Elizabethtown, Kentucky - History (part 3 of 5)

Chapter Xxhi

up to this date, nor would it add much to this history to do so. Some have come here and set up business and flourished for a brief period of time. Of such it is needless to say anything more than to remark that they came in like a meteor and departed leaving a blue streak behind them, and some were of such light metal that they made no streak at all, except a streak of a board bill on some landlady's day book unpaid. But as a class our merchants have been the most useful and influential men in our community. They labored harder and risked more to minister to the wants and comforts of the people, and to bring to their doors from distant cities not only the necessities of life but extra comforts. All our citizens before the time of merchants wore the home manufactured articles for shirts, coats, vests and pants - so unusual was it to wear store clothes that a boy as a piece of news remarked : "Don't you think Bill Haywood wears a store bought shirt?" How did that come about? Why he dug ginseng, and sold it to Mr. Crutcher, a store-keeper, and he paid him in shirt stuflF and some other fixens. Before the merchants bought sugar, tea, and coffee, our worthy progenitors were content to drink sassafras, spice-wood or sage tea, as for coflfee there was no substitute, nor was any substitute for the latter article attempted until after coffee was introduced, for after having tasted coflfee and a relish for it accomplished, and purses being light in those days, a great many attempts were made to substitute by parching wheat, rye or corn enclosing it in a strong leather apron and with a shoe hammer, beating the mass on the door sill or a flat stone until it was sufficiently pulverized. It was then shook out of the apron into an iron pot, a sufficiency of water poured on it, then adding a sufficiency of maple sugar, (that was not to be grinned at) and some new milk or cream added, and all boiled together, until it was thought to be sufficiently cooked. It was then poured out into a piggen or small pail and placed on the table, which was formed of two long legged stools butted together so as to make the representation of a table, and dipped or poured out into tin cups and eaten with Johnny-cake bread, shortened at that, now don't think that I am going to forget the merchant. I will come back to him as soon as I have told you how a johnny-cake was made. First, every family had a johnny-cake board on hand ready for use. The board was nothing more or less than a thick clapboard about three feet long and six or seven inches wide, shaved smooth with a drawingknife. Then the corn-meal was worked up into a dough, mixed in with crackhngs. Do you know what a crackHng is ? Well, it is that part of swine's fat that refuses to go into lard. Or if no crackling was to be had, a slight admixture of lard or beef suet was stuck about in it. This mess was skillfully laid on the board, and properly spread, and the board propped up before a good fire. When baked nearly through the skillful use of a case knife liberated the cake from the board, then turned and the other side underwent a baking. Then on the table it went and was greedily devoured and washed down with this cofifee. The johnny-cake was first-rate, and as old as I am I would now ride two miles to breakfast with some old lady who understood the mystery. But, alas ! for human progress, it has banished the good old johnny-cake and substituted light rolls, corn batter cake and buck-wheat cakes and all such like. But lest you might undervalue the living of our ancestors, they had fried crout, fried bacon, ham and eggs (at five cents a dozen if their own hens did not lay them) sometimes fried chicken, turkey breast, partridge, squirrel or rabbit. But I must stop here for fear I should lose the thread of my discourse in this long parenthesis and return to the merchant again.

It took not only a man of enterprise, but a man of true courage to be a merchant in the days of yore, when there was no stage or railroad, or steam boat. It was a two months' trip to Baltimore or Philadelphia and back. Before starting on this hazardous and laborious trip, the merchant made his will, and called his friends together to take possibly the last leave of them, and it was generally noised over the country before the trip was taken that such a storekeeper was going for goods - I well remembered those times.

The merchant mounted his horse with a brace of horseman's pistols on the cantle of his saddle, led another strong horse with a padded quilt containing about two thousand Spanish dollars - sometimes took a guard through the wilderness part of the way, and thus encumbered traveled about seven hundred miles, this at the best travel would take over hills, mountains and rivers, from sixteen to twenty days - laying in and selecting a stock of goods occupied about three weeks. Then employing several teams of Maryland or Pennsylvania wagons, each drawn by six Conestoga horses, over the mountains to

Pittsburg. That trip occupied from ten to fifteen days. At Pittsburg a flat boat was purchased and the goods stowed away in it. Then the broad horn, as it was sometimes called (in contempt after steamboats started) was floated down the Ohio, the merchant always on board, with his hands and consumed some fifteen or twenty days according to the stage of the water to reach the falls. If piloted over the falls, the boat bound for Elizabethtown and the southern counties would be finally landed at the mouth of Salt River, now West Point. Then the merchant posted ofif a messenger to his clerk calling for eight or ten wagons to be sent to him. The merchant remaining until the last box, crate, keg or barrel was on the wagons. Then like a bird liberated from his cage, he flew to meet his wife and children. It was a day of rejoicing of which all partook in the neighborhood. And when the wagons arrived the news spread like wild fire that the new goods had come and many a dollar had been hoarded for the occasion.

Now with steamboats and railroads, the same journey is performed in so short a time, that one is hardly missed by his next door neighbor, so brief the absence.

Chapter Xxiv

Major James Crutcher emigrated from Virginia early in the decade of 1780, and landed at the falls of the Ohio (now Louisville) while the Indians were troublesome. His relations from Nelson and Mercer counties hearing of his arrival, came to the falls to guard the Major and his father and family to Bardstown. The Major hesitated whether to settle in Nelson or Mercer county, but finally stopped in Bardstown and occupied a stone house, which since belonged to Nathaniel Wicklifife, the same house that was afterwards occupied by Melville Vining as a tavern. In this town on the 28th day of August, 1795, his eldest son, Thomas S. Crutcher, was born, the Major having married Miss Gilly Slaughter, and shortly after he removed to Elizabethtown.

He was the first merchant of any note that I remember, in Elizabethtown, he was a resident in July, 1797, for he was one of the first Trustees appointed when the town was established, and remained a citizen until his death. He was then a very sprightly young man, and was remarkable for his neat and genteel appearance and continued so throughout his long life. I cannot say precisely the date he commenced as a merchant but he was in that business at my first recollection of him; my memory extends far back, for I distinctly remember the burial of my grandfather, Jacob Vanmeter, on the 17th or i8th day of November, 1798. But that was an isolated case - the open grave, the coffin and the crowd fastened on my attention so completely that I never forgot it, and it is likely that my recollection more extended does not reach back further than 1800. However, I recollect well some incidents which took place in the old cabin in which I was born, perhaps before 1800; one, for instance, my mother had a pot of hominy on the fire - when she was out I seized a pewter spoon, plunged it into the boiling pot and dipped it out smoking hot, slipped to the door to cool it, when an old gander met me and ran his flat bill into my spoon and gobbled my hominy - and ganders have never been favorites with me since, although the goose trade is now quite brisk in this town.

Judge Crutcher was the main dealer in goods in this town for many years, and was very popular with all the ladies. By some strange perversion of nomenclature he was by half the men and by nearly all the ladies called Crutcher, and it was a daily occurrence to see the good old ladies coming to town to deal in Jimmy Crutcher's store. He has been mentioned several times in the previous part of this history - business of this kind was carried on a small scale for several years, as the sparse population did not justify large importations.

He also dealt in cattle and sent several droves to Baltimore. Now to send cattle to Baltimore by steamboats and railroad would be a light affair in comparison with such an adventure as I am now speaking of. Then there was no steamboats and railroads and very poor roads of any kind; twenty miles a day would be a good drive with a large drove of cattle. The trip to Baltimore under the most favorable circumstances would occupy at least thirty-five days. In returning from one of these trips the Major met with a young man at Martinsburg, Virginia, named Horatio Gates Wintersmith, and prevailed on him to come to the West. Mr. Wintersmith entered the store as a clerk and soon after as partner, and the business was greatly enlarged.

As I intend to speak of H. G. Wintersmith as a merchant and enterprising citizen in a separate article, I will simply continue my narrative of Judge Crutcher. He was the soul of hospitality, and it was his delight to entertain his friends at his hospitable board, and he was generally useful as a Trustee of the Town, Trustee of the Hardin Academy, was Judge of the quarter session court and afterwards assistant Judge of the Hardin circuit court. He represented the county several years in the House of Representatives of the Kentucky Legislature, and was also a Senator of Kentucky and made a narrow escape of being Lieutenant Governor and of a seat in Congress. He was at the battle of New Orleans as aid to General Thomas. His was a useful and active life, laborious and patient in business. His trips East for goods on horse back amounted to an immense travel. One of his trips he took with him a servant man belonging to Major Ben Helm named Charles Slaughter (still living at 93 years). Their route led them across the Youhogeny river, a turbulent, rapid stream, spanned by a bridge thirty feet above the water. The snow was eighteen inches deep on the bridge, which was old and shaky, and in the middle of the bridge two planks were off, leaving a gap two feet wide; the bridge trembled at every step, and then the yawning chasm in the middle but it had to be crossed, it was their only chance; and when accomplished the Judge turned his horse around to look back at his tracks. The Judge remarked, 'T was always told to praise the bridge that carried me over safe, but I will never trust that one again." On arriving in Baltimore the servantman, Charles, who always knew which side of his bread was buttered, was not slow in announcing the fact that his master was a Judge.

