Franklin County, Kentucky - Chapter 7, 1912

The records of the County Court sliow that durino- the year 1821, a bridge was built across the Leestowu branch near its mouth; this stream has more recently been known as the Cove Spring branch.

William T. Johnson was appointed keeper of the Benson bridge; his especial duty was to take the drift from the bridge, and protect the bridge during high tides.

Scott Brown being the oldest magistrate from a point of service, was appointed, and commissioned by the Governor as Sheriff of the County June 18th.

The County Court made an agreement with Francis P. Blair who was at that time Clerk of the Franklin Circuit Court, to build a Circuit Clerk's office on his lot, located on the corner of Broadway and Lewis streets. This office was located where Kagiri's restaurant now stands; the Court House at that lime was on the southeast corner of Capital Square, just across the street from this office.

During the decade from 1820 to 1830 eight men in the County made proof that they had been Revolutionary soldiers, and were placed on the pension list. Their names are as follows: John Saterwhite, John »Story, Matthew Cummins, Lieut. Samuel Woods, James Montgomery, Tlenry Roberts, Mashack Pearson and James Bisco. In adchtion to these, there was proof introduced to i^how that Capt. Matthew Jouett died iwnn the effects of a wound received in that war, and that John Jouett was his only son, and heir at law.

At the end of this decade there were forty-three Revolutionary soldiers living in Franklin County; in addition to the eight above named there were on tliat roll the following, to-wit: Austin Lawler, Captain; Moses Hawkins, Moses Perkins, .Tames

Hayden, Thomas McQuiddy, Joseph Vance, John Oliver, Capt. Joseph Mitchell, Capt. Thomas Patterson, Alexander ]\IcClnre, John Stephens, Thos. C. Scroggins, John Steele, Levi House, James Hayden, Benjamin Penn, John Jacobs, Philip Webber, Ambrose White, Lawrence Gordon, George King, Basil Carlisle, Pobert Craig, Philemen Grancy, Dr. John Roljerts, Samuel Syeva, Major Thomas Quirk, John Reading, Robert Hedges, Col. Anthony Crockett, Silas Douthett, James Taylor, John Magill and Thomas Keaten. A large number of the Revolutionary soldiers who lived in the count}^ died prior to the year 1820.

In the year 1822 the order abolishing the office of County Attorney was rescinded, and an order entered re-establishing that office, and fixing the salary at one hundred dollars per year; and thereupon Llarry J. Thornton was appointed County Attorney.

During the same year the County Court appointed Achillies Sneed, Allen F. Macurdy, Jepthia Dudley, Roger Devnie and Amos Kendall, commissioners to let out and superintend the re-l)uilding the County Jail, and repairing the Jailer's residence. A full description of the plans is given in the Order book "G," page 291, Franklin County Court Clerk's office. These buildings were located on Clinton and Lewis streets, across from Bowman Gaines' livery stable, and where the colored Methodist church now stands.

In 1820 the Franklin Count}^ Court established the town of Lawrenceburg. In 1822 James Parker and James B. Wallace were appointed patrols for that town, and in 1827 the Legislature took that portion of Franklin County to help form the County of Anderson.

In the year 1822 there were 2611 tithes asses.sed in the county at $1.37 1-7 per tithe. During this year Charles S. Bibb and Patrick H. Darby were admitted to practice law.

In this year there was passed an Act to amend the Act incorporating the Frankfort and Shelbyville Turnpike Road Company. Section two of said Act was as follows: Be it further enacted that the said Company of Frankfort and Shelbyville arc authoi'ized and empowered to erect one toUgatc at or near Matthew Clark's in Franklin County; provided, that said Company shall not receive more than half the toll herelcfore allowed by law, and provided further, that all the citizens southwest of the Kentucky river, residing in Franklin Couiily shall pass toll free on all County Court days, and election days.

In the year 1823 John Mcintosh was ai>pointed Jailer, and Daniel James came into court and resigned his ollice as keeper of the stray pen in the County, and thereupon Simeon Beckham was appointed to fill that ofHce. At the same term of Court the overseers of the roads leading through Lawrenceburg were directed to work and keep in repair the street and alleys of that town.

Porter Clay, a Baptist preacher, and brother of Henry Clay, and John J. T. Mills, a Methodist preacher, were granted testimonials of honesty, probity, etc., and were empowered to perform marriage ceremonies.

