Franklin County, Kentucky - Chapter 13, 1912

In the year 1880 Judge I.ysander Tlord's river l)ill passed the House without a dissenting vote. This l)ill authorizing the United States Government to improve the Kentucky river was pa.ssed by the Senate and became a hiw at this session of the J^egishiture. Judge Ilord deserved cre(ht for pa.ssing this IjilL As a resuh he has been called the father of the Kentucky river navigation, but the actual truth is, there was more l)usine.>^s done on the Kentucky river before the Ignited States took charge of it than there has been .since, but the decrease in river trafic was caused more by the increased railroad facilities than from any other cause.

During the decade, 1870 to 1880, tobacco grown on Franklin County land brought a higher price on the market than that grown in any other county in the State and since that time it has been known as one of the very best white hurley tol)acco growing counties in the State.

Charles Stewart Parnell, a leader in the British Tarliament, visited Frankfort in February of 1880. A committee of prominent citizens went from Frankfort to Lexington to meet him. lie addre.ssed the Kentucky Legislature which was in session at that time.

The veterans of the Mexican war met in Frankfort in February of that year. Those who were living in Franklin County at that time were Capt. B. C. Milam, Lieut. AV. P. D. Bush and musician Thomas IlefTncr. The privates were Robt. Sheridan, S. P. Montague, Ben Utterback, L. Mangan, Daniel Hancock, Monroe McDowell, Landon Montague, George W. Daniels, Lafayette Martin, A. B. Peed, -Lieut. Col. Green Clay Smith, J. H.Redi.sh, E. T. Parrent, Walker Stephens, H. S. Mayhall, R. A, Hawkins, Wm. Morri-son, Samuel H. Bradley, C. Featherston, A. W. Pol.sgrove. D. O. Morris, A. W. Hampton, G. W. Chambers, Alex. Moas, John E. Miles, Cyrus Calvert, A. A. Gordon, Wm. Manly, Alex Mitchell, Newt Dean and

North Frankfort and South Frankfort were united and made one corporation in 1880. A joint conmiittee composed of D. W. I.indsey, B. F. Meek and Green Clay Smith were appointed to represent South Frankfort and W. P. B. Bush, J. W. Pruett and W. T. Reading, to represent North Frankfort in the settlement of the accounts between the two corporations, and to determine what part of the existing debts each corporation should pay. It was determined by this committee that it was to the best interest of both North and South Frankfort to cancel and relinquish all accounts Ijetween them and to make all tlie property of every kind and description l)elonging to North Frankfort, the common property of the city of Frankfort and all the debts of both corporations were assumed as liabilities of the city embracing both North and South Frankfort, and it wa.s so reported to the council and the two towns were consolidated on that ba.sis, by an act of the General Assembly which was in session at that time.

In LSoO the two towns were consolidated and were run under the same government, l»ut their property rights were not fully settled until the act of 1880.

Col. J. W. South died suddenly in the Senate (luvml)er on April the loth. lie was warden of the State penitentiary and had held that position for ten years jnior to his death. Both Houses of the Kentucky Legislature adjourned and all the public offices were closed by order of the Governor. The remains were followed to the cemeterj^ by many of his friends, by the (ilovernor and staff, public officers, members of the Senate and House of Representatives, and a large concourse of citizens. He was a man of strong personality and he left numerous progeny', some of whom have become prominent in tlie affairs of State and nation.

On the ir)th of May there wa.s a destructive fire in Ih'idgeport. The Odd Fellows building and Dr. Wilhams' and J. U. Ru.ssell's re.sidences Avere totally destroyed. '^Pbe fire engine from Fi'ankfoi't went to tlie scene in chariie of convicts and did

At the meelijj.t;' of the liseal court of the county in May, the county jiurchased one-third interest in the St. Clair street hridge and made it free to the i>eoi)le of the county.

In June the inventer. Col. T. L. Kankin, ])ut u]) an ice machine for Mr. Sigmnnd Lusclier. Avhich had a capacity for producin.i;' 20,000 ])ounds daily. The cost of the machine was aliout $10,000. At the time this lirsf ice factory was ])uilt in Frankfort it was considered one of the greatest inventions of that day. About the same date M. II. P. Williams, Jr., Wiley and John Williams, known a.s The Williams I^ros., placed the telephone exchange in Frankfort.