That was a grand move, and secured to himself as well as the Judge, very marked attention at the hotel. The landlord caught the title and it was "Judge what will you have, shall I send a bottle of wine to your room? Can I make any change to malce your quarters more pleasant?" Then the command from the landlord, "Peter, see that the Judge's waiter has a good and early breakfast, for the Judge wants to go out with him in the city."

In short order the merchants were all obsequious. At night the Judge asked Charles how everybody knew he was a Judge. "Why," says Charles, "I had sense enough to tell it." Some years before his death he retired from business and took his ease in the elegant mansion now occupied by I. Robin Jacob, Esq. He was a man of firm constitution until late in life - his health failed and he lost his sight, and died at a good old age, upwards of 80 years.

His son, Thomas S. Crutcher, Esq., is now living, in his 75th year. He is fourteen days younger than myself, a well educated quiet gentleman. We were so near of an age that we might be considered as raised together. We were playmates in childhood - schoolboys together for years, and then he was sent to complete his education under Dr. Hume. He was afterwards a merchant for many years, and lastly, clerk of the Hardin county court. He is a kind-hearted, high toned gentleman.

Chapter Xxv

The tailors or artists in cloth, so far as my acquaintance extends, are in the general a clever, neat dressing, gentlemanly class of men ; they also have the reputation of being liberal. There is a tradition that nine artists seated on their board, observed a poor man at their door, he was called in, and on investigation he was found to be an object of charity, and each of them gave the poor man a shilling. It was more money than the poor man ever had at one time before, so he determined to try his luck trading on it, and in the course of ten years he found himself rich, built himself a house and on his front door was painted in gilded letters these words : "Nine tailors made a man of me." And hence arose a scandalous perversion of the generous act of the tailors, and the saying is common that it takes nine tailors to make a man, thereby intending to convey the idea that a tailor is but the ninth part of a man, scandalum magnatum.

As I have before stated, Archibald McDonald, a Scottish dancing master, was the first male tailor that ever stuck a stitch in town, and that he kept no shop, but worked around wherever a garment was to be made, and had his board thrown in. Jack Kendall, of whom I have before spoken, was the next I remember. Jack was a dwarfish cripple. One day while Jack was on his board a very slender and rather cadaverous looking man, six feet eight inches high, stopped at the door of

Jack's shop and straightening up to his full height, was taking a view of Jack's dimensions ; without speaking a word, Jack in turn was surveying the height of his visitor ; Jack spoke first and said : "My good fellow could I get you to pick me a mess of squirrels?"

"Certainly you can, and moreover, my name is Jonathan Worrell - I am a crack tailor, and as you are the boss of this shop, and I want to get a chance to help you cabbage cloth."

"If this shop board is wide enough to hold your legs, just twist yourself up here and go ahead. There is a job before you." Worrell understanding all the twistifications of the art, mounted the board and remained with Jack several years. Worrell himself was nearly as droll a genius as Jack.

On one occasion in James "Perciful's tavern a wire-walker and a sleight-of-hand conjurer was performing; Worrell came in late after every seat was taken, walking deliberately up to a seated gentleman, making a bow, said : "Sir will you be kind enough to swap seats with me?"

The next was Major John Y. Hill, who set up a shop, employed William Greeman and worked together several years, but the Major, of whom I have spoken, was too energetic to confine himself to a shop board and commenced other business, was elected to the Legislature, and finally was a complete hotel keeper and in that business died universally regretted.

About the year 1829 Addison Kinkead with a partner named Wilson, commenced and had a fine custom, but soon dissolved partnership. Wilson left - Kinkead held on and at various times had partners, but the most reliable one was William Showers, better known as Big Showers. Kinkead was a constant worker, a provident man, and accumulated a handsome property - he was always anxious that the customers should have a good fit. The customer would put on the new coat, Kinkead would pull down the tail and slap the man on the back and say, "Big, is not that a bully fit?" then turn the man's face to Big and show him the front and say, "Big, don't you think that fits like a shirt." Big always proved the job well done, and the customer went off convinced that he was fitted to a T, and perhaps he was.

Kinkead afterwards purchased a farm, made a model farmer, and died sometime since leaving a comfortable estate. He was fond of entertaining his friends at his home, and it was done in genteel style and his death was felt to be a loss to our community.

Big soon after quit the board and formed a partnership with Isaac Radley, in merchandising, farming, sheriffing, and even in gold digging in California, and a few years ago opened the Showers House as a hotel, and is yet doing a slashing business, but I think he ought to advertise in the News, as a printer has to live.

Then Warren C. Gray and Cowley set up shops and did well. Cowley has left the State, but Gray still continues the business in this town; is an industrious, good workman and good citizen, and has raised a very genteel family in our midst. Henry Showers and James Moore for some years did a fine business as merchant tailors but in the full tide of prosperity they were burnt out, losing some six thousand dollars of stock. Showers left for the South during the war and was absent about four years - on his return he commenced business for Solomen Kaufman & Co., large merchants. He is very attentive and industrious, and is a quiet, respectable and social gentleman.

Moore after he was burnt out, carried on the business for a while with Jonathan D. McNeil - McNeil married and went to the country for several years. He had served in the army a portion of the time of the late war with credit to himself. He is at present out of business and so is Moore - they were both good artists.

Chapter Xxvi

CHAPTER XXVI I had commenced about merchants, but got decoyed off on a side switch, and fell in among the tailors etc., and now take up the merchants again.

About the year 1801 Robert Blakely and WiUiam Montgomery, two very interesting young Irishmen, came to Elizabethtown and opened a dry goods store with a stock of goods, and soon became very popular. Their store was opened in a log house at the corner of the Public Square, on that spot where the Wintersmith House was afterwards erected and lately burned down. Perhaps their stock of goods was the first that deserved the name of an assortment.

William Montgomery was an Orangeman, and engaged in the rebellion in Ireland in 1798. He was arrested and confined in a prison from which men were taken and executed daily. Montgomery was released from prison through the interposition of his aunt, who was the wife of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland on the condition that he would emigrate to America.

Shortly after Robert Blakely who was engaged in the same rebellion, evading the officers of the Government, concealed himself in a vessel and thus made his escape to the United States. They married sisters two of the daughters of William Withers, Esq., a very respectable Virginia gentleman near West Point.

About 1820 Montgomery bought a farm near West Point, which was divided between them. Montgomery died about the year 1830, leaving an only son, the late Wm. W. Montgomery, Esq., the father of James Montgomery, Esq., a very prominent young lawyer of this town, and also A. B. Montgomery, Esq., at present a very efficient deputy sheriff.

Blakely remained some years after Montgomery left town, and acted as sheriff for several years, and then settled on the farm and died about the year 1850, leaving a large family of respectable members of the community.

There is something romantic and interesting in the history of these two men. Born on the same Island, engaged in the same rebellion, both compelled to leave to save their lives; emigrating to the same country, finding employment in the same establishment in the city of Baltimore, partners in merchandising in Elizabethtown, marrying sisters, and then living and dying on adjacent farms.

Horatio G. Wintersmith was born at Martinsburg, Virginia, in the year 1786, was the son of Doctor Charles Godfrey UHas Wintersmith, who was a surgeon in the British army and was taken prisoner by General Gates at the defeat of General Burgoyne. As he was a German and spoke the Hessian language he was put with that corps as a surgeon.

After his capture he joined the American army, and became a part of General Gates' family, and went with him to Philadelphia, where he met with and married a widow Spangler, whose maiden name was Lighter, being the maiden name of his own mother. After which the Doctor settled in Martinsburg, where the subject of the notice was born, and having become much attached to General Gates, his captor, called his son Horatio Gates, which name seems to have been to a great extent in the Wintersmith family.

As has been before remarked, as Major James Crutcher was returning on one of his trips to Baltimore, he came across young Horatio Gates Wintersmith at Martinsburg, and prevailed on him to come to Kentucky - and arrived here in 1806. As I was always intimate with him I have heard him frequently speak on his notions about Kentucky before he came to it. He had been taught to believe they were a semisavage set of bruisers - wore leather hunting shirts and leather breeches - and they took particular pleasure in knocking a man down if he crooked his finger or refused to drink with him, and that he was astonished on landing in Louisville to see men dressed in broadcloth and acting as polite gentlemen. He entered as clerk in Major Crutcher's store, and shortly after was taken in as a partner.