On account of the death of Willis A. Lee, Clerk of the Franklin County Court, Alexander IL Hennick was appointed Clerk, and Andrew R. Lindsey was appointed deputy on November 15th, 1824. During that year Jacob Swigert resigned the position of magistrate and accepted that of Clerk of the Court of Appeals.

In the year 1824 the County Court directed John Brawner to build a bridge across main Benson Creek. Scott Brown's term of office having expired, Clement Bell was appointed Sheriff in June, 1823; and the office becoming vacant. .John Walker was appointed in 1824.

In 1822 there w^as an Act of the Legislature establishing a public Library' at the seat of Government; this was the beginning of a magnificent Law Library, and also of a good collection of miscellaneous books. The same Legislature added to Franklin County all of that part of Owen County, ''Beginning at West's Landing on the Kentucky river, running to Van West's including Saint West's in Franklin County ; thence a straight line to the nearest point of the Franklin and Owen County line."

The keeper of the Penitentiary was authorized to build a smoke-house within the Penitentiary ; at that time a great deal of pork was packed in and about Frankfort. Pork packing was one of the chief industries of the County for many years.

In the year 1821, it was resolved by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, that a tombstone be erected to the memory of General Charles Scott, a hero of the Revolution. General Scott died in 1820, at his home in Woodford county, aged eighty years. His remains were interred in the Frankfort Cemetery, "November 8th, 1854. (See Sept. Register, 1903.) One to the memory of Col Christopher Greenup, and one to the memory of Major George Madison, late Governors of Kentucky, with suitable inscriptions on each, and that they be furnished by the keeper of the Penitentiary, and that the same be placed over the resj^ective graves, under the direction of the Governor.

In 1825 Thomas Page was allowed the sum of $280.00 for his services in erecting monuments over the graves of the late Governors Madison and Greenup, and the late Thomas Dollerhide, Senator from the Counties of Pulaski and Wayne, and inclosing the same. In 1842 the remains of these distinguished men were removed from the burying ground north of the city, to the Frankfort Cemetery, and new monuments were erected by the State.

In 1821 the Legislature passed an Act abolishing imprisonment for debt, and subjecting equita])le interest to execution. This very materially affected the interest of all debtors in the County; the wonder is that such a relic of barbarism should have been permitted to remain so long upon the statute books of the State.

Some time prior to 1816 the State granted certain lottery privileges, and from the proceeds four thousand dollars were raised with which a church was built on the Public Square ; it was located on the southwest corner near Broadway and Madison streets; it was non-sectarian, and was used interchangeably by all denominations. This was the first church l)uilt in the town, and was for many years the only church. In 1S21

"There was an Act to amend an Act concerning a House of Public Worship in the town of Frankfort;" the amendment repealed the power of the Governor to appoint, and empowered the pew-holders, and the qualified voters of the City of Frankfort to elect ''The Trustees of the House of Public Worshij) in the town of Frankfort."

iVt the same term the Governor wa.s empowered to have a stone wall built in front of the "Governor's House" and have same properly coped. John Bartlett, John Crutcher, and James I. Miles were empowered to build a bridge across Main Elkhorn, where Knight's bridge is now located, and they were granted the ri^ht to charge and collect certain tolls, from parties crossing same.

The first Sabbath school in Kentucky was established in March, 1819, in Frankfort, with from thirty to thirty-nine scholars. During the year ending September 30, 1822, tlio.<e who distinguished themselves by their assiduity were, A. M. B, Crittenden, who memorized 2,851 Bible verses in twelve months; Cornelia Crittenden (six years of age), 2,177; Margaret B. Sproule, 2,022; Emily South, 1,908; Cordelia Price, 1,514; Maria R. Miles, 2,010; Elizabeth S. Todd, 1,373; Ann Price, 1,202; Ann Miles, 1,039; Catherine Baltzell, 1,028; Jane Castleman, 742 ; Gabriella Lewis, 5G5 ; Maria Lewis, 544 ; Agnes Todd, 471 ; M. A. Watson, 404 ; Margaret Smith, 558 ; Arabella Scott, in six months, 893; Elizabeth Scott, in five months, 719; Nancy McKee, in four months, 601 ; Louisa Jones, in three months, 630; Mary Lafon, in three months, 364. The number of verses memorized by all the scholars, collectively, is 36,640. One cla.ss during two years and a half attendance read the Bible once entirely through, and some books of it several times over, memorized from five to seven thousand verses each - were perfect in Brown's, and the Assembly's Shorter Catechism - had each searched out, transcribed and memorized nearly six hundred verses of Scripture proofs in support of the doctrines whicli they had been taught, and had drawn, and studied maps of such parts of the world a.s are connccle<l with Sc-ripture history." (Collin's History, page 244.)