During this year bicycles came into iis^e. A1)out the 1st of September the peo])le of Fraidcfort were much interested in two young men who went through the city on bicycles, going from I.e.xington to Louisville. These machines had very large front wheels and the .^eats were so high that it wa.s ditlicult and dangerous to ride on them.

On September 22nd Col. J. AV. Hunt Reynolds died, possessed of a large estate. He was a noted breeder of thoroughbred horses and he succeeded in producing several of the most noted running horses known to the turf. He was only thirtylive years old at the time of his death, but his uniforndy gentle and courteous bearing endeared him to all who knew him.

Gen. George Bibl) Crittenden died in Novend)er, 1(S80. He was a son of Hon. John J. Crittenden, and began the practice of law with his distinguished father. He served as an oflicer in the war between Texas and Mexico. He was captured by the Mexicans and was in a Mexican prison for nearly a year. This story has been told about him: "The Mexicans having determined upon a retaliatory measure declared that a cert^un number of the prisoners should be shot and to that end designated which should be the victims by requiring that lots shoidd be drawn. A box containing a certain number of white and black beans was produced, tho.se who drew the white beans were to be spared, and those who drew the black were to be shot.

(len. Crittenden, being an officer, was among the first to draw and he got a white bean, one of his intimate friends, who came later, was a man of family having a wife and several children, (icn. Crittenden gave him the white bean and risked his life by another draw, which fortnnately resulted in his drawing another white bean." After his release from tlfe Mexican prison a friend of his father, who resided in that city, gave him a horse, saddle, bridle, some blankets and money for his return home. One of his countrymen, who had been released with him, was sick and Gen. Crittenden gave the horse and blankets to him and made his way back home with his other companions. In the war between the United States and Mexico he was an officer and served through the war. In the war Ijctween the states he served on the side of the South with the rank of Brigadier Ceneral. During this war he borrowed $200 in gold from a member of the Confederate Congress and though there was no written obligation on his part, in 1871 he sent this money by Judge William Lindsay to the widow of the man from whom he borrowed it. lie came back to Frankfort after the war and in 1867 was elected State Liljrarian which position he held until 1871. He was buried in the Frankfort cemetery.

On ])ecember 6th, 1880, the iron work of the Benson bridge gave way and fell into the creek. It had just been placed in position and was thought to be self-sustaining. Eight men were on it at the time, l)ut none of them were seriously hurt and the almtments were not damaged.

louring this year Marshall J. Allen and William E. lU'ad- Icy, of the AV. A. (Jaines & Co. Distillery, secured a patent which created a revolution in whiskey making. The new process made an increase of half a gallon of whiskey to the bushel of graiu aud it also made a remarkable improvement in the quality of the goods.

(jleorge W. (hviun died of ])neumonia January 27th, 1881. He had been, successively, Deputy Clerk of the Court of Appeals, Councilman and Mayor of Frankfort, Master Connnissioner of the Frauklin Circuit Court and Magistrate. He held the latter position for al)out thirty years. He was a man of strong character and was an efficient officer.

Allteit (i. Hodges died llic Maivh at the age of seventy-nine years. For lialf a. century he wa.s identified with the history of Kentucky. lie commenced his newspaper career in Lexington, hut he moved to Frankfort in 1826. lie married a Frankfort woman and went into partuership with James (1. Dana in the puhlication of the "Commentator." In 18l)o he l)egan the pubHcation of the Commonwealth and was elected puhhc printer which position he held for a (piarter of a century. lie was buried in the Frankfort cemetery.

On the ISth day of March a sad accident occurred near the mouth of Fhit Creek, The boiler of the circular sawmill belonging to Tyler & Ilarrod burst and killed John Ilarrod, one of the owners, Lawrence Ilarrod, his brother, and Frank (iraham. William Arnold had his jaw bone broken. James Redding, "William Whalcn, Lewis Ilarrod and Hugh Tyler were more or less injured. Everyone in the mill at that time Avas hurt except William Skeggs. The boiler was a portable one that had been used for a threshing machine. The boiler was torn into two large pieces, one piece weighing 2,500 i)ounds was thrown one hundred feet one way and the other part was thrown 261 feet another way. The parts of the house and machinery were torn and scattered in every direction.

