Daviess County, Kentucky - ^[edical, 1883 (part 2 of 2)

Orape. - The Winter or Frost Grape is common, but the Summer Grape, a delicious fruit, is very scarce, if indeed it can b& found at all in this county. In early days it was common, but the vines have been destroyed by reckless grape-gatherers. The Catawba is escaping from cultivation. The Virginia Creeper, or American " Ivy," is abundant throughout the West.

Poison Ivy. - This occurs almost everywhere, sometimes as a. small shrub, when it is called Poison] Oak, and sometimes as a large vine reaching to the top of the tallest tree. It has i^iree leaflets to each leaf, whUe the Virginia Creeper has five; andyoung^ Box-Elder is distinguished from" Poison Ivy by whitish bloom covering the leaf-stems and green twigs of the former.

Climhing Bittersweet is a twining, woody vine, found occasionally. It bears orange-colored berries, in clusters which are conspicuous in autumn, resembling wax-work, by which term they |ir& indeed sometimes called, and have been used in ornamentation. This vine is also called simply Bittersweet, but the true medJcal Bittersweet is a plant of an entirely different order and appearance,, not a vine, and not growing wild in this county.

Yetches. - ^This term may comprise several small herbaceousvines of the pea and bean family, occurring frequently in the woods, but of no great consequence.

Wild Balsam Apple, called also Wild Cucumber, and by many other local names, is a vigorous, herbaceous vine, bearing a burlike fruit, like that of the Jimson-weed, and flourishing about cultivated grounds.

Morning-glory. - The most common plant of this order, growing spontaneously beyond the bounds of culj;ivation, is the Hedge Bindweed, or Eutland Beauty. Eight species of Dodder ("Lovevine") may be found, all rare except one. It appears like orangecolored thread growing on the tops of weeds.

Bindweeds. - Black Bindweed, arrow-leaved Tear-thumb, and climbing false Buckwheat occur here and there. The firs-t men-^ tioned is sometimes a pest in fields.

Besides the above, there are several species of plants which are sometimes called vines, but are not strictly such. They grow mostly prostrate on the ground, but neither climb nor twine; for examples. Goose-grass, Bracted Yervain, Yellow Honeysuckle, etc.

Native Herbs

The most common wild herbacious jjlants, especially in earlier days, were wild Sunflowers, Coneflowers, Spanish Needle, Stickseed, Tick-seed, Eosin-weed, Sneeze-weed, Yarrow, Asters, Fleabanes, Golden-rods, Thoroughworts, Iron-weeds, Fire-weed, Thistles, Catch-fly, Wood-sorrel, Spring Beauty, Anemones, Violets, Milkweeds, May- Apple, Loosestrife, "Wild Parsley, Dogbane, Sweet Ciceley, Bedstraw (Cleavers and Goose-grass), Gerardia, American Pennyroyal, Wild Mint, Water Hoarhound, Giant Hyssop, Red and Yellow Puccoon, Beggar's-Lice, Wild Pliloxes (Sweet William), Ground Cherry, Eich-weed, Potentiila, Wild Touch-menot, Three-seeded Mercury, Horse-tail, Cat-tail, Arrow-head Trilliums, Solomon's Seal, Spider-wort, and the Ferns. Ginseng, locally called " sang," was common in early day, but, on account of its marketable value, it has been about all eradicated from our woods; and for the same reason, its supposed value, it has never been considered a weed.

In addition to the foregoing, we may add the following, as oc- -curring more rarely, but were still frequent and *were either prominent or interesting in some feature: Adam and Eve, Adder's Tongue, Agrimony, Alum-root, Avens, Baneberry, Beard-tongue, Black Snakeroot, Blood-root, Blue Flag, Bog Eush, Boneset, Buck Bean, Bull Eush, Bush Clover, Cardinal Flower, Club Eush, Columbine, Cress, Crowfoots, Cudweed, Culver's Physic, Dragoon-root, Dry Strawberry, Dutchman's Breeches, Enchanter's Nightshade, Evening Primrose, Feverwort, Fog-fruit, Fool's Parsley, Foxglove, Gentians, Goat's Eue, Golden Alexander, Greek Valerian, Groundnut, Groundsel, Hawk-weed, Hedge Nettle, Herb Eobert, Hibiscus, Horsemint, Honewort, Hound's Tongue, Indian Turnip, La'dies' Slipper, Lead Plant, Leafcup, Leek, Liverwort, Lousewort, Lupine, Marsh-mallow, Marsh-marigold, Meadow Eue, Monkey Flower, Mouse-ear, Mugwort, Nettle, Pepper-and-Salt, Pond -weed. Pond Lily, Prairie Burdock, Eue Anemone, Seltheal, Seneca, nakeroot. Squill Star-grass, Trum-

These are introduced herbs, growing spontaneously in cultivated and waste grounds. These, of course, have not been purposely introduced from the East and from Europe, but their seeds have been unavoidably brought West in the shipment of goods and otherwise:

The most familiar weeds in this section of country are Smartweed, Knot-weed, Pig-weed, Thorny Amaranth, Lamb's Quarter, Dog-Fennel or May -weed. Bull- Nettle, Jimson, Poke, Indian Mallow, Pursley, Spurge, Shepherd's Purse, Pepper-grass, Chickweed, Common Mallows, Gill, Bouncing Bet, Milkweed, several species. Silk-weed, Eigwort, Motherwort, Catnip, Hoarhound, Mullein, four Vervains, Burdock, Cocklebur (both Common and Spiny), Black Nightshade, Dandelion, Toad Flax, Sow Thistle, Sneeze-weed, Iron-weed, Plantain, Goosefoot, Rich-weed, Ragweed, Horse-weod, Camphor-weed, etc. The Thorny Amaranth has been introduced since the commencement of the last war, apparently from the South.

Clover and grass, as they grow on the commons, are scarcely considered weeds, on account of their great utility to live stock, while many field and garden plants, when cultivated for their products are considered useful, are weeds when they come spontaneously in the way, obstructing the desired cultivation of other plants.

Plants "escaping from cultivation," as Spider-flower, or Cleoine, Bouncing Bet, Bittersweet, Parsnip, Stonecrop, Sunflower, Prince's Feather, Lungwort, Horse Radish, Gill, Indian Heliotrope, Morning Glory, Buckwheat, etc., are weeds or not weeds, according to whether they come in our way or not.

The term "botany" includes all mushrooms, toadstools, mildew, rust, etc., varying in size from that of a flour barrel to a microscopic point. Most fungi are microscopic, and maay living germs are so minute and so low in the scale of organization that they are neither vegetable nor animal. The germs of decay are living "organisms," not known to be either vegetable or animal, and are mostly of the species called "Bac- terium." Nearly all discolorations of leaves are due to the presence of minute fungi or kindred organisms, which are as symmetrical as wheels, and often beautiful. Pear-blight and apple-blight are now believed to be caused by bacteria or otlier germs of disease, and nearly all diseases of plants, as well as many affections among men, are now supposed by the medical profession to be caused, or at least accompanied, by 9nch germs, in countless millions.

The amateur botanist, at the present day, finds but little interest in rambling through the woods of Kentucky, because by pasturage nearly all the native plants are killed out, and their place supplied by a few insignificant weeds and grasses. But the seeker after fungi, mildews, rusts, etc., finds a much richer field than he could have found fifty or seventy-five years ago.

"Malaria" signifies bad air; and the badness consists of disease germs, but it is not known whether these are vegetable or animal or neither. These germs are very numerous in their genera and species, and most of them are always more or less present. Hence it is always better to counteract them by preserving a vigorous state of the body than by seeking antidotal poisons.

This term refers to the whole animal kingdom, and as a science is divided into "Zoology," in the narrowest sense, which is the natural history of quadrupeds, ornithology (of birds), hepetology (of reptiles), entomology (of insects), etc.

As a rule the larger species disappeared first, and the smaller, most of them, remain until the present time. First the bnffalo and elk disappeared, then bears, panthers, deer, beaver, etc. The smaller native quadrupeds have generally become very scarce, while those of civilization, as rats and mice, have become abundant. In some of the wilder parts of the county there may yet be seen occasionally a deer, a wolf, a panther, or a wild-cat. The gray fox has mainly become extinct ; there are some red foxes yet. Opossums are nearly all gone. Their flesh is eaten by many persons,.

baked with sweet potatoes. There are a good many raocoona yet, especially in the flats of Panther Creek. They are caaght with traps, and by treeing them, and by chasing after them by their tracks in the snow. Skunks, otters, aiid weasels are very rare. There are a goodly number of musk-rats and minks. Wild hogs the descendants of stray domestic individuals. In some seetions they used to be common, but they disappeared about the time that " hog cholera" came about. Ground-hogs are still found occasionally.

Squiri-els are still abundant in some localities, especially daring seasons of mast. The gray squirrel predominates in numbers. ,No black specimens have been reported, although, of course, Bom« may have existed. Flying squirrels exist in this section.