John Brown, Daniel Weiseger, John Harvie, John J. Crittenden, Peter Dudley, Evan Evans and James Shannon (all of them were Frankfort men) were appointed a committee to rebuild the State Capitol; they were empowered to employ an architect, and given general power in reference to the re-construction, and directed to build "a suitable Capitol." Fifteen thousand dollars in money was appropriated, and the commissioners were allowed to use certain material at the Penitentiary, not exceeding in amount the sum of five thousand dollars.

The above-named Commissioners, with this small sum, supplemented by private donations from the public-spirited citizens of Frankfort, constructed the old Capitol building, which still stands as a monument to them. When it was built it was considered a model of neatness and beauty; the plan of architecture was the finest ever used on the We.stern Continent, and it was second only, in point of grandeur to the NatiomU Capitol at Washington.

In order to understand the condition of affairs in the county in 1825, it is necessary to consider a few things which led up to the formation of the Relief and the Anti-Pelief partics. These parties grew out of the disturbed condition of the financial affairs of the country prior to the year 1818, which resulted in the withdrawal of gold and silver, to a large extent, from circulation and an inflated currency having taken their places.

Kentucky had chartered about forty banks, with an aggregate capital of more than ten million dollars. During the summer of this year, the State was flooded with the paper of the.se independent banks. Speculation ran rife; tlie whole country .seemed to have gone daft on the subject. Within the next two years nearly all of the.se banks had failed, and the ]:>ressure of debt was greater than was ever known before in the history of the country. The Legi-slaturc of 1819-20 pa.s.sed a twelve luoiith.s replevy law; and that of 1821 eharteied the IJaiik of the Coniiiioinvealth ; this bank tvtvs not required to redeem it*; notes in specie, th()Ui>;h made receivable for taxes and all debts. Lands owned by the 8tatc west of the Tennessee river were pledged for the fiu'il redemption of these notes, and if a creditor refused to receive this pajjcr for his del)t, the law permitted the debtor to replevy for two years. This new baidv issued such an immense quantity of paper money that it sank to less than half of its nominal value, and creditors had to take it at itrf nominal value in full payment of their debts, or wait two years, and ri.<k the bankruptcy of their sureties on the replevying bonds.

The power of the Legislature to pass such an Act, was held by Judge Clark, of the Circuit Court, to be unconstitutional. The Legislature was convened in extraordinary session which resulted in nothing being done. The case was then pt\ssed on by the Court of Appeals, and the opinion of the lower Court was upheld. The opinion of the Court of Appeals created the greatest excitement that was ever known in the State, the iinancial interests of almost every man in the State were effected in some way, and the storm center was at Frankfort. The Relief party was led by Judge Rowan, Judge Barry, Col. Solomon P. Sharp, T. B. Monroe, and others, while the Anti- Relief side was led by Judge Robertson, John J. Crittenden, Ben Hardin, Robert Wicklitfe, and men of that class, the leaders on both sides being men of national reputation.

The campaign for State offices and seats in the Legislature for 1824 was very bitter, and all kinds of charges and CDuntcr charges were made against the candidates. The result w;i< favorable to the Relief party, though the majority w^as not sufficiently large to give that party the two-thirds majority which was necessary in order to remove the incumbent members of the Court of Appeals.

The Relief party not being able to impeach the Court, it passed a bill repealing the Act by which the Court of A])])eals had been organized; after which an Act was passed re-organizing the Court. The debate continued for three days, and to a late hour each night, John Rowan for and Robert ^Vicklill'e against the measure. The most intense excitement prevailed; the lobbies were crowded to suffocation. Visitors from every section of the State were present, State officials were on the floor of the House lobbying for the Relief party, "Great disorder prevailed, and the Governor himself was heard to urge the calhng of the previous question." The bill was passed by a good majority in both the House and Senate, and was signed by the Governor as soon as presented to him, and in a short time a new Court of Appeals was organized. The old Court claimed that these proceedings were irregular, unconstitutional and void, each claiming to be the Court of last resort ; this wa.s the condition of affairs when the race for the Legislature was made in 1825. Never before in the history of the State had the passions of men been raised to such an intense heat ; the excitement during this campaign \<'as greater than ever known before. The Relief or New Court party was largely dominant in Franklin County, and in order to overcome the majority, the Old Court party selected as candidate for the State Legislature John J. Crittenden, who had represented the State in the United States Senate, and who had served in various other public ])laces with distinction; a man of international reputation, and the idol of Franklin County people, as a lawyer, statesman and orator. He was the greatest this country possessed in that day.