The rooms of the Kentucky Historical Society, located on the third floor of the old State house, were opened and dedicated June 7th, 188L This being the anniversary of the discover}'' by Daniel Boone of the l)eautiful plateau of Kentucky. The chief address was made by Prof. Jos. D. Pickett, and ."^ome remarks were made by Governor Luke P. Blackburn and ex-Governor J. B. McCreary. During this year the county voted $100,000 for the Kentucky Midland R. R., and the city of Frankfort voted $1 HO, 000 for the same purpo.^e.

One of the moi^t exciting, but bloodless, episodes in the history of Frankfort occurred on September 16th. Adam Forepaugh's circus was advertised to be in Frankfort on that day. The city council by ordinance undertook to prohibit it from being unloaded in the city. Col. E. H. Taylor. Jr.. ^hiyor of Frankfort, ordered the police not to permit the unloading of the effects of the circus within the limits of the citv. The railroad company thereupon secured un injunclion from the FrankHn Circuit Court restraining the Mayor and council from interfering with the unloading. After the service of this order upon the Mayor, he went in person to the train and assumed connnand of the police force and notified all parties concerned that any attempt to unload the cars would be at the peril of those who did it - that he would shoot down any man who made the effort.

There was an inmiense crowd at the station. Several thousand people were packed in the street and the whole city was in a state of excitement. It wa.s announced that the city authorities had openly defied the law and had arrayed the ])olice force of the city against the authority of the State. This l)eing made known to Judge Thom])son (County Judge) he immediately ordered the Sheriff to proceed to the train and see to the execution of his order of injunction. The Sheriff, E. O. Hawkins, believing that there was an armed resistance, and that he was without sufficient force to enable him to carry out the order of the court, went to the (Tovernor and asked that the McCreary (Guards be directed to report to him. The (Governor having a personal knowledge of the trouble and knowing that great excitement prevailed in the citj^, promptly complied with the request and the troops were ordered out. At a quarter past four o'clock they appeared and went in doul)le quick to thq. train where they, under the directions of the Sheriff, disjiersed tlie police force and saw that the cars were unloaded without further molestation. The whole trouble arose from the fact that the circus company proposed to set up its tents beyond the city limits and thereby escape payment of the tax which the city had imposed upon it.

E. O. Hawkins was elected Sheriff in 1880. In the month of June, 1882, it was discovered that he was short in his accounts with the State, in the sum of $3,859.43 and thereupon J. W. Gaines was placed in charge of the Sheriff's office. In 1883 E. O. Hawkins was re-elected Sheriff notwithstanding his shortage Ijut he was not able to execute the required bond and J. W. Gaines was again appointed until the next election, when W. L. Collins was elected. The election for countv officers for the year 1882, was as follows: R. A. 'l1ioiii|)S()ii, Judge; James A. \'iolett, Attorney; James d. Crockett, Clerk; Dan Hliehan, Jailer; Kobert Sanford, Assessor; Alexander MclMvan. Coroner, and I). M. Woodson, Surveyor.

The Mayor and Board of Councilmen of the city of Frankfort sold the eity gas works to the Southern ( Jas Co. The company was to pay $40, ()()() for the gas works [)roperty and franchise, and for which the city accepted bonds })ayable in forty years with interest at 0 per cent, per annum. The purcha.ser engaged to furnish the city and private individual consumers with gas of the best quality at $2.00 per one thousand cubic feet and to light the street lamps on all night-^ when there was no moon for the sum of $24 per annum per lamp. The city agreed to use not less than one hundred lamps.

Following the sale of the gas works there were several public meetings of the citizens of Frankfort wherein they condemned in unmeasured t^rms the Mayor and councilmen for making the sale and es[)ecially for the private way in which it was made and also for the terms of the contract.

During the month of June Rev. George 0. Barnes conducted a revival service in Frankfort. The court house was crowded to overflowing each evening and great interest was exhibited. During the meeting there were 1,253 who made confessions. He was a most eloquent and learned man. The singing and playing by his daughter. Miss ]\larie, was a great feature of the service. No man ever visited Frankfort wdio left a stronger impression ni)on the citizens of the city.