Bi/rds. - The species of fowls inhabiting this country are too numerous to mention here. All exist to this day that have ever flourished here; but the wild turkey, being a good game bird and very large, has of course become very scarce. Quails are still common. In the city of Owensboro the English sparrow is beginning to multiply, which the citizens will probably regret in the future.

In early times a great migration or raid often took place, of p|geons, wild turkeys, squirrels, etc. Pigeons would sometimes darken the sky for hours as they flew over, and bend and break down Ihe boughs of the trees when they roosted. Squirrels would sometimes migrate in immense numbers, swimming the streams, when they would be easily caught and killed.

The pioneers have many interesting experiences to relate qon" -cerning the chase and wild animals generally. A large volume could easily be filled with entertaining anecdotes.

A query for naturalists is the curious fact that while fox squirrels and cranes are abundant, or often seen, on the Indiana side of the river within a mile of this city, they are never seen on this side ; and strange enough, the gray squirrel to be found anywhere on this side is rarely or never seen oh the Indiana shore. "We are further informed that the ground squirrel, so common everywhere, is almost - unknown in Daviess County, although in the adjoining counties of Ohio, Muhlenburg and McLean they are numeroiis. The scarcity of rock in this county is given as a reason of the absence of the latter.

Of snakes in this region, the most noted are the moccasin, the timber rattlesnake, black racer, which is plentiful, black and garter snakes, spreading viper or adder, milk or house snake, copperhead, American ring-snake and the grass snake. These reptiles, however, are all diminishing in numbers, as the county becomes more densely populated. A black snake fifteen feet long and fifteen or twenty inches girth was said to exist in 1870, on the farm of Mrs. James Shipp, near Owensboro. It had been seen occasionally for eight or ten years previously.

Fish. - About all the fish that are found in Western waters are found also within the limits of Daviess County; and this county is well favored with good fishing waters, - the Ohio River, Green River, Panther Creek, and numerous other creeks and ponds. All the game fish, especially the finer kinds, are much scarcer at the present day than in early ti; les, but there are State laws prohibiting their wanton destruction. The best kinds referred to are the black or green, and the striped or rock bass, weighing. three to seven pounds; the "jack" salmon, the bachelor perch, the white or drum perch, pickerel and cat. The white perch and bufi'alo are abundant in the Ohio River. Of cat there are three kinds - the Mississippi, the channel, and the mud or yellow. Of the first mentioned specimens have been caught in the Ohio River weighing as much as 150 pounds. Cat fish and shovel fish are still plentiful. They are much alike in their appearance, and in the quality of their flesh. A few native carp may be found in the tributaries to the Ohio.

The bream, or "tin mouth," is a ravenous, speckled, flat fish sometimes caught, but it is not a fine game fish. It averages about two pounds in weight, and furnishes good food for the table. The redhorse is very rare. The two principal varieties of minnows are the silver-sides, or shiners, and the chubs. Nine other species exist here. Eels occur in respectable numbers, and there are a few river sturgeon and sun-fish.

weight of one pound and a length of fourteen inches within nine months. Many applications were made for. fry in the winter of 1881-'2, but the Government could not supply the demand until the following fall, when Mr. Geo. V. Triplett received about forty lots of twenty each, and distributed them to the applicants. Some persons say they do not like the taste of this fish, but its advocates claim that a failure in the cooking must have been the cause of the trouble. The receipt for preparing them is somewhat peculiar.

Among the' useless or noisome fish, the gar (fresh- water gar) is still abundant, as it probably ever will be. Occasionally an " alligator gar" is caught in the Ohio River, sometimes as much as five feet long. Dog-fish, gourd-seed or grinnell, the skip-jack, suckers and a few more unimportant fish are found.

Wild Bees

vxi honey were abundant during the " wild " days of Daviess County's career. The old settlers all have experiences to relate in conneotion with bee-hunting and discovery of large yields of honey. For ten -or fifteen years past scarcely a bee-tree has been found.

Chaptek Xiii Meteorology

The climate of this region is very pleasant most of the year, and ^ell calculated for the fullest development of all the common crops of this country. There has not been kept within the limits of Daviess County what is called a " meteorological station, " but we are exceedingly fortunate in being offered the use of an extraordinary diary, faithfully kept by Mr. Joseph Thomas, of Owensboro, for about thirty years, commencing with Jan. 22, 1844, the Monday after his first marriage. This diary is a marvel of a daily record of events, of the weather, and of fine penmanship and correct spelling. Little did he think, thirty-eight years ago, that he would live to see the substance of it or any part of it in print like this, in a, large book !

As he generally kept his thermometer in an unoccupied room in the house, or in the entrance hall, about ten to fifteen degrees must be subtracted from the figures in the first part pf the following record, for the winter months, to obtain the true temperature out of doors. We have selected and compiled from the diary; to print all of it would make nearly two volumes the size of this. The war record and miscellaneous matters appear elsewhere in this work.

For the purpose of this chapter we give only twenty-two years (1844-1^65), which is abundant to show the nature of the climate of Daviess County.

Jan. 22. - The winter up to this date has been one of unusual mildness, having had no snow of any depth or any ice sufficient to skate on. For two months it has rained almost incessantly, and the river has been very high, for the season.

April. - 1-14, pleasant, warm, clear; roads in good order. Biver falling, but high enough for large boats. Seven steamers paned up in one hour. Trees put forth their leaves, and by the middle of the month they were in full foliage. Health of the community good.

May. - 1-2, cloudy and warm ; 3-7, clear; 8-15, mixed;. 16-1 7. rainy; 17-31, occasional showers; worms destructive to crops; 25, lightning struck the court and market house, but did little injury, although the latter was filled with men.

June. - 1-13, variable; 14-22, rainy, and to 31, very rainy and warm. River falling. Therm'ometer 60° to 88°, but seemingly hotter during the rainy portion of the month, on account of the oppressiveness of the atmosphere. Mississippi higher than at any time since 1785.

July. - This month came in rainy and hot; roads muddy; river high, the bar being covered; 20-31, river falling fast. Thermometer during the month 73° to 94^°. Atmosphere much of the time oppressive.

History Op Daviess Oohntt

August. - 1-10, hot, the three o'clock observations of the thermometer indicating 85° to 90°; clear and calm; river still in good order; 8-17, air more bracing; 18-31, slightly cooler.

September. - 1-10, pleasant; river rising a little, and the Fawn resumes regular trips; 18-20, hot; 21, cool; 22-30, river low again and no boats going up; can walk dry-shod from French Island to Indiana. Pigeons flying. The month generally pleasant. Mercury 49° to 92°.

November. - 1-10, clear and pleasant; 10-12, rain, which was much needed. Large boats running. Extremes of thermometer (7 A. M. to 8 p. M. observations), 33° to 81°.

December. - 1-8, stormy, - high winds and rain; 9-14, clear, but not very cold; 15 to 31, generally calm, and nothing remarkable. Extremes in thermometrical observations, 18° to 66°.

January. - Calm, pleasant and healthful; river in good order; 11, snow deep enough for sleighing. Thermometer, 32 to 68. No ice yet of sufficient thickness for storage.

February. - 1-9, cool, 27° to 50°; 10-12, warmer; 13-19, cooler; 20-22, warm; 23-28 moderate. River in good stage; no ice thick enough for storage during the whole winter. Thermometer during the month ranged from 27i° to 64°. On the 14th a most beautiful

April. - 1-16, clear and bracing; 15-18, rainy, but river low and falling; 19-31, dry, and river very low; large boats not running. Thermometer ranged from 39° on the 8th to 90° on the 24th.

May. - 1, warm, - 72°; 2-9, cooler, - 49° to 72°; river rising slowly; 10-31, warm and generally clear; river falling again. Health of people good.

June. - 1-9, warm and dusty; thermometer at 3 p. m., 80° to 93° ; 9, hard rain; but little tobacco set out; crops promise to be light; river commences to rise, and by the 25th attained a good stage. Extremes of temperature, 63° to 93°; 19-28, several rains.

August. - Pleasant; streets dusty until the 8th, when at seven p. M. occurred one of the hardest rains ever witnessed here, with wind and lightning. Trees and light buildings were blown down. Average .heat during the month, 81°. Only the smallest boats can ply the river. For clearness, cloudiness and fogs the month was about equally characterized.

September. - 1-5, intensely hot, the 3d being the hottest day of the season, - 89°, 95°, 90°. Cool nights set in. People becoming sickly. A number of deaths of eminent citizens. Two or three frosts during the month. Extremes of temperature, 32° (during the night of the 21st) to 95° on the afternoon of the 3d.

October. - Pleasant; temperature, 42° at 7 a. m. on two mornings to 78° on the afternoon of two days. River in good order. Public health better. A fine, dreamy Indian summer.

