Wabash, and General James Wilkinson, who was appointed second 168 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON'. [1791. in command, augumented the force with a number of men from Lexington. Tlie troops began their march from Fort Washington, May 23, 1791, and early in the following June, destroyed three Kickapoo towns, killed thirty warriors, and took fifty-eight prisoners, without the loss of a man.* By the 18th of June, all the volunteers from Lexington had re- turned, highly elated at their success. It is a matter of great regret that only the following few namesf of soldiers from this city have been preserved, viz : Thos. Allen, Jas. M'Dowell, Jas. Brown, Wm. M'Millin, John E. King, Sam' I Patterson, Jos. Jones, Rich'd Bartlett, John Peoples, John Arnold, Benj. Gibbs. Ill July, General Wilkinson was appointed by Governor St. Clair to complete the work so successfully commenced by Scott. He organized his expedition iu Lexington, and engaged the celebrated Indian-hunter, Bland Ballard, as his guide. He started for the Wabash country August 1st, and on the 7th, surprised and burned the town of Kathtippeca- munk, not far from the ruins of which afterward stood the celebrated Prophet's town destroyed by General Har- rison in 1811, killed six braves, and took thirty-four pris- oners, for all of which he was duly thanked by his country. Wilkinson's loss was two killed and one wounded. The prisoners taken justified their defeat by constantly declaring " Kentucky too much." Only the following names of the volunteers from Lexington and Fayette in this expedition are extant, viz :| James McDowell, Levi Todd, F. M'Murdie, Jos. Logsdon, Dav. Caldwell, W. M'Dowell, Wm. Lewis, Wm. Berry, Thos. Atkins, Rich. Bartlett, Moses Caldwell, Patrick Burk, Philip Phillips, John Arnold, Chas. Snedeger, Samuel Harrod, Wm. Clark, Thos. Bruer. During the entire spring, and while these expeditions were in progress, preparations for the great invasion of the Indian country by General St. Clair were progressing. As early as May, St. Clair had come to Lexington in person to get the aid of the militia; but the infirm old man, with his well-known character for rigid discipline and bad luck, *01d Gazette. tOld Gazette. ^Kentucky Gazette. 1791.] DELEGATES TO NINTH CONVENTION. 169 met with very small encouragement. One company of sixty men, under AVilliam Ellis* (one of the founders of Grant's station), comprised all the volunteers from the whole of Lexington and Fayette county. The balance of the troops obtained by St. Clair from Kentucky had to be drafted, and they, without confidence in their commander's ability, and regarding the regular force which they were compelled to serve with as doomed to destruction, deserted every day.f Beset by a combination of unfavorable cir- cumstances, St. Clair, with his disaffected troops, commenced his march from Fort Jefferson against the Miami villages, and on the 4th of November, while encamped on a tribu- tary of the Wabash, was suddenly attacked b}' twelve hun- dred Indians, and suffered one of the most terrible and overwhelming defeats recorded in the annals of savage warfare. The news of this great disaster brought sorrow to many a household in Fayette county; but no record of her loss is known to be in existence. In an old journal,| mention is casually made that " Israel Hart, William Bryan, Charles Bland, William Lee, Matthew Robinson, ]!^oble Wood, and James M'Farin had been paid for their services during St. Clair's campaign." An incident of the day was the arrival in Lexington of a band of friendly Chickasaw warriors on their way to join the army of St. Clair, who had been defeated just the day before they got to this city. In December, 1791, Fayette elected the following dele- gates to the convention to form a constitution for Kentucky, viz : Hubbard Taylor, Thos. Lewis, George S. Smith, Robert Frier, and James Crawford. This was to be the last of the long series of Danville conventions, as Congress, on the 4th of the preceding February, had admitted Kentucky into the Union. *St. Clair's Report. tCollins, 44. |Kentucky Gazette. 170 BTSTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1792. CHAPTER XIX. Indian Depredations — First Session of the Kentucky Legisla- ture: Proceedings, Addresses, Ceremonies, and Appoint- ments — Removal of the Capital — List of Public Officers since 1792 — Circuit Judges and Clerks — State Representatives and Senators — United States Representatives and Senators. The spring of 1792 had hardly come, before the Indians, exulting in St. Clair's defeat, renewed their incursions, and the danger soon became such that immigrants and settlers were compelled when traveling to go in armed bands. About the first of March, the Indians burnt two houses, and killed a man and woman on ]!^orth Elkhorn, and shortly after, as if determined to aggravate their white foes by every possible means, they crept even nearer to Lexing- ton, and stole negroes, carried them ofi" and sold them.* The last man killed by the Indians, in the vicinity of Lex- ington, was shot and scalped in the spring of 1792. His body was brought to town, and was prepared for burial in a house on Hill street, between Spring and Merino. Bad as matters were, no expeditions against the Indians were at- tempted, as fruitless eftbrts were then being made by the government to effect a peace with the enraged savages. The ninth and last convention met in Danville, April 1st of this year, and on the 19th of the month, and the seven- teenth anniversary of the battle of Lexington, Massachu- setts, the first constitution of Kentucky was adopted, to go into effect on the 1st of June following. In May, the gov- ernor and other officers, and the members of both houses of the legislature, were elected. On the 4th of June, 1792,t commenced in Lexington the first session of the Kentucky *01d Gazette. tState Papers, and Old Gazette. 1792.] FIRST SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE. 171 legislature, and the orgai)ization of the state government. Early in the morning ot" that eventful day, the infant cap- ital of the new state presented a scene of unusual bustle and excitement. The streets were crowded with citizens and soldiers. Men, women, and children, arrayed in the gayest pioneer fashion, poured in from the country in every direction. Orderlies dashed about, drums beat, sabers clat- tered, and ramrods rattled, and such a cleaning of rifles, patching of buckskin suits, snapping of flints, and gather- ing of provisions, was wonderful to behold. The day was well worthy of the attention it received. It had been eiigerly and anxiously desired by the people of Kentucky for years, and was destined to be an era in their history, for on that day Isaac Shelby was to take the oath of ofiice as governor of a commonwealth then but three days old, and the work of setting up the political machinery of the new state was to be regularly begun. As the morning waned, news came in that the governor, then being escorted from Danville by a detachment of the Lexington troop of horse, was approaching the town, and forthwith the " county lieutenant," the board of trustees, the members of the legislature who had arrived, and a large number of prominent gentlemen, went out to meet him. At the corner of Main and Broadway, he was received with military honors by the " Old Infantry Company,'' and, in the midst of enthusiastic cheers from the great crowd there assembled, was presented by the chairman of the board of trustees of Lexington with the ioWowmg written address: " To His Excellency^ Isaac Shelby, Esq., Governor of the State of Kentucky: " Sir : The inhabitants of the town of Lexington beg leave through us to present to your excellency their sincerest congratulations on your appointment to the oflice of chief magistrate of the State of Kentucky. " Truly sensible that no other motive than a sincere de- sire to promote the luippiness and welfare of your country could have induced you to accept an appointment that must 172 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1792. draw yon from those scenes of domestic ease and private tranquillity which you enjoy in so eminent a degree. " Having the fullest confidence in your wisdom, virtue, and integrity, we rest satisfied that under your administra- tion the constitution will be kept inviolate, and the laws so calculated as to promote happiness and good order in the state. " In the name of the inhabitants of Lexington, we bid you welcome, and assure you that we, and those we repre- sent, have the warmest attachment to your person and char- acter. " May your administration insure blessings to your country, and honor and happiness to yourself. " By order of the trustees of Lexington. "John Bradford, Chairman." After the presentation of this address, the oath of ofiice was administered; then the horse and infantry paraded on the public square, and, after firing alternately fifteen rounds, a general discharge of rifles was given in honor of the new governor, who was escorted to his lodgings by the largest and most picturesque procession that the western country had then known. " Store clothes" were scarce in that mul- titude, while tow-linen shirts, powder-horns, moccasins, buckskin pants, and coonskin caps were abundant. Later in the day the following reply to the address of welcome was sent by Governor Shelby : '* To Mr. John Bradford, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Lexington : " Sir : I receive, with the warmest sentiments of gratitude and respect, your very polite and genteel address,which, added to the friendly treatment exhibited by you this day in con- ducting me to this place, commands my most cordial respect and esteem ; and, although I am thoroughly sensible of my want of experience and abilities to discharge the very im- portant duties committed to me, the warm congratulations only of my country induce me to come forward, with some hope that by a strict attention to the duties of my ofiice, 1792.] FIRST SESSION OF THE LEOTSLATURE. I73 and a firm adherence to public justice (both of which, I trust, are in my power), I may in some degree merit a part of that confidence which they have placed in me. " Unacquainted with flattery, I only use the plain lan- guage of truth to express my warm attachment to the in- habitants of this place, and assure them, through you, sir, that I shall be happy to render them any service in my power which may not be incompatible with the interests of our common country. " I have the honor to be, with great regard and esteem, sir, your most obedient servant, "Isaac Shelby." This address was read to the citizens, and also the announcement of the appointments, by the governor, of James Brown as secretary of state, and George ISTicholas, attorney -general.* The legislature met and organized by electing Alexander S. Bullitt, of Jefferson county, speaker of the senate; Robert Breckinridge, speaker of the house, and John Logan, of Lincoln, state treasurer, after which it adjourned, and the rest of the day was spent in rejoic- ing and in interchange of courtesies between the citizens and their distinguished guests. On the 6th of June, after the general assembly had been fully organized, the members of both houses assembled in the senate chamber of the state-house, a two-story log building of the regular old pioneer type that stood nearly in the center of the east side of Main street, between Mill and Broadway. At twelve o'clock. Governor Shelby entered the hall, attended by the secretary of state, and was imme- diately conducted to a position on the right of the speaker of the senate, where, after respectfully addressing, first the senate and then the house, he proceeded to read the com- munications he had prepared. He was listened to with the deepest attention, and amid the most profound silence on the part of the mass of the legislators and citizens, who tilled almost to suftocation every nook and corner of the gloomy but substantial editice. At the close of his address, ♦Kentucky Gazette. 174 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1792. the goveruor delivered to each speaker a copy of the man- uscript, and retired as he had entered. The two houses then separated, and, after voting an address in reply to that of his excellency, adjourned.* What a scene for a painter, w^hat a subject for a glowing pen, was that of the opening of the first session of the Kentucky legislature, where the courtly practice of the British kings and colonial governors appeared in such strange and striking contrast with the rude and simple surroundings of early western life. The pomp and state of the house of lords in a log cabin, the royal ermine, and the republican coonskin, European refine- ment and elegance, western simplicity and virtue. Proba- bly just such another scene has never been enacted before or since. The example set by Governor Shelby, of ad- dressing the legislature in })ersoii, was followed in Kentucky up to the time of Governor Scott, when it was changed to the present one, in accordance with a precedent established by President Jefferson. The legislature was engaged during its first session in organizing the government, the judiciary and revenue re- quiring much of its attention. The session lasted twelve days. The first bill that secured the sanction of the gov- ernor was entitled " an act establishing an auditor's office of public accounts."! Acts were passed " establishing the town of Versailles, at Woodford court-house;" and form- ing the county of Clark from a part of Fayette. Bills were passed establishing the various courts, and taxes were imposed on land, carriages, cattle, billiard tables, ordinary licenses, and retail stores. Commissioners were appointed by the house of representatives to select a permanent seat of government, then a matter of great jealousy and con- tention between the people of the opposite sides of the Ken- tucky river.| Five gentlemen were chosen, any three of whom might fix upon a location. Their names were Robert Todd, of Fayette; John Edwards and John Allen, of Bourbon; Henry Lee, of Mason; and Thos. Kenneday, of Madison. The commissioners met soon after their appoint- *Kentucky Gazette. tState Papers. |Butler. 1792.] FIRST SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE. 175 ment, when it was found that two were in favor of Frank- fort, and two for Lexington. The matter was decided by the vote of General Robert Todd for Franktbrt Why General Todd decided against his own town has long been a mystery to many, but it is known that he regarded his position as a delicate one, inasmuch as he owned a large amount of laud in this vicinity, and feared if he gave his vote for his own place of residence, it might be attributed to motives of personal interest. Modern legislators are seldom troubled with such acute sensibilities. What a pity it is that General Todd listened to the seductive voice of old Mrs. Grundy. But he did, and Lexington lost the capital. Some of the first appointments in the militia made by the governor were those of Benj. Harrison, Tlios. Kenne- day, and Robert Todd, as brigadier-generals; William Russell, James Trotter, Henry Lee, William Steele, and Levi Todd, lieutenant-colonels; James McDowell, John Morrison, and John McDowell, majors. Robert Parker was appointed surveyor of Fayette county.* The members of the assembly received one dollar per day for their services, and as no revenue had yet been col- lected, the treasurer had to borrow that, and when they were at last paid they had to rest content with " cut money;" silver dollars cut into convenient "change," sometimes counted, but oftener weighed.f Old time wages of a dollar per day in "cut money," would not be extravagantly rel- ished, we imagine, by our present public servants. The office of the first state treasurer, who had neither treasure, nor building to put it in if he had, was in " the big log tavern" of Robert Megowan, deceased, then the tavern of this place, which stood on the spot now covered by Mr. Thomas Bradley's hardware store on Main street.| At the time of this first session, Lexington was the largest town in the state, and contained one thousand in- habitants, the population of the entire commonwealth being about ninety thousand. The nine counties then in *State Papers. t^arshall. JOld Inhabitants. 176 BISTORT OF LEXINGTON. [1792. existence were Fayette, Mercer, Madison, Lincoln, Jeft'er- son, Mason, Bourbon, Nelson, and Woodford. As we said above, tbis first meeting of tbe Kentucky- legislature was an event of great moment and heartfelt satisfaction to tbe people. Tbe infant republic of tbe vast wilderness bad seen notbing but trials, vexations, and dis- heartening obstacles in its way from tbe time it was a dis- trict of Virginia till it became an independent state. Nine conventions met and toiled before tbe mucb-desired result was obtained. Tbe whole work was done over and over again. They were aggravated by tbe tardiness of Virginia to complete tbe work of separating the district from tbe mother State. Tbe old Congress of 1788 declined emphat- ically to act on Kentucky's petition to be received into tbe Union. The distinguished John Brown, first and only member from Kentucky in tbe old Congress, said that "the New England states wanted no new Southern states ad- mitted.* Here was another delay. Kentucky had to wait till the old crumbling government bad dissolved, and the new one had gone into effect. To these repulses may be added the other troubles of French, Spanish, and English intrigues, tbe ambitious and disturbing conduct of some of her own statesmen, and ever recurring Indian troubles. But all difficulties were overcome. The first legislature met, and the citizens of tbe new commonwealth rejoiced with ex- ceeding great joy. Tbe magistrates composing tbe Fayette court of quarter sessions in 1792 were Thomas Lewis, John McDowell, and Robert Todd ; and those of tbe county court were James Trotter, Walter Carr, Percival Butler, Edward Payne, Joseph Crockett, AVilliam Campbell, Abraham Bowman, Hubbard Taylor, and James McMillan. The other public officers who have served the town and county since tbe organization of the state government are as follows, viz: ♦Gazette. 1792.] JUDGES, CLERKS, AND REPRESENTATIVES. I77 CIRCUIT COURT JUDGES. Samuel McDowell, Buckner Thurston, John Coburn, Thomas Lewis, Robert Todd, Benjamin Howard, Henry Payne, John Monroe, John McDowell, John Parker, Will- iam Warren, Benjamin Johnson, Benjamin Mills, Jesse Bledsoe, T. M. Hickey, Daniel Mayes, A. K. WooUey, Richard A. Buckuer, W. C. Goodloe, C. B. Thomas. CIRCUIT COURT CLERKS. Thomas Bodley, H. I. Bodley, T. S. Redd, James Wood, J. B. l!^ortou, J. B. Rodes. STATE REPRESENTATIVES. First Representatives of Fayette in Legislature of Ken- tucky, May 1, 1792 — William Russell, John Hawkins, Thomas Lewis, Hubbard Taylor, James Trotter, Joseph Crockett, James McMillan, John McDowell, Robert Pat- terson. 1793. David Walker, James Hughes, Edmund Bullock, Joseph Crockett, John South, Thomas January, Robert Frier, Reuben Searcy. 1794. Joseph Crockett, E. Bullock, John McDowell, J. Hughes, D. Walker, J. South. 1795. E. Bullock, J. Crockett, John Parker, J. Mc- Dowell, J. Hughes, D. Walker. 1796. Bullock, Parker, William Russell, Hughes, Mc- Dowell, Walker, Walter Carr. 1797. McDowell, Bullock, Parker, Russell, John Brad- ford, Thomas Caldwell, James Morrison. 1798. Bullock, C. Beatty, J. Parker, J. H. Stewart, R. Patterson, McGregor, Carr, Breckinridge, H. Harrison, McDowell, Thomas Caldwell, W. Russell. 1799. W. Russell, John Breckinridge, John Bell, John South, Hez. Harrison, W. Carr. 1800. W. Russell, John Breckinridge, John Parker, Hez. Harrison. 1801. Benjamin Graves, James Hughes, Benjamin How- ard, John Bell. 178 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1792. 1802. Benjamin Howard, "Wm. Russell, James Hughes, John Bradford. 1803. "Wm. Russell, Jas. Hughes, James True, Henry Clay. 1804. Henry Clay, Wm. Russell, Benj. Graves. 1805. Henry Clay, Wm. Russell, Grimm R.Tompkins. 1806. Henry Clay, Wm. Russell, John Pope. 1807. Henry Clay, W^m. Russell, John Pope. 1808. Henry Clay, John Parker, James Fishback. 1809. W. T. Barry, H. Clay, Alfred W. Grayson, Geo. Trotter (elected to fill vacancy by Clay resigning, who went to United States Senate). 1810. David Todd, John H. Morton, Joseph H. Hawkins. 1811. George Trotter, David Todd, J. H. Hawkins. 1812. J. H. Hawkins, David Todd, Jesse Bledsoe. 1813. D. Todd, J. H. Hawkins, Robert Russell. 1814. "W. T. Barry, Henry Payne, T. T. Crittenden. 1815. H. Payne, James True, Levi L. Todd. 1816. Jos. C. Breckinridge, J. Parker, J. True. 1817. Jos. C. Breckinridge, J. Parker, W. T. Barry. 1818. Jos. C. Breckinridge, Thos. T. Barr, Thomas T. Crittenden. 1819. J. Parker, H. Payne, R. Wickliffe. 1820. Percival Butler, H. Payne, George Shannon. 1821. Jas E. Davis, John R. Witherspoon, Matthias Flournoy. 1822. James Trotter, Geo. Shannon, J. R. Witherspoon. 1823. Wm. Russell, R. Wickliffe, James True. 1824. H. C. Payne, R. Wicklifle, James True. 1825. R. J. Breckinridge, H. C. Payne, J. True. 1826. R. J. Breckinridge, M. Flournoy, J. True. 1827. R. J. Breckinridge, Leslie Combs, J. True, Jr. 1828. R. J. Breckinridge, Leslie Combs, J. True, Jr. 1829. Edward J. Wilson, Combs, and True. 1830. John Curd, Combs, and True. 1831. H. E. Innis, Chas. Carr, R. H. Chinn. 1832. A. K WooUey, J. R. Dunlap, H. E. Innis. 1833. L. Combs, G. R. Tompkins, J. R. Dunlap. 1834. G. R. Tompkins, J. R. Dunlap, A. K. Woolley. 1835. Jacob Hughes, John Curd, Robt. Wicklifte, Jr. 1792.] STATE SENATORS. 179 1836. H. Daniel, W. Rodes, Robt. Wicklifte, Jr. 1837. H. Clay, Jr., W. Rodes, Robt. Wickliffe, Jr. 1838. H. Clay, Jr., W. Rodes, Larkin B. Smith. 