Franklin County, Kentucky - Chapter 11, 1912

Chapter 11

Ill the year 1860 William H. Sneed was elected County Attorney, Harry I. Todd was re-elected Sheriff, Henry R. Miller, Jailer, and R. Gillispie, School Commissioner.

In 1861 Franklin Chinn was elected County Judge, to fill out the unexpired term of John M. Harlan, who resigned on May 4th. Judge Chinn defeated Robert H. King, candidate on the union ticket by only three votes.

During the year a great many barbecues were given in different sections of the county and many speeches were made on behalf of the union sympathizers, who were using extraordinary efforts to prevent the State from withdrawing from the union. On July 27th one of the largest of these barbecues was held at Julian's woods on the Louisville road. The people of Franklin and the surrounding counties formed a procession on Montgomery (now known as Main) street, reaching from the Capital Hotel to Hon. John J. Crittenden's residence, many citizens were in carriages, some were on horse back, but the great mass of the people were on foot. They marched to Julian's woods, where public addresses were made by a number of the best speakers in the State. Several thousand people were present and great excitement prevailed. Richard C. Anderson, the union candidate for Representative, was elected to represent the county. Brigadier General Robert Anderson, of the United States Army, ''The hero of Fort Sumpter," was a cousin of Richard C. Anderson. On September the 6th, General Anderson visited Frankfort. There was a public reception at the Capital Hotel in his honor. The people of Frankfort were profuse in the social attentions paid to him during his stay.

The preachers located in Frankfort at this time were: J. M. Lancaster, of the Catholic Church ; John Theobald, of the Old School Baptist; J. K. Spillman, of the Presbyterian; T. C. McKee, of the Baptist; AVilliam McD. Abbott, of the Methodist;

Judge P. U. Major, who was the Democratic candidate for re-election to the office of Commonwealth iVttorncy, at the August election, 1862, withdrew from the race, the day before the election and John L. Scott, the union candidate, was elected. W. R. Franklin was elected Circuit Clerk, Jacob Swigert, County Judge; W. A. Sneed, County Attorney; A. II. Rennick, County Clerk; J. A. Crittenden, Sheriff; Harry B. Miller, Jailer; AVm. F. Parrent, Assessor; Joseph II. Bailey, Surveyor, and John Whitehead, Coroner. In a short time after the election W. H. Sneed resigned as County Attorney to accept the position of Lieutenant in the Volunteer Infantry. and Eugene P. Moore was elected to fill out the unexpired term.

Francis, a slave, was charged, in 1860, with the offense of trying to poison the family of Hiram Berry. Several members of the family came near dying. She was tried in July of that year, and found guilty. The judgment of the court A\as, "It is adjudged that the defendant be taken to the jail of this county and there safely kept until the 7th day of September next, on which daj^ between sunrise and sunset the Sheriff of this county shall hang her by the neck until she be dead." The judgment was executed at the time stated.

Gov. Robt. P. Letcher died at his home in Frankfort, January 27, 1861. The Legislature adjourned and went in a body from the State House to his late residence. The procession to the cemetery included members of the Legislature, the State Officials, Judges of the Court of Appeals, and a large number of citizens and strangers. It was preceded by the Frankfort Brass Band. Robt. P. Letcher was a native of Ciarrard County. He served seven years as Representative of (Jarrard in the Kentucky Legislature and ten years in Congress. He w^a.s elected Governor in 1810 and after that he became a citizen of Frankfort. He was defeated for Congress in the Ashland District, by John C. Breckinridge in 185:").

occurred on the court house steps in the city of Frankfort. At the trial the proof was conckisive that Hodges acted in self-defense and the jury returned a verdict of "not guilty." One of the darkest periods in the history of Franklin County was that during the years 1861-4, when the dark clouds of Civil War had settled over the county. Not only were the people of the county disturbed and unsettled, but almost every family in the county had to give up one or more members of the family, to one side or the other, and in many instances brothers were divided ; one casting his lot with the South and the other with the North. There were sixty-three men from Franklin in the Confederate Cavalr}^ and one hundred and fifty-two in the Federay ; one hundred and fifteen in the Confederate Infantry, and eighty-three in the Federal. That is, there were one hundred and seventy-eight volunteers on the Confederate side, and two hundred and thirty-five on the Federal side. In addition to these 413 there were as many as seven commissioned officers ranking higher than First Lieutenant on the Confederate side, to-wit: Thos. B. Monroe, and Ben Monroe, Majors; Preston B. Scott and John O. Scott, Surgeons; B. J. Monroe, T. B. Monroe and W. D. Acton, Captains. On the Federal side there were nineteen commissioned officers ranking higher than First Lieutenant, to-wit: D. W. Lindsey, Colonel in 22nd Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, and afterwards Inspector General of Kentucky; George Monroe was Lieutenant Colonel in the same regiment; Orlando Brown, Jr., enlisted as a private, he was promoted to Adjutant, then Major and afterwards to Lieutenant Colonel; Joseph W. Roberts went from private to Major, and then became Adjutant of his regiment; John B. Campbell enlisted as a private, was promoted to Corporal, and then Sergeant Major; Thomas L. Crittenden was Major General; Geo. W. Monroe was Brig. General ; James R. Page and John G. Keenon_ each held the commission of Major; John M. Bacon was Lieutenant Colonel, and in the Spanish American war became Brig. General ; Robert LI. King, Lieutenant Colonel. Those who held the commission of Captain were William W. Bacon, Frank A. Estop, William K. Gray, Jacob Swigert, Daniel Garrard, Henry J. Sheets, Lewis Finnell and Albert G. Bacon.