November. - Indian summer nearly all the month, - frosty mornings and sunny days; 4, heavy frost and ice; 23, sudden cold; 26, snow; 27, 19° out doors; 28, 3° below zero out doors; 29, 30,, very cold.

December. - 1-8, cold; 9, warmer; 10-18, moderate; ice prevents navigation; 19-27, very cold; 28-31, much milder; 31, ice running out. Ice got to be three or four inches thick during the month.

July. - 1-14, hotter and hotter; 15, cooler; 16, 17, fire necessary; warmer again until 28, when it was very hot; 29-31, hot. A fair amount of rain during the month, but river went down until the 28th, when it commenced to rise rapidly.

August. - Hotter until the 7th (94°), then steadily warm until the 24th, when it dropped to 68° at 7 a. m., then warm until the close of the month. River very low.

The summer, on the whole, was very wet - not a week of clear weather Bince spring. Crops, tolerable; corn, very fine; tobacco, poor and worm-eaten; peaches, large and abundant; melons, poor; garden vegetables, fine. General good health prevailing.

September. - "Warm, 8th and 9th particularly hot, and 16th a sudden cooling. People unusually healthy. Latter part of the month very dry. River low.

October. - This month came in pleasant, and continued so, on aa average, throughout the month. The first frost of the season came on the 18th, and was a severe one. Some ice during the remainder of the month. Indian summer, especially the 24th and after. Navigation was stopped by low water about the middle of the month ; between the 22d and 25th it rose so as to be navigable for any boat, and by the last of the mouth it was almost as low as ever.

November. - 1-2, rainy; 3-17, clear, hazy, cloudy and warmer, except 5th, when there was frost; 18-20, rainy; 21, frost; 24, first snow, which the wet ground melted as fast as it came; 25, wintry morning; 26-30, cold and cloudy.

December. - Exceedingly mild ; 2, 7, 8 and 16, rainy ; very little clear weather; the latter part of the month warm enough to sit without a fire.

January. - 1, raining and blowing in the morning ; cleared ofi^ by noon ; 1-6, mild ; 6-12, very cold ; all the ice-houses in town tilled with ice at least four inches thick; 10, ground covered with snow; 11, 9° below zero out of doors; 15, 61° to 69°; 16,31° in house; 19, 2° above zero out of doors; 23, thawing fast; 26, splendid ice, six inches thick.

March. - 1-10, rather cool; 11, heavy snow, which probably would have measured twelve or fifteen inches in depth had it not been thawed away by the warm and wet ground; it snowed all day without intermission; river very high; 21, more snow; 25-31, very warm for the season, - 35° to 75°; 31, no gardening done yet. Roads impassable.

May. - River falling; weather constantly rainless, and the ground is baked and the roads dusty; 3, white frost; 8, very cool, 60° the warmest part of the day.

June. - Pleasant enough ; rain suflScient for the crops, which are promising, although corn is not over knee high in many places; 8, 23, 26, 27, oppressively warm.

December. - 1-14, pleasant; river very high; 14, snowed all day, reaching a depth of 16 inches; drifted some places to a depth of four feet; 14-31, cool; river falling.

January. - 1-8, warm and disagreeable, but the public health good; 9, very cold; 10, only 2° above zero; the rest of the month clear and moderately cold.

July. - 9 and 10 the sultriest days. Some lain the first part of the month, and but little toward the last, - which is the average for this month. Wheat crop ruined by rust.

December. - Thermometer 10° in an unoccupied room in the house, to 52°; 10, snow; 2 and 15, drizzle; 21 and 28, rain; 30, snow. A rather cool, raw month.

February. - 3, very cold; 4, mercury down to 7 in the house; 13, 14, sleet and rain, and roads in an awful condition ; 14, heavy snow; 25, hard rain; 28, storm.

August. - Hot; 9, 13, 14, 18, 20, 21, sultry and tedious; 10, at 3p.m.. a terriiic .storm, the wind a hurricane, doing considerable damage; 27-28, rather too cool in the morning to sit without a fire.

November. - 8, heavy frost and ice; 16, first snow, but light; 26, severe thunder-storm; 27, more rain. Month average for temperature. River rising.

May. - 1, chilly; 2, heavy frost and thin ice; many things damaged; 6, heavy frost again; peaches nearly all killed; 10, warm; 16, very hot; 17, hard rain; 20-31, dry and warm. ]S"early every kind of fruit was destroyed during the month.

June. - 1-12, dry; 13 and 15, rain ; 30, hot during the day, but 80 cool at night as to make fire comfortable; 20-30, dry and exceedingly dusty.

October. - Average to 23d, when there was heavy frost and ice; 13, 14, river rose a foot, but toward the last of the month fell to a very low point.

November. - 5, river rising a little, but directly fell again; only two feet of water on the bar; 21, first snow fell - very slight; 27, rain ; 29, heavy frost.

January. - 5, snow-storm all day; 10, snow again; 13, 2° below zero; 14, fine sleighing, snow six inches deep ; 19,13° below zero out of doors; peaches killed; 22, river closed; 29, first boat up since 19th ; 30, shore ice broke. On the Ist the river rose three feet. A very cold and inclement month. Ice became six to eight inches thick, and was beautifully clear. Skating was delightful. Snow lay on the ground fiiteen days, a length of time not known for many years,

March. - Middle of the month delightful and gardening going on; 18, cool and unpleasant; 22,. frost;- latter part of the month warm and showery. River rose and fell two or three times, but averaged a good stage.

November. - 1, frost;, 8, frost and ice; 18, first snow to cover the ground, but soon melted; 24, rainbow; 7, river rising fast and 19, falling fast; 23-27, "-horrible" weather.

April. - 13, trees budding; 15, heavy frost; 21, hot, 81°; 22-30, continues warm during the day but cool nights; 26, frost. River rising all the month.

June. - Hot, especially the latter part of the month, an unprecedented drouth prevailing; crops dried up, except that corn looked well and wheat was fine. River only three feet on the bar, the lowest ever known in June.

March. - 5-10, an unprecedented amount of rain fell ; 8, some trees showing buds; 11, thin ice; 17, peach-trees in bloom; 18, some ice; 26 and 28, a little ice again. River very high.

August. - 1-2, the two hottest days of the season, - 94° to 98; rest of the month hot, especially after the 24th. Average for the month at three, p. m., 91.1°. Still dry; everything burnt up; no grass. River as low as ever known to be.

September. - 4, thermometer 99^°, hottest day ever observed here to this date. Hot and dry all the month. Corn crops short; hay, oats and wheat very fine ; tobacco fair.

October. - 1, a good rain, the first of importance since June 2 the corn crops are short; 5, first Frost. River exceedingly low, but raised about three feet near the last of the month.

December. - 5, ice on creeks strong enough "to bear one up; ice three inches thick on the creeks and ponds; 11, heaviest frost ever witnessed, - white on trees all day; 12, trees still white with frost, and constant fog; 18-31, cold, with some rain at the warmest periods; 8, about six feet water on the bars; 17, river down again; 26, seven feet on the bars.

January. - 1, river in fair order, but fell toward middle ot the month. Lovely weather about the 16th, but the month generally was cold; 23, snow three inches deep; 30-31, ice four inches thick.

January. - 4, 3 ° below zero; ice seven and a half inches thick; 5 and 8,"?° below zero; 9, 16° below; 10, 12° below; 17, snow melted off; 26, wind, snow and hail; 31, snow four inches deep. River full of ice and no navigation this month.

February. - J, snowy and sleighing; 3, 16° below zero out of doors; 4, 23° below zero; skating on the river; 5, 14° below; 9, thaw; 11, sloppy; 19, thawing, and snow nearly all gone; 20, more snow; 23, snow gone; 25-29, river full of ice, but navigation commences. Koads muddy.

March. - 1, rain, sleet and snow; 2, snow all gone and river clear of ice; 4, roads drying out; blustering; 10, thermometer 12°; 1- 20, river, falling; 27, snowy, chilly day; 31, no signs of spring. Farmers complaining of want of rain, 'and tobacco too dry to strip.

September. - 1-17, hot days and nights; 19, river very low; 22, light frost; 24 and 25, heav}' frost, injuring the tobacco crop very much; 25, river lower than ever.

January. - 8, ice four to six inches thick; 19, 12° below zero - coldest day known up to this time; 22, 8° below zero; 26, snow melting away; 28-30, skating on the river.

February. - 3, ice broke; 8, river rising fast; 10, coldest day of this month: river high and fall of ice, in small pieces; 13, river clear of ice; and 18, falling fast.

April. - Remarkable weather; 1-21, fires necessary; 2, 9, 10, 20, frost and ice; 17, snow; fruits and young tobacco generally killed. The last few days it warmed up some and vegetation started.

August. - 2, 8, 11,16, 24, thermometer 90° to 95°. Eiver in good order the first part of the month, then went down the remainder of the month.