1839. Jacob Hughes, Rich'd Pindell, J. Q. McKinney. 1840. C. M. Clay, J. Curd, Clayton Curie. 1841. Neal McCann, Robt. S. Todd. 1842. R. S. Todd, ^y^A^, Pijdley, 0. D. Winn. 1843. T. S. Redd, Elislia Hogan, C. R. Thompson. "" 1844. Robt. S. Todd, Thos. A. Russell. 1845. L. Combs, G. "W. Darnaby,J. Cunningham. 1846. L. Combs, Richard Spurr. 1847. L. Combs, D. L. Price. 1848. George Robertson, R. J. Spurr. 1849. H. C. Pindell, John C. Breckinridge 1850. R. A. Athey, C. C. Rogers. 1851. Changed to two each second year. 1853. M. C. Johnson, F. K. Hunt. 1855. R. J. Spurr, R. W. Hanson. 1857. Leslie Combs, M. C. Johnson. 1859. T. H. Clay, R. A. Buckner. 1861. R. A. Buckner. 1863. R. J. Spurr. 1865. J. C. Yanmeter. 1867. R. C. Rogers. 1869. D. L. Price. 1871. W. Cassius Goodloe. STATE SENATORS. 1792, Robert Todd and Peyton Short; 1796, James Campbell; 1800, James Trotter; 1805, Edmund Bullock; 1809, Edmund Bullock; 1813, Edmund Bullock; 1817, W. T. Barry; 1821, Matthias Flournoy; 1825, Robert Wick- liffe; 1829, Robert Wickliffe; 1833^, R. H. Chinn ; 1837, A. K.WooUey; 1841, William Rodes; 1845, R. S. Todd; 1849, Oliver Anderson ; 1851, Elihu Hogan ; 1853, J. F. Robin- son ; 1857, W. S. Darnaby ; 1859, W. BTDarnaby ; 1861, J. F. Robinson; 1865, W. A. Dudley; 1867, W. A. Dudley; 1869, A. L. McAfee. 180 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1792. CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES. 1796, John Fowler; 1804, John Fowler; 1806, Benjamin Howard; 1808, Benj. Howard; 1810, W. T. Barry; 1812, Henry Clay; 1814, Henry Clay; 1816, Henry Clay; 1818, Henry Clay; 1820, S. H.Woodson; 1822, Henry Clay; 1824, Henry Clay; 1825, Herman Bowmar; 1827, James Clarke; 1829, James Clarke; 1831, James Clarke; 1833, Chilton Allen; 1835, Chilton Allen; 1837, R. Hawes ; 1839, R. Hawes ; 1841, Thos. F. Marshall ; 1843, Garret Davis ; 1845, Garret Davis ; 1847, C. S. Morehead ; 1849, C. S. More- head; 1851, J. C. Breckinridge; 1853, J. C. Breckinridge; 1855, A. K. Marshall; 1857, J. B. Clay; 1859, W. E. Sims; 1861, R. A. Buckner ; 1863, Brutus Clay; 1865, G. S. Shank- lin; 1867, J. B. Beck; 1868, J. B. Beck; 1870, J. B. Beck. UNITED STATES SENATORS. The following citizens of Fayette county have served terms in the Federal Senate, viz: 1792, John Brown; 1796, Humphrey Marshall, John Brown; 1801, John Breckin- ridge, Buckner Thruston; 1813, Jesse Bledsoe, John Pope; 1818, Henry Clay; 1825, Henry Clay; 1836, Henry Clay; 1861, John C. Breckinridge. 1793.] LEXINGTON INDIGNANT, ETC. 181 XX. Lexington Indignant — A Virginia Town — Democratic Society Founded — John Breckinridge — Invei^tors and Inventions — West and the First Steamf)oat — Barlow's Planetarium — Music of Light — Speeder Spindle — Burrowes' Mustard — Locomotive — Vaccination. The removal of the state capital to Frankfort, iu 1793, caused great disappointment in Lexington, and no little indignation, as Lexington was at that time the most impor- tant settlement on the frontier. A few months after the removal, and while the general assembly was in session in Frankfort, the Indians drove some hunters within five miles of the town, and shortly after actually penetrated into the place.* These incidents formed a standing sub- ject of wit and ridicule among disappointed Lexingtonians for weeks after their occurrence. Lexington, in 1793, was a perfect type of the Virginia towns of that period. The manners, tastes, and appear- ance of the people, and the general characteristics of the place were Virginian, and though many of the citizens were emigrants from Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, the great mass of them had come from the Old Dominion. The grand old customs and distinguishing features of the mother of states and states- men, then impressed upon Lexington by her children, are happily not yet extinct. Early in the summer of 1793t was founded the "Dem- ocratic Society of Lexington," John Breckinridge being president, and Thomas Bodley and Thomas Todd, clerks. ♦Old Gazette, August 2, 1794. fBiitler. 182 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1793. This society was noted for its hostility to federalism, its efforts to secure the free navigation of the Mississippi river, and its passionate sympathy for the young republic of France. The members of the society, which embraced all the democrats in Lexington, wore tri-color cockades, and planted poles, surmounted with the cap of liberty, on every corner. One of these " liberty poles " remained standing for several years, on the corner of Main and Cheapside. The federalists, to show their aversion of the tri-color, wore a black cockade with an eagle button on the left side of the hat. Party spirit was high and fierce, and if the dem- ocratic society of Lexington, with little regard for the gen- eral government, encouraged the agents of the French re- public in their efforts to organize a force to wrest from Spain her Louisiana territory, it is not to be wondered at when we remember that Spain stubbornly refused the western people an outlet to the ocean, and the federal gov- ernment, in addition to the almost studied coldness shown to Kentucky, was remarkably slow in bringing Spain to terms. John Breckinridge, president of the Democratic Society, had arrived in Kentucky just a few months anterior to the formation of the society. lie was born in Augusta county, Virginia, December 2, 1760. His father's early death compelled him, while but a boy, to labor hard to sus- tain his widowed mother and her impoverished family. Under these discouraging circumstances, Mr. Breckinridge practiced law in Albemarle county, Virginia, from 1785, until his removal to Kentucky, and as a lawj'er, no man of his day excelled him, and but few could compare with him. While a member of the Kentucky legislature, he inaugu- rated the movement against the alien and sedition laws, and was prominent and influential in the convention which framed the state constitution of 1799. As a senator in Congress, as attorney-general of the United States under Jefferson, and as a great leader of the old democratic party, he displayed the qualities of a patriot, and made himself famous as a statesman. He resided for some time in a house which stood in the rear of the present residence of Mr. B. Gratz, fronting on Broadway, and be- 1793.J THE FIRST STEAMBOAT. 183 tween Second and Third. He died near Lexington, Decem- ber 14, 1806. Mr. Breckinridge was the grandfather of our distinguished fellow-citizen, General John C. Breckin- ridge. With the year 1793 commences the history of invention in Lexington, for at that time, in all reasonable probability, was invented the first steamboat that ever successfully plowed the waters of the world. The inventor, Edward West, was a Virginian, aaid moved to this city in 1785. He was the first watchmaker who settled in Lexington. His shop and residence both were near the corner of Mill and Hill streets, opposite the present residence of Mrs. Letcher. Mr. West was a hard student and close investi- gator. He spent all his leisure time in exi>erimenting with steam and steam machinery of his own construction, and the little engine that so successfully propelled his little boat, was the result of years of untiring industry. He obtained a patent for his great invention, and also one for a nail- cutting machine, the first ever invented, and which cut 5,320 pounds in twelve hours, the patent for which " he sold at once for ten thousand dollars."* Models of both inven- tions were deposited in the patent oflice, but they were un- fortunately destroyed when Washington was burned by the British in 1814. It is said that John Fitch, of Pennsyl- vania, made the initiatory step in steam navigation in 1787, but it is also known that he had no success till August, 1807, while West's boat was notoriously a success as early as 1793, years before Fulton had built his first boat on the Seine. In that year (1793), in the presence of a large crowd of deeply interested citizens, a trial of West's won- derful little steamboat was made on the town fork of Elk- horn, which was darajfed up near the Lexington and Frank- fort freight depot for that purpose. The boat tnoved swiftly through the water. The first successful application of steam to navigation was made, and cheer after cheer arose from the excited spectators. A number of our most ♦Michaux. 184 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1793. respected and venerable citizens remember witnessing this experiment when boys. In confirmation of the early date of this invention, we quote the following editorial notice from the old Kentucky Gazette, dated April 29, 1816 : "Steamboats. — A steamboat owned by a company of gentlemen of this town (Lexington) was to sail for New Orleans yesterday, from near the mouth of Hickman creek. "We are informed that she is worked on a plan invented by Mr. "West, of this place, nearly twenty years ago, and in a manner distinct from any other steamboat now in use. On trial against the current of the Kentucky, when that river was very high, she more than answered the sanguine expectation of her owners, and left no doubt on their minds that she could stem the current of the Mississippi with rapidity and ease." The editor settles the question of the antiquity of the invention, but speaks indefinitely. John B. West, the inventor's son, states decidedly that it was in the year 1793. The memory of Edward West should be cherished by all his countrymen ; for to his genius is due one of the grandest inventions recorded in the " geographical history of man," since Jason sailed in search of the golden fleece, or the Phoenicians crept timidly along the shores of the Mediterranean, in their frail, flat-bottomed barges. The time when steam was first used as a motive power will form an era in the world's history, for the revolution it has w^orked has been a mighty one, and a hundred years from now, the little stream called the " Town Fork of Elk- horn" will have become classic. The identical miniature engine that West made and used in 1793 is now in the museum of the lunatic asylum in this city. Edwin West died in Lexington, August 23, 1827, aged seventy. In 1796,''' Nathan Burrowes, an ingenious citizen of Lex- ington, introduced the manufacture of hemp into Kentucky, and also invented a machine for cleaning hemp. Like many other inventors, he was betrayed, and derived no *S. D. McCuHough. 1793.] INVENTORS AND INVENTIONS. 185 benefit from either. He afterward discovered a superior process of manufacturing mustard, and produced an article which took the premium at the World's Fair, in London, and which has no equal in quality in existence. The secret of its compounding has been sacredly transmitted uure- vealed. It is now three-quarters of a century since " Bur- rowes' Mustard" was first made, and it is still manufactured in Lexington, and has a world-wide celebrity. Mr. Bur- rowes settled in Lexington in 1792, and died here in 1846. At the beginning of the present century, John Jones, who died in Lexington in 1849, at the advanced age of ninety years, invented a speeder spindle and a machine for sawing stone, which were afterward "caught up" by eastern impostors. Though not an invention, it may not be inappropriate here to state that vaccination had been introduced for sev- eral years in Lexington by Dr. Samuel Brown, of Transyl- vania University, when the first attempts at it were being made in New York and Philadelphia.* Up to 1802, he had vaccinated upward of fi.ve hundred persons in Ken- tucky. In 1805, Dr. Joseph Buchanan, long known as one of the most remarkable citizens of Lexington, invented, at the age of twenty, a musical instrument,! producing its harmony from glasses of ditterent chemical composition, and origi- nated the grand conception of the music of light, to be ex- ecuted by means of harmonific colors luminously displayed ; an invention which will, if ever put in operation, produce one of the most imposing spectacles ever witnessed by the human eye. About 1835, Mr. E. S. Noble, of Lexington, invented an important labor-saving machine, for the purpose of turning the bead on house-guttering. One of the greatest mechanical geniuses, or inventors, that Lexington has produced, and one who has done honor to America, was Thomas Harris Barlow. His shop was, for a long time, located on Spring street, between Main and *Michaux's Travels. tOollins, 559. 186 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1793. Water. He settled in Lexington in 1825, but first attracted public attention in 1827, by making a locomotive which would ascend an elevation of eighty feet to the mile, with a heavily-laden car attached.* He, at the same time, con- structed a small circular railroad, over which the model lo- comotive and car ran successfully in the presence of many spectators, some of whom are still alive. This model is yet in existence in the Lunatic Asylum of this city. Lexing- ton can claim, therefore, the first railroad and the first loco- motive ever constructed in Western America. After this, Mr. Barlow invented a self-feeding nail and tack machine, which was a success. He sold it to some Massachusetts capitalists. In 1855, he invented and perfected a rifled per- cussion cannon, for the testing and experimental manufac- ture of which Congress appropriated $3,000. f This gun attracted the attention and admiration of the Russian min- ister at Washington during the Crimean war, which was then raging, and is believed to be the pattern which subse- quent inventors of rifled guns have more or less followed. It weighed seven thousand pounds, the bore was five and a half inches in diameter, twisting one turn in forty feet. It was cast at Pittsburg. His last, and greatest achievement, and one that will long cause his name to be gratefully remembered by the learned and scientific throughout the world, was the invention of the planetarium, now so celebrated, both for the wonderful ingenuity of its harmonious arrangement and working, and for the ease and accuracy with which it represents the mo- tions and orbits of the planets. The planetarium was the result of ten years' patient study and labor, having been commenced in 1841, and finished in 1851. ;{: It was finally perfected and exhibited in a room in the upper story of the building which formerly occupied the site of the present banking-house, on the corner of Main and Upper streets.] | The first planetarium Mr. Barlow made, was purchased for Transylvania University. The instrument is now used at Washington, West Point, and in most of the great ed- ♦Obs. and Kep. tMilton Barlow. ild- ||Wm. Swift. 1793.] INVENTORS AND INVENTIONS. 187 ucational institutions of this country. At the late grand Exposition at Paris, in 1867, Barlow's planetarium was ex- amined with delight and admiration by the savants of Europe, and received a premium of the first class. Mr. Bar- low was born in Nicholas county, Kentucky, August 5, 1789, and died in Cincinnati in 1865. 188 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1794. CHAPTER XXI. Qame — Wayne's Victory — Lexington Post-office — Incidents, and List of Postmasters — The Catholic Church — Father Badin — Pastors. Game, once so abundant about Lexington, had greatly diminished by the year 1794. Teal and duck were still plentiful, and the deer had not left the forests, but the buffalo and the elk had disappeared, and wild turkeys were never seen. Immense numbers of quails, which before the settlement of Kentucky had been unknown, now migrated from the other side of the mountains, following up the grain scattered by emigrants. Kelief from the plundering and murdering Indians was now at hand. General Anthony Wayne, the successor of the ill-fated St. Clair, after having organized his forces with great care and deliberation, moved against the Miami sav- ages in the summer of 1794. General Wilkinson, Robert Todd, and Thomas Lewis, and a large number of mounted volunteers from Lexington and Payette county, constituted a part of the army, and participated in Wayne's brilliant and decisive victory over the Indians at the rapids of the Miami, August 20, 1794. A few months after the battle, peace was effected with the northwestern tribes, and, after long years of bloodshed and misery, anxiet}' and watching, the settlers of the Dark and Bloody Ground had rest from their savage foes, who never again ventured upon Kentucky soil. The Lexington post-office was established about the year 1794, the inefficiency of the old confederation and the incomplete organization of the new government rendering it impossible until that late period. Before that time, all 1794.] LEXINGTON POST-OFFICE. 189 letters and papers received by the citizens were obtained through the kindness of friends and immigrants, or came by private enterprise. A lady in Lexington, at that early day, wliose husband had gone to Crab Orchard, received a letter from him which he had intrusted to a party of settlers who intended to go through Lexington on their way west. In l)assing through the " "Wilderness," the Indians attacked the part}'^, killing the man who had the letter, and his com- panions carried it to the anxious wife stained with his blood.* In 1787, Bradford's "post-rider" brought letters to the citizens, and in 1790 to still further accommodate them, he opened a letter-box in his office where all letters and papers brought to town could be deposited, and he published a list of them in the Gazette once a month.* The first post- master, Innis B. Brent, who was also jailer, had his office in the log jail building which stood on Main street, between Graves' stable and the corner of Broadway. It was next located in " Postlethwaite's tavern " (Phoenix). In 1808, it was in a building with immense hewed log steps, which oc- cupied the site of the new Odd Fellows Hall, on Main. Mr. Jordan was then postmaster, and our venerable fellow- citizen, Mr. Ben Kiser, was his deputy. In the year 1812 and for some time after, the post-office was located in a little red frame-house which stood on the site of Hoagland's stable, on Main, between Limestone and Eose. Persons are still living who remember when the news came to Lexington that the war with England was over. The post-rider, with the mail bag strapped behind him, and furiously blowing his horn, dashed up to the post- office door with the word "Peace" in big letters upon the front of his hat. At a later period the post-office was near the old Ken- tucky Gazette office, near Clark & Bros, grocery, on Main. In 1861, it was removed from the building now known as Rule's cigar store, on the corner of Main, to its present lo- cation, on the corner of Mill and Short streets. ♦Cist, 129. tOld Gazette. 190 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1794. Joseph Ficklin, who was appointed postmaster in 1822, is believed to have held the office longer, and through more presidential administrations than any other postmaster in this country. The names of the postmasters of Lexington, in order of their succession, are Innis B. Brent, Peter G. Voorhies, John W. Hunt, John Jordan, Jr., John Fowler, Joseph Ficklin, Thomas Kedd, Squire Bassett, Jesse Wood- ruff, L. B. Todd, S. W. Price. The Catholic church in Lexington owes its establish- ment to the self-sacrifice and untiring energy of the Rev. Stephen Theodore Badin,* who commenced, in Januaiy, 1794, to gather together the few Catholics then in the town. Father Badin was a native of France, and had been a sub- deacon of the diocese of Orleans. He escaped from Bor- deaux in 1792, while the furious Jacobins were murdering his fellow-priests, and sailed for the United States. He was ordained in Baltimore, by Bishop Carroll, the following year, being the first priest of his church ever ordained in this country, and shortly after set out for Kentucky. He journeyed from Limestone (Maysville) to Lexington on foot, and passed over the field of the disastrous battle of Blue Licks, and though the defeat had taken place more than eleven years before, the scene of it was still marked by the whitened bones of the massacred settlers. For a number of years after his arrival in Lexington, Father Badin, like the majority of the pioneer preachers, fared badly. A little hut was his home; he ground his own corn with a hand-mill, and once had to go several days without bread.f Father Badin celebrated mass in private houses until the year 1800, when his congregation erected a log church in a corner of the lot on which the First Baptist Church, on Main, is now located. Here he officiated until 1812. when the wants of his flock demanded a larger house. A gothic chapel of brick was accordingly built in the old Catholic graveyard, on Winchester street, and was dedicated Mav 19, 1812. 1 The subscription for this new church was *Spalding. tDavidson. |McCabe. 