Captain Daniel Garrard and Captain Albert G. Bacon were killed in battle. In the life of Gen, Forrest, page 32, is this statement in reference to the death of Captain Albert G. Bacon, who way killed on the 28tli of December, 1861, "Beyond Sacramento the Union officers succeeded in rallying a squadron of the fugitives and turned upon their pursuers in a desperate and bloody combat, hand to hand. Forrest, still in advance, found himself confronted by this determined detachment of the Union Cavalry, and at such headlong speed wa.s he running towards them, that before he could check his horse he was in their midst engaged in a desperate fight for his life. The Confederate, Captain Merriwcther, close at his heels fell, instantly dead, from a pistol shot through the brain. Assaulted from all sides Forrest's skillful left hand stood him in good need. Before they could strike him down a quick thrust from his saber brought Captain Bacon down mortally wounded."

Out of the 115 Volunteer Infantry from Franklin County, who cast their lot with the Southern Confederacy, there were only 36 of them who ever returned to their homes, the others having been killed upon the battle field or died in prison. The 36 who returned, had 52 scars made by Federal bullets during their four years service. To tell of all the heroic deeds and gallant conduct, of all the privations, toils and suffering borne with Spartan-like fortitude by the men from Franklin County, who fought, some for the north and some for the south ; to tell of the different actions in which they took part, of the blood which was shed, of the lives which were sacrificed, would extend this work l)eyond its present scope. A single instance from each side is given, merely to illustrate the fact that brave men went out from Franklin County, upon each side of that great struggle.

In that memorable charge made by Breckcnridge at Murfreesboro, on the 2nd day of January, 1863, where the courage and endurance of men were tested to the extreme, R. K. Woodson, Jr., of the 2nd Ky. Reg. Hanson's Brigade, though only a private in the ranks, displayed that desperate courage which was the charteristic of the Franklin County soldiers. Three color bearers were successively killed, when the third one fell, Woodson seized the flag and while bearing it in advance of his comrades, he gave his life for the cause which he thought was just.

Lieutenant Lewis Franklin Todd (Federal) lost his. right arm at Chaplain Hill. His distinguished service and severe wound entitled him to an honorable discharge from further service, but as soon as liis wound permitted he rejoined his command and on the same day that Woodson died, he, too, gave his life at Murfreesboro for the cause which he thought was just, and though engaged in deadly conflict against each other, on that fatal day, they rest at last in the same consecrated ground at Frankfort. At the battle of Murfreesboro, Kentucky had seventeen regiments of Confederates and fourteen regiments of Federals.

On account of the threatened invasion of the State by General Bragg, J. H. Garrard, provost-marshal of Frankfoit, gave notice for every able bodied male citizen of the city of Frankfort to report at the Court House on Monday morning, August 18, 1862, between eight and nine o'clock to enroll themselves for the defense of the city.

From September 3rd to November 5th, 1862, the publication of ''The Commonwealth" was suspended. It was during that time that Gen. Bragg and his army were at Frankfort. The Union men, as a rule, fled with the Union soldiers. Gen. Bragg gave orders that no private property was to be destroyed or disturbed, but the goods purchased by him were paid for in Confederate money. The Frankfort Woolen Factory was the greatest loser. The Confederates took seventy-four thousand nine hundred and sixty yards of Kentucky Jeans for which the company had expected to realize as much as one dollar and fifty cents per yard, but instead received only one dollar per yard in Confederate money.