January. - A very open winter. Corn crop turns out poorly, on account of the freeze in November. Weather has been so wet that many farmers are not half done gathering their corn. Tobacco crop very large.

May. - 11, very wet and disagreeably cold; 12, frost; 20, fire necessary. Farmers complained of too much rain the first part ot the month. River very high.

June. - 27, thermometer 98°; river falling fast. A wet month, and oats for the first time in this region ruined by rust, and wheat badly damaged by it.

August. - A hot month until the 26th; after this time chills were prevalent. Wheat small and shriveled. Not enough oats in the country for seed. Corn and tobacco look well. River low

December. - 7, 3°; 8, 6° below zero, and ice three inches thick; 9, ice four to five inches thick; 20, snow seven and a half inches deep ;| 23, 11° below zero, ice '^in river; 31, 5° by thermometer.

January. - A steady, cool month, without much freezing, but with considerable fog, mist and drizzling. On the 13th there were two inches of snow.

March. - 1, disagreeable; 2, rainy; 6, snow an inch and a half deep; 7, snow nearly gone; 11, fine day and roads drying up fast; 17, heavy frost. River high. Spring late.

January. - 15, snow twelve inches deep; 16, thirteen inches fall, deepest ever known here; eighteen inches deep in some parts of the county; 18-21, snow mostly melted away; 17, river rising rapidly.

March. - 1-13, wet and cool; 14^23^ nice spring weather; 26, ice; 29, cold day; 13, river nearly over Indiana; 31, rain, wind, sleet, snow and sunshine.

January. - 1, 6° below zero; 2, 1° below; 4, much ice in the river; 5, ice six inches thick in the ponds; 9, 6° below zero again; 28, boats running, the first since the 4th . A cold month.

December. - 9, snow, two or three inches deep; 12, ice three inches thick; 18, heavy fog all day; packets laid up at Owensboro; 30, snow three inches deep.

In the early settlement of the valley of the Ohio the weather in April and May was usually mild and fine, so that corn-planting was generally finished during the first week of April. Of later years the temperature of these months has changed, so that severe frosts in May are not uncommon. May 13 to 18, 1834, there were hard frosts every morning.

Ohio Floods

The first " flood " in the Ohio Eiver of which we have an authentic account since the valley was settled by the whites, was in March, 1774, when it rose about sixty feet above low-water mark. The second was in the winter of 1789-'90, when the settlement at Columbia, Ohio, was overflown to such a height that only one house remained out of water. The third flood was in 1808. The fourth occurred in February, 1832, and was the most disastrous ever witnessed by white men. From the seventh to the nineteenth of February the water continued to rise until, at Covington, it reached the height of sixty-three feet above low- water mark. Much damage was done to property. The fifth great freshet in the Ohio Kiver occurred in December, 1847, and at Louisville it reached a point only nine inches below that of 1832, and at Maysville only six inches below. A great deal of property was washed away, thousands of hogs were drowned in their pens, and a number of persDns lost their lives.

The Flood Of 1883

The following account we quote from the Saturday Post: " The present generation has the honor to see the mighty Ollio at the height of its majesty. Even the oldest inhabitant remembers not the time when the waters came down from the head of La Belle Riviere in such mighty volume as during the past week. One by one the records of all previous floods have been marked out by the great rise of 1883, and in succession the notches reached by the flood-waves of 1867, 1853, 1847, 1832 and 1808 have receded from view. This is the record of the waters above and may be taken as a safe criterion of the extent of the flood at this point. Though it might seem an easy undertaking, yet it is a matter of difiiculty to ascertain the exact figures concerning the previous high-water marks at Owensboro. In recent years the entire river front has been changed. Even in the memory of the present generation the time was when all tjf Front street, now washed in places to a width of only a few feet, was a broad campus, fringed with trees. Where the levee now is was once circus grounds, affording room to pitch the largest canvas. The levee front has been changed from time to time, and thus old marks wiped away, or their reliability destroyed. After diligent inquiry among many of Owensboro's oldest residents, our reporter feels authorized in the statement that the recent stage of the Ohio at this point was the highest within the memory of any living being, save, perhaps, that of one, who thinks it was exceeded by the flood of 1808. Of the latter statement, though, there are no present marks to verify its authenticity. The flood of '32, just fifty-one years ago, has been heretofore quoted as the heaviest within the memory of any living person, but from the evidence of those who should know here, and the reports from Kockport, where the marks are recorded on the blufi's, there is reason to pass over the horns to 1883.

"All during the week the river banks have been lined with spectators, viewing the mighty expanse of seething waters into which the Ohio had merged itself. In fact, river topics have been the universal theme of conversation. The moisture that permeated the seeping banks seemed to communicate itself to everybody and everything. It checked business, commerce and traffic. Men, women, and children seemed drawn by an irresistible curiosity toward the river, and when they returned to the streets, would retrace their steps and again take their stand among the idle spectators. Many a child was led down to the water's edge by its nurse, so that in after years it can point back through memory's haze to the great flood of '83.

" Deep as was the tale of woe which the great roll of waters told, yet the crowds that assembled on the banks were not without their ludicrous incidents. If there is anything that can move a man to the borders of the miraculous it is a flood. It was edifying to hear the words of wisdom which flowed from the moutlis of the multitudes, on matters heretofore within the peculiar province ot history. Men whose fathers' fathers were not here in 1808, quoted the family records to prove the exact height of the flood in that memorable year. The water-marks of 18i7 were freely disputed by scores of eye-witnesses who were not then born. 1852 and its great rise were quickly disposed of and laid away labeled " settled." The rise of '67 was familiar to everybody who got started in the debate at all; and doubtless a score of private marks were exhibited by persons who made them themselves, at the moment the tide reached its highest flood that year. Everybody will make his private bench-mark, noting the lieight of the present flood, and doubtless a stranger who visits the levee when the waters subside will have a good reason to conclude from the countless hieroglyphs that it was constructed from the remnants of an Egyptian obelisk."

In "February, 1886, snow measured eighteen inches deep. In Novebfiber, 1835, a snow seventeen inches deep accumulated, which did not altogether melt away until about the first of April.

In the early part of 1834 there was a hurricane near Whitesville Hiat did considerable damage. In 1844 a hurricane swept from llie vicinity of Rockport down through the northeast corner of this eoanty. But no lives were lost in either of the foregoing.

The first week of January, 1879, was the coldest it had been for t#enty-two years. On the 3d it was 10° below zero. It was near aero for several days. The first week of September, that year, was characterized by very heavy rains. Crops throughout the county Buffered immense damage, - probably cut down to about one half.

The heaviest rainfall ever known in Northern Kentucky, in so short a time, occurred Dec. 9 and 10, 1847. The creeks and smaller streams rose so rapidly as, in some cases, to drive people in their night-clothes to the second story of their liouses for safety.

The annual average of rainfall in Kentucky from 1840 to 1870, inclusive, was 60.3 inches. The greatest fall in any one year was in 1865, being 60.69 inches, and the least was in 1856, which was 80 inches. The greatest amount of water falling inside of four consecutive hours occurred May 8, 1843, reaching, 4.37 inches in three and a half hours.

Miscellaneous

The lirst court was held in a log building, - probably a dwelling. The first regular court-house was a brick structure, erected about 1819-'20. By the year 1855 the county had so grown that a new building was needed; and accordingly a contract was let for erecting a new court-house, the work to be finished by Oct. 1, 1857; but it was not completed until 1858 or '9. It was partly occupied, however, in the winter preceding. Its size was 60 x 80 feet, and two stories high above the basement. This building was burned Jan. 6, 1865,;as described in Chapter YI., the "Civil War."

Present Court-Rouse. - This was built 1866-'8, on the old foundation, and of the same dimensions as the previous structure, only somewhat higher and differently ornamented. The original contract, with B. Tribble and W. McLoyd, was for $55,000; but the building, with all the finishings and heavy furniture, including bell and clock, actually did cost about $63,000. The new building was occupied July 6, 1868. In October and November following the clock was built, by a man from Boston, Mass., and the bell, weighing 1,100 pounds, was put up Nov. 27, the same fall. The iron fence around the public square was completed June 26, 1869, and the court-house, in all its furnishings and surroundings, was finished in the fall of 1869.

Jail

The first jail was a log building, spiked and finished in the usual way, erected about 1819-'20. Its location was on the corner of the public square near the present jail.

The second jail was built of brick, by Mr. Feldpausch, contractor, and was located within twenty feet of the south line of the present court-house.

The tliird and present jail biUlding was commenced early in IRfll. The contract was let the previous year; in 1861 the first story was put up, and the next year the second story was built,

Public Squaee

This was laid out in the original survey of the town, and -was deeded by Robert Triplett to the county for court-house pupppses only. In the original deed is also the condition that the truSsees of the town have a certain number of feet on the northeast corner of the square for a market-house. Since that time there have been three market-houses there, but they were all more or less eyesores, and the last one was removed years ago. Forty i'eet have been cut off the south side for market grounds, and ier partially devoted to that purpose now, the city scales being placed there' since 1867. For a long time it was debated whether to build the city hall upon this ground.