On Jul}' 7th Charles Penn was a.ssassinated, near liis home, while taking his horse to the i)asture. In a few moments after he left his house two shots were fired. Upon investigation the bod}' of Perm was found not far from the l)ars leading to the pa.sture. He received the contents of a doid)le l)arreled shot gun which was loaded with buck shot. The condition of the ground and weeds at the place of the murder disclosed the fact that the as.sassin had been lying in wait for his victmi for some time and that the assassination liad been well planned. Suspicion .soon rested on a man by the name of George Cia'nes, who was arrested in a short time oflQi'wards and in due course of time was tried and convicted and sent to the [)enitentiary for life. The general snp})osition was that the wife of Penn was indirectly tlie cause of his death.

On Sunday night, September 10th, an affray occurred in front of the Frankfort Hotel from tlie effects of which Jerry Lee, Chief of Police, received a mortal wound. In the early part of the night there had ])een a difficulty, the particii)ant.s being Jerry Lee, Adam Kahr and Frank Egbert. Later in the night another troul)le arose between Frank Egbert and Stephen Scarce. It was not known whether Egbert Avas shooting at Scarce or Lee when Lee received a wound in the left side from the effects of which he died. Jerry Lee had served as city Marshal and as Chief of Police. He was a man of marked personal courage and was regarded as an efficient officer. He was a generous, impulsive man, always ready to aid a friend or fight a foe.

On November lltli the City Hall, Ruhr's Hotel, the postoffice and several private offices and residences were destroyed by fire. The money loss was seventy or eighty thousand dollars. Dr. Hatchitt, the postmaster, succeeded in removing, prac- (v-jiv- overything from the postotfice. Several people were injured during the progress of the fire. Everybody fought fires in those days.

Not in the recollection of the oldest inhabitant of Frankfort nor in either history or tradition was there any account of the waters of the Kentucky river ever having been so high as in February, 188?). Nearly all the families in the lower part of the city were moved out. All of the section known as "Craw" was completely covered. On Sunday night the 11th of February, a great many Frankfort people remained up all night, expecting to see the St. Clair street bridge washed aAvay. A heavy drift was running and it began to accumulate above the piers. An immense log lodged against the middle pier and there was a rapid accumulation of drift upon it. Houses began to come down, nearly all of which struck the bridge and were broken to pieces. A large new tobacco barn struck the middle pier and its timbers were scattered in every direction. The upper sidewalk of the bridge was greatly damaged,

MoYQ than half of the city was nnder water. All of the prison yard wa.s covered from two to three feet. The hack water extended hack of the penitentiary to and beyond Woodland Park so that tiie water which l)acked np the Cove Spriniii; or i.eestown branch to the same ]»oint made an island of Fort Hill. ^\t one point the Owcnton road was more than ten feet nnder water. lOvery road exce[)t the Versailles, which lead to the city, was covered from two to ten feet. The floor of the city school huiKHnti,' was reached. Traffic across the St. Clair street l)ri(lge was stopped, ro])es were stretched across the ends of the ])rid,t2;e. The railroad In'idge was considerably damaged by the drift and for some time it looked like it wonld be impossible to save it. A long freight train heavily loaded was left standing on it to help hold it. All the honses on Broadway and High sti'cets from the Farmers Hotel, east, were completely snrronnded. ]\h)re than a hnndred honses passed nnder tlie St. Clair street bridge, nearly all of which were torn to pieces.

The Farmers, or jNIerriwether, TTotel had abont three feet of water in it and all the people who lived on that sqnare had to move upstairs. The 0. F. C, Carlisle, llcrmilagc and SafFell distilleries all had water on the first floor from two to ten feet deep.

The street in front of the court honsc lacked only two feet of being .covered. The gas works were under water and the city was in total darkness. INfore than two hundred families were without homes. The ])nblic buildings of the city, county and State were used for temporary homes and the peoi)le were fed at the expense of the city. Many acts of heroic conduct were reported, and those who were charitaldy inclined had all the work they could do.