In the issue of November 5th, Mr. William Wallace Harney, editor of ''The Commonwealth," said, "Pressing business demanded the presence of the proprietors and editor of this paper in Louisville. The atmosphere of Frankfort, usually so good, was becoming decidedly unhealthy and a little jaunt was earnestly recommended. It was a coincident, perhaps worth mentioning, that jnst about the same time a squad of Kebel Cavahy was expected in Frankfort. Knowing their principles and necessities, we were of the opinion that they might want us 'to let them a loan' and we were hard up. The proprietor, with proper discretion, left Frankfort in time, but the editor, with a fool hardiness which gave him a claim on Dr. Rodman of a certain State institution, remained to issue a final paper to our subscribers, giving a summary of the latest intelligence. Congratulating himself upon the admirable editorials and newest news he proposed to lay before his readers, he was walking comfortably up the street, when he beheld a sight. It was several creatures, to his optics about forty feet high with guns eighty feet long, in butternut jeans, one with a dirty white handkerchief on the end of a stick and he knew by the butternut and the dirt they were the Southern Confederacy. He was greatly encouraged by learning through a friend, that a list of a hundred names of persons to be arrested had been sent to Col. Scott in which the letters composing his name figured. As an example of his modesty he was quite willing to transfer the compliment to any one else, but it seemed that there was a great deal of modesty in the market just then and the article was not to be disposed of." Frankfort was captured and held twice during the month of November, by each party.

Lieutenant John J. Roberts was in charge of the defense of the city. One of his men was fatally wounded and Captain Garriott of the Southern force, was shot in the side and one of his company was also wounded. After Captain Garriott fell, the Confederate force gave way and the Union force took charge of the city.

When Gen. John H. Morgan made his raid through Kentucky, in 1864, Gen. D. W. Lindsey, who was at the time commander of a division under Gen. U. S. Grant in the South, was requested by Gov. Bramlette to return to Kentucky and organize the home guards as a protection for Frankfort, where there was stored large quantities of commissary and quartermaster stores. In the organization which he made, Ed_Keenon_ was made Col., Thomas J. Hutchinson, major orThe first battalion and John A. Crittenden, Adjutant. The two companies, one undei' Buck Keenon and the other under A, J. Graham, were ordered out to protect the ar.senal and a large number of Ballard rifles, then on the cars in the city. A division of Morgan's command under Col. Clark was ordered to Frankfort to capture the arms and other munitions of war stored at Frankfort. Governor Bramlette, Gen. D. AV. Lindsey, Gen. John M. Harlan and Col. George B. Monroe were in command when the attack by Col, Clark was made on June 10th. Mr. V. Berberich, who had charge of one of the guns located on Fort Hill, fired the first shot. A great manj^ shots were fired but the casualties were few. Major Hutchinson was shot in the mouth; Corporal John M. Coleman was wounded in the breast. None of Col. Clark's men were killed. The spirited resistance made by the home guards prevented the capture of Frankfort at that time.

Infantry

Howe, W, H, Hieronymous, Chas. Howe, Dodridge A. Jett, died in prison ; W. L. Jett, Dennis McSweeney, Frank A. Monroe, Jessie R. Middleton, Wm. W. Menzies, John W. Miller, Andrew J. Witt, William J. Watkins.

Dr. Wm. C. Sneed died November 20, 1862. For twentyfive 3'ears he was a successful practitioner at Frankfort. He stood high in his profession and he wa.s known as a man of integrity and honor. He contributed many valual)le articles to the leading medical journals of the country. For some time he was president of the State Medical Society. His history of the Kentucky penitentiary was so well written that the Kentucky Legislature had it published at the expense of the State.

Hon. James Harlan died at his home in Frankfort, February 18, 1863. He was the father of Justice John M. Harlan, He was Attorney General of the State for many years and was one of the most prominent lawyers and politicians in the State. He was elected to the U. S. Congress, where he attained high rank. He was afterwards Secretary of State, Attorney General and District Attorney of the United States, which position he held at the time of his death. He was a man of distinguished abilitj'.

One of the greatest men, if not the very greatest man, who ever claimed Frankfort as his home, was the Hon. John Jordon Crittenden, who died at his residence in Frankfort, on July 26th, 1863.

''The Commonwealth" .said of him, ''Thus has pa.ssed from the earth the last of the great men of post-revolutionary times, who kept alive, in the presence of the whole world the great truth that man was capable of self-government. He survived liis illustrious compeers, Clay, Calhoun and Wel)ster and at the time of his death did not leave his equal behind him in the Nation and scarcely in the world itself. In all that constitutes true greatness he had no superior. Great without ambition for place or prominence. Patriotic without any selfish inducements, brave, virtuous and self-denying, from the instincts of his nature he was the model of a citizen, a patriot and a gentleman. The great Kentuckian is dead. Millions of Americans, both North and South, will hear this announcement with profoundest sorrow, w^hile to his own native Kentucky the news will come with a sadness that will make her feel as if she stood alone in the blast to mourn the loss of her well beloved son."