In about two years after he entered the firm, he was sent to Baltimore to lay in a stock of goods, and as he was a go ahead man, he laid in quite a large stock ; so much that the Major was alarmed and expressed some dissatisfaction. Wintersmith had provided for such a contingency, and told the Major that if he entertained doubts about the policy of getting such an abundant stock, that he would take it himself and be personally responsible. And as the Major had great confidence in the foresight and business tact of Wintersmith, with some grains of fear, he acquiesced, and opened a house also at Glasgow, Ky., with Henry Crutcher as a partner, and as proof of his adage, that

The partnership continued some years when Wintersmith separated from the original firm, and brought many of his relations into business, having married Miss Elizabeth Hodgen, daughter of Robert Hodgen, Esq.

Wintersmith was an energetic business man and of great public spirit, and built largely, and also opened a hotel on an extensive and elegant scale. He was emphatically the life and soul of the town, and was widely known and respected. He was also the cashier of the Union Bank of Elizabethtown which was the only bank of that batch of forty odd independent banks that wound up safe and sound. But in the full tide of life and at the zenith of his prosperity he died January 2ist, 1835 in the 49th year of his age. He was married three times, his second wife was Miss Morehead, the third. Miss Jane C. Stovall.

By the first wife was born Charles G. Wintersmith, an eminent lawyer, who served several years in the Legislature of Kentucky, and was afterwards elected Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, which honorable situation he filled with dignity and ability. While a member of the Legislature as chairman of the Committee on Federal Relations he made a report on the jurisdiction of the Ohio river, which was justly esteemed an able State paper.

He also at one time was elected and served as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky and afterwards occupied the honorable position of Grand High Priest of the same order of Ancient York Masons.

Robert L. Wintersmith was another son of the first marriage. I have spoken of him before as a liberal gentleman and enterprising merchant and justly a popular man, but as he has the misfortune to be one of the most laborious Trustees of ihe town, I cannot answer for his future good name, although the Trustees work like dray horses, they get more curses than thanks.

Major Richard C. Wintersmith was a son of the second marriage. It would be a difficult task to give a faithful pen portraiture of the Major - suffice it to say that he was Treasurer of the State of Kentucky, and during the late war he served with distinction in the Confederate service. He is a portly, fine looking man, possesses a great deal of original wit, a man of decided ability, and universally popular, and if he cannot win a man by argument, he is certain to get him by his humor.

Mrs. Margaret F. Wintersmith, a daughter of the second marriage, a most excellent lady who married her cousin, H. G. Wintersmith, a pleasant and accomplished gentleman, a good merchant and an amateur fruit grower. He was a man of fine taste and a first rate citizen. He left a fine family of children to the care of his widow, and well has she performed the heavy responsibilities which devolved upon her. I have not space to notice any of his decendants except his eldest son, Charles H. Wintersmith, who is a remarkable, sociable, pleasant gentleman, and has made discoveries in the healing art that Esculapius never dreamed of. As he advertises, it will be needless for me to give a list of his remedies. Suffice it to say that they are represented as being sovereign remedies for nearly all the ills, pains and aches that the human family is heir to.

Hon. H. G. Wintersmith is the only survivor of the third marriage. He has been a merchant and Judge of the Hardin County Court and is now a practitioner of law, and raising a fine family. He is a pleasant, polite gentleman, and a zealous member of the Baptist church.

Chapter Xxvh

Audubon & Rozier were also merchants in town at an early date. Their clerk was James Hackley, who afterwards became an officer in the regular army, one of the most starchy and fine dressing men that ever lived in our town.

This is the same Mr. Audubon who has since been world-renowned as the greatest ornithologist in the world, and has traveled through the United States, Central and South America, torrid, frigid and temperate zones, and has furnished the world the most complete specimens and descriptions of the feathered tribes, from the hummingbird and the sparrow up to the Condor, Ostrich, and Cassowary, with all the grave and splendid plumages that adorn or beautify the birds of creation.

Charles Helm and Samuel Stevenson were once merchants. Helm was a politician and served many years in the Legislature, and in his day the most popular man in the county, and no man could overcome him in an election. He was on Hopkins' campaign, and died several years since ; his son, Thomas J. Helm, was for many years clerk of the House of Representatives of the Kentucky Legislature, and was considered the best parliamentarian in the State of Kentucky. He died in Glasgow several years since.

I tried two years under him to master the Latin language, but made a signal failure. Whether it was the fault of the teacher or the scholar I am not able to determine.

After Helm and Stevenson there came up as merchants Major Ben Helm and General Duff Green. They occupied the stand now owned by Judge Eliot - they did business together several years, and as the partners were both distinguished men, special notice of each will be required. Major Ben Helm has been mentioned frequently in the preceding part of this history.

He was bom in Virginia on the 8th day of May, 1767, came to Kentucky with his father, Hon. Thomas Helm, and landed at the falls of the Ohio (Louisville) in the fall of 1779, and removed to the Valley in the spring of 1780, then being thirteen years of age, consequently he underwent all the perils of that early day. As soon as courts were established in Hardin county he became prominent in the business of the county, was Deputy Surveyor, and one of the Trustees of Elizabethtown, and made the first survey of the town. He was also one of the first Trustees of the Hardin Academy and held that position for more than forty years. About the year 1800 he was clerk of the Hardin county court, and shortly after received the appointment of clerk of the quarter session court, and when the courts were changed he was appointed clerk of the circuit court, which office he filled up to January, 181 7.

He was a prudent and provident man, and soon become independent in his circumstances. In the year 1812 there was a call for volunteers under General Hopkins. The Major then being forty-five years of age was a volunteer in Col. Aaron Hart's company, although in affluent circumstances and rather feeble health, he answered to the call of his country. That was a mounted force, each man furnishing his own horse, gun and ammunition, rations for himself and provender for his horse. The force amounted to about two thousand men, there was no commissary or quartermaster, and not a solitar}' wagon ; his brother Charles Helm and George Helm, Thomas S. Crutcher - all of this town in the company : beyond Louisville there was no roads, the route was through the woods, guided by the sun in day and the stars at night. As they progressed they found the Indian towns deserted. When about thirty or forty miles beyond the Tippecanoe, the rear guard of the retreating Indians set fire to the tall grass of the prairie, which burnt with great rapidity, involving the safety of the army, and they would have been destroyed had they not sought a place of safety in a swamp near at hand. Finding it impossible to overtake the wily Indians, and the stock of provisions running low. General Hopkins marched the army back. On the return Major Helm was taken ver}- sick, and for want of an ambulance he had to be carried on a litter between two horses during a march of two days.

The Major was a prosperous and neat farmer, as well as clerk and merchant ; he passed a long life of active usefulness, and having a considerable cash capital he was a blessing to the community - was a law abiding man and never exacted any usury, and indulged those indebted to him to almost any number of years. When the Union Bank of Elizabethtown was chartered the Major by universal consent was elected President of that Bank, and his signature to the notes was a passport for their circulation, and as before remarked it was the only bank of the batch of forty independent banks that wound up safe and sound.

The Major was a highly honorable man, temperate in all his habits, and lived to a good old age. He died on the 24th day of Februar}', 1858, in his 91st year. His venerable widow, Mrs. Mary Helm, of whom I have spoken, still lives in this town in her 83rd year.

General Duff Green, the other member of the firm of Helm & Green, was born in Cumberland county, Kentucky, a well educated young gentleman, came to Elizabethtown in the latter part of the year 1812 or nearly 181 3 and opened a school and continued some years. It was in this school that Governor Helm was principally educated. He was a man of great energ}- and a very aspiring man. He volunteered on a campaign against the Indians in the company raised by Gov. \Vm. C. Duvall. He styled his company the yellow jackets and on that expedition he proved himself to be a man of undoubted courage.

He received an appointment under the Government to survey public lands in Missouri where he spent considerable time. After marr}ing a daughter of Hon. Benjamin Edwards, he removed to Washington cit>% and was there during the Presidency of General Jackson. He was appointed Congressional Printer and took a prominent part in the administration, having become the confidential friend and adviser of - the President. Gen. Green was a tall, slender man, with an eye like a hawk, and whatever he undertook was generally accomplished.

It would take a volume to trace Gen. Duff Green throughout his life, his various avocations, sayings and doings. My space will not admit of attempting to follow him, nor am I sufficiently posted, for after he left Kentucky-, I never saw him again. But he was a part of the history of our countr}- for more than fort}' years.

Chapter Xxviii

Hon. John B. Helm was born in Washington county, Kentuck}-, on the 28th day of October, 1797; while in Washington county his father, the late Hon. John Hehn, was assistant Judge of the Washington Circuit Court. He Hved about eight miles from the seat of justice and at term times he would take little John up behind him on a dashing mare. After reaching Springfield and eating diimer, little John was strapped on the back of the mare, she would take him safely home, being then about seven years old, and his father would remain in court until Saturday night.