\y. J. Chinn's sale of registered Jersey cattle was made in July. The vacant lots wdiere -Sam Shackleford and Judge T. IF. Paynter's residences now stand were u.sed for display of stock. The .''ale was attended by representative Jer.sey breeders throughout the United States and Canada; it was the largest and most successful sale of (hat kind ever held in Kentucky. The herd was a most excellent one, perha})s the best that was ever offered for sale. A large crowd was present. There were purchasers from Canada and nineteen different states of the Union. The proceeds of the sale amounted to over $o(),000. The average price paid was $812.

Capt. D. A. Murphy arrived in Frankfort August 2nd, and in a few days thereafter he commenced work on the custom house and postoffice. The corner stone of this building was laid December loth, 1883. Governor J. Proctor Knott otiiciated at the ceremonies.

The dam at lock number four was comi)leted October Oth, 1883. It is 528 feet long at the crown ; 21 1-2 feet high and 34 feet wide and it contains about 40,000 lineal feet of tindjcr 12x12 inches, 160,000 feet of sheathing; 5,984 cubic yards of rip-rap stone and about 16,000 pounds of iron sj)ikes and it cost the Government $18,500.

The Kentucky River :\Iills were 1)urnt October 6th. The loss was $80,000, \he insurance was $40,000. These mills were built in 1877-8, the building cost $12,000, the machinery $50,000 and the stock was valued at $25,000.

In the early morning of August 15th, a trusty convict from the penitentiary rode hastily through the streets of Frankfort, proclaiming that an outl)reak had been made at llio ))euitentiary. John R. Wolf, a desperate young man, who had been sent from Scott County for forgery, led the attempted delivery. He had a package which he requested to have sent to Georgetown and when he came in he struck the guard, Ed Johnson, with a stick on the back of the head and knocked him insensible and thereupon eight other convicts made a rush through the open gate and into the room set a])arl for arms and aiumunition. A trusty named Cunningham .'<aved the life of Johnson. l)ut wa.*^ himself severely stabbed. The convicts secured all the fire arms they wanted and one of them leveled his pistol at Clerk R. D. HoUoway who, unhesitatingly, jumped through the window.

Jci'i'v Soiilli. ("lav Payne, D. O. Koliinsoii and (itlicrs took l»ait in the shootin<i, wliich followed. D. O. Kohinson was shot tlii'onuli the leg and was made a (-ripi)le for life. A eonviet named Al.-«)p was .shot throngh the shonlder and Wolf had hi.s thigh shattered. Three of them went out the Owenton road. They met a man in a hnggy and made him ge^ out and all three of them got in and drove as fast as they could for .several miles when they abandoned the l»uggy and took to the hills.

Col. Aml)rose W. Dudley died at his homo in Frankfort in September, 18(S4. lie wa.s one of the oldest and most distinguished citizens of Frankfort. For fifteen years he was quarterma.ster general of the United States and for thirtyseven years was president of the I'ranch Baidc of Kentucky located at Frankfort.

For more than half a century he was identified with the l)UsinG.ss and social interest of Frankfort and was regarded as one of the mo.st useful and valuable citizens in promoting the general welfare of the city, county and State. In 1824 he married Miss Fliza Talbott. daughter of Hon. Isham Talbott, and granddaughter of CAOvernor James Garrard.

^On May 21st, 1885, Napoleon 15. Smith was appointed Clerk of the Franklin County Court to take the j)lace of James (t. Crockett, deceased, and who had l)een Clerk for a number of years prior to that time. At the following August election Napoleon B. Smith was elected to fill out the iniexpired term and Col. S. I. M. Major was elected to represent the county in the Legislature.

E. H. Steadman, an old and honorable citizen of Franklin County, died in A])ril. 188.1. Tie cam(> to the county in 1835 and he and his brother Samuel built the \illage known as Steadmantown. I^'or more than thirty years they furnished the State with all the paper used in printing the laws of the State, he.^ides supplying most of llic new.spapers of the State. In 1852 Samuel Steadman retired from the firm and after that the paper mills were burnt three times and each time without anv insurance. In 18G1 he filled an order from the Confed- erate Government for paper on which to print the notes which were to give hfe and credit to the South in her struggle for independence. He was a man of superior aljihty. No man in the State knew more of the general incidents of Kentucky history or could relate them more entertainingly.