The New Court party selected a man of national reputation in the person of Col. Solomon P. Sharp; Col. Sharp had served two terras in the Kentucky Legislature, and two terms in the lower House of the United States Congress, and was then holding the position of Attorney General of the State, which position he resigned for the purpose of making the race for Representative. Col. Sharp was also an orator, and a great friend of the common people. It Avas thought he was the only man in the county who had a chance to defeat Mr. Crittenden. The contest between these two great men soon became of State and almost of National interest; every method known to modern politics seems to have been used in that day. The political contest stirred the county of Franklin from center to circumference ; the friends of both sides were accused of buying votes, and of voting ex-convicts, charges being made that the in- mates of the Penitentiary were dressed in citizen's clothes and voted for the New Court eaniHdate. Col. Sliarp had sixty-nine more votes than Mr. Crittenden, but in the contest between Mr. Crittenden and James Downing another representative of the New Court party, the popularity of Mr. Crittenden ea.sily overcame the majority which Col. Sharp had .secured in his race. During these exciting times, there were five newspapers ably edited and published in Frankfort. The Ar<;us and the Patriot were advocates of the New Court. The Spirit of Seventy Six, The Commentator, and The Constitutional Advocate were for the Old Court.

Amos Kendall, the editor of The Patriot, was, perhai)s the ablest editor of that period ; he wa.s in the very thickest of the.se political fights, and therel)y made for himself a reputation which ultimately placed him in the Cabinet of President Jackson, as Postmaster General. His opponents called ''The Patriot" the "mud machine;" on the other hand, John J. Marshall, and Patrick Henry Darby were able representatives of the other side. "The Spirit of 76," edited by John Marshall, was called by "The Patriot," "The Spirit of Seven and Six Pence."

In the year 1826, "The Commentator" and "The Constitutional Advocate" were consolidated; !Mr. Kendall in "The Patriot" announced that fact as follows: "Hymeneal." "Married on the inst. in this place, by the R .

"Spirit of Seven and Six," the notorious agent and Prime Minister of their ^lajesties, the ex-Judges of the Old Court, Mr. "Commentator" to the refined and celebrated lecturess, on the moral integrity of the laws. Miss "C. Advocate." We are told that the parties were full cousins before their marriage. The public may expect a hopeful issue from this alliance, especially, as it is understood that Messrs. Darby and Dana are to .stand "God Fathers" to the whole progeny. "We learn that a few days after the ceremony, the Duke of the Town Fork, (Robert Wickliffe) the common friend and patron, paid tliem a visit to congratulate them on their happy union; what .^uni he will settle upon them, has not been made public.

The tight which was made against Col. Shar]) in hi.s race to represent the connty was extremely Ijitter. The friends of the old conrt part}^ nsed every infinence known in political warfare to deaden his influence and defeat him. John U. Waring, the most desperate and dangerous man who ever became l)rominent in the politics of the state, was an ardent supporter of the old court; he and Patrick H. Darby became the most active and bitter partisans against Col. Sharp. Waring wrote him two letters threatening his life, in which he boasted that he had stabbed to death six men. He also took up the story in reference to Miss Ann Cook, and gave it to the public in llaming hand-bills.

Patrick H. Dar))y took up these charges against Sharp, and a great many threats both private and public were made against him. Darby was heard to say on several occaMons, that if Col. Shar}) was elected that he would never take his seat, and that he would be as good as a dead man.