Pooe-House

About 1845 Geo. W. Triplett was appointed by the County Court to purchase a piece of land for a poor farm. Accordingly h& bought ITO acres about five miles southeast of Owensboro, on the Miller's Mill Road. He employed John Locke as the first man to take charge of the place. There was a two-story hewedlog house and a cabin or two on the premises. All went down during the war.

In 1868 a frame house, with four rooms and a kitchen, for the family, and two other frame houses, with two rooms each, were built for paupers. One of these is situate on the southwest, and one on the southeast, of the main building, Stables, barns and other improvements were also made. This is about the extent of the improvements there at present.

The annual average ot paupers is about eight to ten. Colored paupers are kept by private individuals. All paupers are let on special contracts, rates being fixed for each individual case.

Lost Ebookds

The volumes in the county clerk's office, containing copies of wills prior to 1867, were lost or destroyed; and the originals of many were afterward brought forward and recorded. Since that date the record is complete.

The First Will

" This 26th day of August, one thousand eight bimdred and fifteen, I, John McFarland, of the County of Daviess,, ati^. State of Kentucky, being sick and weak in body, but of sound mind and memory, do make, constitute, ordain and appoint this my last will and testament, in the following manner and form ; and -

" Item, I order and devise that my well-beloved wife, Frances McFarland,. shall have my negro man Sam, now in possession of Abner Lea, and my negro girl by the name of Tilly, one featherbed and furniture, one horse and saddle, and my riding-chair, and "two hundred and fifty dollars in cash, to her and her heirs forever; and I further order that my negro woman Tabb, and my negro boy Johnston be the property of my said wife during ber life, and at her death be equally divided amongst her children.

" Item, I order aud devise that my negroes, Toby, Ldcy and child, now in possession of Lewis Odom, shall remain in his poBsession until his daughter, Rachel Odom, is eighteen years old; and then I order aud devise that my said negro "Toby shall be equally divided between Eldred Odom, Patsey Odom an^ Dem(^ Odom, to them and their^heirs forever.

" Item, I order and devise, when my granddaughter, Raehel Odom, comes to be eighteen years old, she shall then haye my negro woman Lucy and child (now in possession of Lewis Odom) to her and her heirs forever.

" Item, I order and devise that the County Court of DsviesB shall appoint five disinterested persons, any three of them, lo act, to divide all the residue of my negroes into five equal shares, giving one share to each of my five children, to wit: William McFarland, Leah Glenn, Rachel McFarland, James McFarland and John S. McFarland, putting the negroes that are now in possession of my son William McFarland and son-in-law William Glenn, upon lots by themselves, and add or diminish from the rest to make them equal; and it is my will that my son William and William Glenn have their choice to keep the lot that has the negroes on it that is

"And I further order and devise that all the residue of my eetnte that I have not already given away, both real and personal, be equally divided between my sons and daughters as hereinafter aamed - William McFarland, James McFarland, John S. McFarland, Leah Glenn and Rachel McFarland, to them and their heirsforever.

"And lastly, I constitute, order and appoint my well-beloved son,. William McFarland, and my well-beloved son-in-law, William 01enn, executors to this my last will and testament, and I do hereby n»vc^e and disannul all other wills by me made, ratifying and (KHifirming this only to be my last will and testament.

There is among the archives of the Circuit Court Clerk's office of this county a patent for a grant of 6,000 acres of land, made by and bearing the signature of Patrick Henry, while Governor of Virginia. This patent bears date of I'^S. The writing is legible and the paper on which it is written is in a remarkable state of preservation.

Bevohaionary Wa/r. - According to CoUins's History of Kentucky, the following Eevolutionary soldiers were living in Daviess County in 1840, with the ages given: Benjamin Field, aged eightyfour; Charles Hansford, eighty; James Jones, seventy-nine, and Benjamin Taylor, eighty-four. A further notice is given of Mr. Field in the history of Murray Precinct, in this volume. Mr. Hansford was the father of William Hansford, now of Utica, this county. Mr. Jones used to reside a short distance above Owensboro.

War of 1812. - Of the soldiers of this war the following have been residents of Daviess County: Jo Daveiss, William Griffith (f), Alvin Clark, Colonel Newton, Banister Wall, Abram Balee and many others. Clark was wounded in the battle of New Or-

We clip the following from an Owensboro paper of January, 1883: Ooe day this week "a messenger might have been seen leaving the grocery of Mr. R. B. Nunn, bearing a huge basketful of the choicest Wares from that well-known establishment. The basket and its acceptable contentsr were the gift of Mr. and Mrs. Nunn to Mr. Thomas I. Carrico, the only survivor in this section of the war of 1812, and it was sent to him on the anniversary of the battle of New Orleans, Jan. 8, (1816), at which Mr. Carrico and Mr. Nunn's father were present. Mr. Nick Lancaster added f^ the gift a decanter of fine old whisky, and it is needless to say tlU^t the recipient was truly happy at such kindly remembrance."

Mewiecm Wa/r. - Geo. W. Triplett raised a company of 102 men for tii!8 war, but unwittingly at a time when the State of Kentucky WJ* itot ready to receive and equip them.

Bi September, 1847, under the last call, a special order was i^ed to convene the militia of the county, and on the 15th they^ were accordingly mustered and marched into the court-house to listen to addresses and to volunteer. Decius McCreery and Willlam Bristow were particularly active in raising a company, which, on immediately organizing, elected the former their Captain and the latter their First Lieutenant. Wm. P. D. Bush was elected "Ensign," or Second Lieutenant; I. P. Washburne, Third Lieutenant, and H. Senour, Orderly Sergeant.

This company numbered about 100, and part of them were from Ohio and Hancock counties. Being accepted by Governor Owsley, they left Owensboro on the steamer Meteor Oct. 2; went to the field of carnage and did valiant service. They were with General S6ott on his march to Vera Cruz. Some of Daviess County's volunteers were probably under the command of General Joseph Lane, Major John C. Breckenridge and Lieutenant-Colonel Ward.

These old Mexican war veterans used to meet in Owensboro annually for re-unions. Among them was Captain E. C. Berry, from Washington County, who died here. Of the fore-mentioned, Mr. Bush is the only one living, who is now a lawyer at Frankfort. Captain W. J. Taylor, now living on the forks of Panther Creek, is a Mexican veteran, but was not a member of the above company. C. O. Clements, of Knottsville, was another soldier in hat war.

Captain Decins McCreery was a brother of ex-Senator T. 0. Mc- Creery. He arrived home here July 26, 1848, bat died in Arkansas in 1865. Two of his sons are now living in that State, and two in Texas.

State Guards, 1859. - A compauy of State Guards was organized in Owensboro in 1859, with J. H. McHenry, Captain. They met for drill, obtained some arms and uniforn^ and were on the point of obtaining more when the war came on and broke up the organization.

Captain McHenry was selected by Governor Morehead, April ,9, 1858, by lot, along with nine other Captains and their companies for service in Utah. He raised and organized a company, but the threatened trouble in Utah «nded before he was called into service.

Capital Punishmbitt

Collins's History of Kentucky says : " But two cases of hanging have occurred in the history of the [Daviess] county, a negro man for rape, in 1838, and Curtis Richardson, Nov. 1, 1854, for murder." The latter had murdered a man near Knottsville, and was executed on a hill in the southeastern part of Owensboro, since known as " Hangman's Hill." He had been famous for killing men, ami seemed to know from the start that he would continue in his career of crime until he should meet with a violent death either at the hands of the law or otherwise. In earlier life he witnessed the execution of some criminals up the river, and remarked on the occasion that he would be hung himself some day. He undoubtedly inherited gross and violent passions, and his attorneys in his last trial endeavored to mitigate his punishment by proving that he had a decided mania for homicide. He actually seemed to have some ambition to show himself off on the scaffold before a large assembly.

The negro above referred to was a slave belonging to Mr. Shauntee. The scaffold from wliich he was hung was erected near where St. Stephen's (Catholic) Church now stands. He was executed by E. C. Jett, Sheriff.

Most cases of murder, homicide, and manslaughter occurring in this county since 1843 are given for convenience sake, toward the conclusion of the chapter on Owensboro, in a journal mainly compiled from J. Thomas's diary. A few prominent criminal cases are Teferred to in the biography of Judge James Stuart, in Chapter IX .

Histoet Of Daviess Ootintt

About thirty years ago this man was murdered in his bed, one night, for his money. He was a farmer, about ten miles south of Owensboro, and South of Panther Creek. He had just been deliver.'ng his tobacco, and was supposed to have considerable money about him. It was in the summer, and he was sleeping with the door of his room slightly ajar. The murderer entered the room with an ax, and struck him about the eyes with the poll of that heavy implement. His wife was awakened by some one firing a weapon in the room.