On August loth a destructive fire occurred on the corner of Main and St. Clair streets. The property of P. C. Sower and the building of Sol Harris adjoining it, and the elegant office of Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr., were destroyed. The loss amounted to about sixty thousand dollars. On December 7th the Frankfort public school building was destroyed by fire, entailing a loss of about $30,000. The building ^vas erected in 18G8. It was insured for $16,000.

President Cleveland appointed Judge W. L. Jett postofilce inspector, Jul}^ 23rd, 1886, and Capt. T. C. Jones consul at the port of Funchal, Madeira Island, in April of same year.

Col. S. I. M. Major died on June 21st. He was born in Franklin County, September 14th, 1830, and was educated by B. B. Sayre. He w^as regarded as one of the best educated men in Frankfort. In 1853 he became the editor of the Yeoman wdiich was considered the leading Democratic paper of the State. during the time he was editor. An incident in his editorial life Avas a challenge to fight a duel in 1857 sent by Thomas ]\1. Green. Col. Major was public printer for twenty-five years. In 1867 he was elected to the Legislature and in the following year was elected iSIayor of Frankfort which position he held for four succeeding terms. In 1885 he was again elected to the Legislature.

James Francis Leonard, the first practical sound reader of the Morse alphabet, was born in Frankfort, September 18th, 1854, in the old Pascal Hickman house, located near the mouth of the tunnel where tlie South warehouse is located. He entered the telegraph office as messenger boy in 1844, and he learned the art of telegraphy in a short time. He received messages by sound in the Frankfort ofTicc in the summer of 1848. He died of typhoid fever in Columbus, Miss.. July 29th, 1862.

New York in ISS,"), ;ii)pi'()]>ii;iU'(l riiiids and a[)[)()in(e(l a committee to bring his remains back to Frankfort and to erect a monument suitably inscribed over them in the Fraidcf'ort cemetery.

'['he county election for the year 1886 resulted as follows: n. A. Thompson, Judge; V>. (i. Williams, Attorney; N. P.. Smith, Clerk; Thomas Hunter, School Commissioner; hewis Harrod, Assessor; Minus Williams, .Jailer; John W. (iaines, Sheriff, and M. II. Pliythiaii, Coroner.

The first meeting, at which initiatory steps were taken for the celebration of the centennial aiuiiversary of Frankfort, was held in the office of Col. John L. Scott on June 10th, 1880. Col. Scott was elected chairman and L. F. Johnson, secretary. At this meeting was inaugurated tlie work of gathering nj) and presenting .such statistical facts in regard to the origin, growth and standing of all the departments, business interest^;, churches, societies, courts and other specific intere.sts and features of Frankfort.

From the start the j^lan to hold a centennial celebration wa.s a popular o)ie. the subject soon became too large for the few who had it in charge to handle, and tliereu])on a mass meeting of the citizens was called for the 2'.h'd of August. At which a connuittee of eight prominent citizens were appointed for the purpose of organizing the "Frankfort Centennial As- .sociation." On the 28th of the month the connuittee reported to an adjourned meeting and in (lie report it was reconnnended that (Jen. D. W. Lindsey be permanent i)resident and Judge W. H. Sneed, S. C. Sayre and II. 15. Ware, secretaries. Seventytwo vice pix'sidents were named. This list included some of tbe mo.st prominent citizens of the city. Col. J. Stoddard John- .ston was at the head of the list. There was also appointed a general connnitlee on arrangeuuMits and supervision and also the following committees: Invitation, reception, finance, entertainment, decorations, ])roce.'^sion. nmsic. relics and curiosities. By re.solulion tbe citizens of I'^ranklin County wci'c invited to co-oi)erate with the citizens of Frankfort.

It was doubtless the greatest day in the history of the city. There was a record breaking crowd on the streets, estimated at 25,000. The street parade was divided into five divisions and it was the longest ever seen in Frankfort. It consisted of secret and benevolent orders, Christian organizations, etc. A large part of the State guard, in fact nearly every military company of the State, was present. Knights Templar and other secret orders from all sections of the State and every drum corps and band in the State were in the parade. All the benevolent societies and Christian organizations of Frankfort and the public schools of the city participated. Thirty-six business houses in Frankfort had floats in the parade, advertising their various business interests. The ceremonies took place on the Capitol (old Capitol) square. The speaker's platform was between the two front gates, facing the Capitol grounds with seats extending nearly to the Capitol building. The stand was decorated with evergreens, flags and flowers.