Blue grass was then ( 1804) being introduced into Kentuck}\ On one of those courts John had gathered a little sack of blue grass seed and carried it behind his father to Springfield where he sold it for a cut half dollar. John thought himself rich and was about the happiest boy in all those parts. A short time after John's mother and several neighbor ladies, who were all great spinners and weavers, concluded to go to Bardsto\\Ti with their cloth for sale. A separate horse was packed with the cloth and little John was set upon it, Hke a toad upon a tussock, having his cut half with him, and it was agreed that he should lay it out himself, and was particularly instructed how to address the merchant. After the grown folks had concluded their trading, John's time came, he forgot all his instructions but stepped forward and laid his half dollar on the counter and said : "Sally wants a fan." Sally was his sister, two years younger than himself, and he was much attached to her - and by way of digression I might as well say right here, that this same Sally has been my wife for upwards of fifty-one years, and I hope may be for twenty-five years to come.

A polite clerk said, "Sally shall have a nice fan," and so John bestowed the first money he ever earned upon his sister, in the purchase of a fan about a half a yard long, which opened resembled a peacock's tail. About the year 1809 or 1810 the family removed to Breckinridge county, near Sugartreetown and the Ohio river. When between 8 and 10 years of age he was sent to the Hardin Academy in Elizabethtown, under the tuition of Samuel Stevenson. At this age of the world, the rod was a potent aid to the school teacher and John was whipped to his lessons for about one year, and finally whipped into typhoid fever, which came very near closing his earthly career ; when recovered he was taken home and sent to a country school.

Some few years after the Elizabethtown Academy fell into the hands of Duff Green. John was sent to Green's school, and although he was a considerable whipper, he adopted a different course with his pupils - gained his confidence and took great pains in fitting him for an active useful life, and when Green commenced merchandising he selected John as his first clerk in the house of Helm & Green which did a large business. When in this position the author formed a close and intimate friendship with John B. Helm which has continued without interruption up to this time, nearly sixty years. In a few years Green finding that merchandising was too narrow a sphere for his vaulting amibition, went to Washington City, as I have before named.

Major Ben Helm, the senior partner of Helm and Green, purchased the Bush farm. Sally Lincoln, formerly Sally Bush, but now the step-mother of the future President, was entitled to a part of the purchase money - and a portion was to be taken out in the store, and she always brought little Abe to carry her bundles home. Abe would always take his seat upon a nail keg, and John always treated him with

After the store was closed John concluded to study law - went to Frankfort and read law in the office of the Honorable John Pope. After concluding his studies he went to Alabama and went into practice. Afterwards he returned to Elizabethtown and married, and commenced merchandising, and continued in that trade for several years, during which time he built himself a residence, now the property of Rev. Samuel Williams, also built a three story house on the corner of the Public Square, which he called the center of attraction.

There is something remarkable about the Judgeship held by this family. Four generations without a broken link were judges. The great grandfather was a Judge of the Quarter Session Court of Fairfax county, Virginia, his grandfather, Thomas Helm, was a Judge of the Hardin Court of Quarter Sessions, his father was a Judge in Washington Circuit Court, and to wind up he was Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in Hannibal, Missouri.

After settling in Hannibal, Abraham Lincoln then a candidate for the Presidential honors having gone to Kansas on business - and returning through Hannibal learned that Judge Helm lived there, called at his office with his traveling friends, and after making some inquiries in order to identification - as forty years had wrought visible changes in both - Lincoln then turning to his friends remarked: "Gentlemen, here is the first man I ever knew that wore store clothes all the week, and this is the same man who fed me on sugar as I sat upon a nail keg - then minutely related the whole circumstance. Lincoln had a remarkably retentive memory, and never forgot a kindness. After he was elected President, Helm's recommendations were always regarded with favor, notwithstanding they were so bitterly at variance in politics.

My readers will pardon me for taking up a whole chapter with the Hon. John B. Helm - my apology is that I look upon him as one of the remarkable men of the age, and although physically he is a near sighted man, yet mentally he is a far sighted man, and consequently has accumulated a handsome estate. He always was a Democrat in the strict sense of the term and partaken of all my juvenile sports - we differed to some extent in politics, but socially we were a unit.

his active life in Jolm B. Helm's store. He was born on Nolynn, a mile from Hodgenville, on Christmas Day, 1811. His father, William Brown, settled there in 1790, on land which had been patented to him by Virginia. One of William Brown's brothers, James Brown, was killed at the battle of Blue Licks in 1782. Another one was Patrick Brown, who was a member of the first Constitutional Convention in Kentucky, but who refused to sign the Constitution because it recognized slavery. Later on he became so convinced of the unwisdom of slavery that he freed his negroes and moved to Illinois where he has numerous descendents now living. William Brown left a large family of children, most of whom have stayed in Kentucky. Among them were John Brown, the merchant of Munfordville, and Mrs. Sarah Churchill, of Mt. Gilead, Larue County.

Alfred Brown came to John B. Helm as a clerk when he was a boy, in 1827. After a few years Mr. Helm made him his partner. He remained his partner until Mr. Helm's death, and was appointed by Mr. Helm executor of his estate. After Mr. Helm's death he continued in the business until 1857 when he was elected County Clerk. He served as County Clerk until the Civil War when, because of his Southern sympathies, the Federal Army in control of Kentucky refused to allow him to be voted for.

During the Civil War he and A. H. Cunningham and Sanford J. Poston were imprisoned much of the time in the Federal Prison at Louisville by the army because of their Southern sympathies. While imprisoned Brown studied law, and after the war was one of the busiest lawyers in Elizabethtown.

He was one of Elizabethtown's most useful citizens. He was one of the first trustees and one of those who contributed largely to the building of the Hardin County Seminary. He was the first School Commissioner of Hardin County, serving without pay, and he laid out the school districts of the county which still stand. He was for several years one of the Commissioners who have held the county's Louisville & Nashville R. R. stock. He made a canvass of the county and published a circular in urging the people not to dispose of their holdings and it was largely the result of his efiforts that the county held this stock which in time became of great value.

They spent 56 years of married life in Elizabethtovvn. They had four children - Bell, Edith, Fannie M. and Willie Davis. Fannie and Willie died in early childhood in the dreadful epidemic of scarlet fever that visited the town in March, 1859.

Edith who married Thos. H. Hastings of Louisville died Nov. 7, 1877. Bell who married Dr. Robert B. Pusey alone survived them. Mrs. Brown died Feb. 6, 1900, in her 80th year ; Mr. Brown, May 3, 1903, in his 92nd year.

Chapter Xxix

W^ashington Whitaker who was one of the firm of John B. Helm & Co., was born in Bardstown, Nelson county, Kentucky, either in 1799 or 1800. His father, Robert Henry W^hitaker, was killed at the raising of his house when Washington was first beginning to crawl. His mother was married to Major Ben Helm on the 17th day of May, 1803, and was immediately located with her son Washington in Elizabethtown, Ky., where he was raised and educated by Major Helm, who treated him as if he were his own son. When grown he commenced merchandising with John B. Helm and Benjamin Helm, constituting the firm of John B. Helm & Co. This firm continued several years and did a thriving business. After the dissolution of that firm in the year 183 1, he formed a partnership with Dr. Bryan R. Young but as the Doctor was in full practice in his profession, he could not give personal attention to the business and sold out his interest to Whitaker the same year, 1831. In February, 1832, he took into partnership, Mr. A. H. Cunningham, a young business man who had been clerking for him, and that continued up to Whitaker's death, which occurred 28th of December, 1833.

Mr. W'hitaker was an energetic and enterprising man and of untiring industry. His mind was slow in maturing and when he was a boy his mother was fearful that he would make a dull man, but as he grew up to manhood, his intellect kept pace with his body, and when he attained his full height, which was over six feet, with a slender frame, he was a fine looking man, and had a thorough investigating mind, and fine foresight in business matters. Fie had a fine stock of public spirit and commenced the improvements at Claysville for a tannery on a large scale, which was carried on in his name until his death. He owned quite a number of slaves at the time of his death - he willed them all to Thomas D. and Elisha S. Brown and then they were to be free and sent to Liberia, and the hire fixed upon them was to be divided among the slaves when they departed.

By his will he also provided for his partner, A. H. Cunningham, and by arrangement Mr. Cunningham had the use of $4,000 for five years without interest. He also devised $5,000 to a lady for whom he had a high regard, and the balance of his estate to his step-father, Benjamin Helm, and his wife. His death was a severe blow to the town and was much regretted.

A. H. Cunningham, who has been spoken of in connection with Washington Whitaker, was born in Hardinsburg, Breckinridge county, on the 3rd day of October, 1810 - with his father's family he removed to Leitchfield in Grayson county, and on the 28th day of August, 18 18, he came to Elizabethtown and commenced as clerk with the house of John B. Helm & Co. When that firm dissolved and Whitaker & Young commenced a partnership, Cunningham went with them and in February, 1832, he became a partner of Whitaker, as is before stated, and continued in that firm until Whitaker's death. Mr. Cunningham was married in May, 1832, to a daughter of the late H. G. Wintersmith. After the death of Whitaker, Cunningham did business alone until the first day of January, 1840 - he took in as a partner Lewis Highbough, but he died in 1841. In January, 1848, Major Robert English became a partner for two years. First of January, 1850, Robert D. Geohegan was a partner until September, 1856. At that date J. W. Matthis was a partner and continued to ist January, i860. After which Mr. Cunningham carried on the business alone until the 7th day of August, 1869, when he was burnt out. He then sold the ground on which the store house stood and retired from business.