The legislature was to convene on Monday morning, November 6th, 1825. On Sunday evening prior thereto, Col. Sharp in the interest of his candidacy for speaker (and to which office he doubtless would have been elected) went first to the Weiseger House where the Capitol Hotel now stands, and met several members of the legislature, and later came down to the Mansion House, at that time the chief hotel in the city, and stayed there until al)out twelve o'clock, after which he went to his home on Madison street, (the house in which Mr. Louis Weitzel now lives) and about two hours later was called to his door and assassinated. The assassination created the wildest excitement in Frankfort. The legislature convened that day, and authorized the Governor of Kentucky to offer a reward of three thousand dollars for the apprehension and conviction of the assassin. The trustees of Frankfort Avere convened in extraordinary session, and they too ofl['ered a reward of a thou.sand dollars for the same purpose. After some days suspicion rested on Jereboam 0. Beaucham]J, a young attorney located at Glas<2;ow. Kentuckv. A warrant was sworn out.

aii<l P)eauchanip was arrested, and l)r()iiglit to Frankfurt, be wa.s tried before an exaniinint; eourt, and released from custody; be at tbe time asserting liis innocence, and vobmteering to stay in Frankfort for ten days, in order to give tiie Connnonwealtb ample opportunity to investigate tbe case, and fornnilate a new cbarge. Tbe Connnonwealtb lirst asked for fifteen days and at tbe expiration of tliat time fifteen days longer were granted in wbicli to secure sufficient evidence.

In tbe meantime Jobn U. Waring and Patrick IL Darby bad come under suspicion, Mrs. Sharp having stated that tbe voice of the assassin bad sounded to her like that of Waring, a warrant was issued for him and sent to Woodford County, and from there to Fayette Count}', but an investigation revealed tbe fact, that Waring had been shot through both hips, on the Saturday preceding the Sharp tragedy, which precluded further proceedings against him. Patrick Darby having beard that he was suspected of tbe murder, in order to relieve himself from that .su.spieion, undertook to investigate the facts in tbe case, and it was through bis efforts that Beaucbamp was again arrested, and afterward convicted.

The indictment now on file in the Franklin Circuit Court Clerk's office charges that, ''Jereboam O. Beaucbamp, Attorney at Law, on tbe sixth day of November, 1825, in tbe night of the same day, at Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky, with a certain dirk, which he held in his right hand, stabbed ui)on the front side of the body of .said Solomon P. Sharp, and two inches below tbe breast bone of tbe said Sharp, a mortal wound, of the breadth of one inch, and of the depth of six inches, from which be instantly died." Patrick TI. Darby was one of tbe chief witnesses against Beaucbamp.

In the fall of 1824, Beaucbamp had apphed to him to bring a .«uit against Col. Sharp, for certain claims, which are not specified in tbe record on file in the Franklin Circuit Court Clerk's office. In this conversation Beaucbamp stated that he bad married Miss Cook, and spoke of Col. Sharp's bad treatment of her, and be .swore that if be ever ."^aw him he would kill him, and .^aid if be could not .^ee bim in anv other

Darby went to Simpson County, the home of Beauchamp, to look up the evidence in the case ; while there he found a man by the name of Capt. John F. Lowe, who had received a letter from Beauchamp, in which there were some very damaging admissions against himself. (Letter still on file in Clerk's office.)

Lowe also stated that Beauchamp gave him, on Thursday evening, within a few hours after his return from Frankfort, a detailed account of the assassination, and in conclusion said, ''Don't speak of this before Ann, you know what a talk has been about Sharp and her, none of the people about here talk to us about him, they all think he was the cause of her leaving society."

There has been a doubt in the minds of some, as to w^hether or not the alleged confession of Beauchamp was made by him; but it is perfectly evident from the facts disclosed in the damage suit of Darby vs. Jereboam Beauchamp, uncle of the assassin, that Beauchamp did make the confession, which was given to the public at that time. Darby not only sued Col. Beauchamp, but he also brought suits for libel against Dr; Leander Sharp, Mrs. EHza T. Sharp, and Amos Kendall. The three last named cases were tried in the Woodford Circuit Court on a change of venue.

The depositions of Ben Hardin, General Andrew Jackson, and Governor Desha Avere taken as witnesses in tliese cases, all of which arc on file in the clerk's office of the Woodford Circuit Court.

Jereboam 0. Beauchamp was the second son of a man who owned a small farm and a few slaves, his father gave him a good English education. Young Beauchamp tried merchandising, and afterward school teaching, and at the age of eigliteen commenced the study of law at Glasgow, Kentucky, where he became acquainted with Col. Sharp. While Bcaucham]) was at Glasgow, Miss Ann Cook purchased a small farm in Simp.son county, about a mile from the home of ]^eaucham]i's father, after his return to his home, he persisted in calling (»ii her, and in a ^^hort time lie I'uund himself desperately in love \vith her; he solicited her hand in marriage, she refused him, but afterward said she would marry him upon the condition that he would kill Sharp ; Beauchamp agreed to her proposition, and he came to Frankfort for that purpose in the fall of 1821, but his plans failed and he returned to his home without accomplishing what he came for.