1794.] FIRST CATHOLIC CHURCH. IQI opened on St. Patrick's day in 1810, at which time the Rev. F^OTJIynn preached in the court-honse an eloquent pan- egyric on Ireland's patron saint. Three hundred dollars were subscribed on the spot, and enough was raised shortly after to commence work on the chapel. Father Badin labored in Lexington for many years, be- loved by his congregation, and respected by all who had the good fortune to know him. This early and zealous missionary, whose goodness, learning, and wit would have made him an ornament in the most polished society, spent his life with hunters and hardy settlers, in doing what he believed to be the best for his fellow-men. In 1822 he went to Paris, France, and while there published a book entitled "Early Catholic Missions in Kentucky." In 1832 he labored among the Potawatomie Indians. After traversing Ken- tucky and other states on missionary duty a hundred times through rain and storm, and heat and cold, he went to his rest at last in 1853. Rev. G. A. M. Elder, born in Marion county, Kentucky in 1793, succeeded Father Badin. He was a student at Emmettsburg College, Maryland ; was ordained by Bishop David in 1819, and is noted as the founder and first presi- dent of St. Joseph's College at Bardstown. He was a man of strong miind and unconquerable energy. Rev. Elder died September 28, 1828, in the institution he had established, and which remains as his monument. St. Peter's Church, on Limestone street, was built during the pastorate of Rev. Edward McMahon, a native of Ire- land, and was dedicated December 3, 1837. On Sunday, August 13, 1854,* just a few moments after the congrega- tion had retired from this building, the entire ceiling fell in with a crash that would have carried death and destruc- tion with it if it had occurred a little while before. Fathers Butler, John Maguire, and Dismarise succeeded each other. Father Dismariae was an Italian, learned and scholarly, and endowed with unusual philosophical talents. He died in •Observer and Reporter. 192 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1794. Philadelphia, a few years ago. In 1859, Rev. Peter Mc- Mahou and Rev. H. G. Allen were the resident priests. Rev. John H. Bekkers, a Hollander, took charge of the church in 1864, and has remained its faithful and efficient pastor ever since. Under his direction, the present hand- some and commodious St. Paul's Church, on Short street, between Broadway and Spring, was completed. The corner- stone of this church was laid by the Rt. Rev. G. A. Carroll, on Sunday, November 12, 1865, and was dedicated, with impressive services, October 18, 1868, by Archbishop Purcell. 1795.] BRICK BOUSES, ETC. 193 CHAPTER XXII. Brick Houses — Immkjralion — Infidelity — Free Navigation of the 31ississipin — German Lutheran Church — Lexington Li- brary^ Founders^ Incidents^ Librarians. Brick houses began to take the place of wooden ones in Lexington in 1795. The first one erected is believed to have been the one built by Mr. January in the back part of the lot, between Mill and Broadway, on which the residence of Mr. Benjamin Gratz now stands.* The fear of all future invasions by the Indians having been removed by the decisive campaign of General Wayne, immigrants in great numbers poured into Kentucky, and many of them settled in Lexington, whose substantial growth dates from this year. Unfortunately, some of the newcomers were admirers of Thomas Paine, and exerted themselves to spread his peculiar views through the com- munity, and being aided by the existing partiality for French ideas, met with some success, and laid the foundation of the infidelity and lax morality which became unpleasantly prominent shortly after. There was great rejoicing inLexington, in the fall of 1795, over the welcome news that a treat}^ had been concluded with Spain, by which the United States was conceded the free navigation of the Mississippi river to the ocean, with a right of deposit at JS[ew Orleans. About this time (1795), the organization of a German Lutheran church was efiected in Lexington, mainly through the efforts of Captain John Smith, Jacob Kiser, Casper Kernsner, and Martin Castel.f Money enough was secured, by means of a lottery, to purchase the lot on Hill street, be- tween Mill and Upper, on which the Southern Methodist *McCabe. tOld Kentucky Gaz.etto. 194 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1795. Church now stands, and to erect a story and a half frame . building, which was used both as a church and school-house. The pastor of the church was the Rev. Mr, Dishman, the teacher was Mr. Leary. The congregation was composed almost entirely of Germans, among whom were Henry Lanckart, Jacob Springle, John Xiser, Adam Webber, George Adams, Haggard, Edward Howe, Malcolm Myers, and Mr. Bushart. Many members of the Lutheran Church were buried in their old graveyard, which is still to be seen back of the present Hill Street Methodist Church. About the year 1815, the little frame Lutheran church was destroyed by fire, and no other was ever erected. The congregation became scattered, and finally died out, even from the memory of many. "When the old church lot was sold to the Lutheran Methodists, only one trustee of the Lutheran Church, Adam Webber, was still alive. The Lexington Library, the oldest institution of its kind in Kentucky, if not in the AVest, commenced its existence in this year (1795). On New Year's day, a number of gen- tlemen met in the " old state-house " to consult in regard to establishing a library for the benefit of the citizens of Lex- ington and the students of Transylvania Seminary. It was resolved to organize such an institution, to be called " Tran- sylvania Library," and the following citizens were appointed a committee to perfect the work, viz : Robert Barr, John Bradford, John Breckinridge, James Brown, R. W. Down- ing, Thomas Hart, Thomas January, James Parker, Samuel Price, Fred. Ridgely, H. Toulmin, and James Trotter. So earnest were these gentlemen in the good work to which they had been called, that in a few days they had se- cured subscriptions from the public amounting to five hun- dred dollars. A purchasing committee was appointed, and the money forwarded for the books.* At this time, Tran- sylvania Seminary, as the present university was then called, was a small school, with no collection worthy the name of " library," and there were no private libraries iu the city, though it could boast, even at that early day, of many citi- *Kentucky Gazette. 1795.] LEXINGTON LIBRARY. 195 zens of culture and education, who no doubt waited with the greatest impatience for the infant library. Patience was needed, for it took nearly a year to collect and transport the books to Lexington. But they came at last (four hun- dred volumes) in January, 1796, and were placed for safe keeping in the seminary building. In 1798, when the Presbyterian grammar school, "Ken- tuck}' Academy," was merged in Transylvania Seminary, forming Transylvania Universitj^ the library was increased by the addition of the little library of Kentucky Academy. By this means, the library came in possession of valuable theological works, obtained through the generous exertions of Rev. Doctor Gordon, of Loudon,* and also books bought by subscriptions obtained by Rev. James Blythe from President Washington, Vice-President Adams, Aaron Burr, and other distinguished gentlemen. The library now numbered over six hundred volumes, and the committee, believing it could be made more useful if placed in a more central location, removed it to the drug store of the first librarian, Andrew McCalla, which was located at that time on the corner of Market and Short streets, where the Dailv Press office now stands, and its name was changed to " Lexington Library." By this name it was incorporated November 29, 1800. The shareholders named in the charter are : Thomas Hart, Sen., James Morrison, John Bradford, James Trotter, John A. Seitz, Robert Patterson, John McDowell, Robert Barr, William Macbean, James Maccoun, Caleb Wallace, Fielding L. Turner, Samuel Pos- tlethwait, and Thomas T. Barr. At a general meeting of the shareholders, held at the house of John McNair, on the first Saturday in January, 1801, a complete organiza- tion under the charter was eflfected by the election of a board of directors. In 1803, the library contained seven hundred and fifty volumes, and had been removed to a room in the old state- house on West Main street, between Mill and Broadway. The juvenile library of one thousand one hundred and •Winterbotham's History, vol. iii, p. 155. 196 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1795. thirty-five books, which had been collected by an associa- tion of ambitious and energetic boys, was consolidated with the Lexington Library in 1810. It was further in- creased by donations and sales of shares, until, in 1815, it had grown to two thousand five hundred and seventy- three volumes. In 1824, the books of the Lexington Athseneum were turned over to it. Small as it was, the Lexington Library was now the largest and most prominent one in the western country, and it received frequent con- tributions of books, pamphlets, journals, and documents from various literary, scientific, and philosophical societies throughout the country, not to mention many donations of books from private citizens of Lexington and Fayette county. The library numbered over six thousand volumes in 1837, and was increased the next year through the efforts of Henry Clay, Robert Wickliffe, Jr., and A. K. Woolley, who addressed public meetings in its behalf. In 1839, Leslie Combs gave one thousand three hundred dol- lars in turnpike stock to the institution. At present, the number of books in the library is estimated at ten thou- sand, a small number when the age of the library is con- sidered, but its stnallness is due, to some extent, to the vicissitudes it has encountered during an eventful history. It has suffered from frequent removals, from fire, and from water. At one time, the books were kept in the old Odd- Fellows' hall, on Church street, between Upper and Lime- stone. The building was destroyed by fire, and the books sadly damaged. They were then removed to the Medical hall, which at that time occupied the site of the present library building, on the corner of Church and Market street. This hall was also destroyed by fire, and many books were lost. The library found another refuge in the new Medical Hall, erected on the corner of Broadway and Second streets, but still the fire fiend pursued it; the hall was burned, and the books, for the third time, were dam- aged, both by the fire itself and water from the engines. That the library was not scattered and almost entirely de- stroyed, Lexington may thank the watchful care of our late fellow -citizens, Leonard Wheeler, and also William A. 1795.] LEXINGTON LIBRARY. 197 Leavy, Lymau W. Seeley, and John S. Wilson. The library finally lauded in the house now owned by the library company, on Jordan's row, and at present occu- pied as the internal revenue office. In 1865, the present library building was bought by money raised from issuing bonds of the company for six thousand dollars, and the books were forthwith removed to it. This important occasion is the result of Mr. Thomas Mitchell's enlightened exertions. The following bondholders have, up to the present time, given up their bonds, and have accepted, instead, perpetual shares, viz: Benjamin Gratz, M. C. Johnson, Mrs. John Caity, D. A. Sayre, Wm. Wartield, H. T. Duncan, Jr., E. D. Sayre, J. B. Payne, J. S. Wilson, J. M. Elliott, W. W. Bruce, M. P. Lancaster, 8. S. Thompson, J. B. Morton, M. E. Graves, C. W. Fouschee, M. G. Thompson, J. W. Berkley, J. W. Cochrane, J. W. Cochran. At the meeting of the Kentucky Press Association in Lexington, in January, 1870, the editors in attendance re- solved to send their various journals free to the library. The Lexington Library is an exceedingly valuable one, abounding as it does in rare old works, which can not now be obtained elsewhere for any consideration, and the good that it has done can not easily be overet^timated. The names of the librarians, in the order of their succession, are : Andrew McCalla, Lewis H. Smith, David Logan, Thomas M. Prentiss, James Logue, Lyman W. Seeley, James Logue, Wellington Payne, William M. Matthews, Henry C. Brennan, Allie G. Hunt, Joseph Wasson, William Swift, and J. B. Cooper. The office was held longer by James Logue than by any other librarian. He was custo- dian of the books for more than twenty-tive years. Mr. Swift will be remembered for his accurate and extensive information and for his extraordinarj" memory. The in- stitution has never had a librarian more devoted to its in- terests than the present one, Mr. Cooper. 198 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1796. CHAPTE;R XXIII: Episcopal Church — First Building — Rev. James Moore — Early Members — The " St. Paul" Schism — List of Hectors of Christ Church — Fresent Condition. The history of the Episcopal Church in Lexington com- mences with the year 1796, when a feeble little band or- ganized the present Christ Church, in a dilapidated frame house which stood on the site of the present church, on the corner of Market and Church streets. Rev. James Moore, who w^as the first minister of the Episcopal Church of the United States who settled permanently in Kentucky, was the first rector of Christ Church. He came from Virginia to Lexington in 1792,* and was at that time a candidate for the ministry in the Presbyterian Church, but shortly after, considering himself too rigorously treated by the Transyl- vania Presbytery, he connected himself with the Episcopal Church. He was a man of learning, great piety, and beau- tiful manners. In 1798, he was ajtpointed acting president of Transylvania University, which office he held for several years. He died June 22, 1814, at the age of forty-nine. A little brick house succeeded the frame one, in 1808 and was furnished by means of a lottery, of which William Morton, Walter Warfield, Daniel Sheely, and John Wyatt were managers.f Among others, who were either members of the church at that time, or were adherents of it, may be namedj John D. Cliiford, Thomas January, John Bradford, Henry Clay, John W. Hunt, Thomas B. Pinkard, Frederick Ridgely, John Jordan, Elijah Craig, Alexander Parker, John Postlethwaite, William Essex, John Brand, Matthew, Elder, Matthew Shryock, and T. King. *Collins. tOld Gazette. JChurch Records. -J 1796.] THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 199 The Rev. John Ward succeeded Mr. Moore in November, 1813. Mr. Ward conducted a successful female school in Lexington for many years. He died in this city in 1860, aged eighty-two. After performing the duties of the rec- torship for six years with great acceptability, he was suc- ceeded, in September, 1819, by Rev. Lemuel Burge, who officiated as pro tern, pastor for five mouths, when he was called to the church eternal. The zealous and talented Dr. George T. Chapman, who is still living, at a very great age, in Massachusetts, became the next regular rector, in July, 1820. His volume of " Ser- mons to Presbyterians of all Sects," which was published in 1828, passed through several editions.* He was rector of Christ Church for ten years. During Dr. Chapman's ministry, the little brick chapel gave way to a larger and more church-like edifice, which was built on the same spot which had been occupied by both of its predecessors. The building was of brick, stuc- coed to imitate stone, and the aisles and other parts of it were, in time, strewn with memorial slabs and tablets to those who were buried in and around the edifice. This church building was badly constructed, and it became more and more insecure every year. A knowledge of this fact made the growth of the congregation very slow as long as it was occupied. The present bishop of the diocese, the Rev. Benjamin Bosworth Smith, was called to the rectorship of Christ Church in November, 1830. Bishop Smith was born June 13, 1794, in Bristol, R. I., was graduated at Brown Univer- sity in 1816, ordained priest in 1818, and consecrated bishop in St. Paul's Church, New York city, October 31, 1832. This learned, faithful, and now aged minister, resigned the rectorship in October, 1838, since which time he has been constantly employed in a laborious oversight of the diocese. In addition to publishing several sermons and charges. Bishop Smith has contributed largely to religious journals. Dr. Henry Caswell,t an English clergyman, was assist- *Ca?wull. TB. ii. aiiiitki. 200 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1796. ant rector of Christ Church for a part of Bishop Smith's term. In 1834, he was called to the professorship of Sacred Literature in the Episcopal Theological Seminary, then just established in Lexington, which position, with that of assist- ant rector, he held for three years. In 1839, he published a volume entitled "America and the American Church," and, about the same period, returned to England, and was for ten years vicar of Eigheldean, Diocese of Salisbury. He came back to the United States a few years ago, and sub- sequently died in Franklin, Pennsylvania. In 1887, Christ Church became divided* upon some com- paratively unimportant questions, and a part of the congre- gation organized a church, which they named " St. Paul's." They worshiped in Morrison College, but only for a short time. The trouble was soon settled, and the seceding mem- bers renewed their connection with Christ Chrrch. For a short time after the resignation of Bishop Smith, the amiable Rev. Edward Winthrop, a native ot New Haven, Connecticut, was temporary rector. He died in New York, in 1865. The regular successor of Bishop Smith was Rev. Edward F. Berkley, who entered upon the duties of the rectorship in January, 1839. Mr. Berkley was born in Washington City, September 20, 1813. He came to Lexington in 1835, was for three years a member of the Episcopal Theological Seminary in this city, and was ordained to the ministry in Christ Church in December, 1838. Mr. Berkley's fine qual- ities of head and heart so endeared him to his congregation, that he was retained in the service of the parish for nearly nineteen years. He resides at present in St. Louis, Mis- souri. On the 17th of March, 1847, the corner-stone of the present tasteful and elegant church edifice was laid, with appropriate ceremonies, and a dedicatory address was deliv- ered by the Rev. James Craik, of Louisville. The remains of those buried in and around the church were subsequently removed to the Episcopal Cemetery. The memorial tablets *Church Records. 1791] THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 201 of ^Ir. Moore, first pastor of the church, and Mr. John D. Clifford, one of its early and generous benefactors, were preserved through the provident attention of Mr, John S. Wilson, and, in 1858, when the church was still further im- proved, they were set in the wall of the building, where they still remain. Mr. Berkley resigned in November, 1857, and was suc- ceeded, in March, 1858, by the Rev. James II. Morrison, of Pemberton, Virginia, a gentleman of superior scholarly attainments. The present rector, the Eev. Jacob S. Shipman, took charge of Christ Church on the 14th of October, 1861. Mr. Shipman was born in Niagara, New York, November 30, 1832. In completing the Yale College course he enjoyed the special instruction of Dr. Joseph M. Clark. Mr. Shipman was ordained to the priesthood in 1858, and had been rector of two churches successively before he was called to Christ Church. Scholarly and original, possessed of a cultivated mind and a warm and generous heart, Mr. Shipman has gained the hiiihest esteem of his congregation, which has enjoyed abundant peace and prosperity under his efficient ministry. Christ Church has been, steadily increasing iji membership and influence for many years, and its present very flourish- ing condition is a source of great gratification to all christian people. 202 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1797 CHAPTER XXIV. Lexington Immigration Society — Size of Town — Town Prop- perty — Market Houses — Theater — Henry Clay: His Char- acter as an Orator, Statesman, and Man — Incidents. The year 1797 produced an association in Lexington, whose influence was so salutary that it was soon imitated in other places; and this was the "Lexington Immigration Society." Strong exertions, and successful ones, were made by it to induce industrious farmers and mechanics to re- move to this region. Publications were made and circu- lated full of information regarding the amount of the or- dinary products of the soil per acre, the common prices of marketing, the various species of mechanical labor, and productions, etc. Of this society, Thomas Hart was presi- dent ; John Bradford, secretary. The following particulars from one of these documents are extracted for the benefit of the curious: AVERAGE PRODUCE OF ONE ACRE OF LAND. Of wheat sown in corn-ground, 25 bushels ; in fallow- ground, 35; corn, 60; rye, 25; barley, 40; oats, 40; pota- toes, Irish, 250 — sweet, — ; hemp, 8 cwt. ; tobacco, 1 ton; hay, 3 tons. LEXINGTON MARKET PRICES. Wheat, per bushel, $1; corn, 20 cents; rye, 66 cents; barley, 50 cents; oats, 17 cents; potatoes, Irish, 33 — sweet, $1 ; hemp, per ton, $86.66; tobacco, per cwt., $4; hay, per ton, $6. The establishment of this society shows that our enter- prising ancestors were determined to build up their flour- ishing town, which consisted of sixteen hundred inhabit- 1797.] MARKET HOUSES— THEATER. 203 ants, and over two hundred houses,* a few of them brick ones, many of them frame, but the most of them log ones, with chimneys built on the outside. A town lot was worth thirty dollars, and good farms in the vicinity could be bought for five dollars per acre.f The best farmers lived in log cabins, and even when they went "to town" wore hunting-shirts and leggings. The then beautiful vale through which town fork poured, was variegated with corn-fields, meadows, and trees. The means used for car- rying on the town government were not as extravagant then as those of modern times, as all the town property in the hands of the trustees consisted of " two oxen, a cart, a wheelbarrow, sledge, mattock, crowbar, shovel, and a two-foot rule."t B}^ this time, the ground-room of the old state-house, which had been converted into a market-house, had become entirely too small for the ambitious citizens of Lexinsfton " . . . ' and a subscription was raised, which resulted in the build- ing of a substantial market-house on the public ground, between the present court-house and Cheapside, from which circumstance Market street derived its name. In 1814, a market-house was built on Water street, but the Cheapside structure was not removed until 1817. The market-house now in use was built in 1844. How Lexington supported a place of amusement in 1797, we are not prepared to say, but she certainly had one. "An exhibition-room, adjoining Coleman's tavern," was erected by George Saunders, and opened to the public Monday evening, June 5th. "Admission at sunset; performance to begin at dark; pit, 3s. 9d. ; gallery, 2s. 3d."