No clae was ever obtained to the tnnrderers. Many ugly stories have been told concerning Mr. McFarland's family affairs, with a view of elucidating the mystery; but as nothing has ever been proved in court, we do not rehearse them here.

Mubdeb Of Willis Fields

About 1862 or '3, this man, who was a son-in-law of the preceding, started for Owensboro one day when there was a little snow on the ground; but it appears that he never got more thaaa mile and a half on his way; for in a neck of timber about that distance from home hisbuggy was afterward found standing in the road, and himself lying dead near by, with three or four stabs about iiis body, each BO severe and direct as alone to be fatal. This deed has been supposed to be perpetrated by " Tony," one of his negroes, who had been ordered to shell corn in the crib that day. It is supposed that as soon as Mr. Fields commenced his journey, Toney left his crib and ran until he overtook his master, and after murdering him, returned hastily to his work at the crib, to avoid saspicion. Tony was himself killed sometime afterward.

Lod Duke

The following event occurred in Owensboro, Aug. 15, 1872. J. M. Carlin was the only witness to the affair, and testified before the examining court that he was in the clothing store of Lod Duke, the accused, and sitting ipon the counter, Lod being behind the counter in conversation with him. Josh Duke came in and stated that he wanted to settle u ) their business that week, and wanted the money due him. Lod told him to go on, they would fix that some other time. Joshua threatened if money due him was not paid, he would box up the goods in the store; Lod said he reckoned not. Joshua replied in an angry tone, that he would show hi n, and ran into a hack room. Lod then began to take his pistol out of his pocket. Carlin caught his hand and he returned his pistol to his pocket. Joshua came in with pistol in hand; Carlin caaght each by the arm, when Lod told Josh Duke to go on, that he wished no diflSculty. Joshua thereupon jerked loose from Carlin and shot around at Lod. The latter then returned the fire, shooting once or twice. The examining court, Judge Triplett presiding, after hearing the evidence, acquitted the accused on the ground ot self defense. The parties were respectably connected, and had been in business together in Owensboro for several years; and, but for the absurd practice of carrying concealed weapons, the unfortunate aflfair would probably not have happened. Joshua Duke lingered in great agony until the following Monday, when he breathed his last.

The growth of what may be termed the " Public School System " of this State has been very gradual. At first none but private schools were sustained, which, of course, were very poor, or altogether in the poorer or thinly populated districts. In the course of time a small State fund began to grow, from the pro ceeds of certain lands. To Daviess County there was originally (Feb. 10, 1798,) donated about 6,000 acres ofy:a.6antiandfOT-«J3hool purposes. These lands, in the nature afrhings, yielded but _ small revenue until the increase of population made them valuable. Even now most public schools have t(/ be sustained principally by special tax, and the people are generally very loth to vote a levy upon themselves for school purposes. Even as late as 1882 the proposed tax of two cents upon each $100 worth of property was voted down by 2,007 against 707.

June 23, 1836, Congress appropriated $1,433,757 to Kentucky for educational purposes, but the Legislature afterward reduced this amount to $850,000, devoting the rest to other objects. The State felt free to do this, because she had not promised to devote the whole grant to education. This is the origin and principal resource of the permanently invested school fund, from the interest of which, for many years, the public sciool revenues of Kentucky have been derived.

In 1838 the first law was enacted for the establishment of a gen- system of common schools in this State; but for ten years the system languished and struggled with feeble life and doubtful success, under the ruthless hands of unsympathizing and crude legislation.

The first successful movement inaugurated for the grading of any public school in this county was made in 18 TO in Owensboro. This year there were eighty school districts in the county of Daviess, and sixty-three schools were taught during the year. The amount disbursed for their maintenance was $4,846.60. In 1882- '3 there are ninety-three districts for white children and fifteen for colored. The amount of money paid during the year for their maintenance is $11,000. The number of children in attendance, including Owensboro, is 7, 837. Amount of money paid for colored schools is $1,800, from the State fund.

Besides the numerous temperance orders noticed elsewhere in this volume and the Washingtonian movement, and a score of other general temperance revivals, enterprises and schemes common to every civilized community, Owensboro and vicinity, about six months after the Murphy movement started in the country, was pretty thoroughly taken with the blue ribbon pledge, as introduced by Judge James Stuart. It seems that he was converted to the cause in a neighboring county, and immediately upon his return to Owensboro he announced that there would be a mass meeting at the court-house on a certain evening, when addresses would be delivered, and plans proposed concerning temperance.

The evening came, and the court-room was crowded. The Judge then had the door locked, in order to secure perfect quietness. He delivered an eloquent appeal, and circulated the Murphy pledge, which required total abstinence from all alcoholic, vinous and malt liquors. Seventy-two signed the pledge that night, and in a few days the signers reached 400 in number. On the second night John Weir addressed the people, and 200 more went forward. Subsequent meetings were addressed by W. T. Ellis, Baker Boyd, and John P. Barrett, of Hartford. Music was given by the " Murphy choir."

Everything passed off smoothly for about ten days, when the Judge had to leave. The people, especially the youth, were enthusiastic, and worked with a determined will and direct aim. After the first, the meetings were held in Hall's Dramatic Hall. The numbers joining the movement soon swelled to 1,200 or 1,400._ The blue ribbon was their badge. Soon after Mr. Stuart left the city, certain officious parties ahroad desiring to visit the place, and have a " finger in the pie, " wrote to him for an invitation; but he, fearing the consequences, discouraged their coming. They came, nevertheless, and, true enough, dissensions soon began to arise. After considerable effort, Mr. Stuart succeeded in getting them away.

A purse of $5,000 or $6,000 was made up by subscription to buy property for reading-rooms, etc. ; but before the necessary plans could be matured, Mr. Stuart had to leave on official duty and the cause went down, amid the contests ©f jealous friends. In the spring, about four months afterward, a municipal election came on, the inevitable license question came up, and the consequent heated controversy fixed permanent walls between friend and friend. The necessary meetings were more and more thinly attended, many went back to their old drinking habits, and the Murpliy or "blue'ribbon" movement finally, like the streaks of mor|iing cloud, faded away into the dim azure of the past.

The "Woman's Movement, " which inundated so many places dn the Northern States, never gained a foothold in Owensboro, or in the county anywhere. A proposition to inaugurate it here was diffidently, made by one or two ladies, but some ugly articles appeared in the city papers, threatening violence and resulting in a rancoroua discussion, and the " motion was withdrawn. "

It will not be inferred from the foregoing failures that the blue ribbon movement, or any other temperance movement, has been entirely unproductive of good. The most of them have done a great deal of good - indeed, sufficient to justify the outlay of money and consumption of time attending them.

The Fourth of July, 1871, was celebrated in Owensboro in a magnificent manner. The day will long be noted aa one most agreeable in its annals. There was a grand display of the various industries of the community, in a procession composed of large, wheeled platforms, elaborately ornamented and illustrated by the industry they were designed to represent. The exhibition was contained upon one six-horse wagon, ten four-horse wagons, eighteen two-horse wagons, and twelve one-horse wagons. Arriving at the Fair Grounds, the assemblage listened to a fine reading of the Declaration of Independence by W. T. Ellis, Esq., and an instructive and eloquent address by James Stuart, the orator of the day. Feasting and fun followed. Captain G. L. Dear was the Marshal of the day; and for the success of the occasion credit is chiefly due James Bowlds, C. C. Gatlett, C. Zuckriegel, C. Green, S. Kuntz and J. Badger.

July 4, 1872. - "The Glorious" this year was ushered in with no explosions of fire-arms or display of flags. Nothing disturbed the serenity of nature until the reverberating noise of the steam-whistle of the steamer Mary Ament was heard, about eight o'clock. The citizens left their shops and houses and made their way to the whart to witness the arrival of the Odd Fellows' delegations that were expected to arrive. A hundred or more disembarked, accompanied by a fine band of music, and made their way to their appointed quarters. Shortly after ten o'clock the Odd Fellows' procession was formed and moved through the streets in the following order: Brothers Lodge, of Owensboro; Hawesville (Ky.) Lodge; Eockport (Ind.) Lodge; Grand View (Ind.) Lodge; Harigari Lodge, of Owensboro, and the Mechanics' Association. The procession was preceded by the Rockport brass band. After reachingthe Fair Grounds, the theater of the day's ceremonies, the assemblage was entertained by a well-conceived and delivered address, by Professor Chase, of Louisville. Not less than 4,500 persons were present. Eating, dancing and various amusements were the order of the day. The receipts amounted to several hundred dollars.

The colored people celebrated the day by gathering at Paradise Garden, where they were addressed by Thomas E. Curtcher and Thomas Botts, two talented young lawyers.

by Hons. C. G, Winterstnith and John Young Brown. The gross anaoiint realized from the barbecue was $1,400, which was remarkable considering the stringency of the times. Thomas S. Fettit was Grand Marshal of the day.