The Governor issued a proclamation dated at Frankfort, July 27th, in which he said: ''When a great man dies a Nation mourns. Such an event has occurred in our midst, in the death of the Hon. John J. Crittenden. Kentucky's longest tried statesman in her public service, a man faithful to every trust, one who has added, by his talents and character, to the fame of the Nation and has pre-eminently advanced the glory and honor of his native Kentucky. It is fit and proper that all testimonies of respect and affection should be paid his remains by all in authority as well as by private citizens. I therefore earnestly request that all places of business shall be closed on Wednesday next, from the hours of 10 o'clock in the morning until 5 in the afternoon and hereby direct all the public offices in Frankfort to be closed during the entire day, and I appoint Gen. John W. Finnell, Col. James H. Garrard and Col. Orlando Brown a committee to make suitable arrangements for the funeral.

Hon. John Jordon Crittenden was born in Woodford County in 1786. He was educated at Washington Academy and William and Mary's College in Virginia. He studied law with the Hon. George M. Bibb and commenced to practice the profession at Russellville, Ky. In 1811 he was elected to rep- resent Logan County in ihc Kcntuc-ky J.cgi.-^lature. lie .served six terms from that county; the la.st term as Speaker. During his IcU^t year in the Legislature from Logan County, ho was elected to the United States Senate, and was the youngest memher of that hody. He moved to Frankfort in 1819. He was elected to represent Franklin County in the Kentucky Legislature in 1825-29-o0-31 and 18:^2. He was the recognized leader of the Old Court party in the controversy between the Old and the New Court. In 18)^5 he was re-elected to the United States Senate and he remained there until President Harrison appointed him Attorney General of the United States. After the death of Mr. Harrison, he resigned and was elected to lill out the unexpired term of Henry Clay in the Federal Senate. In 1843 he was re-elected to the Senate but resigned in 1848 to make the race for Governor. He also resigned the position of Governor in order to accept ilte appointment of L'. S. Attorney General, under President Fillmore. ^Vfter the expiration of his term he was again elected to the Federal Senate. He was serving his second term as a meml)er of the lower House of Congress, from the Ashland District, at the time of his death. He was the recognized leader of the Peace party, and he did all that he could to prevent the war between the States. As a man he was loved and honored, and as a statesman he was held in reverence by the people of his State and Nation.

In 1863 II. M. Bedford was elected to represent the county in the Kentucky Legislature, and II. B. Innis was elected Sheriff. In November, Gen. D. ^^^ Lindsey was appointed Inspector General of Kentucky, which gave him the rank of Major General and Acting Commander of all of the military forces of the State.

In 1864 Harry B. Innis was re-elected Shei'ifT, John P. Graham was elected School Commissioner, and William Craik was appointed Jailer in the i)lace of R. H. Miller, resigned. In the month of August guerrillas became troulJesome in the county. On the 22nd they went to John Steadman's store at

Steadmaiitown and took what they wanted; they also vent to the house of Zachery Lewis and made a search for money. They took a horse from Lawson Noel and terrorized many other citizens. One of the guerrillas was known to be Hugh Ilarrod, a deserter from the company of Capt. K. B. Tax lor, and probably all of them were deserters from the Union Army.

On January 24th, 1865, a band, conmiiuided by c man named Taylor, was at Bridgeport and robbed the storo,> and citizens indiscriminately, and the following night the same band visited and robbed Farmer's store at Farmdale.

By order of Steve Burbridge, on the afternoon of November 2, 1864, eight men were brought from Lexington to Frankfort, and on that same afternoon four of them were taken to a vacant lot in South Frankfort, corner of Todd and Shelby streets, and shot in retaliation for the death of a man named Graham, who was killed at Peak's Mill. On the 3rd, the other four were taken to New Castle and executed for the two negroes who were killed there by John Marshall.

The official returns of the Presidential election in 1864, show that Lincoln was not popular in Franklin County as a presidential candidate. He received 253 votes and McClcllcn received 689 in the County.

O. G. Cates died on May 10, 1865. He was a resident of Frankfort for many years. Lie was a lawyer of ability. During the administration of Gov. Owsley, he was appointed Attorney General of Kentucky and served with distinction. He was afterwards President of the Board of Internal Improvements, which oflice he filled with fidelity to the State and honor to himself. Lie was buried in the Frankfort cemetery.

On June 12, 1865, an explosion of a locomotive boiler occurred at the Frankfort station, which caused the instant death of three men and the injury of ten others, six of whom were fatally injured. The station was almost a total wreck, tlie walls were knocked down and the roof torn to pieces. The sand box fell through the roof of Mrs. Campljell's residence on the north side of the street, and several other houses were materially damaged. Those who were instantly killed were, William Brown, of Frankfort; William Carroll, of Lexington, and

Louis Pumphry, of Louisville. Those wlio ufterwanls died from the eft'ecUs of the injuries were John Henderson, Jr.; a young son of John E. Miles; Mike Fox; a soldier by the name of Kelly; J. W. Hunter and a boy named Cornelius. The cau.se of the explosion was never satisfactorily exi)laine(l.