§ A theat- rical performance was held in the court-house in 1798. In 1807, Melish, the traveler, was in Lexington, and visited the theater, which then stood on the corner of "Water and Limestone, but his metropolitan tastes were not entirely gratified, as he said afterward, that " the performance did very well, but there was a deficiency of actresses, and one ♦Joseph Scott's Directory. t^rown's Gazetteer. ^Trustees' Book. gold Gazette. 204 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1797. of the men liad to play a female part, which did not suit my taste at all." In 1812, "Macbeth" was played at the "Hotel Theater," and on the evening of May 30th, in that year, "John Bull," a comedy, was performed before a packed audience, by Thespian amateurs belonging to the " Old Infantry" com- pany, in honor of the Lexington volunteers for the war against England. A goodly sum was realized, and used to buy arms, clothing, and camp equipage for the soldiers.* "Usher's Theater" was built about the year 1816.f It was located on the old Brueu property, at the corner of Spring and Vine streets, and, though it was on a small scale, it could boast of regular boxes, a pit, and a gallery. The celebrated Drake family constituted one of the Urst regular companies which appeared in the theater. Edwin Forest, who had before played minor parts in Philadelphia, made his debut as a leading actor in " Usher's Theater." He was brought out by Collins and J ones. J Sol. Smith, the noted comedian, who died in St. Louis in 1869, raised his first theatrical company in Lexington, and played in this theater for several weeks previous to his first tour. In 1832, and frequently thereafter, the Masonic Hall was used for theatrical purposes. The theater was located, in 1837, on the lot now occupied by John S. "Wilson's resi- dence, on Upper street, and here the noted Mrs. Duff' made her first appearance in Lexington. The remarkable Gus Adams charmed a crowded audience, in 1840, in a building neither very large nor very pretentious, which the citizens dignified with the name "Theater." It stood on Short street, between Broadway and Jefferson, opposite the resi- dence of J. B. Wilgus. After this time, Melodeon Hall and other rooms were used ; but for the last fifteen years, the Odd Fellows' Hall, corner of Main and Broadway, has been " the theater." The followers of Thespis and Orpheus who have visited Lexington would make an army, and we can only mention, in addition to the distinguished artists already named, the "■■Observer and Reporter. tBenj. Kiser. JMarsh. 1797.] HENRY CLAY. 205 famous elder Booth, the great pioneer actor Cooper, Julia Dean, Murdoch, Mrs. Lander, Joe Jefferson, Sontag, Patti, Parodi, Briguoli, and Ole Bull. Henry Clay, whose greatness is crystallized in history, and whose name is the most illustrious one associated with Lexington, came to this city in November, 1797, and made it his home for the rest of his life, a period of more than half a century. Here he struggled. Here he triumphed. Here he sleeps. On the 12th of April, 1777, in the "Slashes" neighbor- hood, of Hanover county, Virginia, in the midst of a great revolution, Henry Clay was born. His father, a Baptist minister, died when Henry was four years old, and left his family no legacy but poverty and toil. Fortunately, the mother of Henry was a woman of vigorous intellect and great energy, and she managed to maintain her large family in comparative comfort. Both parents were natives of Vir- ginia. The early years of the future orator were years of much labor and little education, and it was then that he was known as "the milhboy of the slashes,"* from the fact that he was often seen, when the meal-barrel was low, going to and fro between his mother's house and the mill, on the Pamunky river, mounted on a scrub pony, with a meal-bag for a saddle and a rope for a bridle. Up to the age of fourteen, he had received three years' "schooling," in a log house of the period, and from Peter Deacon, of whom little is known, except that he was the only teacher of Henry Clay. He was now placed by Captain Henry Watkins, whom his mother had married, in the store of Riciiard Denny, of Richmond. At the end of a year, Peter Tinsley, of Richmond, clerk of the high court of chaueory of Vir- ginia, gave him a situation in his office, and about the same time, namely 1792, his mother removed with his ste[)father to Kentucky, and settled in Woodford county, where she died in 1827. While engaged in the chancery court office, Henry Clay attracted the attention of Chancellor Wythe, who engaged *Colton Papers, 19. 206 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1797. him as an amanuensis, assisted him in mental improvement, and encouraged him to study law, which he subsequently did, in the office of Robert Brook, then attorney-general of Virginia. Mr. Clay, having obtained a license to practice law from the judges of the court of appeals of Virginia, immigrated to Lexington, Kentucky, in November, 1797. Here (to use his own words), *" I established myself, without patrons, without the favor of the great or opulent, without the means of paying my weekly board, and in the midst of a bar un- commonly distinguished by eminent members." Lexington was then the metropolis of the West, claiming sixteen hun- dred inhabitants, and George Nicholas, Joe Daviess, James Brown, John Breckinridge, William Murray, and James Hughes were the leading lawyers. Mr. Clay, at this time, seemed to be in bad health. f He was delicate in person and slow in his movements; but he quickly rallied. His first speech in Lexington was made in a young men's de- bating club. The smiles provoked by his awkward begin- ning were succeeded by cordial cheers and congratulations.^ The first fee Mr. Clay received was fifteen shillings. His first public speech he made at the age of twenty-one, in the summer of 1798. The news had just arrived in Lexington that Congress had passed the infamous alien and sedition laws, and while crowds of excited and indignant men were discussing the news on Main street, a cart was drawn out, and Clay was put in it and told to " speak." He did speak; and the brilliant and crushing eloquence of his denuncia- tions of those odious enactments, revealed his genius to the people, and laid the foundation of his fame. He rose rap- idly in his profession. In 1799 he married Lucretia, daughter of Thomas Hart, one of the earliest citizens of Lexington. The marriage took place in the house on the corner of Mill and Second, now occupied by Mrs. Ryland. Mrs. Clay was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, 1781. As we have seen, Mr. Clay united himself at an early period with the Jefiersonian or Democratic party. In ♦Speech at Lexington, 1842. tColHns. JColton. 1797.] HENRF CLAY. 207 1803, he was elected from the county of Fayette to the lower house of the Kentucky legislature, and was re-elected to that body every succeeding session, until 1806, when he was chosen United States senator, to fill out the unexpired term of General Adair. The rapidity with which these favors were showered upon Mr. Clay evidence how soon he had gained a strong hold upon the popular heart. After servino- during the session for which he was elected, Mr. Clay resumed the practice of his profession in Lexington. He was now thirty, the leader of the bar, and overwhelmed with important cases. In the summer of 1807, he was again sent to the state legislature, and was elected speaker of the house. He was continued in the assembly until 1809, when he was returned to the United States Senate to fill out the unexpired term of Buckner Thurston. He bore a conspicuous part in the discussion of the great national questions before the senate. His first speech of the session foreshadowed the outlines of that vast scheme of " protection," known as the "Amer- ican system," of which Mr. Clay has been called the " father." His powerful eftbrts in favor of the " protection " of domestic manufactures, on the "line of the Rio Per- dido," and in opposition to the rechartering of the United States Bank, stand pre-eminent in congressional history. Mr. Clay subsequently changed his opinion, and urged the chartering of the United States Bank, and gave his reasons for the change with characteristic force. In 1811, Mr. Clay was elected to the lower house of Con- gress, and entered on the great period of his life, commenc- ing with his election as speaker of the house of represent- atives, and terminating with his death, during which all his great endowments became so conspicuous through services and eflbrts so illustrious.* He had never before been a member of that house, which renders it still more remarkable that he should have been elected its speaker on the day he took his seat. He was re-elected speaker six times, and after occupying the chair about thirteen years, ^Address of Dr. R. J. Breckinridge. 208 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1797. left it to become secretary of state in the cabinet of the younger Adams, in 1825, which situation he held till the close of that administration in 1829. He was out of Con- gress during two short periods; first in 1814-15, while en- gaged as one of the American commissioners in negotiat- ating the treaty of Ghent, and again in 1820-22, when the condition of his private affairs obliged him to return to the bar. After the close of his service as secretary of state, in 1829, he remained in private life till the autumn of 1831, when he was elected to the senate of the United States for the third time, and commenced a senatorial career even more protracted and glorious than his previous career in the more popular branch of Congress. He was elected to the senate the fourth time in 1837. In March, 1812, after twelve years continuous service in the senate, covering six years of the administration of General Jackson, the whole of Mr. Vim Buren's administration, and the first two years of Mr. Tyler's, he resigned his seat in the senate, and re- tired, as he supposed, finally to private life. In 1848, he was elected to the senate for the fifth time, and was a mem- ber of it till his death, in 1852. From his entrance into public life, just fifty j^ears had expired at his death; and of these more than forty years had been passed in the most laborious public service. From his entrance into the house of representatives, in 1811, he had served thirteen years as a speaker of that house, about sixteen years as a senator, and four years as secretary of state, thus occupying far the greater part of the last forty years of his life in a career unsurpassed by any statesman of his era. That career of forty years was as diversified as it was brilliant.* During the war of 1812 he was "• the master spirit, around whom all the boldness and chivalry of the nation rallied. He was the life and soul of the war party in Con- gress." In 1815, we find him one of a commission con- cluding a treaty of peace with England, in the ancient city of Ghent, and shortly after enjoying the society of the most noted characters in Europe. Then comes his review of the *Niles' Kegister and Congressional Globe. 1797.] HENRY CLAT. 209 Seminole war; bis triumphant efforts in behalf of internal improvements, and for the reco<^nition of the South Ameri- can republics ; his Herculean labors to avert the convulsion which threatened the nation in 1821, on the application of Missouri for admission into the Union ; his eloquent appeals in behalf of Greece ; his achievements in the protection battles of 1832-33 ; opposition to the sub-treasury system in 1836; thrilling farewell scene in the senate in 1812; re- tirement to Ashland; practice of his profession; recall to the senate in 1848 ; and the mighty efforts of " the old man eloquent" during the perilous slavery excitement in Con- gress in 1850-52. Mr. Clay was thrice a candidate for the presidency; first, in 1825, when his opponents were Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams, and W. H. Crawford. The people failed to make a choice. The election was thrown into the house of representatives, where Mr. Clay gave his vote and influ- ence for Mr. Adams, w^ho thus became President. Upon the inauguration of the new President, Mr. Clay was made secretary of state. The course pursued by Mr. Clay on this occasion sul)jected him to the bitterest denunciations and abuse. It was charged that he had bought his seat in the cabinet, and the cry of "bargain and corruption" was re- peated over and over again, to the end of his life, and de- feated him in every subsequent race for the presidency. Where now is the man who may hope to keep his greatness and purity undeliled from the ever accumulating filth of the political arena? Slander is the soul-scorching price of po- litical eminence. In a speech delivered at Lexington, Ken- tucky, September 9, 1812, Mr. Clay said: "My error in accepting the office tendered me arose out of ray under- rating the power of detraction and the force of ignorance, and abiding with too sure a confidence in the conscious in- tegrity and uprightness of my own motives." It is enough to say that the life-long friends of Mr. Clay, those who knew, indeed, the integrity and clearness of his inner life, have always scouted this charge with scorn and contempt. In 1832, Mr. Clay, who had disconnected himself from the Jeffersonian Democrats, was again nominated for the 210 BISTORT OF LEXINGTON. [1797. presidency by the "National Republicans," or Whigs (as they were beginning to be called), a new party, mainly created by himself. His great antagonist was General Jack- son, the candidate of the ''Democratic" party. This con- test was one of the fiercest and most stubborn that had yet been waged in America, and never did the energy and genius of Mr. Clay shine out more resplendent. Mr. Clay's tri- umph was complete in his own state, but the indomita- ble old hero of New Orleans was re-elected President. The Whig party, of which Mr. Clay was the idol, passionately desired to lift him to the chief magistracy of the nation, and again nominated him in 1844. He was opposed by James K. Polk, the Democratic candidate. Mr. Clay was powerfully and almost successfully supported by his party. The contest, which was remarkably close and long, seemed doubtful, and was decided by the vote of New York, and the prize fell to Mr. Polk, while apparently within the very reach of Mr. Clay. On the slavery question, Mr. Clay was conservative. While deprecating the evils of African slavery, and favoring its gradual abol-ishraent, he invariably denounced the wild and violent sentiments of radical abolitionists. Mr. Clay was engaged in two duels. The first was with Humphrey Marshall, author of the History of Kentucky. Mr. Clay was wounded in this duel. The second was with John Randolph. The voice of the world has pronounced Mr. Clay a great man — great as a statesmen, and pre-eminently great as a lawyer; but it is as an orator that he will live longest in the memory of men. The accompaniments of his great intellect were a finely-formed, graceful, and commanding person, fascinating manners, a piercing eye, and a voice of wonderful melody and power. Upon great occasions, he was all earnestness, all feeling, body and soul seemed merged in one spiritual essence, and from his lips flowed a stream of irresistible eloquence, which has given him a place in history as one of the grandest orators the world has ever produced. 1797.] HENRY CLAY. 211 Mr. Clay's personal appearance in 1845 is thus described :* " He is six feet and one inch in height; not stout, but the op- posite ; has long arms and a small hand ; always erect in carriage, but particularly so in debate; has a well-shaped head and a dauntless profile; an uncommonly large mouth; upper lip commanding, nose prominent, spare visage, and blue eyes, electrical when kindled; forehead high, hair nat- urally light, and slow to put on the frosts of age ; a well- formed person, and an imposing aspect," Taken as a whole, his appearance and bearing were singularly impressive. His presence was always felt. Mr. Clay was accurate in business, and exceedingly care- ful to attend to the little things of life.f If he casually borrowed even a dime, he returned it punctually and scru- pulously. He met all his obligations, and expected every one else to do the same. He was always neat in his dress. He sent for a barber on the morning of his death, and was cleanly shaved at his own expressed desire. He always showed great respect for religion. He was born with an appreciation of the courtesies due on all occasions. He was a hard worker. He prepared himself for all public occa- sions. His speeches were the result of study and fore- thought. While he was ready at all times to defend his honor at the pistol's mouth, he was magnanimous and gen- erous, and if, in the heat of the moment, he gave unmerited offense, he was quick to apologize and ask forgiveness. He was great everywhere. He towered when among the most distinguished. One of Mr. Clay's most remarkable traits was his power over men. He was born to command. On one occasion, after the burning of the old court-house, and while court was being temporarily held in the " old Rankin Meeting-house," which stood on the site of the present city school-house, on the corner of Walnut and Short streets, Mr. Clay was called upon to defend a pris- oner. Mr. Clay demanded the warrant, looked at it, found it defective and illegal, and turning at once to the prisoner, said to him, "Go home, sir!" The man hesitated. "Go *Colton. tJames O. Harrison, executor of Mr. Clay. 212 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1797 home!" thundered Mr. Clay. The man jumped up at once and "put out," without an effort on the part of the astounded sheriff or judge to stop him. No one thought of resisting that imperial personal power. On the 25th of June, 1847, Mr. Clay united with the Episcopal Church in Lexington. The tremendous exertions made by Mr. Clay in 1849-50, in behalf of the compromise measures, which employed his whole heart and brain, night and day, sapped his vital powers. The excitement while it lasted kept him alive, but bodily decay soon followed. The last summer Mr. Clay spent with his family and friends in Lexing- ton was in 1850. His health was quite delicate. He looked like a victim of consumption.* Returning to Wash- ington city, "broken with the storms of state," and scathed with many a fiery conflict, Henry Clay gradually de- scended toward the tomb. After the month of March, 1852, he wasted rapidly away, and for weeks lay patiently await- ing the stroke of death. For some days before his death^ he was not allowed to walk, even with the support of others. His physician, the eminent Dr. Jackson, of Phila- delphia, told him on one occasion not to attempt to walk, that if he stood erect he would faint, and that if he should faint he would breathe no more. "Why is this?" asked Mr. Clay. " Because there is not enough of vitality in the heart to give circulation to the blood." " Has it then come to this," said Mr. Clay, and for a moment sorrow- fully. And seeing the necessity, he suffered himself to be borne like a child to and from his bed. On the morning of June 28, the great change commenced, and found him ready. The dying statesman whispered to his friend, the Rev. Dr. Butler, "I have an abiding trust in the merits and mediation of our Savior." At night he was calm, but his mind wandered. In a low and distinct voice he named his wife and son and other relatives in a disconnected manner. On the morning of the 29th, he continued perfectly tranquil, though exceedingly feeble, and manifesting a disposition to slumber. About ten *Jou mills. 1797.] HENRY CLAY. 213 o'clock he asked for some cool water, which he was iu the habit of taking through a silver tube; upon removing the tube from his mouth, he ap[)eare(l to have more difJicultj in swallowing than previously. He turned to his son and said, " Do n't leave me." Soon after he motioned to have his shirt collar opened, and then added, " I am going soon." iSerenely he breathed his last, at eleven o'clock a. m., in the presence of his son Thomas, Governor Jones, of Tennessee, and his favorite servant, Charles. His last moments were calm and quiet, and he seemed in full possession of all his faculties, and apparently suffering but little. His counte- nance to the last indicated a full knowledge of his condition. He had long since made every preparation for his death, giving his son full instructions as to the disposition of his bod}^ and the settlement of his worldly afl'airs. The sad news was at once flashed to Lexington, when every place of business was immediatel}^ closed, and the solemn tolling of the bells announced the great grief that had fallen upon the home of Clay. After every tribute of respect and love had been rendered the illustrious dead iu Washington, solemn and impressive funeral honors and services were conducted in the senate chamber at twelve M. of June 31, in the presence of the President and his cabinet, both houses of Congress, the di[)loniatic corps, and a host of distinguished men from all parts of the country. After laying in state in the capitol building until four o'clock p. M., the body was placed upon a train for Baltimore, but did not reach Lexington until the whole nation, by the most extensive and beautiful demonstrations, had evinced its love and sorrow for the departed sage. On the morning of Saturday, Jul}' 10, his funeral took place at his home, Lexington. (See chapter on 1852.) In the presence of a mighty concourse of the sorrowing, at the sound of the dirge, the minute guns, and the tollino* bells, a great procession of his mourning fellow-citizens car- ried him tenderly, and with every token of love and respect, from the old house at Ashland to Christ Church, and from thence to the Lexington Cemetery. Mr. Clay's body was first deposited iu the public vault, afterward it was iu- 214 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1797. terred by the side of his mother, and lastly, in 1857, it was incased in a beautiful marble sarcophagus, and placed per- manently in the chamber of the Clay monument, tlien completed. On one of the last days of his life, he said to Judge Underwood, his colleague in the senate, " There may be some question where my remains shall be buried. Some persons may designate Frankfort. I wish to repose in the cemetery at Lexington, where many of my friends and connections are buried."