Mr. Cunningham was always a fair trading man and understood his affairs thoroughly, never used any devices or humbuggery to facilitate sales, has his set prices and however anxious he might have been to make a sale - he never pushed an article upon a man, and his was never called the cheap store, but as he was known to be honest and kept correct books - a customer always knew what he was buying - and that it was of the quality represented. And by this straightforward course he has accumulated a handsome estate, and lives well and entertains his friends liberally. I have two reasons for not stating how much of this world's goods he has acquired ; first, he is still alive and- it would not be prudent to state it, and the second reason is, I am not posted and could not tell if I would.

Chapter Xxx

Major Robert English, one of Mr. Cunningham's partners, son of Noah English, was born in Virginia, and removed to Hardin county. Robert was a sprightly boy and attracted the attention of the late Horace G. Wintersmith, a merchant before spoken of. Mr. Wintersmith was also postmaster and Robert generally accompanied his mother on coming to town shopping. On one of these visits the postmaster engaged him to carry the mail from Elizabethtown to Leitchfield in Grayson county. In those days a post-rider was looked upon as an important personage, and his passing up and down this thirty miles of road caused as much excitement among the natives as a train of cars would at this time. Persons would collect at certain points to see the post-rider go by, and Bob was not ignorant of the consequence attached to him, and made the most of it. His fidelity and good humor were highly satisfactory to his employer, and he was transferred from the mail business to clerk in the store, and finally a partnership. He afterwards became a partner of A. H. Cunningham, and was in the business several years and in various firms. At length he purchased a fine farm in the neighborhood, and removing to it he soon became a comfortable gentleman farmer. While farming he was elected Sheriff of the county, and then to a seat in the Legislature of Kentucky. He was a kind, liberal and hospitable man, an honest, frank, open-hearted and openhanded man and deservedly popular, and his death was considered a serious loss to the county.

Haden E. English, son of Weeden English, was born in Virginia, on the second day of January, 1815, and came with his father to Kentucky in 1820; in the year 1831 or 1832 he entered the store of Washington Whitaker and continued there eighteen months. In 1834 he commenced as clerk for Hugh Mulholland and continued with him eighteen months, and then married. He then bought the interest of Robert English in the firm of English, Wintersmith & Co., and remained in that firm three years. In 1838 he opened a store in the three story building erected by John B. Helm, and called the place The Center of Attraction, until at last he was called by his intimate acquaintances by the name of Center. He continued in business with various firms up to the year 1848, when he purchased a farm and settled on it and became a prosperous farmer. As a farmer or merchant he was a go ahead man, always polite, a fine talker, and could show up the right or bright side of a piece of goods - a wagon load of corn or oats, fat steer or hogs - and when his crop was growing it was refreshing to hear him talk of it - likes to entertain his friends and knows how to do it - and has the ability to draw upon his dairy for milk and upon his splendid pond for fish, and upon his barnyard for all sorts of feathered fowls - but I must hold in for fear I might overrun him with a hungry company - indeed I know some who domesticated themselves there until their visit became a visitation.

Since I came to sum up the merchants who have done business years back, it would be an interminable job to go into particulars, suffice it to say that there has been more men in this town engaged in mercantile pursuits than any other town in my knowledge of the same limited population.

Bernard Staadeker was born in 1838, Waldorf, Grand Duchy of Baden, in Germany - came to America in 1858 - was for some years in the employment of Mr. Schlesinger, and for several years doing business in Louisville. George M. Cresap came from Alleghany county, Maryland, to Kentucky in 1857, and was for sometime in the employ of the Louisville and Nashville railroad. These two compose the firm of B. Staadeker & Co. They have a large stock of goods and are both pleasant gentlemen to do business with.

Solomon Kaufman & Co. Sol Kaufman, Samuel Goldnamer and Joseph Josenberger compose the above firm. Mr. Kaufman came from the city of Mentz, in the Grand Duchy of Hesse Darmstadt, in 1848. Samuel Goldnamer was born in Rhine Bavaria, and came to the United States in 1855. This firm also does a large business on A. Depp's corner - all are accommodating, pleasant gentlemen well educated in their calling. Mr. Kaufman resides in Louisville, the other two live here and have families.

of Mrs. Yeager, where dress goods, millinery articles, bonnet trimmings, etc., may be had of all shades and varieties. The other store adjoining is the male department.

In speaking of merchants, I omitted to name Charles G. Wintersmith, Sr., a brother of Horace G. Wintersmith, before spoken of. He came to this town several years after his brother, and opened a store of dry goods and was well known and highly respected as an honorable, intelligent and polite gentleman - he was a quiet, good man. He was born in Berkely county, Virginia, September 17th, 1789, and died October I, 1852. His son Horace G. Wintersmith of whom I have before spoken, was born in Virginia, October 20th, 181 1, and died in Elizabethtown, July II, 1854. C. Godfrey Wintersmith was also a merchant; (first in partnership with his father) and continued for many years after his father's death - he was a perfect gentleman, modest and respectful to all, and everybody loved him. He married the daughter of the late David Cooper Swan, of whom I intend hereafter to speak. C. Godfrey was born 24th December, 1822, and died 26th January, 1859, leaving two beautiful and interesting children, Godfrey and Kate, and as the mother had been dead several years they were left without any parents, but were taken care of for many years by their aunt, Mrs. Mary Crutcher, more familiarly known as Mary Dock, as her deceased husband was a Doctor - and she cared for them with all the tenderness and solicitude that the most affectionate parent could have done.

James West, a splendid workman, who built the house now occupied by I. Robin Jacob. It was built for Major James Crutcher about the year 1820, and although fifty years have passed the work in that house can challenge any work since done in this town for elegance and neatness of finish. West also built the fine house of the late John H. Harlan at Frankfort.

John S. Cully and Jacob Strickler were also good workmen. Cully was rather a prominent man, very popular, of fine wits, and also served in the Legislature.

our town has got along in the usual way of slow going towns, as ours has been for many years, but has received an impetus that promises to make it a place of notoriety, and a pleasant place to live and die at. One thing is now, and has been for many years, remarkable for the kindness to the sick and the stranger, a sympathy for the afflicted which does not stop at mere words of condolence, but shows itself in substantial and tangible forms. Many of* our citizens have substantial means and some few in affluent circumstances, but there is not found among us that class designated stuck up, or putting on aristocratic airs.

I now propose to go back to about 1785, and speak of the prominent men that figured in those days that tried men's souls - advancing a little higher up, speak of men of note that came in and grew up with the town and have gone the way of all flesh. Then take up the bar and speak of the lawyers who have figured in our courts interspersing it with courts and anecdotes.

Then speaking of the disciples of Esculapius who have figured among us. And conclude with that class who have the training of the young ; teachers who have taught the young ideas how to shoot.

Chapter Xxxi

It is a matter of some delicacy for me to speak of my own father, but as he was one of the very first adventurers to the Valley, as early as 1779, and has been dead for more than 46 years, he has passed into the history of by-gone days, and it would be mock modesty to refrain from speaking of him on account of relationship. His father, James Haycraft, was an English sailor and belonged to the British navy. About the year 1740, the ship in which he sailed touched at some of the harbors of North America, then belonging to the crown of Great Britain, and how he happened to stay, none living can now tell, whether he was discharged or took French leave, none can tell, but certain it is, he liked the looks of the country and concluded to make it his home. He married in Virginia, and had three sons and one daughter ; the sons were James, Samuel and Joshua. The mother died, and the father also, when the eldest of the children was 11 years old, and consequently the children learned nothing about their ancestors beyond the vague impressions formed in infancy. They were, as a matter of course, left in a destitute condition. The daughter died while an infant, and James, Samuel and Joshua were taken by Col. John Nevill, a man of wealth, and raised in his house with his son, afterwards General Presley Nevill.

Samuel, the subject of this notice, was born on the nth day of September, 1752, and at 11 years of age was domiciled at Col. Nevill's where he received a common English education. After becoming of age he left Col. Nevill's, carrying with him a letter of recommendation as a sober, honorable and industrious young man. Col. Nevill, after the close of the Revolution, had an appointment under General Washington as exciseman in the Alleghany country; his business was to assess all the distilleries then in operation. The office was extremely unpopular with the distillers, as it always has been, and always will be ; and there sprung up a rebellion called the whisky insurrection. The whisky men came in a body to Col. Nevill's and burned him out root and branch ; and the insurrection, close upon the heels of the revolution, had to be put down by an armed force. I have heard my father say that the old Colonel was a man of some education, of great firmness and resolution, rather rough in the exterior, had a noble, kind and generous heart, was in the habit of swearing himself, but woe-be-tide the urchin, white or black, under his control, that happened to utter an oath in his presence. His usual mode of punishment for such an offense was to take oflf his broad brimmed beaver hat, which he had worn for fifteen years, and had become so saturated with grease as to weigh some ten pounds, and wisping it into a kind of roll, would take the fellow a wallop about

Samuel Haycraft entered as a common soldier in the Revolutionary war; served his time out and had an honorable discharge. But while in the army, with his Revolutionary uniform on, as a wedding garment, he married my mother, Margaret VanMeter, in Pittsburgh, Pa., and, soon after leaving the army, in the fall of 1779, emigrated, with the whole VanMeter family, to Kentuck}^ and in 1780 he settled on the hill above the Cave spring, in a fort which he built and in which several families resided. It was in the block house of this fort where my father-in-law, the late Hon. John Helm, was married to my mother-in-law, Sally Brown, on the 22nd day of March, 1787, as has been before noticed in this history.