In 18G5, James Harlan, Jr., was elected to represent the county; Richard A. Bohannon wa.s elected Jailer and Stephen I). Morris, County Attorney. In October of that year, seven convicts made their escape from the Frankfort penitentiary. They put a ladder to the top of the wall and told the guard that they had been ordered to do so by the foreman, and in that way made their escape.

On Wednesday, November 22, 1805, the public building in which were situated the Oovernor's office, the Secretary of State, and the Clerk of the Court of Appeals, was destroyed by fire. The fire originated in the Appellate Clerk's office and the entire contents of that office were destroyed. All of the official and public documents in the office of the Governor and Secretary of State, together with the Governor's private law library and practically every thing else in those two oflices were saved. The money lo.ss was large, but the loss of records were of small con.sideration.

The oil portrait of Henry Clay, which hung in the Legislative hall of the Old Capitol for about half a. century, was painted by William Fry, of Iluntsvillc, Alabama. It is a full portrait of the ''great commoner," life size, 7x11, and it is in every respect a fine painting. The likeness is good both in features and expression of the face and in the general appearance and attitude. "The noble figure stands out in bold relief upon the canvas as if endowed with life and animation, still charming and thrilling an audience with his golden and burning words."

Col. Robt. H. King died at his home in Frankfort, on June 9, 1866. He was Colonel of the 3rd Kentucky Volunteer Cavalry. He enlisted in the Union Army as First Lieutenant, in Capt. Albert G. Bacon's company, which was raised in

Franklin Connly; on the death of Capt. Bacon, at Sacramento, Lieut. King became Captain. He was afterwards commi.s.^^ioned as Major, and later as Lieutenant Colonel and afterwards breveted Colonel for gallant and meritorious conduct. Lie commanded a brigade in Sherman's ''ride to the sea." Col. King jjossessed fine talents. He was a genial, social and gallant gentleman and was greatly loved by those who knew him. "He passed through the war unharmed, but early in the days of peace and in early manhood he fell a victim to that insidious foe which destroys more men than pestilence and war and which produces more sorrow than all other evils combined. He was buried in the Frankfort cemetery with military honors. The pall-bearers were Maj.-Gen. Thos. L. Crittenden, Gen. ]). W. Lindsey, Brig. -Gen. George W. Monroe, Gen. John M. Harlan, Lieut. -Col. James T. Bramlette. j\L\j. James K. Page, Maj. John M. Bacon and Sergeon J. T. Hatchitt.

On May 7, 1866, a colored boy by the name of Charles made a criminal assault on a small white girl seven years of age. That night the negro was taken from the jail by a mol) and hung. The hanging was done without any excitement or disorder. A merited punishment was sternly and speedily administered, an example was set which has been closely followed for half a century and which ought to be a sufficient warning to the negro race, and the white too, as for that matter, that the women and girls of Franklin County nuist be protected. During the half century which the negro has been free, not one of them has ever been tried in Franklin County by a legally constituted court for criminal assault, and doubtless during the next half century not one of them will be so tried. Such crimes arouse a natural indignation and the general })ublic demands an immediate execution of the criminal, with the idea, that in order to tlioroughly and effectively eradicate such crimes the punishment must not only be certain and severe, but it must also be speedily administered. On the night of January lU), 1868, a negro l)y the name of Jim Mackliii, who had committed an assault on a young white woman near the State Arsenal, and had thrown her ])ody down the eml)ankment near the tunnel, was taken from the Frankfort jail and carried to the place where the crime wa.s coinmitteil aiul hunj];. /riio results of thi.s hanging created a great deal of excitement. The United States Conrt at tliat time had jnris(hction of snch cases. AVari'ants were sworn out against some of the most sul)- slantial citizens of Frankfort, charged with being imphcated in the hanging The United States Marshal arrested Micliacl Parker, John Owens, James Welch, Edward Cunnnins, Michael Buckley, Pat Sullivan, Mike Callahan, Dan Callahan, Pat Newman, Thomas Newman, Dennis Griflin, Kd Burns and L. Tobin and took them before the Commissioner of the I'nited States Court for examining trial. Col. John Mason Brown prosecuted them and Judge G. W. Craddock, Judge P. U. ^hijor and Major D. W. Carpenter defended. On motion of Col. Brown, Mr. L. Tobin was discharged, there being no evidence to im])licatc him. After a full hearing all of the defendants were discharged, except Michael Callahan, Daniel Callahan, Jim Welch, Edward Cummins and M. Parker. There wa.s serious complaint against the manner in which Commissioner Vance conducted the trial of the accused parties; contrary to the advice of Col. Brown, he proceeded in a way which con- Wnced the pul)lic that he was neither a lawyer nor an honest man.