* And so it is this day. Upon the marble sarcophiigus, in enduring letters, can be seen these memorable words, uttered by Mr. Clay : " I can, with unshaken coniidence, appeal to the Divine Arbiter for the truth of the declaration that I have been influenced by no impure purpose, no personal motive, have sought no personal aggrandizement, but that, in all ray public acts, I have had a sole and single eye, and a warm, devoted heart, directed and dedicated to what, in mj' best judgment, I believed to be the true interests of my country." Another marble sarcophagus rests near that of Mr. Clay. It contains the remains of his wife and life-long companion, Mrs. Lucretia Clay, who died in April, 18d4, aged seventy-three. Mr. and Mrs. Clay had eleven children — six daughters and five sons. Two daughters died in infancy. Lucretia died at Ashland, aged fourteen. Eliza died at the same age, while en route for Washington city. Mrs. Duralde only lived to be twenty. Mrs. Irwine died in 1835. Henry, Jr., was killed at Buena Vista, in 1847. James B. died in Canada, in 1864, aged forty-seven. Theodore died in 1871, at the age of sixty-nine. Thomas H., born in 1803, died in 1872. John M. Clay, born in 1821, is the only surviving child of the Cicero of the West. All of the deceased mem- bers of the household sleep in thefamily lot in the Lexing- ton Cemetery, where also repose the remains of Elizabeth Watkins, the mother of the great Clay. Ashland, for nearly half a century the home of Mr. Clay, is situated about a mile and a half from the Lexington *Judge Underwood. 1797.] HENRY CLAT. 215 court-house, on the southwest side of the turnpike leading to Richmond. The grounds are beautiful, and the forest trees magnificent. The land, which is not surpassed for richness in the famous " Blue Grass Region," cost Mr. Clay about ten dollars an acre, in 1805 or 1806. The " old house " which Mr. Clay occupied, stood on the site of the present beautiful residence, which was erected by James B. Clay, in 1857. The "old house" was a spacious and comfortable brick mansion, devoid of architectural adornment. Here Mr. and Mrs. Clay entertained, with simple elegance, Daniel Webster, Lafayette, President Monroe, Mr. Lowndes, Martin Van Buren, Mr. Politica (the Russian minister), General Bertrand, Lord Morpeth, and a host of other dis- tinguished men of this and foreign countries. Mr. Clay's law office* was, for a long time, in the house now occupied by Dr. Bruce, on Mill, between Church and Second streets. He, and his son James, also used the office now occupied by Judge Carr, on Short, between Upper and Limestone streets. Some of Mr. Clay's grandest oratorical eflbrts were made in the present court-house, and in the yard surrounding it. Before Mr. Clay purchased Ashland, he lived in a house erected on the site of the Hunter resi- dence, on Mill street, and opposite his old law office. *Jas. O Harrison and Wm. Swift. -^i^^ 216 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. 17^3. CHAPTER XXX. Resolutions of " '98 "St. Andrew's Society : List of Members— Caledonian Club — Jesse Bledsoe. Nowhere in the United States was the administration of President John Adams more odious than in Lexington, and when, on the 9th of November, 1798,* the Kentucky legislature passed the resolutions introduced by John Breck- inridge, of Fayette, protesting; against the notorious alien and sedition laws, the gratification and excitement of the citizens was intense. Liberty poles and tri-color cockades were more numerous then in Lexington than in any other place in the whole country. The Scotchmen ot Lexington organized an association on the 17th of November, 1798,t which they entitled the " St. Andrew's Society of Lexington, in the State of Kentucky." John Maxwell was the chairman of the meeting oF organiza- tion, and George Muter, afterward one of the judges of the supreme court of the state, was elected the first president. The objects of the society, as stated verbatim in the pre- amble to its constitution, were : " To promote philanthropy amongst those of the natives of Scotland who have chosen as tlieir residence ditterent parts of the State of Kentucky, and to promote a friendly union and intercourse with the de- scendants of parents who came originally from that coun- try; desirous, also, to extend the benevolent hand of relief to such of this description, whether presently residing in paid state, or who may hereafter arrive therein." The first anniversary meeting was held in Megowan's tavern, on Friday, November 30, 1798, when a dinner was *Buller. t'^<^ciety Records. 1798.] JUDGE BLEDSOE. 217 given, which was enjoyed by the members of the society, and a number of invited guests. The original members of the society were Alexander McGregor, John Cameron, WilHam McBean, John Maxwell, David Keid, Richard Lake, John Arthur, William Todd, Thomas Reid, George Mntor, Miles McCoun, James Russell, Alexander Springle, and James Bain. Up to 1806, the following additional names had been added to the roll of the society, viz: Rob- ert Campbell, Allan B. McGruder, John Bradford, Daniel McBean, John Brand, John Ferrier, Thomas Bodley, E. Sharpe, William Miller, George Anderson, John Jackson, and Jose[ih McClear. The St, Andrew's Society has been succeeded by the present " Caledonian Club," which regu- larly celebrates the birthday of Robert Burns. About the year 1798, Jesse Bledsoe commenced the study of law in Lexington.* Judge Bledsoe was born in Cul- pepper county, Virginia, April 6, 1776, and was the son of Joseph Bledsoe, a Baptist preacher, and Elizabeth Miller, his wife. Judge Bledsoe was brought by an elder brother to the neighborhood of Lexington when a boy, and was sent to Transylvania Seminary, where he soon made him- self conspicuous by his talents, industry, and scholarly attainments. After completing his collegiate course, he studied law, and commenced its practice with success and reputation. About this time, he married the eldest daughter of Colonel Nathaniel Gist. He early attracted popular attention and favor, and was frequently elected to the Kentucky legislature. He was at one time state senator from Bourbon county, after which his superior abilities caused him to receive the appointment of secretary of state under Governor Charles Scott. In 1812, while a member of the legislature, he was elected to the United States Senate, the distinguished John Pope being his colleague. He was appointed circuit judge in the Lexington district, by Governor Adair, in 1822, where- upon he removed to, and settled permanently in Lexing- ton; where, before, he had only resided at times. Simul- *Collins. 218 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1798. taneoLis with his appointment as judge, he was made pro- fessor of law in Transylvania University, and after ably filling both places for a number of years, he resigned, and resumed the practice of 1 iw. Subsequently, he abandoned his profession for a short time for that of the ministry; and in 1831,* he preached the dedication sermon on the opening of the Christian Church, on the corner of Mill and Hill streets. In 1833, Judge Bledsoe removed to Mississippi, and from theuce, in 1835,t to Texas, and was gathering materials for a history of that new Republic, when he was taken sick and died, June 25, 1886, at Nacogdoches. Judge Bledsoe was a man of powerful intellect, no little eccentricity, and remarkable eloquence. His speeches were noted for strength, wit, originality, and fire, and rarely failed to carry conviction with them. In his best days, but few men were considered the mental equals of Judge Bledsoe. Amos Kendall, who knew him in his palmiest day, said of him :| " Mr. Bledsoe was a man sui generis. He was endowed with splendid talents, and with the exception of Henry Clay, was the most eloquent man in Kentucky. His manner was slow and deliberate, his language beautiful, his gestures graceful, and his thoughts communicated with the utmost clearness." Judge Bledsoe's residence in Lexington was, at one time, on the place now occupied by Mr. A. M. Barnes, fronting on Fourth street, and at the head of Walnut. At another time, he lived on Short, between Walnut and Dewees streets, and in the house now occupied by Mr. Armstrong. *Observer and Keporter. tCollins. IKendall's Biography. 1799.] STREET IMPROVEMENT, ETC. 219 CHAPTER XXVI. Street Improvement — Second Constitutional Convention — Ken- tucky Vineyard Association. The first improvement of the streets of Lexington com- menced in 1799, in which year a part of Main street was paved. Up to this time, the citizens had contented them- selves with narrow " log-walks," with here and there a hroad, fiat stone. Macadamized roads were unknown, and mud-holes were so deep and numerous on Main street and the "public square," that the trustees had a "bridge" ex- tended from the court-house to what is now called Carty's corner.* The " Branch," or as it was then frequently called, the " Canal," rose so high in 1799, that it overflowed the bridge which extended across it on Upper street. It did not take the people of Kentucky many years to discover that they wanted a more democratic constitution than that of 1792, and a convention to revise it was accordingly called by the legislature. In May, 1799, the following delegates were elected in Fayette to the convention, which met the succeeding June, viz: John McDowell, Buckner Thurston, John Breckinridge, W. Carr, and John Bell. The convention framed the second consti- tution of Kentucky, which went into eft'ect in June, 1800. The Kentucky Vineyard Association was formed in Lex- ington in 1799, and seven hundred and fifty acres of land, "Iviiig in the big bend of the Kentucky river, near the mouth of Hickman creek," were purchased. The asso- ciation assured the public that, " in less than four years, wine may be drank on the banks of the Kentucky, pro- duced from European stock." This was, probably, the first regular attempt to cultivate a vineyard ic America. ♦Trustees' Book. 220 BISTORT OF LEXINGTON. ['^800. CHAPTER XXVII. Population of Lexington — Death of Washington — The Great Bevival. In the year 1800, Lexington was the rising town of the "West. Her population amounted to two thousand four hundred, while the adjacent village of Cincinnati, which bought much of its merchandise in Lexington, could only claim a population of seven hundred and fifty. The news of the death -of Washington, which occurred December 14, 1799, was a long time in creeping " out West ;" but as soon as it was known in Lexington, due respect was paid to the memory of the Father of his Country. On the 22d of January, 1800,* the town council unanimously " Re- solved, That the trustees of Lexington will join the pro- cession on Saturday next from respect to the memory of George Washington, as commander-in-chief of the Revo- lutionary army of the United States, who led his country to independence, and then resumed his station as a private citizen in 1783." The " procession " formed at Masons' Hall, at twelve o'clock M.,on Saturday, January 25, 1800, and was composed of military with arms reversed, musicians, trustees, president, professors and students of Transylvania Univer- sity, Masons in regalia, clerk of the town and board of trustees, clergy ,j ustices of the peace, and private citizens. To the measure of a solemn dirge, the procession slowly moved to the frame Presbyterian church on Cheapside, when an ap- propriate address was delivered by Professor James Brown, of Transylvania University.f The remarkable religious excitement which had com- menced in the Green river country some time before, reached *Towu Kecords. tOld Gazette. 1800.] THE OliEAT REVIVAL. 221 Lexington and Fayette county in 1800. It was confined to Methodists, Presbyterians, and Baptists, and before tbe "great revival," as it is called, had ended, the most aston- ishing events transpired. At Lexington and Walnut Hill, meetings were commenced which frequently extended through entire daj's and nights. The people attended in vast crowds from all the surrounding country, on foot, on horseback, and in every imaginable vehicle, bringing with them tents, provisions, and cooking utensils for a protracted visit, and often a camp-meeting concourse would number from ten to twenty thousand persons. The wildest excite- ment, and the most ridiculous extravagances, characterized these meetings. A hymn or an exhortation was the signal to the living mass of humanity to shout and groan and laugh and scream until the noise was almost equal to the ocean in a storm. Visions and trances were of frequent occurrence. In Lexington,* a woman swooned, and when she awoke, said she had been walking on the tree tops. One fainted and had a vision of heaven, and another had a view of hell. These epileptic evidences of piety were succeeded by growling and barking, kissing and hugging, dancing, jerking, falling, rolling, and tumbling. The influence of the imagination on the nervous system has never been more strikingly illustrated than during the "great revival" of 1800. *Lyle, 7. "^^^^^^^^^^ 222 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1801. CHAPTER XXVIII. The First Kentucky Bank — Nail Factory. The first bank chartered iu Kentucky was the Lexing- ton Insurance Company, which was incorporated by the legislature in 1801,* and inadvertently with banking privi- leges. The clause giving it such powers was not per- ceived or understood by the members, and they voted for the bill, while they were bitterly hostile to all banks. The officers of "the bank," as the institution was always called in early days, were : President, William Morton ; directors, John Jordon, Stephen Waute, Thos. Hart, and Thomas "Wallace ; cashier, John Bradford ; clerk, Wm. McBean. The bank was located on Main, between Mill and Broad- way, about where the Scott bakery now stands, and issued bills of various denominations. The bank was subsequently located on the site of Thompson and Boyd's saddlery store, on Main, between Upper and Limestone. The institution exploded in 1818. A cut-nail manufactory, the first one in Kentucky, was established in Lexington, by George Norton, in 1801. Ten- penny nails were sold at one shilling fourpence per pound, and six pennies at one shilling sixpence. Cincinnati bought all her nails in Lexington, and purchasers often came from points two hundred miles distant for Lexington nails, and carried them home in saddle-bags on horseback. In fact, Lexington was then the metropolis of a great ter- ritory, and was noted among other things forf her stores, manufactories, newspaper, taverns, paper and powder mills, tanyards, and her two rope-walks, which supplied the ship- ping on the Ohio. *Acts Lesrislature. fMichaux. 1802-3-4.] MEDICAL SOCIETY, ETC. '223 CHAPTER XXIX. Medical Society — Members — Musical Society — Lorenzo Dow — Miscellaneous — G. M. Bibb — Dr. Joseph Buchanan. The "Lexington Medical Society" was in active opera- tion in 1802, and numbered among its members Drs. B. W. Dudley, Samuel Brown, Frederick Ridgely, Walter Warfield, J. L. Armstrong, and others.* Thomas Paine's writings aftbrded Lexington subjects for long and animated discussions in 1803. In this year, a musical society was formed. The excitement in regard to the acquisition of Louisiana was such that "volunteers for New Orleans" paraded on the streets.f The citizens of Lexington celebrated the annexation of Louisiana, in the spring of 1804, by a grand barbecue, at Maxwell Spring, at which patriotic toasts were given, and salutes were fired by four military companies. In June, twelve splendid looking Indian chiefs of the Osage nation, passed through the city on their way to Washington, to try to eifect a treaty with the United States. The noted and eccentric Lorenzo Dow arrived in Lexington, on foot, October 3d, and preached a characteristic sermon. In 1804, and for several years after, the late distinguished George M. Bibb was a member of the Lexino;ton bar. He was a native of Virginia, and a graduate of Princeton. He died April 14, 1859, aged eighty, after having been successively senator in Congress, chief justice of Ken- tucky court of appeals, and secretary of the treasury under Tyler. Hon. John J. Crittenden studied law in Lexington, under Mr. Bibb, in 1805. ♦Old Kentucky Gazette. fid. 224 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1802-3-4. Dr. Joseph Buchanan* settled in Lexington in 1804, and poon 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,f and was so delicate and diffident that he passed for a simpleton, until he detected and oftered 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 sufhciency 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 lirst 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 walked 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. tCollins 1802-3-4] DR. JOSEPH BUCHANAN. (2,2h 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 aflbrds 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 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. V 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 hira. Young Barry was sent to the Kentucky Academy in Wood- ford, and finishing his collegiate course at Transylvania *Observer and Keporter. 1805.] WILLIAM TAYLOR BARRY. 097 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 atid Mary College in Virginia. Then, like his great competitor of after years, Henry Claj', 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 ofiice 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!" " She rili," said Judge Barry, "take that horse to the stable." In 1817, he was forced by ther 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 aboute $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 uffiactions 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. 1805.] WILLIAM TAYLOR BARRY. 229 Clay's adhereuce to Mr. Adams,* Major Barry became the leader of the Domocratic 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 spejikerf he was full of energy, action, and fire, and on the stump, tilled 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 blaziug perorations. One of Judge Barry's finest eftbrts 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. lie 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. tJanies 0. 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 tlie 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 coutity 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, hear the corner of Hill and Rose streets. The remains of Barry, after reposing nearly nineteen years in a foreign land, were brought back to Kentuek}^, by act of the legislature, and reinterred in the State cemetery at Frankfort, with many honors and great res[»ect, 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 1805.-J WILLIAM TAYLOR BARRT. 231 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. 1S07.] THE OBSERVER AND REPORTER. 233 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 AV. Worsley and Samuel R. Overton, and was first called the " Kentucky Reporter." Their first oflice, 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, 80 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. Worslcy was noted for his strict integrity and remarkable amiability. Mr. Overton, who was connected with the Observer onlv a few months, and in a business waj^ 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 *0b. and Kep. in Lex. Lib. 234 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1807. langnasre :* " 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 intluence, to contribute to the promotion and pre.-^ervation 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. 1807.] THE OBSERVER AND REPORTER. 235 with it the "Lexingtoa Observer, the consolidated papers being called "The Kentucky Reporter and Lexington Ob- server."* Mr. Smith removed to Pewee Vivlley, 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, bat 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 indifterent to political and professional honors. For years after his official connection with the Observer had ceased, Mr. "Wicklifi'e 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.f Daniel Carraichael 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. IST. 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- fold Kentucky Statesman. tObserver and Exporter, 1807.] THE OBSERVER AND REPORTER. 