Mr. Haycraft was identified with and shared in the trials and dangers incident to so early a settlement ; in a new country, infested by wild, savage beasts, and the savage Indians, who claimed the country as their own.

It was in this beautiful land of Kentucky that Haycraft, with wife, children and friends, settled down for life ; but it was a settlement that had to be fought for in order to maintain it, and if any country in the world was worth fighting for it was this. He participated in all the perils consequent upon the settlement ; with the growth of the county he kept pace ; served in various offices, as sheriff, judge of the quarter sessions and assistant judge of the circuit court, and represented his county in the Legislature of Kentucky. As he was nearly the first man to build a house in town, and partook largely of hospitality natural to early adventurers and early settlers, he had his full share of custom in court times and elections ; men then came forty to fifty miles to vote, and seventy or eighty miles to court, and the most of them got accommodation at the free tavern. When a boy I have known as many as thirty persons lodged and fed of a night, all free. In those days a man would just as soon be caught with a sheep on his back as to charge a wayfaring man for lodging or food, unless he was a regular built tavern keeper.

He was a small farmer ; was a good deal in public life ; raised a large family and died with a spotless reputation on the 12th day of October, 1823, aged 71 years, i month and 4 days.

Chapter Xxxii

Among the early settlers of this town was Hardin Thomas. He was the father of Jack Thomas, Isaac Thomas, Jesse Thomas, Miles H. Thomas, Alex Thomas, and of several daughters, one of whom married Col. Jacob B. Hayden, our present Senator.

Hardin Thomas was a man of peace. He married Hetty Gerrard, a daughter of really the first Baptist preacher in Kentucky. He was a farmer, and his life was not such as to attract a great deal of attention from the outside world ; but he was the "noblest work of God" - ''an honest man." And not only an honest man, but was possessed of a degree of benevolence rarely met with in this world of dollars and cents. His house was a kind of central point for the neighborhood ; and as at that period, when churches were few, and religious services rather poorly attended to, a little visiting and good eating on the Sabbath day w^as not looked upon as at this day ; on the contrary the folks worked all the week and considered that resting on the Sabbath consisted in visiting friends, having social chats, and a good share of table indulgences. So whether Hardin Thomas and Cousin Hetty preferred it or not, the Sabbath was not a day of rest to them, but rather a day of labor. The neighbors and young folks poured in every Sabbath, or nearly so. I have often been one of them, and partook of the hospitalities of the united head of the family ; and those hospitalities were not extended with a stinted or grudging hand, but flowed bountifully from their diligent hands and generous hearts.

And these Sunday doings were not all. But if a penniless man or woman sick, afflicted or distressed, passed through our country, they invariably dropped in to Hardin Thomas' and were there nursed, fed and lodged and kindly treated. And if you have been inclined to insult Hardin Thomas or his wife let one of these unfortunates ask them Vv'hat was to pay for board, etc.

Everybody loved Hardin Thomas and his wife. He was very popular, but never had any political aspirations or thirst for office. I once heard a man ask Hardin Thomas why he did not offer for the Legislature. His reply was that he "would as soon be found with a sheep on his back." He lived in a house rather better than usual for that day, the carpenter's work of which was executed by Thomas Lincoln, the father of the late President ; and the most of that work is to be seen at this day, sound as a trout, although done upwards of sixty years ago.

Hardin Thomas was a man of portly form and a pleasant countenance - just such a one as was comfortable to look at, and was a complete index of the inner man ; but many years since he and his good wife have finished their courses and gone to their reward. His mother was a Hardin, the daughter of John Hardin, who was a brother of the old original Mark Hardin, of George's Creek. Pennsylvania. His father was named Owen Thomas ; he was the brother of Gen. John Thomas, who commanded the Kentucky troops under Gen. Jackson at the battle of New Orleans. One of his sons. Miles H. Thomas, still lives near Claysville town. He is a clever, honest farmer ; and if it was not disparaging to the character of his intellectual powers, I would say that he-does not know how to do a mean thing.

One peculiarity more of Hardin Thomas I will name. He was so honest himself that he was unsuspicious of others. And although he lived upon a public road leading from Louisville to Nashville, he trusted all to luck ; had no lock to his house, or desk, or smoke-house, or corncrib. I heard him myself say that there was not a lock about his house. And singular as it may be, I never heard of his losing anything by theft.

But those halcyon days have fled ; they have rolled back into the womb of the past, and only held in remembrance by the few aged persons, lingering on the shores of time, who are yet in our midst, but silently and stealthily and steadily approaching the verge of their appointed bounds, and ere long will vacate the seats they occupy, to be filled by younger and stronger men, who in the vigor of youth and manhood shall fill their destiny and in time become old and fade away. But these are rather melancholy reflections, but should not be so, as it is the established order of nature, ever since Adam and Eve were expelled from Paradise ; and yet the world is always full of youth, manhood and old age.

The days last spoken of were days of generous hospitality ; the size of a man was never taken into account when there was such an abundance of out of doors all around. Apropos Lewis Thomas, who resided on Hardin's creek, in Washington county, was a brother of Hardin Thomas, of whom I have last spoken. He belonged to the Methodist * Episcopal Church. In those good old camp-meeting times one was held near his house. On those occasions hundreds, perhaps a thousand, attended who had no camp-building, and were dependent on the hospitality of all the neighborhood around ; and Lewis Thomas living on the pebble road, as a hving stream of humanity were passing his house, he ran out, and, with a cheerful voice, called on them to stop, adding that his house was only eighteen feet square, but that his heart was one hundred feet square.

ices, there was read in a loud voice from the stand a Hst of housekeepers who gave invitations to dine, giving their locations and distance from the grounds. It made no difference what kind or size of a house it was, there was always provided an abundance of excellent food and many of the liquors of the day ; and as for sleeping, there was no difficulty about that - pallets on the floor down stairs, up stairs, in the kitchen, in the hay-loft, and all around - all were happy and cheerful. I well remember on one occasion of lodging in a room about twenty-five feet long and about fourteen feet wide with upwards of thirty persons. The whole floor was spread with blankets, quilts and mattresses. We laid down in rows, head to the wall and foot to foot, and all slept well. On such occasions the negroes caught the spell of their masters, and would hail passers-by to stop, saying: "stay with us, we have more people here and more to eat, and better cooks than they have over yonder. So round to and come in."

Once upon a time there was an association held with the Mill Creek Baptist Church in Nelson county, about three miles northeast of Bardstown. The venerable Benjamin Edwards and his most excellent wife were members of that church. His place was called Shilo. He was the father of the late Gov. Edwards Dr. B. F. Edwards, Cyrus Edwards and Mrs. Mary Helm, of our town, still living. On that occasion he gave a general invitation, and lOO came to his house and were fed and lodged for three days in a most comfortable manner. A little episode occurred on the Sabbath morning before starting to church. The lOO mouths exclusive of the thirty in the family ate up more fresh meat than had been provided. The old gentleman was quite a stickler for the observance of the Sabbath, but here was a difficulty, and asked the counsel of Gardener Grundy, one of his guests, and Brother Grundy soon settled the point by saying, "Rise, Peter, slay and eat." Accordingly, up went for the hogs, and all were provided for.

Speaking of the negroes who were their servants, they felt identified in interests with their masters, and were true to defend their character or property, and if be, to fight for them. Old General Braddock, a negro man and slave of one of my uncles, took his rifle and went a campaign against the Indians, and he says he killed nine of them, for which he was awarded his freedom.

Although a Httle out of my boundary I will relate a matter that was told to me by the late Rev. Marcus Lindsay, a Methodist preacher. A settlement of several families at Harrod's Station, near Harrodsburg, cultivated jointly a field a little distant from the houses. Some one of the settlement owned a little runt of a negro, and he was reserved as common stock to help the women. The men went to the field in the morning, stationing one of the party as a sentinel. His duty was to watch for the Indians and give the alarm, but it so happened that a party of Indians had, before being noticed, gotten between the farmers and the house and were rapidly pushing forward. The alarm was given, but not soon enough to prevent a powerful Indian force entering a house before the door was closed. The little negro, immediately yoked in with the Indians with all the vim of a Billy-goat. The Indians soon floored the little negro, and while attempting to stab the negro the woman of the house seized an axe and at one blow split open the Indian's head and killed him. The little negro crawled from under the Indian, shook himself and said : "Now, Mistress, let in another," supposing he could go through the same feat. And it was merely accidental that the negro escaped. The Indian > having that morning killed a woman who had on an apron, this he took from her person and tied it on himself, covering his knife, and in fumbling about the apron for his knife he lost his life.