Father Lambert Young, the Catholic priest, w ho was in charge of the Catholic Church at Frankfort, wa.s snbpociKicd as a witness against the defendants, but he refused to tcU what had been told to him by rea.'^on of the fact that he was a Christian priest, and the court thereupon committed him to jail for contempt of court. The defendants were released on l)ail, but Father Young remained in jail until the 28tli of .July ; after his release he wrote a card thanking his many friends for their kindness to him and in which he said, ''None of these good citizens, I feel sure, are possessed with the idea that niy refusing to testify on the trial of the Frankfort prisoners arose from any disposition to contemn the law, the Grand Jury or the Hon. Court. I truly revere the law and T respect its oflicers, and had it been po.ssible for me to act otherwise than I did without doing outrage to my conscience as a Christian priest, and to my sense of honor as a man, I should certainly have promptly given the evidence demanded and thus have saved myself the misery of confinement in the county jail." Perhaps no man ever lived in Frankfort who was more universally honored and respected by Catholics, Protestants and the people generally than was Father Lambert Young.

In Fel)ruary, 1866, J. Swigert resigned as County Judge, and the Magistrates elected Judge Lysander Hord and at the following August election he was elected by the people ; at that time A. II. Rennick was elected County Clerk; Eugene P. Moore, County Attorney; W. J. Chinn, Sheriff ; E. H. Tole, Coroner; R. Hutchinson, Jailer; J. S. Hawkins, Surveyor, and Peter Jett, Assessor.

Hon. Mason Brown died at his home in Frankfort, on January 27, 1867, at the age of 68 years. He was the son of John Brown, the first Congressman from the Western Country. Mason I^rowii was a graduate of Yale College ; after his graduation he entered the law office of John J. Crittenden, and subsequently graduated in the law school at Lexington. He formed a partnership with Hon. Ben Mills and subsequently with ({overnor Chas. S. Morehead and in conjunction they comi)iled a work of great value to the legal profession, known as ''Morehead & Brown's Digest." He was known as one of the great lawyers of Kentucky. He was Commonwealth's Attorney for several years and was afterwards elected Judge of the Circuit Court and as such Judge he gained the distinction of being one of the greatest jurists in the country. He was Secretary of State during the administration of Governor C. S. Morehead, and he was United States District Attorney for the district in which he lived for several years, prior to his death.

In 1860, the Kentucky Legislature passed a resolution authorizing and directing the Governor of Kentucky to procure suita])le gold medals, appropriately inscribed, to be presented to the surviving officers and soldiers of the Kentucky Volunteers, who were present and participated in the engage-

The Governor directed Mr. 1^. F. Meek of Frankfort, to design and make these medals. The medal was l)eantifully executed, of the pnrest virgin gold. Its circumference wa.s four and seven-eighths inches and its weight thirty-one pennyweights. The obverse of the medal represented a naval engagement, executed with the minutest fidelity of detail. Tiie rigging, smoke, Ijattle tiags and waves were gra})hically de- ])icted, surrounding the design was the legend, "We have met the enemy and they are ours." - the memorable dispatch of the inmiortal Perrv - with the date, ''Lake Erie, Sept. 10th, 1813."

By Resolution of the Kentucky Legislature, February, ISOO," and inclosed by wreaths of oak leaves and laurel. At the time this medal was offered there were supposed to be only four Kentuckians living, viz.: Dr. William Talliaferro, James Artus, John Norris and John Tucker, but in 18()() two additional medals Avere ordered, one for Ezra Youngblood and one for Samuel Hatfield of Floyd County.

B. F. Meek was the owner of a jewelry store on Main street, where he did a .successful busine.ss for a great many years. He was one of the makers of the Meek t^' Milam fishing reel, which became one of the most noted productions ever supplied to the sporting world. He took an active part in tlie business and political affairs of Frankfort. Tie wa.*^ a man of integrity and was honored and respected by all who knew him.

On February 14, 1867, Benson Creek overflowed its banks and did a great deal of damage to that section of the county. Conway's mill, located at the falls of Benson Creek, about four miles from Frankfort, was washed away and totally destroyed; two spans of the county bridge, known a.s "Ganey's bridge," about one mile from the city were carried off by the flood; a man by the name of Alexander lost his stable, and a great deal of fencing was lost. At a court held in the following May $1,000 was appropriated with which to rebuild the

GcUiey bridge; at the same session of the court $1,000 was a|)propriated for rebuilding the bridge over Main Elkhorn on the Owenton road ; also a thousand dollars for building a bridge at the mouth of Benson, and $250 for building one over Leestown branch. The action of the commissioners in selling the upper stories, over the County and Circuit Court Clerk's offices was approved and confirmed.

In 1867 there were only thirty-six men in Franklin County whose income exceeded one thousand dollars per year, and only fourteen whose income exceeded two thousand dollars, and only nine whose incomes exceeded three thousand, and only five whose income exceeded four thousand dollars per year.