In the year 1824, Beauchamp became of age, and about that time was admitted to the bar, and in a short time thereafter, (June, 1824), he and Miss Cook were married. He came to Frankfort after dark on Sunday night, November 5th, 182-"); after considerable effort he secured a room at Joel Scott's, who was at that time warden of the penitentiary; he brought with him a mask, two pairs of yarn socks, and some old clothes ; he slipped out of his room early in the night, hid his shoes, coat and hat down on the river near the foot of Mero street, and' waited there until about two o'clock in the morning.

In his confession, he describes the circumstances of the nuu'der as follows: "I put on my mask, drew my dagger, and proceeded to the door, I knocked three times loud and quick. Col. Sharp said: ''Who's there" - "Covington," I replied, quickly Col. Sharp's foot was heard upon the floor, I saw under the door he api)roachcd without a light, I drew my ma.sk from my face, and immediately Col. Shar]) opened the door, I advanced into the room, and with my left hand I grasped his right wrist, the violence of the grasp made him spring back, and trying to di-sengage his wrist, he .said, ''What Covington is this," I replied John A. Covington, "I don't know you," said Col. Sharp, "I know John ^V. Covington." Mrs. Sharp appeared at the partition door, and then disappeared, seeing her disappear, I said in a per.suasive tone of voice, "Come to the light Colonel, and you will know me," and ])ulling him by the arm, he came readily to the door, and still holding his wrist with my left hand, I .stripped my hat and handkerchief from over my foreliead, and looked into Col. Sharp's face. lie knew me the more readily I imagine, b}' my long, bu.shy, curly suit of hair. He .sprang back, and exclaimed in a tone of horror and despair, "(Ircat (!od it is him," and as he said that he fell on iiis knees.

I let go his wrist, and grasped him by the throat, dashing him against the facing of the door, and muttered in his face, "die you villain." As I said that I plunged the dagger to his heart.

The next morning Beauchamp left Frankfort, "when the sun was about half an hour high, reached his home on Thursday afternoon, and was arrested the afternoon of the next day. There were a large number of witnesses in the case, who came from all parts of the State. Beauchamp was prosecuted by Charles S. Bibb, (Prosecuting Attorney for this district), Daniel Mays, and Attorney General James W, Denny, he was defended by J. Lacy, Samuel Q. Richardson, and John Pope. Mr. Pope closed the argument for the defense. lie Ijecame so personal against Darby, that Darby attempted to assault him with his cane, and this little incident caused the wildest excitement, which resulted in a stampede from the court room.

"The Patriot," of May 22nd, 1826, says, "During the whole of this tedious trial, the courthouse has been crowded with citizens and strangers, and the most intense interest is manifested by every person acquainted in the least with the history and progress of the prosecution. The trial has been managed on both sides with considerable ability, Avhich has much increased the public curiosity and interest." Beauchamp was on Friday, after an hour's consultation, found guilty by the jury. His wife on Saturday, was taken Ijefore the justices, on a charge of having been accessory to the murder, but was acquitted."

Beauchamp was publicly hanged on Friday, July 7th, 1826. At an early hour the drums were beating, and a large crowd of people from all sections of the country, filled tlie streets, and thousands surrounded the gallows, which was erected near where the Glenn's Creek road intersects the Versailles road on what is now the F. M. I. property. Mrs. Beauchamp remained with him until just prior to his removal to the scaffold. Some days prior to this she had secured a vial of laudanum, which was divided between them, each of them took a dose, but it failed to have the desired effect, she then secured a case knife, and about ten o'clock in the morning, on the day of the execution, upon the urgent request of Mrs.

licuucliamp, the guard went up the hiddcr, and turned the trap door, when Beauchamp called to him, he immediately returned, and ]3eauchanip said, "we have killed ourselves," the guard then says that Mrs. Beauchamp had a knife in her hand which was bloody about half way up. It was found that Mrs. Beauchamp had a stab a little to the right of the centre of the abdomen, which had been laid bare for that purpose; she did not sigh or groan, or show any symptoms of pain. The guard asked Beauchamp if he was stabbed, he said "yes," and raised his shirt which had fallen oxqy the wound, he was stabbed about the centre of the body, just below the pit of the stomach, but his wound was not so wide as that of his wife, Beauchamp said that he had stabbed himself first, and that his wife had taken the knife from him, and plunged it into herself.