Southekn Belief

The fall of 1866 found the people in many portions of the Southern States in a destitute condition on account of the ravages of war and a desolating drouth. A committee was appointed for Daviess County, consisting of Thomas H. Fointer, Robert G. Moorman, J. C. Maple, W. B. Pegram and T. 0. McCreery, who appointed snbcommitties throughout the county, to collect and forward contributions of corn, meat, clothing and money. On other occasions, also, Owensboro has exhibited a marked degree of liberality. See chapter on "Owensboro."

Land League

I 'May 7, 1881, a large mass-meeting was held at the court-house to consider .tlie propriety of organizing a branch of the Irish Land League. J. D. Shortell was made Chairman, and George F.' Haynes, Secretary. A series of enthusiastic resolutions were adopted, and addresses were made by R. W. Slack and Rev. F. M. J. Rock, after which forty-two members placed their names on the roll, and $85 were subscribed to the funds of the League. J. D. Shortell was elected Fresident; Rev. Mr. Rock, Vice-Fresident; Edwin F. Millett, Secretary, and R. W. Slack, Treasurer. Over $100 was collected and duly forwarded to headquarters.

This term relates to the remains of art left us by aboriginal nations; as, mounds, skeletons, arrow-heads, skinning-hatchets, stme-axes, pottery, ornaments, etc., most of which in this country Were made by the Indians, and some possibly by other and more c vilized nations which preceded them. Many ethnologists believe that the tribes of Indians which the whites are now driving out of this country, at some stage of their former national existence, were fully adequate to the building of all the mounds and the manufacture of all the implements of the chase and of warfare which we now find scattered all over the West. Indeed, it is not really certain tliat any different race of people ever existed in this country. However tliis may be, we find within the limits of Daviess County many of these ancient remains of art, of wliicli a number of collections have been made.

W. L. Burtoii's Collection. - W. L. Barton, attorney at law, Owensboro, has a very line collection of Indian relics and geological specimens. Of stone axes he has one made of hard sandstone, and weighing about iive pounds; and a long-polled specimen, of blue limestone, of about four pounds' weight. Of flint hoes, spades or other digging implement of some kind, there are several good specimens in this collection; also, pestles and mortars, or "grist-mills," by which the aborigines of this land ground up their corn, acorns, paints and medicines. These consist simply of a biscuit- shaped piece of hard stone of any kind, hollowed out a little on one side, and of another piece of very hard stone, somewhat oblong in form , used as the pestle or pounder. The smaller ones, weighing but a few ounces each, are supposed to have been used for grinding paints, and the larger ones for paints and various articles of food. One specimen of pestle is about the size and shape of a small rolling-pin, and may have been a pestle or a war-club, or both. Its weight is about five pounds, and it was found in McLean County. Some pestles were bell shaped.

Of arrowheads Mr. Burton has a large quantity of fine ones, most of which have been picked up within the bounds of Daviess County. They are usually of blueish-gray flint, and vary in size and shape materially. He also has a modern Indian arrow, mounted, or set in the rod. It is small, but very neat.

Of Indian pipes there are some of the oddest specimens in this cabinet. A verbal description of them would be unsatisfactory. One is made of a white sand or limestone, and a huge one, of the same material, is painted a brownish-red color, in exact imitation of the color of the pipe-stone clay of Minnesota. This specimen weighs nearly four pounds, and was found in Indiana, in a mound near the "Wabash. One pipe, made of white clay and of a fancy shape, is supposed to be a peace pipe.

Of ancient American pottery Mr. Burton has several magnificent specimens. Two are almost globular, with a rim around the mouth at the top, and projections on the bottom to keep them in a standing position. One of these would hold about a pint and a half, and the other a quart. One has two ears, and the other four, as if to be held by a bail. There are two larger vessels, in shape somewhat between a jug and an urn, from Arkansas; also, handles to household vessels, of fancy shapes.. One has an image of a squirrel's head attached.

In this collection there are also a few Indian skulls, teeth, etc., from the mounds, in which the archaeologists say they were buried over 400 years ago.

As almost every archseologist has also a few geological specimens, we will mention that Mr. Burton has a few very fine pieces; as, of Lepidodendron and leaf marks, from Tell City, Ind. ; fossil shells, from the Devonian formation; mushroom coral; crinoidal stems; lithographic stone, from Edmonson County, Ky.; a petrified gate-pin, from Breckenridge County, near the -Falls of Rough Creek, and many smaller curiosities.

Other parties throughout the county have a greater or less number of Indian relics; as, pestles and mortars, grist-mills, pieces of pottery, etc. A specimen grist-mill consists simply of two stones: one weighing six pounds, hollovred out a little on one side, with a pestle weighing one and one-fourth pounds. They are made apparently of bowlder granite.

Mounda, etc. - There are some Indian mounds in Daviess County, especially along the Ohio River from Yelvington down to the vicinity of Bon Harbor. At Iceland Landing are a number of mounds containing specimens of aboriginal handwork, such as knives, axes, hammers, polishers, small mortars and pestles, pipes, etc. Also, the bones of a race of men are sometimes found, which must have averaged eight to ten feet in height. The jaw-bones found easily fit over the jnw of the largest man now living.

Two or three aboriginal burying grounds have also been discovered in this co'inty; but the graves are generally only four feet long, two to two and a half feet wide, and about as deep as wide. The dead (and some of the living also, according to one authority) were buried in these graves in a sitting posture. Near the head of each skeleton is generally found a pipe, and in the hands a tomahawk or other implement. Every grave is lined with slate or flat sandrock, without mortar.

This association was orgariizcl about ISTCi, with II. II. Tavloi', President; James M. Alsop, Vice-President; George A, AVilliams, Secretary, and Poj Hathaway, Treasui-er. A Cdnstitution and bylaws were adopted, according to whicli the re;rular meetings were to be held raonthl3^ The number of members at firbt was about fifteen; there are now twenty, which is the constitutional limit. The same officers have generally been re-elected from year to year until the present time.

The principal object of the club is to have hunting excursions each spring and fall. As a sample of the good times they have, ue instance their encampment on Green River, about four miles above Livermore, commencing Oct. 20, 1881, when they had with them three fine cooks, two sleeping tents, a dressing tent, and a stable tent. They caught a fair quantity of game and fish, and drank mineral water, etc., sang, played and danced, having a violin and guitar with them, and several of tliem being trood singers.

This club is one of the finest equipped in the State, and four of them on the occasion referred to had the reputation of being tlie best shots in the county; namely, Z. L. Taylor, J. M. Also]'), Barncft Kelly and Wallace Ilerr. They visit different grounds each year in tliis and adjoining counties, sometimes other States. Last year tiicy went to Southwestern Atissouri; had a good time, altliough, on account of the floods, they did not secure an abuiidanceof game. One good hunting-ground, especially for fishing, which they visit, is intlie riorthwe-t extremity of the count;y, opp isite a point below iMiterpriso. Ind., where there is a lake, su])[ilied by overflow from the river. It is ab,)ut 200 yards in width ai d over a mile long.

Barnett Kelly, who has ]irol)ably killed more deer than any other man in the country, is now living in Owensboro, un the Henderson Road. Otlier noted hunters in Daviess County have been: John II. McFarland, wlio has in his day been a fine deerhunter, still a resident (.if Owcnsboro; Eilbeck Bairoii, now liviiig in Ohio County; Gibson Tayloi-, fatiun- of R. 11. Taylor, now aged seventy-two years, and a lesidcnt of Yclvington Precinct for the last fifty years. These men have all had their training and first experience in the primeval forest, wJien game was ])lentiful and the chase far more exciting than it is at the present day.

The Fikst Marriage

" Iiinnodiatel}' alter the organization of this count\-, nainelj', June 23, 1815, a license was issued for the marriage of Samuel McCuy and Jane Helm. Two days afterward the following was recorded in the countj clerk's office:

" A certificate of the marriage of the parties aforesaid was returned on the license as follows, to-wit: Agreeable to command of the within license, I joined together in the holy state of marringe the within named Samuel McCoy and Jane Helm, on the 25th day of June, 1815, according to the forms and ceremonies of the church to which they belong.

The record of marriages in Daviess Countj' is complete, and in convenient form for reference. Below we give a list of the marriages to the close of 1820:

March 15. - John Johnston and Lncy Huston. May 13. - Bannister Wall and Sally Thompson. May 18. - Hugh Barnett and Polly Cummins. June 10. - John Gates and Lydia Edwards. Aug. 9. - Thomas Metcalf and Elizabeth Jones. Oct. 14. - Jesse Spray and Mary Travis. Oct. 18. - John McFarland and Elizabeth Griffitii. Nov. 6. - Azel Aterbury and Vina Lay. Nov. 25. William Beal'l and Elizabeth Bcall. Nov. 28. - George Gilmore and Patsy Isbell.