Franklin County lost by death more of its illustrious citizens during the decade from 1860 to 1870 than during any other like period of its history. To the long list of great men who died during this decade is added the names of Theodore O'Hara and Charles S. Morehead. While neither of them were actual residents of the county at the time of their death, yet the main part of their lives were spent in Franklin County, and the literary work which made them famous was done while they lived in Frankfort.

In the summer of 1867 the trustees of the Frankfort public school purchased a lot in South Frankfort, from Judge (ico. C. Drane. upon which to erect a pul)lic school building. During the following year Mr. John Ilaly, contractor, com- })letcd the l)uilding. It was a three story brick building with teachers' room, hat and cloak rooms. Superintendent's office, etc.

On Novemlter 12, 1867. Col. J. Stoddard Johnston became the editor of the Frankfort Yeoman. Prior to that time Col. S. I. M. Major had been editor and publisher. Col. Johnston was recognized as one of the be.'^t writers in the State. His strong editorials soon established the Yeoman as the leading journal of the State and as the organ of the Democratic Party.

P. R. Pattie was appointed Jailer in 1867. and Robert Lawler was elected Jailer in 1868 to fill out an unexpired term ; Joseph Robertson wa.-^ elected Sheriff in 1869.

In 1868 llie J.oui.s\illc and Na.'^livillc Railroad Company placed a floor for pedestrians on the railroad bridge. The lloor was only live feet wide bnt it was of great convenience to the people of Bellepoint and the northwest section of the county. The completion of the bridge across the mouth of Benson that year gave the people of that section of the county easy access to the city of Frankfort. Prior to the completion of these conveniences the people in that section of the county were often prevented from reaching their County Seat for weeks and some times months, on account of high water and bad roads.

The annual Methodist Conference was held in Frankfort in 18G8. It was presided over by Bishop Lovick Pierce. The Kev. H. A. M. Henderson wa.s returned to the Frankfort station. The Rev. J, L. T. Holland was called to the Christian Church during the same j'^ear. The other preachers located in Frankfort at that time Avere Rev. J. N. Norton, in charge of the Episcopal Church ; Rev. J. S. Hays, of the Presbyterian, and Rev. AV. L. Jermane, of the Baptist. The ceremony of laying the corner stone of "St. John's in the Wilderness" took place on St. John's Day, June 24, 1867. It was witnessed by a large number of persons from that section of the county and from Frankfort. For quite a number of years after these buildings were constructed, the mission at that place was in a most flourishing condition, it embraced an orphans' home, a Sunday School and a place for public worship. It was located about five miles from Frankfort on the St. John's road.

At the January term, 1869, of the Franklin County Fiscal Court, $75,000 was appropriated to the Kentucky river improvement, and $10,000 for the l)ridges of the county, and in order to raise the amounts appropriated county bonds were issued.

Major Hall, so named in honor of Mayor S. I. M. Major, was completed in that year. It was located on ]\Iain Street where the City Hall now stands, fronting 66 feet and running back 138 feet. The first floor contained on one "side of the main enti'auce a good restaurant and on the other a store room which Avas used for furniture. The upper story contained a large room which was used for a billiard room and an elegant suit of club rooms besides the hall. The size of the auditorium was 82x56. The seating capacity was 1,500. The drop curtain was a very superior painting representing the ruins of ancient Rome. The building was burned November 11, 1882.

On the night of the 19th of February, the upper portion of the center pier of the St. Clair street bridge fell. The passage of the Ijridge was closed for several months. The work to restore the pier was commenced at once, but on account of the high water at that season of the year, slow progress was made. It was late in the summer before it was again opened for vehicles.

The only death ever recorded in Franklin County from hydrophobia was that of Mr. John D. Sargent which occurred at his home in the country, March 22, 1860. About three months prior to his death he received a bite from a small dog, which attracted no attention and created no alarm Ijecause the wound was seemingly cured in a short time. Three days prior to his death he felt so unwell that he sent for a physician, who after a careful examination could not determine the character of his disease. A few hours later the disease developed such symptoms which rendered the mistaking it for any thing else, impossible. At every effort to gratify his extreme thirst he was seized with contraction of the throat and fearful spasms, requiring the assistance of several per.sons to hold him, until at last the dread of swallowing made him refuse everything offered to him. During the continuance of the attacks he made no effort to injure any of the many per.sons who were with him. It was a distressing and painful sight. The terror indicated in his face, the brilliant and protruding eyes, the agonizing convulsions and his loud cries for help impressed those present with the idea that his death was the most horrible one a man coidd die.