Chapter Xxxiii

Ambrose Geoghegan, Sr., was born in the city of Dublin, in Ireland, on the 30th day of March, 1753, and graduated in Dublin as an engineer, and was in other respects an accomplished scholar.

This family is noticed in Macaulay's History of England as being one of the party that espoused the cause of King James, the Second, who was deposed, and William, Prince of Orange, in conjunction with Mary, his wife, ascended the throne ; and when king William invaded Ireland the Geoghegans were found in arms. Ambrose Geoghegan while yet a single man emigrated to America and landed in Baltimore on the 6th day of May, 1771, and was married to Peggy

Zelman on the 6th day of May, 1777 ; and after losing his wife, married again in 1784. He was Hving at Hagerstown, in Maryland, until about 1804, when, with his sons Denton, Thomas and J. H. Geoghegan, came to Kentucky and stopped at the Crab Orchard, in Lincoln county, and while there purchased of Arnistead Churchill the Hynes Station track, part of which is now in Elizabethtown. The deed bears date of 1805, and recognizes him as a citizen of Lincoln county. His grandson A. D. Geoghegan, Esq., says he arrived at Hynes' Station on the 2ist of February, 1808. But that must be a mistake as the deed bears date of December 29, 1806, and recognizes him as a citizen of Hardin county. Immediately after coming to Hardin the family purchased several adjoining farms.

Ambrose Geoghegan, Esq., was an old man when he came to Kentucky, and was possessed of considerable means, was an accomplished engineer and surveyor, and, moreover was an accomplished gentleman and of social disposition, and soon formed the acquaintance of the principal citizens of the town and neighborhood, and, in order to cultivate friendly and social relations, got up a Whig club, which frequently met, when the free interchange of ideas and discussions on the subjects of the day were well calculated to make friendship and brighten up society.

The first celebration of the 4th of July was a barbecue dinner with a speech and toasts that I ever remember of was gotten up by him, and was freely participated in by all the gentry of the county ; and by his example and under his influence the state and tone of society was greatly improved. His son, Thomas, died soon after he came to Hardin county, leaving an only daughter, who at an early age married John B. Wathen ; and they are both dead.

The oldest son, Denton Geoghegan, Esq., was a large farmer for several years, and finally settled in Elizabethtown, where he resided until his death, on the 5th day of April, 1850.

He was for many years a justice of the peace; was a remarkably clear-headed man, strictly honorable in all his dealings, and noted for his punctuality. He raised two sons and several daughters. One only son survives Ambrose D. Geoghegan, Esq. ; he is also a large farmer, stands high in this community, and has all the traits constituting file clever gentleman - social, generous, hospitable and kind. One daughter, Rebecca, married Col. Chas. Cecil, who wisely gave his sons a thorough education, and they have proved themselves to be energetic, thorough-going men, and they have succeeded in establishing one of the most popular colleges in Kentucky, known as Cecilian College, about six or seven miles from Elizabethtown and about a quarter of a mile from the Elizabethtown and Paducah railroad, the stopping place for which, is Cecilia Station. The College is presided over by Henry A. Cecil as President, and Thomas G. and A. D. Cecil as Professors ; and a more accomplished and gentlemanly trio would be difficult to find.

John H. Geoghegan, the last and youngest son of A. D. Geoghegan, Sr., inherited the old homestead, Hynes' Station, and lived there until he died, on the nth day of January, 1854, aged 75 years. He was a correct, upright citizen of regular habits. He was rather peculiar in his habits and manner of life; wrote a beautiful hand, and took note of all passing events that he deemed worthy of remembering; was fond of a gun ; kept a good one, and by the way of recreation, made havoc of small game, but was too systematic to let it interfere with his business, which was that of farming and he was a model farmer. He reared a considerable family - six sons and two daughters. The sons were Dr. Thomas D. Geoghegan, Dr. Ambrose E., Dr. Denton, Robert D., John H., and William S. Geoghegan. His house and his hand were open to his relations and friends. He raised his sons to work, and in their younger days worked side by side with his colored servants. He was a kind master and provided bountifully for their wants, and allowed them great privileges. He gave his sons as good an education as the country afforded. Three sons studied physics, and became excellent doctors of medicine. The oldest. Dr. Thomas D. Geoghegan, settled at West Point, Hardin county, and had a successful practice during his life. The Doctor's location favored an extensive practice, living at a point where Hardin, Jefferson and Bullitt counties connect, and in four miles of Meade, on the Ohio river, the lines between Kentucky and Indiana. His practice extended largely over all the above-named counties, and in two counties in Indiana. This heavy practice, of course, kept the Doctor much from home. On one occasion a man came for the Doctor, and while waiting employed himself in reading the sign on the shop, "Dr. Thos. D.

Geoghegan." The name is pronounced Go-ha-gan; and the man in waiting not being an apt scholar, made it read Dr. Thomas gone again. Becoming tired, he left for some two hours. On returning and looking at the sign, he exclaimed, "There now, I'll swear he's gone again."

Dr. Ambrose E. Geoghegan, after studying his profession, married in Leitchfield, and opened practice there for several years, then returned to Elizabethtown, and had a successful practice for several years, and during that time discovered a powerful medicine, composed of prickly ash, smart weed, walnut leaves, brandy and sugar, so concocted as to produce a pleasant medicine called "Hydropiper" - no doubt a very valuable discovery, and its merits not yet fully tested. In partnership with Dr. Young and Slaughter, a large quantity was manufactured - still not sufficient to meet the demands, for its fame spread far and near.

The Doctor now lives at River View, in Jefferson county - a very pleasant, social gentleman, and one of the finest talkers in creation. Doctor Denton Geoghegan, was born at Hynes Station, April 23, 1824; remained with his father and labored on the farm until 1842. He then went to Mississippi and followed the brick-mason trade for two years, and returned home with greatly improved health and began the study of medicine under his brother. Dr. Thos. D. Geoghegan, at West Point, and graduated at the Medical College in Louisville in 1846; then practiced at West Point until 1854; then removed to Elizabethtown and practiced there until his death, which happened Nov. 16, 1869.

He became a member of the Episcopal Church, and was a liberal practitioner, never charging widows or preachers ; was a kind master, and had many excellent traits of character, but never married. His death was unexpected and much regretted.

Robert D. Geoghegan, our enterprising and accomplished merchant, has been spoken of in a former part of this history. He is a valuable citizen, and a useful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Jno. H. Geoghegan, Jr., is a farrrier, and lives in Nelson county. The youngest son, William S. Geoghegan, was also born at Hynes Station, and resided with his father until his death, and then with his excellent mother until her death, in the year i860. Soon after this he became an assistant in the store of his brother, Robert D. Geoghegan. Billy is a good worker; has a fine flow of spirits; and as to his age I need not say, as he is a single man, and, from all appearances, is likely to remain so.

Chapter Xxxiv

Jacob Vanmeter, Sr., was my grandfather. He, with his family, emigrated from Monongahala (called by the old folks "Monongahale,") in 1779, landing at the falls of the Ohio that fall, and in the year 1780 came to Severn Valley and settled on the farm now owned by George W. Strickler, two miles from Elizabethtown, on Valley Creek, at the mouth of Billy's Creek, on which last-named creek he built a grist mill for corn and wheat ; and although there remains at this day not a vestige of that mill, yet I ought to know where it stood, as my father carried on a one-horse distillery, and when I was about eight years old it was my daily business (Sunday excepted) to go with a bag of corn three times a day. My grandfather continued to reside there until his death, which occurred on the i6th day of November, 1798. He was in the original constitution of Severn's Valley Baptist Church on the 17th day of June, 1781. His wife (my grandmother), his son, Jacob, and his negro man, Bambo, were also members.

At his death he left a large family, all grown. It is now nearly seventy-two years since his death, and, like the old patriot Jacob, his descendants have multiplied like a fruitful vine that ran over the wall, for they are scattered East, West, North and South, and may be found in every State and territory in the Union, and from the least calculation that can be made they now amount to at least 3,000 souls. And that will not appear so surprising when you are informed that one out of his numerous grandsons had his thirtieth child born the night of his death. But that was over the average of the family, as the number of the most of his descendants to each family ran on an average from nine to eleven children, but frequently exceeded those numbers. My mother had eleven.