Dec. 6. - Ililleiy Bealland Margaret Adams. Dec, 9. - Philip Thompson and Sally Mosley. Dec. 9. - John Roberts, Jr., and Mary Mosley. Dec. 21. - John McDaniel and Jane Adams.

Jan. 0. - Abraham Shutt and Elizabeth Humphrey. Jan. 13. - Winston Martin and Polly Pinkston. Jan. 24. - William Terrell and Ann Caldwell. Feb. 4. - Ephraim Thompson and Susan Grigsby. Feb. 4. - Cyrus Pinkston and Delilah Pinkston. Feb. 2G. - James Jordan, Jr., and Jane Glenn. March 15. - Samnel Piles and Elizabeth Calhoon. March 21. - John Briant and Milly Pinkston. March 21. - Beiij. Stidham and Leanna Hohnark. May 5. - Kalpli Calhoon and Lucy Glenn. May 15. - John B. Blackwell and Kancy Hellms. July 8. - James Hellms and Rachel Taylor. July 8. - William McFarland and Frances Field. (No certificate marriage recorded.)

May 8. - Jesse Lockett and Sally Bates. May 30. - Nathan Arterberry and Lavise Arterberry. June 3. - Willis Duncan and Frances Frazier. June 19. - John Davis and Elizabeth Miller. June 25. - James Newton and Fanny Field. Aug. 2. - William R._ Duncan and Kitty Roberts. Aug. 4. - Groves Howard and Elizabeth Moore. Aug. 22. - Daniel Brown and Jane Hale. Aug. 26. - Joseph S. Webb and Ann Vandike. Sept. 5. - Thomas W. Palmer and Sarah Wells. Sept. 8. - Nace Overall and Amelia H. Daveiss. Sept. 8 - Benj. B. Lockett and Jane Gary. - Oct. 27. - George Calhoon and Mary Gillmore. Dec. 14. - John Gabbert and Polly McKenny. Dec. 15. - -John Howard and Margaret Moore. Dec. 12. - Josepli McDaiiiel, Jr., and Rhody Kirk. Dec. 16 - Baptist Mattox and Leah McDaniel. Dec. 26. - Michael Coyle and Mary Black. Dec. 29. - Jeremiah Lncas and Susanna May. Dec. 30. - John Myers and Polly Bassett.

Martin). Nov. 10. - Henry Courtney and Harriet Lumpkins. Nov. 11. - Edward Shown and Fenita T. Pinkston. Nov. 17. - John Sanders and Hannah Stephenson. Dec. 4. - S. T. Hynes and Elizabeth H. Thompson (no return of

In compiling the foregoing list of names we found numerous contradictions in their orthography, and therefore some ot them are doubtless spelled wrong here. In one instance tliere occurred what appeared to be a dating back by half a year; and in another the parties married were not the parties licensed to '~<^ married.

The First Steamboat Down The Ohio

In October, 1811 (or 1814, according to pne authority), Fulton's steamboat, called the New Orleans, intended to run from that city to Natchez, left Pittsburg for its point of destination. Late at night on the fourth day after quitting Pittsburg it arrived in s ifety at Louisville, having been but seventy hours descending upward of 700 miles. The novel appearance of the vessel, and the fearful rapidity with which it made its passage over the broad reaches of the river, excited a mi.Kture of terror and surprise among many of the settlers on the banks, whom the rumor of such an invention had never reached; and it is related that on the unexpected arrival of the boat before Louisville, in the course of a fine, still moonlight night, the extraordinary sound which filled the air, as the pent-up steam escaped from the sonorous pipes, produced a general alarm, and many arose from their beds to ascertain the cause. Some even thouglit the c~ et, whicli had been in view some time previously, had fallen r;. j the river. The escape of

Histoey Of Daviess Oounty

The water on the falls did not allow the New Orleans to pass down immediately, and she consequently economized her time by plying between Louisville and Cincinnati; but toward the last of November she was able to pass the rapids and " astonish the natives " along the shores of Daviess County.

Anecdotal

" Charley Boss,'' Co/ored.Sand-dy nigli: of Nov. 4, 1877, it was Mr. Koss' turn to stay at liome up town and " nuss " the baby while his wife attende 1 church. In his front room he rocked his little Charley to sleep, and, taking the slumbering infant in his arms, he sought the nursery and snugly tucked the little fellow in his bed. Imprinting a kiss upon his tirst-born, he returned to his family room, there to await his wife's return. He dozed off into a sleep, but was shortly awakened by a noise in the nursery. Alarmed at once lest some danger had befallen little Charley, he rushed frantically from his room into the nursery, up to the bed, and, in his excitement, he noticed no Charley there.

The father was wild with grief. " Kidnapped! kidnapped!" he said, and rushed madly into the street, down to the church in the extreme lower end of the city, where worshiped his wife, and in one last, long, lingering cry, yelled, " Little Charley has been stolen !" and sank down exhausted. The excitement was indescribable. His friends made all haste from tlie church, headed by the fond mother, straightway to the residence, and there found - little Charley, as snug as a bug in a rug and snoring away most lustily. " Who was it put him dar ? 'Twere angels," said the father.

Didn't know it was Sunday. - Nov. 4, 1877, an old lady of a Maud Muller cast of features and appearance came into Owensboro, basket on arm, to " do some shopping," as she expressed it; and, stepping into Head's drug store, inquired why it was that the stores were ail closed, and whether Mr. Smith's butcher-shop would be open soon. Mr. Head politely informed her that he supposed Mr. Smith's shop would remain closed all day; that he was a gentleiian who always observed tlie Sabbath, and was doubtless then in at emlance at Sunday-Echool

" Sunday-school ! " shrieked the old lady, letting her basket fall and throwing up her hands in holy horror; " Sunday-school! Why, Mister, you don't tell me this is Sunday?" " Sunday it is, madam, beyond the peradventure of a doubt," replied the suave druggist. "Well, law sakes alive! and there's my old man out in the field hard at work, and me in town shoppin' and its Sunday! But, Mister, don't you tell on me, and I'll go right home, blow the horn for John, make him put on his Sunday clothes, and we'll both ride old Ball to church;" and she hastened away.

A slip between- the cup and the lip.~~Iu November, 1868, a little circumstance occurred that proved the truth of the adage tliat " truth is stranger than fiction."

A courtship, with all its sighs and wooings, had long existed between a gentleman and lady of this county, and at last the appointed day approached when the " two souls " which were supposed to contain but a " single thought," were about to be " linked into one," arrived. The license was obtained, the wedding supper prepared, and nothing but the afilrmative answer to the questions propounded by the minister were necessary to make them " bone of one l)one," etc., and entitled to walk down life's path together But the afiair turned out rather one sided. When the parties were upon the floor, " Will you take this woman to be your lawful and wedded wife?" was answered by the would-be groom in the aflirmative with great promptness and alacrity; but when the minister propounded the same question with a slight variation to the young lady, she archly, and with a malicious wink of her eye, replied "iV^o." This turn of affairs of course produced a great sensation among the young people, while the elder ones lifted their specs and solemnly mused upon the frivolities of youth, and sought a solution to the strange proceedings, which was about this, and should teach a lesson of caution to the rising generation:

A few days before the time for the consummation of the nuptials the young gent imprudently remarked to his atlianced that he was "inclined to regret that their wedding day was so near at hand, but that the matter had gone so fir now that in honor he could not relieve himself" This speech was harbored up by the young lady aforesaid, and she took the ab(;ve method of " relieving " him of his "honor," and hence his woe and disappointment, which were justly merited.

Distances By The 0. A N. Railroad

A very correct and faitlifiil "Historical Atlas" of this county was published by Loo McDoiiough & Go. during- the centennial year. It is so wuU known to the citizens of Daviess Coimtj' that a description is scarcely needed. It contain? "eighty-one pages," counting tv.'elve blank pages; size, 13 x Ifi inches. The publishers made the serious mistake of drawing most of the map's on a scale about twenty per cent, larger than the book could " comfortablj' " contain. He.'^ce it is inclined to "'gag,'" with tongues sticking out around the edges!

Its contents are: A page of statistics and reference symbols, well S])road out, two and a half pages of county history, one page of precinct history, maps of the preci?icts. State of Kentucky, United States, and of the whole world - the latter, of course, on a small scale; also thirty full-page illustrations of buildings and their premises, fifty-five biographical sketches of prominent citizens, and a list of patrons which purports to be only a " portion " of them.

In the delivery of this work the publishers mot with considerable opposition, on the ground that the maps were too large for the book, and were incorrect; that some names were spelled wrong; that the paper was poor, etc.; but they ultimately proved in court that they had fr'filluJ their part of the contract, and the protesting pations were accordingly compelled to fulfill theirs.

I'his, being Ihoir fii's.t diioctory of this city or county is very carefully coinjtiiod; aud the i)ublishers announce their intention to issue a new one in 18^5. Tliis issue contains 277 octavo pages.