On the night of April 2nd, the whi.skey warehouse situated on the north bank of the Kentucky river near the end of the St. Clair street bridge was burned with 8,500 barrels of. whiskey, the estimated loss of which was $350,000. The warehouse belonged to George B. Macklin, and the whiskey was owned, to a great extent, l)y eaiitcrn parties, on which they had considerable insurance. The burning whiskey ran from the building on to the river in a broad stream, which burned with a bluish flame and which spread itself far out in the river and for a considerable distance up and down the river. The river on lire presented a most spectacular appearance. For several hours the bridge was in imminent danger. It caught fire several times but each time the flames were extinguished without material damage.

Capt. John A. Holton died at the homestead on which he was raised, near the Forks of Elkhorn, on the 13th of June. About 1804 he made his first trip on a flat boat, ladened with produce, from Frankfort to New Orleans. Prior to 1812 he made several other trips as captain of such boats, returning, as wa.s the custom in that day, on foot, through the Indian country of Mississippi and Tennessee. He was one of the first to join Capt. Pa.schal Hickman's company in the War of 1812, and was one of the few survivors of that company at the massacre of the River Raisen. In this action Capt. Holton was wounded in the ankle and was taken ]irisoTier. He wa.s about the only man from Franklin County who after being wounded and captured escaped the massacre which followed the surrender of those brave men. After his return from the war he resumed his former occupation on the river and after the introduction of steam ho became captain of a boat, first on the Ohio and ]\Iississi])pi and later on the Kentucky river. He was a very popular and successful officer. In 1848 he represented Franklin County in the Kentucky Legislature.

On the 10th of .Tune, Ccneral Peter Dudley died at his home in the city of Fi-ankfort. He was First Lieutenant in Cajit. Hickman's company, and was with him at the River Raisen, but he escaped capture and returned to Frankfort and raised another company. (!en. Peter Dudley held many positions of honor and trust, l)oth civil and military. He was one of the very strong characters of the day in which he lived. He was eighty years of age at the time of his death. He was buried in the Frankfort cemetery with military honors. The funeral discourse was delivered by Rev. L. W. Seeley ; the procession was in charge of Col. J. Stoddard Johnston, with Gen.

D. W. Lindsey and ^Major John B. Castleman as assistants. The military was composed of soldiers of the rebellion, irrespective of the armies in which they served. Federal and Confederate soldiers marched side by side, without uniforms, but equipped with nuiskets and other accoutrements.

Capt. John W. Russell died iVugust 1st. He wa.s l>orn in Virginia in 1794 and brought to Kentucky while an infant. He was apprenticed to a blacksmith, but before his time expired he became a soldier in the War of 1812 and gained distinction before he became of age. After the war he was employed in the transportation of products to New Orleans. The unsettled and unsafe condition of the Western Country was such that no man without great physical courage would engage in that business. When steamboats were placed in the trade Captain Russell Avas given command of one of the first boats. His adventures on the river and in the river towns, which were overrun with gamblers and robbers, sounds like fiction. AVhen the steamer "General Brown" was lost by an explosion in 1838, Capt. Russell's presence of mind and heroism saved the lives of six men. His fight with the robber band of Lafittc in New Orleans, established his reputation as a man of courage.

President Harrison appointed him commander of a fleet of ''snag boats" and he remained in the service of the United States for several years and accumulated considerable i)roperty. Jjater he became a successful farmer. He built a steam flour mill, the first of the kind ever l)uilt in the county. This mill was located on Benson Creek. He was a mcml)er of the State Senate in 1850 and was largely instrumental in building the State Arsenal, which was erected in that year. Capt. Russell was the father of Mrs. Mary Brown Russell Day, who was elected and served two terms as State Librarian for tlie Commonwealth of Kentucky.

A total eclipse of the sun took place August 7th. At the time there was not a cloud to be seen and the atmospherical conditions for accurate and satisfactory observations were perfect. The stars were as clear and bright as they are at night. The chickens went, hurriedly, to roost, and about the time they got well settled the sun came out clear and bright. Some peo-

The Frankfort Cotton Mills Jiad on exhibition at a fair for textile fabrics lield at Cincinnati in 18()0, some of its manufactured goods. The mill at Frankfort was awarded a premium for the best yarn. The specimen exhiljited was taken from tlie stock made every day and competed successfully witli yarns manufactured especially for exhibition. There were a great many competitors. These mills were successfullv operated until about 1880.

Judge J. M. Hewitt died in Noveml'er, 1869. He wa;3 ])orn in Virginia in 1798. He was commissioned Lieutenant in the regular army in 1815. He was licensed to practice law m 1810. He was appointed Judge of 5th Judicial District of Kentucky in 1833. In 1836 he located in Ficankfort and resumed the i)ractice of law. Judge Hewitt was married twice; he was the father of twenty children, six by his first and fourteen by his last wife. He became identified with all the interests of Frankfort and Franklin County and was prominent HI the political, business and social affairs of the city and county. He was prominent as one of the framers of the constitution of 1849. He represented Franklin County in the Kentucky Legislature in 1855.