Beauchamp was in a dying condition when he was taken to the gallows, he was too weak to stand while the rope was being adjusted aroinid his neck, he w^as held l)y two negro men, for that purpose.

The Patroit says: "It was now half past twelve o'clock. Tile military were drawn up along Lewis street, and the alley in continuation which passes by the Jailer's house, surrounded by an immense crowd, all of whom were listening wuth intense interest to every rumor from the dying pair. As Beauchamp \vas too weak to sit on his cofHn, in a cart, a covered dearbon iiad been provided for his convenience to the gallows. He was now brought out in a Idanket and laid in it. At his jiarticular request, Mr. McInto.*<h (the Jailer) took a scat by his side. Some of the ministers of the gospel had taken their leave of him just as they were ready to start, he said in a severe tone, "I want to see Darby." He was asked why he wished to see Darby, he said "I want to acquit him."

"The drums beat, and the military, and crowd moved up Clinton to Ann street, along Ann to Montgomery (Main) street at Weiseger's tavern, and up Montgomery street to the place of execution.

Beauchamp and his wife, Col. Sharp and his wife, were members of the most prominent families in the State at that time. Col. Jereboam Beauchamp, the uncle of the assassin, had represented Washington County in the Legislature, and was at that time prominent in the political and social circles of the State.

The Cook famih' was very wealthy and influential, Miss Ann Cook and her sister were noted belles, they traveled in elegant style with their servants and a team of four horses, and out-riders, they Avere educated, vivacious and fascinating and notwithstanding they were known as great gamblers, they were leaders in the society of the "four hundred." They were frequent visitors at Frankfort, and the^ never failed to visit the city during each legislative session.

Dr. Leander J. Sharp's description of Miss Ann Cook (in his vindication of his brother) is not very complimentary to her, and does not accord in any way with the traditions concerning the Cooks. He says: "Ann Cook was then (1820) according to the fnost accurate information I can obtain, thirtythree or thirty-four years old, she was small in stature, probably not exceeding ninety pounds in weight, had dark hair and eyes, dark skin, inclined to be sallow, a large forehead, slender nose, large mouth, large chin, face tapering downward, and lost her fore teeth, was stoopshouldered, and m no way a handsome or desirable woman."

Col. Sharp was thirty-eight years old when he was assassinated, he was raised on a farm, commenced to practice law at Bowling Green when he was nineteen years of age, four years later he was elected to the Kentucky Legislature, and from 1813 to 1817 was a member of Congress. In 1818 and 1819 he Avas again in the Kentucky Legislature, and was married to Miss Eliza T. Scott during that term, and moved to Frankfort. He was appointed Attorney General in 1821, and resigned in 1825, he was one of the great men which this State has produced, and had scarcely reached the prime of life when the tragic end came. Col. Sharp and his wife are buried in the Frankfort Cemetery, a square inarl>le shaft about ten feet tall, and each side about eighteen inches broad, marks their last resting place, on the west side of the shaft in this inscription: ''Eliza T., wife of S. P. Sharp, died January 4th, 1844, in her 4()th year," under which the following "Precious in the sight of the Lord, is the death of His saints," on the east side is: "Solomon P. Sharp was assassinated while extending the hand of hospitality on the morning of Noveml)er 7th, (should be 6th,) 1825, and beneath this is, "What thou knowest not now, thou shalt know hereafter."

General LaFayette visited Frankfort on May 14th, 1825. He came by way of Lexington, seven milit-ary companies, and a large number of private citizens in carriages, on horse-back, and afoot, met him on the Lexington road, and escorted him to the city, a grand dinner and public ball were given in his honor.

The portrait of General LaFayette was painted by Matthew II. Jouett, and placed in the Hall of Representatives in 1825, this portrait is still in a good state of preservation, it now hangs near the speaker's chair in the House of Representatives.