My grandfather w^as buried on his own farm, I was present at his interment, being then three years and three months old, and have a distinct recollection of the occasion. His son Jacob procured a sand rock and cut a tombstone, which is yet in good state of preservation, and every letter distinct at this day. On the 5th day of February, 1849, I visited the grave, having a httle grandson with me, and pointed out to him (as one of the fifth generation) the spot that contained the remains of his great, great grandfather. And as the inscription itself on the stone is a piece of antiquity, particularly as to its orthography, I will here give something like a facsimile of it:

November The 16

Jacob Vanmeter, the second, was born in Berkley county, Virginia, October 4, 1762; became a member of the Baptist Church at eleven years of age. At nineteen years of age, say 1779-80, he came with his father to Kentucky and settled in the valley.

And here I will remark that I am not writing for a religious paper, but it is impossible to write anything about Jacob Vanmeter the second without touching upon religion, I must be indulged, for although his life was one of industry, toil and thrift, yet it was all the time a life of religion.

At the death of his father he inherited the old homestead. On the advent of the Geoghegan family he sold them his farm and settled at the folks of Otter Creek, where he built a large stone house and resided in it until late in life. When all his children had married and left him he then sold out, and with his wife, resided with his son Jolin until he died. He was rather an extraordinary man, of true patriarchal stamp. He was always regarded as a firm pillar of the church, and during seventy-eight years of his membership he was never under church censure or discipline. He departed this life on the 12th day of December, 1850, in his eighty-ninth year, having been a member seventyeight years, and forty-five of the time a Deacon, leaving thirteen children, the youngest upward of forty years of age. Out of his ten sons seven were Deacons in the Baptist Church. Three days before his death he led at the family altar of his -son John. His prayer was uttered with great fervency and was protracted beyond the usual length. At the close he had to be assisted from his knees. The family offered to put him to bed, but he would not permit, saying that he wanted to speak of the goodness of God ; and he sat in his chair he repeated hymn after hymn from Watts. The family remarked that they had never heard him repeat them before. He said that the Lord had strengthened his memory and brought to his mind hymns that he had learned sixty years before. Like Moses on Mount Pisgah, sight was strengthened to view the promised land. He had often prayed to be released from the pangs of death. A few minutes before his death he exclaimed, "the light ! the light !" His daughter-in-law, who was at his bed side, supposing that the light of the window disturbed him, offered to close the blinds. "O, no," said he, waving his hand, "the glory of God filled the house ; he has kept me under the hollow of his hand from a child." Then adjusting himself for burial, closed his mouth and eyes, crossing his arms, with his right hand upon his heart, without a struggle or a groan, and evidently without a pang, like a shock full ripe, was gathered to his father. Thus lived and thus died the last survivor of the old pioneers of the Church at Elizabethtown, a godly man and a shining light.

Abraham W. Vanmeter, son of the last-named, Jacob, was born in Hardin county, two miles from Elizabethtown, April i, 1789. He resided in Hardin county up to the year 1831, when he removed to Tazwell county, Illinois, where, in 1866, he lost his faithful wife, who for sixty years had been a Christian helpmate in the true sense of the word. Shortly after the death of his wife he sold out and took up residence with his son, Edward A. Vanmeter, a merchant at Burlington, Iowa, and resided there in great peace and tranquility until his death, on the nth day of November, 1868, in the eightieth year of his age. He embraced religion at an early age, and was a true pattern of Christian piety, and aided much in building up the church wherever he lived. He was the father-in-law of the Rev. Doctor Weston, an eminent preacher of the City of New York, and was the father of the Rev. Wm. C. Vanmeter, now of the same city, who is known nearly w^orld-wide for his labors in the Five Points in that city, and then in the Howard Mission, in another ward. He has been the most laborious and untiring man in gathering up little cast-ofT wanderers, snatching them from degradation and vice, and to the number of many hundreds procured genteel homes in the West, and mostly in Christian families ; others were taken care of in the city, clothed, fed and educated.

W. V. Vanmeter, in furthering his plans of benevolence, has visited London and Paris and many cities in Europe. But the scene of his arduous labors has been in the city of New York. A full account of his labors and the stirring scenes through which he passed would make a volume of thrilling interest.

It would require a volume to give a history of all the Vanmeters, but the object of this history will not allow it. They constitute a tribe or nation to themselves, and this number must suffice for that family, and I hope that my friend and relation, Doctor Samuel Vanmeter, of Charleston, Indiana, will not take exception to my not saying how he rose to fame and wealth in his profession; he can take care of himself.

Chapter Xxxv

Among the remarkable men, who at an early date were citizens of Elizabethtown, might be named the late John Morris, Esq. He came to Elizabethtown about the year 181 2, when about twenty-three years of age, then an active, stout man. He was an Irishman by birth, and was an excellent hatter, and commenced as a journeyman of the late Hon. Horace Waide, who was also a hatter, and at that period, was an assistant Judge of the Hardin Circuit Court. At the death of Judge Waide, Morris commenced a shop on his own account. He was an industrious honest man, and prided himself on being able to make a hat that would last a careful man four or five years.

of that description would be kept on hand in tolerable credit for ten years. The fashions did not change so often as they do now-days; / they were the bell-crown style, very high, and contained as much material as is now used in three, and a man could put in the crown two dozen apples, and a half dozen eggs and walk ahead without suspicion of a cargo aloft. This fashion was found convenient to boys who visited orchards or hens' nests. Morris was a generous, social man, but the Irish blood which predominated in his veins, made him a quick, high-tempered man, and in his youthful days he frequently broke over bounds. He was raised in a Presbyterian family in Cincinnati, and although wicked, was taught to hold in high reverence preachers of the gospel, and to pay due respect to religious services. As a striking instance of his habits, by some means a coolness existed between him and the Rev. George L. Rogers, a Methodist preacher, so that they were not on speaking terms. His shop was diagonally across the street from Rogers, who was also a wheelwright and turner. While Morris was working a hat in the kettle, preparatory to blocking, some man at the time was in front of the preacher's door, abusing and cursing him in a violent manner. This attracting Morris' attention he stepped to the door and in a very decided manner informed the man, that if he had his hat out of the kettle he would thrash him for cursing the preacher. The man replied that he would wait on him and see who could whip. Morris, in a short time, got his hat out, and stepped into the street with his sleeves already rolled up ; they engaged in a fight and Morris chastised him by terrible blows and dexterous kicking, until the fellow was com.pletely subdued, and then told to go his way and mind how he cursed a preacher again.

A few years after this Morris married a Miss MoUie Larue, by whom he raised a family of children ; and they lived together in great comfort. One of his sons, William L. Morris, studied and practiced law, but afterwards was an able Baptist preacher. Morris being a man of high integrity was appointed a Justice of the Peace, and then Sheriff of the county, and finally elected County Judge. He proved to be a man of fine business habits, and was called upon to act as guardian, administrator and executor of more estates than any other man in the county, all of which he closed to a cent. When he took up an opinion upon any subject, it was next thing to an impossibility to move him from it, and the argument of lawyers before him had very little weight. On the trial of some case before him, he had listened with impatience and disgust at the speaking of three lawyers. Young Owen Thomas, the attorney who had the conclusion, arose to speak, when the Judge said, "See here, Owen, you may speak if you like, but I tell you my mind is made up." He said his aim was always for justice and the law ought always to bend to justice.

On one occasion, a man was tried before him for stealing a colt - a witness for the defendant was evidently swearing to downright falsehoods, until the Judge losing all patience said, "See here, my good fellow, you are swearing to a pack of lies - stop right there, and begin on a new platform and tell the truth, or I will leave this bench and give you a thrashing." And thereupon, the fellow being alarmed, commenced again and told an entirely different tale, with something like the semblance of truth. "Now," says the Judge, "that looks a little more like the truth, but you are such a liar, that I have not full faith in your story yet, and I will guess at the matter myself."

Oil another occasion, a party in the country was out on a coon and opossum hunt, and got on a general drunk, and late in the night laid down in the woods and slept until day. On awaking at daylight, one of the party saw his coffee pot in the ring and asked how it got there. One of the party, a negro man, answered that he had brought the whisky out in it. The owner of the coffee pot went to Squire Morris, and took out a warrant against the negro for stealing his coft'ee pot. The whole party were arrayed before the Squire, and he patiently listened to all their tales, after which he arose from his seat and remarked that from their own showing they were all a low, dirty pack of good-for-nothing fellows, and now every one of you forthwith leave my ofifice, or I will kick every one of you out, which was in due time accordingly done.

In 1832, Squire Morris joined the Baptist church, and after this he deserved great credit for the command over his temper ; made a useful member up to his death - he was the most earnest man in his profession - knew no guile, but was truly a matter of fact man, as well in the church as in public life - he was liberal in his contributions and his house was the preacher's home. He married the second time - his last wife was of the Edwards family - was the widow of Isaac

Adair, and the first and last wife, added much to his domestic comforts, and they always met his friends in a pleasant hospitable manner. His second wife also died before him. He was born on the 27th day of March, 1789, and died on the 6th day of March, 1865, and his .death was a serious loss to the town and church.