237 tirely a self-made man. In June, 1865, Mr. Wicklifte sev- ered his connection with the press. He died May 3, 1870. John T. Hogan became associated with Mr. Wicklifte 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," wnth 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 HHTORV OF LEXINGTON. [1808-9. CHAPTER XXXIII. Miscellaneous — Shee-p 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.* Dr. Benjamin W. Dudley, who afterward became so fa- mous as a surgeon, commenced his public career in 1809, in which year he was appointed to the chair of anatomy and surgery in Transylvania University. Dr. Benjamin Winslow Dudley t was born in Spottsyl- vania county, Virginia, on the 12th day of April, 1785; was brought by his parents to Kentucky county, where they landed six miles east of Lexington, on the Bd day of May, ♦Benjamin Kiser. tObserver and Reporter. 1808-9.] DR. BEN. W. DUDLEY. 2S9 1786. His earlier education was obtained at country schools, and finished in Transylvania University. He came to Lex- ington in 1797, and for a time worked in the store of Samuel and George Trotter. He studied medicine with the late Drs. Ilidgel}^ and Fishback, after which he attended medi- cal lectures in the old school of Philadelphia, graduated in 1806, and returned to Lexington, where he continued the practice of medicine, and acted as professor in the medical college until 1810, when he visited Europe, and spent four years, profiting by the instructions of the most distinguished medical and scientific teachers. During his stay in London, he was made a member of the Royal College of Surgeons. Return'ing to Lexington, he soon stood in the front rank of the profession. In 1818, on the reorganization of the medical college of Transylvania University, he was recalled to the chair of surgery and anatomy, and remained in that connection for forty years, during which time the college acknowledged no superior on this continent. Its great suc- cess was largely due to Dr. Dudley, whose professional fame spread throughout the civilized world. He attended a la- borious practice for about fifty years, when he contracted poison in performing a surgical operation, from which he suffered greatly, and never recovered. He died suddenly, after about two hours of illness, at a quarter to one o'clock, on Thursday morning, January 20, 1870, of apoplexy. Dr. Dudley's achievements in the operation of lithotomy alone are so great as to be actually incredible to the most distinguished surgeons of Europe, and are sufiicient of themselves to hand his name down to a distant posterity. He operated for stone in the bladder about two hundred and sixty times, losing only two or three patients. He op- erated upon the eye in numerous cases, and frequently per- forated the cranium for the relief of epilepsy. In spite of the fact that he left no production of his pen behind, his scientific triumphs will long cause him to be remembered as the great surgeon of Kentucky. Dr. Dudley's office was on the corner of Mill and Church streets, and occupied the site of the present residence of E. Say re. 240 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1810. CHAPTER XXXIV. Great Prosperity of Lexington in 1810 — Center of theWestern Trade — Manufacturers and Business — Decline — Lexington Bible Society — Freshets. Lexington was at the zenltla of her commercial pros- perity in 1810. Situated on the great line of communica- tion between the older settlements of the East and the fer- tile West, she was benefited by every great wave of immi- gration that swept into the wilderness. Since 1800, her growth had been so rapid that her population had tripled itself, and was now eight thousand, while that of Fayette county was twenty-one thousand three hundred and seventy. By this time, almost the entire trade of the West centered in Lexington, which had also become the grand depot of supplies for emigrants, and the great manufacturing point of an immense region. It is said that in 1810 the sales of the most extensive business house in Lexington amounted to one hundred thousand dollars per month. A careful eye witness of the prosperity of Lexington at this time said :* " Main street presents to the eye as much wealth and more beauty than can be found in most Atlan- tic cities. A prodigious quantity of European goods are displayed and retailed to the crowds of customers who re- sort here from the neighboring settlements." A tolerably correct estimate of the business and manu- facturing importance of Lexington in 1810 is extant.f Its enumeration is as follows, viz: four paper mills, two tobacco factories, three nail factories, one mustard factory, four cabinet shops, six powder mills, five wool-carding *Bro\vn's Emigrant Directory. tCumming, 160. 1810.] LEXINGTON'S DECLINE. 241 macliities ruu by horse power, one sail-duck factory, one brush factory, one reed factory, one umbrella factory, one white lead factory, four chair factories, one oil-mill, thirteen rope-walks, seven brick-yards, live hat factories, ten black- smith shops, seven saddlery shops, ten tailor shops, fifteen boot and shoe shops, three blue dyers, two copper and tin shops, two printing establishments where books were made, one bindery, seven distilleries, four billiard tables, five paint shops, one looking-glass factory, one Venetian blind fac- tory, two foundries, three cotton mills, five bagging fac- tories, and five coarse linen factories. One steam flour mill, the first in Kentucky, had just been erected by Stevens & Winslow. Twenty-five large stores are mentioned. Ne- groes from fourteen to thirty years of age quoted at from three hundred and fifty to four hundred dollars. " Vaux- hall " is described as " a public garden, kept by Mr. Terasse, from St. Bartholomew, with summer-houses, and arbors illuminated every Wednesday evening with variegated lamps, a fashionable resort for music, dancing, and feast- ing." In Lexington and Fayette there were one thousand looms, which wove two hundred and seven thousand yards of hemp, flax, and cotton cloth. "Lexington," says a traveler,* " is expected to become the largest inland town of the United States. Perhaps there is no manufactory in this country which is not known here." The trade and population of Lexington, after 1810, de- clined, and did not begin to grow again until about the year 1820, The cause of this decline is easily accounted for. It commenced with the successful opening of steam navigation upon the Ohio river, an event which revolution- ized the trade and trade channels of the western country. The same cause which produced this decline in Lexington, made Cincinnati, with its favorable location, an important city. In 1810, when Lexington had eight thousand inhab- itants, Cincinnati had but two thousand five hundred ; but the steamboat came, and, in 1820, Cincinnati had grown to four times the size of Lexington. The prosperity of Lex- ♦Cuiiimin};. 242 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1810. inglon in the future will largely depend upon the use she makes of the same great agent which has operated against her. Steam, upon artificial highways, can bring back to her much of what it carried away upon the natural chan- nels of ti-ade. A "Bible Society" was formed in Lexington in 1810,* of which Robert M. Cunningham was jiresident. It grew and prospered, and, in 1820, its corresponding secretary, James Blythe, supplied many persons with Bibles printed in Lexington. Its successor was the " Lexington and Vicinity Bible Society," which was formed November 24, 1836,t and its officers were : President, L. P. Yandell ; Vice-pres- idents, J. M. Hewitt, J. C. Stiles, Walter Bullock, D. M. "Winston, George Robertson, R. T. Dillard, and Mr. Harris; Executive Committee, James Fishback, Edward Stevenson, T. K. Layton, M. T. Scott; W. A. Leavy, Corresponding Secretary; Edward Winthrop, Recording Secretary ; Wiil- liam Richardson, Treasurer. The object of this society, as set forth in its constitution, is, "to aid in the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, without note or comment. It inter- feres with no man's views of truth and duty; requires no sacrifice of principle; aims to establish no peculiar creed ; but wants all to meet on common ground, to give the Bible to their fellow creatures." The society is still in existence, and doing a great work of usefulness and good. Alarming freshets were not unfrequent at this period. The miserable " canal " then in existence could not accom- modate the water which ran from all the streets and high lots, and collected in the "Town Fork of Elkhorn creek," and sometimes, after a rain, the water extended from i he present Phcenix Hotel far beyond Water and Vine streets. | A lead factory and a paper mill were on Water street at that time, near w^here the present Louisville freight depot stands, and the milt-races were fed from the then flourish- ing Town Fork, now so insis^nificant. *0'id Kentucky Gazette. tSociety Records. JMcCuUough. 1811.] EARTHQUAKE, ETC. 248 CHAPTER XXXV. Earthquake — Battle of Tippecanoe — Joseph H. Daviess, His Career and Gallant Death — St. Tammany Society. On the morning of December 16, 1811, the citizens of Lexington were startled and alarmed by several successive shocks of an earthquake,* accompanied by a sound like that of distant thunder. Fortunately no other damage was done than the breaking of window glass and the disturb- ance of a few bricks from chimneys. In 1811, the Indians of the Northwest, incited by Tecum- seh and the Prophet, who were encouraged by the British, gave such marked evidences of hostility that General Har- rison marched to the Wabash, where, shortly after, he was joined by Colonel J. H. Daviess and a number of volun- teers from Lexington. On the 7th of November, the mem- orable battle of Tippecanoe took place, and Colonel Daviess was numbered among the slain. Colonel Joseph Hamilton Daviess was born in Bedford county, Virginia, March 4, 1774. f His parents, Joseph and Jean Daviess, emigrated to Kentucky when their son was five years old, and settled near Danville. Young Daviess received his education from his mother and superior teachers of country schools, and became a proficient in the Latin and Greek languages, and evinced a remarkable tal- ent for public speaking. In 1792, he volunteered under Major Adair, and served against the Indians, and distin- guished himself by his daring conduct. After this, he studied law under the celebrated George Nicholas, in a class with Jesse Bledsoe, John Pope, Felix Grundy, an 1 others, who afterward became noted, and studied with the *Observer and Reporter. tCollins. 244 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1811. most untiring energy and perseverance. He was admitted to the bar in 1795, and in his first case triumphed over his learned old teacher. In 1801, he went to Washington City, and was the first western lawyer who ever appeared in the supreme court of the United States. There he gained another legal victory, which placed him at once in the foremost rank of his profession. He was married to Miss Annie Marshall, sister of the United States chief justice, in 1803, and in 1806, occurred his celebrated prosecution of Aaron Burr, during which he confronted Henry Clay and John Allin. He removed to Lexington in 1809, s\nd resided there up to the time of his death. During that period, there was hardly an important cause litigated in the courts where he practiced that he was not engaged in. Colonel Daviess was a federalist, but when the Indian war of 1811, which was aggravated by England, broke out, he was one of the first to enlist.* He was appointed major of cavalry, but- when he was killed in the battle of Tippecanoe, he was fighting on foot in a charge made at his own solicitation. He fell wounded in three places, and met death with great calmness. General Harrison said of him :f " Major Daviess joined me as a private volunteer, and on the recommenda- tion of the officers of that corps, was appointed to com- mand the third troop of dragoons. His conduct in that capacity justified their choice; never was there an officer possessed of more ardor and zeal to discharge his duties with propriety, and never one who would have encoun- tered greater danger to purchase military fame." Col- onel Daviess was a man of remarkably fine personal ap- pearance and impressive bearing. As a lawyer he was one of the ablest in the land, and as an orator he had few equals and no superiors. His death caused a profound sensation, and in Lexington imposing funeral ceremonies were performed, and a Masonic lodge was formed and named in his honor. Colonel Daviess lived in the house now occupied by Mr. William Fishback, opposite the Chris- ■^Diividaon. fHarrison's Report, Battle Tippecanoe. 1811.] ST. TAMMANV'S SOCIETY. 245 tian Church, and between Walnut and Limestone, on Main. A St. Tammany Society was instituted in Lexington about this time (1811), and continued to exist up to 1820. The " Wigwam " was in the second story of " Connell's ale shop/' which stood on the site of the Cleary building, on the corner of Main and Broadway. The sons of St. Tam- many often paraded through the streets disguised as In- dians, and magnificent in red paint, feathers, bows, toma- hawks, and war clubs. It was one of the most noted Dem- ocratic organizations in the "West. Thomas T. Barr, Rich- ard Chinn, and others successively filled the office of " Sachem." We give verbatim one of the society's orders,* viz : " St. Tammany's Day. — The Sons of St. Tammany, or Brethren of the Columbian Order, will assemble at the council fire of their great wigwam, on Tuesday, the 12th of the month of flowers, at the rising of tlie sun, to cele- brate the anniversary of their patron saint. "A dinner will be provided at brother John Fowler's garden, to which the brethren will march in procession, where a long talk will be delivered by one of the order. "An adjourned meeting of the society will be held on to-morrow evening, at the going down of the sun. By order of the grand sachem, *' N". S. Potter, Sec. " Sth of the Month of Flowers, Year of Discovery, 326." 'Kentucky Qazette. ■m^^^ 246 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1812. CHAPTER XXXVI. War with England — Rolls of Lexington and Fayette Volun- teers — The Meeting and Parting at Lexington — The Review and the March — Russell's Expedition — Trotter s Fight vnth the Indians — The Barracks. The commencement of the year 1812 found Lexington fnll of excitement. The frequent and long-continued out- rages of England on American rights and property on the ocean were denounced in the strongest terms by the Demo- crats, and palliated by the Federalists. While the parties hurled at each other the epithets of "Jacobin" and "Tory," a war with England was openly threatened, and on May 2d, General James Winchester, an old officer of the Revolu- tion, established a recruiting office in Lexington. Early in June, an immense war-meeting was held in the court-house yard, and deafening shouts of applause greeted one of the sentiments proposed : " May the legs of every Tory be made into drumsticks with which to beat Jetferson's march."-"^ War was declared by the United States on the 18th of June, and Lexington greeted the news with a brilliant illumination and great rejoicing, and as soon as it was known that a requisition had been made upon Kentucky for troops, and even before the governor's orders reached Lexington, a company of volunteers had been formed, and its services tendered to the state. t Six companies in all were quickly raised in the city and county, and it is a matter of the greatest regret that complete rolls of them are not to be had, either in the state military office or in the war department at Washington. Of one company, Captain Arnold's riflemen, we could obtain no list whatever, and *01(i Gazette. tObserver and Keporter. 1812.] VOLUNTEERS. 247 the followino: rolls, with the exception of that of Captain Hurt's company, are meager, contused, and unsatisfactory. The subjoined fragments are ail that could be gathered, viz : hart's company. Officers. — Captain, N. S. G. Hart; Lieutenant, L. Cora- stock; Second Lieutenant, Geo. G. Ross; Ensign, J. L. Herrou ; Sergeants, Levi L. Todd, Jolin Whitney, Chas. F. Allen, Thos. Smith, Fielding Gosney, Tlios. Chamber- lain ; Corporals, William O. Butler, Chas. Bradford, Isaac L. Baker, Jacob Schwing, Alex. Crawford. Privates. — Andrew Allison, F. J. Allen, Francis Allen, Hugh Allen, Thomas Anderson, T. J. Anderson, Daniel Adams, Wm. Adams, James E. Blythe, Henry Beard, L L. Baker, Wm. C. Bell, John Beckley, Robt. Campbell, R. T. Campbell, Lewis Charless, Hiram Cliues, Elisha Collins, R. H. Chinn, Samuel Cox, Jesse Cock, Lawrence Daily, Will- iam Davis, Phillip Dunn, Benj. Davis, Samuel Elder, Ed- ward Elder, Thos. Fant, A. Ferguson, E. Francis, K. M. Goodloe, R. W. Gilpin, James Huston, Jas. L. Hickman, Ben net Hines, Samuel Holding, James Higgiiis, James Johnston, Robert Kelley, Thomas King, S. Kalker, J. E. Kelley, John Kay, Charles Lewis, John Linginfelter, Adam Lake, D. Lingenfelter, John Maxwell, Jr., Thomas Monks, J no. A. Moon, Peter Messmore, J. W. McChesney, Robt. Mather, Jumes Maxwell, James Neale, Chas. Neil, Jas. P. Parker, W. Pritchard, James Reiley, Robert Rolling, George Rogers, Geo. Rolls, Charles Searls, Armstrong Stewart, Ste- phen Smith, Thomas Smith, Valentine Slially, Geo. Shin- dlebower, B. Stephens, V. Shawley, Daniel Talhott, J. Tem- pleman, Sam'l B. Todd, R. S. Todd, — Townsend, Joseph Vance, Derrick Vanpelt, T. Verden, Zephaniah Williams, John Whitney. MEGOWAJf's COMPANY. Officers. — Captain, Stewart W. Megowan ; Lieutenant, Martin Wymore ; Ensign, Levi Todd; Sergeants, Richard Roach, Baniet Harvey; Corporals, T. H. Blackburn, John McMakin. 218 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1812. Privates. — Alexander Alsop, John Brown, Ezra Bowyer, James Cummins, John Eaves, James Fear, Bernard Giltiier, T. R. Gatewood, — Griffin, John P. Hogan, John M. Hoojan, Hiram Jeter, Bernard Jeter, Richie Jerrett, John P. Kin- kcad, Solomon Kolker, Zach. Xirby, Joseph Laiikhart* John Litterell, John Moon, John P. Miller, Wm. Mitchell, Richard Masterson, Jr., S. McMakin, James ISTapper, Tom Petty, Lewis Pilcher, Beverly Pilcher, Geo. W. Shivery, Green Spyers, John Shivel, James Schoolej, David Weigert, Hiram Worthen, Simon Waters. m'dowell's cavalry. Captain, James McDowell; First Lieutenant, Michael Fishel ; Second Lieutenant, J. G. Trotter. Privates.— W. W. Ater, Patterson Bain, W. P. Bryant, T. M. Bryant, George Bowman, John Dishman, John Gist, George Hooker, William Long, Joseph Lemmon, William Montgomery, James McConnell, William McConnell, F. McConnell, Samuel McDouell, Salem Piatt, Alexander Pogue, Henry Riddle, William Royal, Thomas Royal, Byrd. Smith, David Steel, William Tanner. Edmonson's company — allen's regiment. Captain, John Edmonson. Privates. — Richard Bledsoe, Walter Carr, Jr., R. P. Kin- ney, Robinson Prewitt, W. D. Parrish, Dudley Shipp. Hamilton's company. Captain, John Hamilton; Lieutenant, William Moore; Sergeants, Tobias Pennington, R. McCuUough ; Corporals, Ira Barbee, Thomas Parker, Thomas Hamilton. Privates. — Willis Calvert, Geo. Gorman, Nathan Chinn, Alfred Chinn, William Doyle, Luke Field, Michael Good- night, James Gregg, Samuel Hicks, Philip Jones, Hartwell Long, Wm. Musgrove, Andrew Meftbrd, Jonathan McLain, W. D. Patterson, Wm. Patterson, Thomas A. Russell, Jas. Sanderson, William Sanderson, George Sanderson, Ander- son Simpson, Andrew Simson, Nelson Tapp, Linton Tandy, 1812.] VOLUNTEERS. 249 Willis Tandy, Thomas Venard, Absalom Venard, John Wilhoite. In addition to these participants in the war, the followino* persons also went from Lexington or Fayette, viz : Will- iam O. Butler, afterward general; Major Ben. Graves, on the staff of Colonel Lewis; James Overton, aid to General Winchester; Chas. Carr, paymaster of Dudley's regiment ; Charles S. Todd, then a young lawyer in Lexington, but subsequently minister to Russia; Thomas Bodley, deputy quartermaster-general, who died June 11, 1833, aged sixty- one; and Adjutant, afterward General, John M. McCalla, who was reported by his commander as "distinguished" in the actions of the 18th and 22d of January, 1813. General McCalla, now a venerable and highly esteemed citizen of Washington, D. C, is a native of Lexington, and a grad- uate of Transylvania University. He practiced law in this city for many years prior to his removal to his present residence, and was well known for his bold and skillful support of the Democratic party. He was a clear, astute, and efficient political debater, and is well remembered for his earnestness, energy, and integrity. General McCalla erected and lived in the house now owned by Mr. Benjamin Gratz, and situated on Mill street, opposite the college lawn. The Kentucky quota was rapidly organized for the field, and the Fifth regiment, commanded by Col. William Lewis, and composed of the companies of Capts. Hart, Hamilton, and Megowan, from Fayette ; Capts. Gray and Price, from Jessamine ; Capt. Williams, from Montgomery, and Capts. Martin and Brassfield, of Clark, in obedience to orders, assembled in Lc^ingtou on the 14th of August, to march to the general rendezvous at Georgetown, at which place it was to join the other regiments, and be put in motion with them for the frontier.* It was a soul-stirring occasion, and thousands of citizens assembled from all quarters to witness the novel sight of a band of citizen soldiers march- ing to the battle-field. Gray-haired veterans of the lievo- • ♦General J. M. McCulla. 