Hon. Thomas Todd died February 7th, 1826, at a meeting of the members of the Frankfort Bar, convened at the office of Jacob Swigert, Esq., for the purpo.se of testifying their respect to the memory of the deceased, John J. Crittenden being called to the chair, and C. S. Bibb being appointed Secretary, the following preamble, and resolutions were unanimou.sly adopted: "The meml)crs of the Bar of the Federal Circuit Court, for the district of Kentucky, have learned with feelings of deepest regret, that the Hon. Thomas Todd, Judge of the Supreme Court of the United States, and the Seventh Judicial Circuit, departed this life about three o'clock this morning: Therefore, Resolved, That in consideration of the acknowledged virtues, and distinguished talents, learning and character of the deceased, and the high respect and esteem entertained for him by tlio Bar. they will attend bis funeral on tomorrow, and wear crape on the left arm for the space of thirty days.

In 1827 Simeon H. Crane, a Presbyterian preacher located in Frankfort, he presented testimonials to the court, and was granted the right to perform the marriage ceremony.

During the legislative term of 1827, a small part of Henry County was added to Franklin, this addition included ''All the inhabitants of Flat Creek, and LeCompte's bottom. During this session (1827) the county of Anderson was formed out of the counties of Franklin, ]\Iercer and Washington, Lawrenceburg had prior to that time been in Franklin County. Several sheriffs of Franklin, and at least one Representative of the county lived in that part which was cut off, to help form Anderson; this was the last section cut from Franklin to help form a new county.

Simon Kenton visited Frankfort, in January, 1827, he was then about seventy years of age, he traveled from Urbana, Ohio, to Frankfort, on horse-back, when he reached the town a large number of people went to see him. His old clothes were soon replaced by good ones, he Avas taken to the House of Representatives, and introduced to the members of the General Assembly. His land had been sold for taxes. The Legislature pa.ssed an Act releasing this land from taxation, and granting him a pension of $240.00 a year. The Act was approved January 24th, 1827.

There was also an Act of this session which granted to Samuel South the right to plead the loss of certain money, as an off set in the case of the Commonwealth against him, this suit was for money, which he claimed was burned, when the Capitol buildings were burned, in 1824, Samuel South being at that time State Treasurer. The State House was burned November 4th, 1824. (See chapter on State Capitols.)

In 1828 there was "an Act to incorporate the Lexington and Frankfort Turnpike or Railroad Company." The road, was to be fifty feet in width, on which there was to l)e built an artificial road, at least twenty feet in width, of firm, compact and substantial materials, composed of gravel, pounded stone or other small hard substances, in such manner as to secure a

Lewis Sanders, Jr., was elected county attorney for the year 1828. The court allowed one dollar per day for an ox team, when used on the county road.

Durins; the year 1828, the bridge at Ilardinsville, between Franklin and Shelliy was relmilt by order of the county court. George Gill was the contractor and builder.

In 1829 the county court elected Mason I^rown, Coiuily .Vttorney to take the place of Lewis Sanders, Jr. ^hison Brown continued in the otlice for several years, and was very active and efficient in looking after the county affairs.

On motion of Edmund 11. Taylor, the county court granted him the right to establish a ferry from the west end of Broadway street, to the we.4 side of the river below the mouth of Benson, at the same pl'ace which was granted to Christoi)her Greenup in 1805, and was also granted the right to establish a ferry from said Broadway street to the west side above the mouth of Ben.son Creek.

Daniel AVei^cger, the grandfather of tJeneral Daniel Weiseger Lindse}', and John B. Lindney, came to Franklin County in its very earl}^ history, he was recognized as one of the most substantial citizens of that period, for several years he was the clerk of the Franklin County Court, and for many years was connected in some way with every public improvement which was made in the city of Frankfort, and the county of Franklin; some of which improvements are still standing as monuments to his intelligence and integrity. In May, 1826, Daniel AVeiseger was suggested as a proper person to be President of the Bank of the Commonwealth : "The Patriot said of him at that time, "Who is it that does not know Daniel Weiseger? lie has grown with Frankfort; his moral character is above suspicion, his integrity proverbial. He had by his industry amassed a handsome pro[)crty, most of it has been swept from him to pay the debts of friends, to whom he had lent his name as security. He has raised a large famil}' of children, who are now supported by his unyielding industry; he has <i high claim upon the town of Frankfort, nay the county and State, for his public spirit and liberality. His experience eminently qualified him for the duties of the office. Everything in the opinion of candid men con.spired to recommend him as a proper person to fill the vacancy."