250 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1812. lution, and their matron companions, came to behold again what they often saw in former days; the youth of both sexes, the generation which had grown up since the storm of the Revolution had passed away, were eager to behold the unwonted spectacle, and all classes came to bid an agitated adieu to friends, to sons, to brothers, to lovers, to those whom they might never again behold. Many doubted whether the youth and effeminacy of some of the troops were not unequal to the fatigues of the campaign ; all felt for them the deepest interest, the keenest anxiety. As the regiment took* up the line of march from " the common " (Water street), where it was formed, and wheeled into Main street, at Postlcthwaite's corner, such a spectacle was there exhibited as Lexington had never seen before, and probably may never behold again. The moving mass of people filling the street; the windows, doors, and even roofs of houses crowded; weeping females waving their parting adieus from the windows; an occasional shout from the crowd below; the nodding plumes and inspiring music; the proud military step and glancing eye of the marching soldier as he caught the last view of the girl he left behind him, or looked his last farewell to his tender mother or affectionate sister — neither language nor paint- ing can portray the scene. The troops marched a few miles that evening and en- camped, and the next day reached Georgetown, where, with Scott's and Allen's regiments, they were formed into a brigade under General Payne. On the following Sunday they were reviewed by Governor Scott and Generals Payne and Winchester, accompanied by all the field officers. The field was covered with the friends and relatives of our brave soldiers who went to take their parting farewell. The spectators, it is supposed by some, amounted to twenty thousand persons.* After the review was finished, the army and spectators formed a compact body and listened to an eloquent address from Henry Clay, and an animated sermon from President *01d Gazotte. 1812.] RUSSELL'S EXPEDITION. 251 BIjthe, of Transylvania University. Mr. Clay adverted to the causes of the war, the orders in council, the previous aggressions on American commerce, the impressment of seamen, and the incitement of the savages to liostilities. He concluded with a stirring appeal to the troops to remem- ber that much was expected of them from abroad, that Ken- tucky was famed for her brave men, and that they had the double character of Americans and Kentuckians to support. A tew days after the review, the brigade was ordered to Cincinnati to receive arms, ammunition, and camp-equip- age. Hardships commenced at once, for heavy rains con- tinued from the time the troops left Georgetown until they reached Cincinnati. That was, however, but a trifle to the labors which were awaiting them, when, having crossed the Ohio under the gloom of Hull's surrender, and pressed for- ward to Saint Mary's, they were ordered to leave their heavy baggage, take six days' provision, and a supply of anmumition, and by forced marches, to push on to relieve Fort Wayne, then besieged by an allied Indian and British force. Here en route, we leave them for the present. On the 29th of September, General W. H. Harrison, who had been appointed commander-in-chief of the "Western army, left Lexington for the seat of war. Little was done by the American forces during the year 1812, after Hull's surrender; but what was done, was largely participated in by the volunteers from Lexington. Li October,* Colonel William Russell, with four hundred men, marched rapidly up the Illinois river until he got within a mile of one of the Peoria towns. A brisk charge was made upon the town defended by about one hundred and fifty Indian warriors, who were put to flight, with the loss of twenty-five found dead, besides a number carried ofl'. The women and children fled to a swamp at the first approach of the men, and the warriors soon took shelter under the same cover. Colonel Kussell had only three men wounded. Four prisoners were taken, and about sixty horses prepared to remove the women and children, with ^Observer !\nd Keporter. 252 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1812. all their plunder, fell into his hands. The Indians of the neighboring towns had heard of General Hopkins crossing the Wabash, and seven hundred warriors marched to meet him, leaving one hundred and fifty in charge of the women and children, who were preparing to move off when Col- onel Russell arrived. He destroyed everything in the town which he could not bring away, and left it on the same evening. Captain George Trotter's company (McDowell Cavalry) was in Campbell's expedition* against the Mississinawa towns at the head of the Wabash, and was in the heat of the action of the 18th of December, in which the Indians were defeated. Two members of the company, viz : Cor- poral Henry Riddle and Salem Piatt were killed, and Cap- tain Trotter, Sergeant Byrd Smith, and David Steel were wounded. When this company returned to Lexington after the expiration of its term of enlistment, it was given a public dinner. Recruiting for the regular army was kept up in Lexing- ton during the entire war. A rope-walk which was on the "Woodlands'" property, and which ran parallel with the Richmond turnpike, was converted into a barracks,! and used by the regular soldiers until the close of the struggle. At this place, a deserter was shot and buried. ^Observer and Eeporter. tT. B. Megowan. 1813.] BATTLE OF FRENCHTOWN. 253 CHAPTER XXXVII. BafOc of Frcnchtown — The Raisin Massacre — Fate of Lexing- ton Volunteers: Hart, Graves, Edmonson, and others — The Pall of Grief — " Kentucky Squaw " — New Companies — Incomplete Bolls — Dudley's Defeat — Thrilling Incidents — Battle of the Thames — Great Rejoicing — Close of the Cam- paign in the Northwest. The year 1813 constitutes a tragic era in the history of Lexington, that will long be reverted to with mournful interest. In the former chapter, we left the Kentucky troops on their weary march toward the seat of war. After under- going every kind of hardship, they finally reached the rapids of the Maumee where, broken down and disheart- ened, they camped by the frozen river in snow two feet deep. But soon the call of the sufl'ering citizens of French- town (now Monroe), on the river Raisin, Michigan, roused the feelings of the troops into zeal and ardor, and a detach- ment of six hundred men, under Colonel Lewis, was sent to relieve them. Two marches brought the detachment in view of Raisin, and at last they were gratified with the object of their desire, the sight of an enemy in battle array. The skill of Colonel Lewis, and the bravery of the troops, brought to a successful termination the battle of the 18th January, 1813; and after contending with the enemy until the darkness of the night separated the combatants, the troo[is collected their wounded, and took up their position on the spot from which the enemy had been driven. On the evening of the 20th, General Winchester arrived with two hundred regulars, and assumed command, but took none of the precautions which military foresight would have dictated, and at daylight, on the morning of 254 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1813. the 22d, while in an exposed position, the little army was suddenly attacked by two thousand British and Indians. The scenes that followed, we describe, in the language of an eye witness and participant:* " Upon the firing of the first gun, Major Graves immediately left his quarters, and ordered his men to stand to their arms. Very many bombs were discharged by the enemy, doing, however, very little execution, most of them bursting in the air, and the fight- ing became general along the line, tlie artillery of the enemy being directed mainly to the right of our lines, where Wells' command had no protection but a commo.i rail fence, four or five rails high. Several of the Americans on that part of the line were killed, and their fence knocked down by the cannon balls, when General Winchester or- dered the right to fall back a few steps, and reform on the bank of the river, where they would have been protected from the enemy's guns. Unfortunately, however, that part of the line commenced retreating, and reaching Hull's old trace along the lane, on either side of which the grass was 80 high as to conceal the Indians. At this time, Colonel Lewis and Allen, with a view of rallying the retreating party, took one hundred men from the stockade, and en- deavored to arrest their flight. Very many were killed and wounded, and others made prisoners; among the former. Colonel Allen, Captains Simpson, Price, Edmonson, Mead, Dr. Irwin, Montgomery, Davis, Mcllvain, and Patrick ; a-id of the latter. General Winchester, Colonel Lewis, Major Overton, etc. The firing was still kept up by the enemy on those within the pickets, and returned with deadly eflect. The Indians, after the retreat of the right wing, got around in the rear of the picketing, under the bank, and on the same side of the river, where the battle was raging, and killed and wounded several of our men. "It is believed that the entire number of killed and wounded within the picketsdid notexceed one dozen, and the writer doubts very much whether, if the reinforcements hud not come, those who fought the first battle, although their *Kev. T. P. Dudley. 1813.] THE BATSIN MASSACRE. 255 number had been depleted by sixtj'-five, would not have held their ground, at least until reinforcements could have come to their relief. Indeed, it was very evident the British verv mucli feared a reinforcement, from their luirryiii removing the prisoners they had taken, from the south to the west of the battle ground, and in the direction of Fort Maiden, from which they sent a flag, accompanied by Dr. Overton, aid to General Winchester, demanding the surrender of the detachment, informing thom they had Generals Wincliester and Lewis, and in the event of refusal to surrender, would not restrain their Indians. Major Graves being wounded. Major Madison was now left in command, who, when the sum- mons to surrender came, repaired to the room in which Major Graves and several other wounded officers were, to consult with them as to the propriety of surrendering. It is proper here to state that our ammunition was nearly ex- hausted. It was finally determined to surrender, requiring of the enemy a solemn pledge for the security of the wounded. If this was not unhesitatingly given, they determined to fight it out. But 0, the scene which now took place ! The mortification at the thought of surrendering the Spur- tan band who had fought like heroes, the tears shed, the wringing of hands, the swelling of hearts — indeed, the scene beggars description. Life seemed valueless. Our Madison replied to the summons, in substance, 'We will not surrender without a guaranty for the safety of the wounded, and the return of side-arms to the officers.' (We did not intend to be dishonored.) The British officer haughtily responded: 'Do you, sir, claim the right to dic- tate what terms I am to otfer?' Major Madison replied: 'No, but I intend to be understood as regards the only terms on which we will agree to surrender.' Captain Will- iam Elliott, who had charge of the Indians, it was agreed, should be left with some men, whom, it was said, would afiford ample protection until carryalls could be brought from Maiden to transport the prisoners there, but the sequel proved they were a faithless, cowardly set. The British were in quite a hurry, as were their Indian allies, to leave after the surrender. Pretty soon Captain Elliott came into 256 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1813. the room where Major Graves, Captain Hickman, Captain Hart, and the writer of this (all wounded) were quartered. He recognized Captain Hart, with whom he had been a room-mate, at Hart's father's, in Lexington, Kentucky. Hart introduced him to the other officers, and, after a short conversation, in which he (Elliott) seemed quite restless and a good deal agitated, (he, I apprehend, could have readily told why,) as he could not have forgotten the humil- iation he had contracted in deceiving Hart's family pecu- niarily. He proposed borrowing a horse, saddle, and bridle, for the purpose of going immediately to Maiden, and hur- rj'ing on sleighs to remove the wounded. Thence assuring Captain Hart especially of the hospitality of his house, and begging us not to feel uneasy ; that we were in no danger; that he would leave three interpreters, who would be an ample protection to us, he obtained Major Graves' horse, saddle, and bridle, and left, which was the last we saw of Captain Elliott. We shall presently see how Elliott's pledges were fulfilled. On the next morning, the morning of the massacre, between daybreak and sunrise, the Indians were seen approaching the houses sheltering the wounded. The house in which Major Graves, Captains Hart and Hick- man and the writer were, had been occupied as a tavern. The Indians went into the cellar and rolled out many bar- rels, forced in their heads, and began drinking and yelling. Pretty soon they came crowding into the room where we were, and in which there was a bureau, two beds, a chair or two and perhaps a small table. They forced the drawers of the bureau, which were filled with towels, table cloths, sliirts, pillow-slips, etc. About this time Major Graves and Captain Hart left the room. The Indians took the bed- clothing, ripped open the bed-tick, threw out the feathers, and apportioned the ticks to themselves. They took the overcoat, close-bodied coat, hat, and shoes from the writer. When they turned to leave the room, just as he turned, the Indians tomahawked Captain Hickman in less than six feet from me. I went out on to a porch, next the street, when I heard voices in a room at a short distance; went into the room where Captain Hart was engaged in conversation 1813.] THE RAISIN MASSACRE. 257 with the interpreter. He asked: 'What do the Indians intend to do with us?' The reply was : 'They intend to kill you.' Hart rejoined : 'Ask liberty of them for me to make a speech to them before they kill us.' The inter- preters replied: 'They can't understand.' 'Bat,' said Hart, 'you can interpret for me.' The interpreters replied: 'If we undertook to interpret for you, they will as soon kill us as you.' It was said, and I suppose truly, that Cap- tain Hart subsequently contracted with an Indian warrior to take him to Amherstburg, giving him six hundred dol- lars. The brave placed him on a horse and started. After going a short distance, they met another company of In- dians, when the one having charge of Hart spoke of his receiving the six hundred dollars to take Hart to Maiden. The other Indians insisted on sharing the money, which was refused, when some altercation took place, result- ing in the shooting of Hart oif the horse by the Indian who received the money. A few minutes after leaving the room where I had met Hart and the interpreters, and while standing in the snow eighteen inches deep, the Indians brought Captain Hickman out on the porch, stripped of clothing, except a flannel shirt, and tossed him out on the snow within a few feet of him, after which he breathed once or twice and expired. While still standing in the yard, without coat, hat, or shoes, Major Graves approached me in charge of an Indian, and asked if I had been taken. I answered, no. He proposed that I should go along with the Indian who had takeu him. I replied: 'No; if you are safe, I am satisfled.' He passed on, and I never saw him afterward." The author of the above narrative was finally ransomed by a generous British officer, who gave his Indian captor an old pack-horse and a keg of whisky to release him. Another witness* of the cowardly massacre at Raisin gives the following experience, which particularly concerns the volunteers directly from Lexington, He says: "On the morning of the 23d, shortly after light, six or *G. M. Huwer, American ^State Papers — 12, 268 HISTOBY OF LEXINGTON. ri813. eight Indians came to the house of Jean Baptiste Jereaiuue, where I was in company with Major Graves, Captains Hart and Hickman, Dr. Todd, and fifteen or twenty vohinteers. They did not molest anything, or person, on their first ap- proach, but kept sauntering about until there was a large number collected, at which time they commenced plundering the houses of the inhabitants, and killing the wounded prisoners. The Indian who claimed me as his property, commanded me to hold his horse, which was about twenty paces from the house. Shortly after going to the house, I saw them knock down Captain Hickman at the door, to- gether with several others. Supposing a general massacre had commenced, I made an etibrt to get to a house about a hundred yards distant, which contained a number of wounded; but on my reaching the house, to my great mor- tification, found it surrounded by Indians, which precluded the possibility of my giving notice to the unfortunate vic- tims of savage barbarit3^ An Indian chief, of the Tavva tribe, of the name of McCarty, gave me possession of his horse and blanket, telling me, by signs, to lead the horse to the house which I had just before left. The Indian that first took me by this time came up and manifested a hos- tile disposition toward me, by raising his tomahawk as if to give me the fatal blow, which was prevented by my very good friend McCarty. On my reaching the house which I had first started from, I saw the Indians take ott" several prisoners, which I afterward saw in the road, in a most man- gled condition, and entirely stripped of their clothing. "Messrs. Charles Bradford, Charles Searls, Turner, and Ebenezer Blythe, of Hart's company, were collected around a carryall, which contained articles taken by the Indians from the citizens. We had all been placed there by our re- spective captors, except Blythe, who came where we were entreating an Indian to convey him to Maiden, promising to give him forty or fifty dollars, and whilst in the act of pleading for mercy, an Indian, more savage than the other, stepped up behind, tomahawked, stripped, and scalped him. The next that attracted my attention was the houses on tire that contained several wounded, whom I knew were not able 1813.] FATE OF LEXINGTON VOLUNTEERS. 259 to get out. After the houses were nearly consumed, we re- ceived marching orders, and, after arriving at Sandy creek, the Indians called a halt, and commenced cooking. After preparing and eating a little sweetened gruel, Messrs. Brad- ford, Searls, Turner, and myself received some, and were eating, when an Indian came up, and proposed exchanging his moccasins for Mr. Searls' shoes, which he readily com- plied with. They then exchanged hats, after which the Indian inquired how many men Harrison had with him, and, at the same time, calling Searls a Washington or Mad- ison, then raised his tomahawk and struck him on the shoulder, which cut into the cavity of the body. Searls then caught hold of the tomahawk, and appeared to resist, and upon my telling him his fate was inevitable, he closed his eyes and received the savage blow, which terminated his existence. I was near enough to him to receive the brains and blood, after the fatal blow, on my blanket. A short time after the death of Searls, I saw three others share a similar fate. We then set out for Brownstown, which place we reached about twelve or one o'clock at night. After being exposed to several hours incessant rain in reach- ing that place, we were put into the council-house, the floor of which was partly covered with water, at which place we remained until next morning, when we again received marching orders for their village on the river Rouge, which place we made that day, where I was kept six days, then taken to Detroit and sold." The grief in Lexington and Fayette county, occasioned by the Frenchtown defeat, and the cold-blooded massacre after it, was as intense as it was widely spread. The em- blems of sorrow and affliction were soon seen on every hand. The churches and newspapers were clothed in mourning, and, amid the tolling of bells, the relatives and friends of the murdered soldiers walked sadly in a funeral procession to church, when the sorrow of a whole community wns poured out, and praters were ottered for strength to bear the great affliction. Captain John Edmonson, who fell in the battle of French- 260 BISTORT OF LEXINGTON. [1813. town, was a native of Washington county, Virginia,* but had settled early in Fayette county, Kentucky, where he had resided for many years before his death. His company of riflemen was connected with Colonel Allen's regiment. Edmonson county, Kentucky, was named in his honor. Major Benjamin Graves, one of the victims of the "mas- sacre," after the battle of Frenchtown, was also a Virginian, but had emigrated to Fayette county, Kentucky, when quite young.f He was an amiable, shrewd, and intelligent man, and represented the county several years in the legislature. He was one of the first to volunteer in 1812, and was ap- pointed major in Colonel Lewis' regiment, and proved himself a cool, vigilant, and gallant officer. Graves county, Kentucky, bears his name. Captain IS'athaniel G. T. Hart, whose tragic fate we have recorded, and in whose honor Hart county, Kentucky, was named, was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, but was brought to Lexington, Kentucky, when a little child.| He studied law, and practiced in Lexington, but abandoned the pro- fession for mercantile pursuits. In 1812, at the age of twenty-seven, he was commanding the celebrated "Lexing- ton Light Infantry" company, and he and the company en- listed as soon as war was declared. Henry Clay and James Brown both married sisters of Captain Hart. An amusing incident, II toogood to be lost, occurred during this tragic period. An adventurous and exceedingly useful female, born in Fayette, went out with one of the Lexington companies in the capacity of a washerwoman, shared the captivity at Raisin, and marched with the prisoners to Maiden, which was crowded with Indians, among whom were a number of squaws. The appearance of the washer- woman at once caught their attention, especially as she bore on her back a large blanket, well filled with her baggage. One of the squaws came up to her, and demanded the bundle, which she very promptly refused to give up, but the squaw seized it, and a struggle for its possession at once drew a crowd of warriors around them, who formed a circle *Collins. tid. Jld. ||Geii. J. A. McCalla. 1813.] NEW COMPANIES. 261 to see fair j.lay, and enjoy the sport. The pulling operation not being siilKcient, the female soldier determined to show her Kentucky play, and attacked her with her fists, and, pulled her hair with vigor, until at last her antagonist gave up the attempt, and left her in possession of her bundle. With laughter and huzzas for the "Kentucky squaw,"' tlie warriors declared she should not be disturbed as:ain, and she marched ofl' in triumph to join her fellow jirisoners. The "Kentucky squaw" remained at Maiden about six months, making money by her skill and industry, and then inarched back to Lexington in regular infantry style, on foot, and lived for many years to enjoy the fame of her brilliant victory over her rash and badly taken-in foe. The following names, in addition to those alreadj^ given, of soldiers killed and wounded, have fortunately been pre- served. They belonged to Captain Hart's company. Killed— Alex. Crawfo^-d, Wm. Davis, Sam'l Elder, Thos. King, "Wm. Lewis, Peter Mesner, Jas. Riley, Stephen Smith, Geo. Shindlebower, B. Stephens, Armstrong Stew- art, Thos. Fant. Wounded— Chas. Bradford, Thos. Cham- berlain, John Beckly, Edward Elder, James liiggins, S. B. Todd. The butchery at Raisin excited a storm of the intensest indignation and excitement throughout Kentucky, which was the greatest sufferer by it. There was a general rush to avenge the slaughter of the gallant men who had fallen, and the tender of troops was largely in excess of the de- mand. Lexington resounded with the notes of the bugle and the beating of drums. Five companies of volunteers were rapidly organized in the city and count}'-, and camp- fires blazed on every hand. The companies formed were commanded by Captains Archie Morrison, John C. Mor- rison, David Todd, Stewart W. Megowan, and M. Flour- noy, and belonged to the regiment of Colonels Dudley and Boswell. The following is a fragment of the roll of Cap- tain Archie Morrison's company, viz: Thomas Christian, A. F. Eastin, George Eave, Elijah Smith, Larkin Webster, John Webster, and Thomas Webster. We also append an incomplete list of unclassified soldiers, 262 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1813. who served in the war, but .in what years and in whose companies is not known. The list embraces: Ashton Garrett, Thos. H. Barlow, Allen Baker, Thos. Barr, Robert Burns, Daniel Brink, Enoch Bryan, Landen Carter, Wm. Clark, Horace Coleman, William Chinn, Lewis Castleman, W. R. Combs, Enoch Ducker, J. R. Dunlap, A. S. Drake, John Darnaby, Joseph Edger, Peter Euleman, Asa Farra, John Figg, John Figg, Jr., John Graves, Thos. C. Graves, J. G. Goodin, John Gess, William Gray, Abram Hicks, Jabez Jones, John Keiser, Jeremiah Kirtley, Adam Lake, William Lewis, Jacob Markley, Robert Masterson, James Masterson, Peter Metcalf, James Megowau, C. C. Moore, C. S. Moore, S. Moore, T. R. Moore, Thos. Mcllvaine, Charles Postlethwaite, Hugh Paine, Francis Ratclitfe, Fielding Roach, James Sheely, Samuel Smith, George Simpson, George Stipp, John Stere, John Todd, Jacob Varble, Abram Ware, Joshua Webb, Benjamin Wood, George Wheeler, George Yeiser, George Yates. The Kentucky volunteers were hurried to the relief of Harrison, and succeeded in cutting their way through the British and Indians to Fort Meigs. But the soldiers of Lexington and Fayette seemed ever destined to reach vic- tory only after repeated baptisms of blood. Another dis- aster awaited them. On the 5th of May, General Harrison sent Captain Hamilton with an order to Colonel Dudley to land eight hundred men on the northern shore of the Maumee, oppo- site Fort Meigs, destroy the British batteries there, and then immediately return. Dudley succeeded perfectly in capturing the batteries, but instead of instantl}' returning to his boats, suifered his men to waste their time, and skirmished with the Indians until Proctor was enabled to cut them oft" from their only chance of retreat. They were surrounded, taken by sur- prise, defeated, and then came another repetition ot the Raisin massacre, in which Colonel Dudley, as already re- lated in a former chapter, was barbarously mangled and murdered, and only one hundred and fifty of his men es- 1813] DUDLEY'S DEFEAT. 263 caped captivity or death. We insert for preservatiou tlie following comprehensive account of the disaster by one who was engaged in it:* "When Colonel Dudley attacked the batteries of the onemy, opposite Fort Meigs, on the 5th of May, 1813, he advanced ia three columns. The right, led by himself, carried them without the loss of a man. The middle was the reserve. The left, headed by Major Shelby, formed at right angles oa the river, to protect from below. This ar- rangement was scarcely made before the spies under my command (about thirty in number, including seven friendly Indians), who flanked at some hundred yards distance in the woods, were attacked b}' part of the Indian force of the enemy. Unacquainted with the views of Colonel Dud- ley', they knew not but that it was their duty to fight. For near fifteen minutes, with the loss of several killed and wounded, they maintained an unequal conflict. In this time. Colonel Dudley having effected his object, and fear- ing their fate, had advanced to their relief with the right column. The enemy retreated. Our troops, impelled more by incautious valor and a desire for military distin- guishment than prudence, pursued. He then stood firm for a short time on his light, and gave way on his left, which threw our lines with its back toward the river, so that every step we i. Ivanced carried us farther from under the protection of our fort. Whenever we halted, so did the Indians, and renewed their fire— we charged on them. They again retreated. In this way, with the loss of from thirty to fifty killed on our side, and a number wounded, was the battle fought for upward of three hours. How much the enemy suffered during this time, 'twas impossible to ascertain from the circumstance of their bearing off' their dead. Soon after the commencement of the engage- ment, we were forced to bring our whole force into action. The enemy was, during this time, receiving large reinforce- ments from the other side of the river, which enabled him now nearly to surround us. Our troops were generally *Cftpt. Leslie Conib3' lieport to Gen. Green Clay. 264 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1813. mucti exhausted, owing to the swampiness of the ground over which they had fought, and many of them with their guns wet, or without ammunition. In this situation, the enemy in much force, fresh to the battle, pressed with a most destructive cross-tire on our left. It gave way. Con- scious of his advantage, with a desperate eflbrt he advanced on the remainder. These, disheartened and confused, were ordered to retreat to the batteries. Unfortunately, this retreat soon turned to flight, which all the efforts of the officers could neither prevent nor stop. "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 thiiiy 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 ofi:' 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,! expected we should be treated with that tenderness and humanity indicative of a noble mind, and always due the ujifortanate. What was, then, my astonishment when, so soon as we met the Indians, they began, in face of the En- glish guard, of General Proctor, Colonel Elliot, and other oncers who were riding up theline, 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. 1813.] DVDLEY'S DEFEAT. 265 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 lulled 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-thir:?ty 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 dj'ing prisoner and hear him cry, in vain, for mercy. The whole then raised the war-whoop and com- 266 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 arras, 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 aftbrd, being themselves scant of provisions. I feel myself partic- ularly indebted to some of the otiicers 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. 207 enemy from his hiding places. And I am convinced, wlieii the retreat commenced, by far the greater part had no idea of surrender, but exliausted, 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 lOtii 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 drumf 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 Eeporter. tMcCabe. 2G8 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. 1814.] HERO OF FORT STEPHENSON. 269 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 mouth 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.f 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 eft'ect. Hows 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 Joiirniil. tid. 270 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1814. Two companies of dratted 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. 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 *K(indari's Biogn\pliy. 1814.] KENTUCKY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 271 present century. But it was not until 1814 that the city could claim to have a regular society for tlie 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 Maj'sville 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 societyf 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. " " suckling colt, a silver cup. imported or country raised bull, a silver cup. " " " cow, a silver cup. stall-fed bullock, silver cup. country bred bull, silver cup. " " between three and four years old, silver cup. *' " country bred bull, between two and three years old, silver cup. " " country bred bull, between one and two years old, silver cup. " " bull calf, not exceeding twelve months old, silver cup. *' " country bred cow, silver cup. *' " heifer, between three and lour years old, silver cup. ^Kentucky Gazette. tid. (( u (( 44 (( 44 <( 44 «( (6 272 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1814. "To the best heifer, between two and three years old, silver cup. *' " heifer, between one and two years old, silver cup. ** " heifer, not exceeding twelve months old, silver cup. " " carpeting manufactured in private families, silver cup. ^ " hemp or flax linen manufactured in private families, silver cup. " " table linen manufactured in private families, silver cup. " " cloth manufactured in private families, silver cup. ^ " cassinett or jeans manufactured in private families, silver cup. ^ " whisky, not less than one hundred gallons, of this year's make, silver cup. *^ " cheese of the present year's make, silver cup. ^ " 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. 1814.1 AWARD OF PREMIUMS. 273 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 Ilaggiu'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 I^. 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 Eisk, 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, ajtpointed judges to award prizes to cattle, on the 12th of September, 1834, have adjudged the preceding. H. Clay, James Rennick, Jacob Hughes, Isaac Yanmeter, Will. P. Hume. September 12, 1834. 1814.] AWARD OF PREMIUMS. 275 SATURDAY. Aicard 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 Dunca»n'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. II. Eaues' 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. 276 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. 1814.] AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES— OFFICERS. £77 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 oiher prominent men have addressed immense crowds. The Kentucky Agricultural and Mechanical Association ^vas incorporated December 7, 1850,* and bought grounds adjoiiiing those of the Maxwell Springs Company, and in July, 1853, the two societies entered into an arrangement by which the Kentuck}'^ 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 lirst 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. Say re, 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 ettectual 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 line 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, K J. Spurr, W. H. Smith, T. 11. Shelby, Jr., J. R. Viley,W. K. Estill, D. S. Coleman, H. A. lIeadley,William Bryan, jST. P. Berry, Gran Weathers, E. C. Bryan, J.W. Berry, and David Prewitt. 1815.] BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS. 279 CHAPTER XXXIX. Battle of New Orleans — Captain S. W. Megowan — General George Trotter — Lexinrjlon Female Benevolent Society — Second Presbyterian Church — James McChord — Pastors — Church Buildings — Division — Peace. No regularly organized troops from Lexington partici- pated in the war with England, after the battle of the Thames, but this did not prevent her citizens from feeling the liveliest interest in the struggle. When the great Jackson achieved his glorious and extraordinary victory over the disciplined British regulars, who had fought against the first Napoleon, Lexington was beside herself with delight. The 22d of February was observed as a day of general thanksgiving for the brilliant ending of the war; salutes were fired, addresses delivered, and at night the whole city was illuminated. Licensed by the general joy, crowds of boys marched through the streets, singing, at the very top of their voices, this stanza, composed by a Lexington wit, and considered remarkably fine : "In his last hopes on Orleans strand, John Bull was quite mistaken ; With all his skill in Packen-hams, He could not save his bacon." The only man from Lexington known to have been in the battle of New Orleans was Capt. Stewart W. Megowan.* In 1812 he raised and commanded a company of volunteers from this city, and, under Colonel Lewis, joined General Harrison. In 1813 he raised another company, and called them the "Lexington Rifles." He again joined Gen. Har- rison, under Governor Shelby, from whom he had obtained *01d Statesman. 280 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1815. his commission of captaincy. Captain Megowan was in the battle of the Thames, when Tecuraseh was slain ; and was present when Proctor's troops surrendered. After serving out that campaign, Capt. Megowan again returned to Lexington, and hearing !N^ew Orleans was about being attacked by British troops, he endeavored to raise a third company, but finding he would not have time to do so, he started down the Missi^^sippi river alone, to join General Jackson. After reaching New Orleans, he and a flat-boat captain, by the name of Twiggs, beat up for volunteers in the streets of that city, and raised a company composed of sailors and Kentucky flat-boatmen. Twiggs was elected captain, and Megowan first lieuten- ant. General Jackson gave the custom-house into their charge, and on the evening before the battle of New Orleans, Megowan obtained leave to take as many men as would go with him, and join General Jackson. Five Dutch sailors volunteered to accompany him, and although they neither understood the English languaije, nor were versed in mili- tary discipline, they followed him into the fight, and shared in the victory. Capt. Megowan died at the age of 79 years. General George Trotter, a well-known native and citizen of Lexington, died October 13, 1815, aged thirty-seven. He was several times a member of the legislature from Fayette, and was noted for his gallant conduct in the war of 1812. He served with Colonel Campbell in the Missis- sinewa campaign, and was acting brigadier-general in the famous battle of the Thames. His residence was at "Wood- lands," and is now used by the Agricultural College. The " Lexington Female Benevolent Society," now pre- eminent for its judicious charity, great usefulness, and blessed influence, was organized in 1815, and has been in active operation ever since. The following named ladies constituted one of its early board of ofiicers : Mrs. John Norton, President ; Mrs. Morrison, Mrs. Ross, Vice-Presi- dents; Miss Kidgely, Secretary; Mrs. Ward, Treasurer. Managers, Mrs. Palmer, Mrs. Robert, Mrs. Bell, Mrs. Han- son, Miss Clifl'ord, Mrs. Elliott, Miss Montgomery, Mrs. Beckley, Mrs. Stevens. The institution was not incorpo- 1815.] SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 281 rated until February, 1851. The charter members were: Mrs. John Norton, Mrs. John H. Brown, Mrs. James O. Harrison, Mrs. Wyett R. Iliggins, and Mrs. Isaac W. Scott. Among other members of the society, who have greatly assisted in forwarding its noble objects, may be named Mrs. Thomas Skillman, who was connected with it for very many years, Mrs. A. V. Sayre, Mrs. Eliza BIythe, Mrs. Eliza Ross, Mrs. Thos. C. Orear, Mrs. M. P. Lancaster, Mrs. John Carty, Mrs. E. McCalister, Mrs. George Brand, Mrs. H. M. Skillman, Mrs. MontrnoUin, and many others. The Second Presbyterian Church of Lexington was founded in 1815, and was first known as the " Market Street Church." It was built by the united efforts of a number of non-profesGing admirers of the Rev. James McChord, together with a few regular members of Presbyterian churches. The building committee was composed of John Tilford, T. H. Pindell, John McKinley, Alexander Parker, David Castleman, and Joseph C. Breckinridge. These, together with the following, were the signers of the church constitution, viz : C. Wilkins, Samuel Trotter, L. McCullough, J. H. Hervey, M. T. Scott, Benj. Merrill, F. Dewees, Matt. Kenneday, W. H. Richardson, Thos. Jan- uary, Thos. T. Skillman, Wm. Pritchart, C. Logan, N. Bur- ro wes, A. M. January, T. P. Hart, J. B. BosAvell, R. S. Todd, B. Chambers, T. B. Prentice, W. W. Blair, E. Sharpe, Butler, J. Bruen, John McChord, W. B. Logan, James Trotter, R. II. Bishop. Only one of these signers (A. M. January) is now living. The edifice was built after the peculiar and substantial style of the day, and occupied the site of the present church building, on Market, between Church and Second streets. The walls were two and a half feet thick, the pul- pit was in the middle of the front end of the house, and the seats were arranged in ascending tiers, facing the doors, so that persons entering found themselves confronted by an army of gazers. The church called the Rev. James McChord to be its first pastor, and he preached the dedica- tory sermon, July 30, 1815, at which time the church was opened for worship. 282 HISTORY OF LEXINGTON. [1815. James McChord was born in Baltimore,* in 1785, and removed with his parents to Lexington, in 1790. After re- ceiving a liberal education at Transylvania Universit}^ lie studied law with Henry Cla}', but after mature thought, abandoned that profession for the ministry, and entered a theological seminary in New York, where he held the fore- most rank. In 1809, he was licensed, and in 1811, ordained. He published a treatise in 1814, on the nature of the church, which was condemned by the Associate Reformed Presby- tery, whereupon he sent in a declinature of their authority, and connected himself with the West Lexington Presby- tery. He was pastor of the Market Street Church only four years, but in that short time he became famous. To his great intellect was added not only brilliant scliolarly at- tainments, but the most powerful and thrilling eloquence, which carried all before it as the sweeping of a mighty wind. Some of his congregation, who had come only to enjoy and admire, were converted. Others who desired nothing more serious than entertaining preaching, and who, unfortunately controlled the financial aiiairs of the church, took the alarm, and the gifted pastor was soon made so uncomfortablef that he resigned, and for a year managed to subsist by! teaching a school. His highly sensitive nature never recovered from the blow, and sad and broken- hearted, he died far too young, May 26, 1820. Love and attention revived with his death. His admirers chansfed the name of his late charge to " McChord Church ;" his re- mains were interred beneath the pulpit, and a marble tab- let bearing his name, the date of his birth and death, and the inscription, "the resurrection of the just shall unfold his character," was set in the wall. The memory of this good man is still reverently cherished in Lexington. Mc- Chord's sermons, including his " last appeal to the Market Street Church," have received great attention both in this country and in England. Mr. McChord's residence was on Limestone, between Fourth and Fifth streets — the same afterward occupied by ♦Davidson's History. tid 1815.] PASTORS. 283 Mr. Armant. During tlie time which intervened between the resicriiation of Mr. McChord and the accession of the next regular pastor, the Kev. John Breckinridge, the i-ulpit was supplied by the accomplished Rev. William Wallace and Father R. H. Bishop, who was for some time professor in Transylvania University, and afterward became the founder and president of Oxford College, Ohio. Rev. John Breckinridge, who succeeded Mr. McChord in 1823,* was a son of Attorney-General John Breckinri