The exerci.ses were opened by Mayor E. li. Taylor, Jr., who introduced to the assembled thousands. Judge William Lindsay, who made the welcoming address. Mrs. Eudora South and Mrs. Jennie C. Morton were on the programme, each of whom read an original poem. Major Henry T. Stanton, the poet laureate of Kentucky, read a centennial poem which he had prepared for the occasion. Col. W. C. P. Breckenridge delivered a short address and John Mason Brown, the chief orator of the day, discussed ''The Political Beginnings of Kentucky."

The ceremonies of the day were closed with a fine display of fireworks on the river front. A large num])er of papers giving an historical account of many interesting things connected with a history of the city were contributed. i\Ir. kandon A. Thomas, Mrs. T. J. :\hiyhall and Rev. Philip S. Fall, three of the oldest citizens of Frankfort at that time, each contril)uted an article. Scores of other valuable articles giving a history of the different churches, secret orders, courts, and in fact, almost everything that had hai)pencd in Frankfort during the century were ])repared and sent in to be fik'd as a part of the archives of the citv, but on aceouni of the gross and almost criminal negligence of the city authorities, nearly all of thcf^e records were destroyed, about the only thing left was the centennial register which was turned over to the Historical Society and filed with the archives of the society. The loss by the city and county by reason of the destruction of these papers is inestimable.

The corner stone of the new city school building was laid July 17th. The Mayor and city council were assisted in the ceremonies by the other city officials, Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Honor, Knights Templar, Good Templars, Blue Ribbon Club and a great concourse of citizens. The principal addresses of the day were delivered by the Mayor, E. H. Taylor, Jr., and Rev. George Darsie, pastor of the Christian Church. Major H. T. Stanton read a poem which he had written for the occasion.

Gen. John Rodman died at his home in Frankfort, October 29th. He was about sixty years of age. When he was a young man he tried merchandising l)ut soon gave it up and read law in the office of Judge Nuttell. He commenced the practice at LaGrange, Kentucky. In 1853 he moved to Frankfort and soon became one of the leading lawyers of Frankfort and for years he was regarded as one of the aljlest lawyers of the State. In 1859 he represented Franklin County in the Kentucky Legislature. In 1867 he was elected Attorney General of the State and was re-elected in 1871. In 1879 he was elected reporter of the Court of Appeals, whicli position he lield at the time of his death. During his term as rc[)orter he published 78-79-80-81 and 82 Kentucky Reports.

Gen. Rodman was not only a good lawyer but he was also a good politician and a fine speaker. He was quick, aggressive, positive, tactful, sarcastic and humorous, he was especially strong as a jury lawyer.

The 2nd day of May, 1880, was the 55th birthday of James W. Tate. At that time he had been nearly eighteen years State Treasurer. State officials and friends made him a present of a cane. In the following January C5ovcrnor S. B. Buckner sent the Legislature the following: ''Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives: It is my painful duty to announce to you the fact that for reasons which appear in the accompanying act of the Governor, Auditor and Attorney General, the State Treasurer of the State has been suspended from the exercises of his official duties. The hasty examination which has been made of his books induces the belief that there is a large deficit in his accounts. This examination was made yesterday and the action reported to you was taken last evening as soon as the deficit appeared. The fact is communicated to you at the earliest moment for your information and action. It is believed tliat the bond of the Treasurer will fully cover any possible deficit that a more complete investigation may reveal. In the meantime the Auditor and Secretary of State have been directed to take temporary charge of the Treasury.

The defalcation of James W. Tate was not a complete surprise, rumors of trouble along that line had found their way into the newspapers and the approaching catastrophe had been privately discussed by a few Frankfort citizens for several weeks.

For several days following the flight of Treasurer Tate, all kinds of wild rumors were heard on the streets of Frankfort. It was generally understood that his defalcation would cause a large deficit and the Legislature thought it best not to make any further appropriations until the matter could be thoroughly investigated. A special committee was appointed to consider the subject of removing him from office and the committee recommended "That James W. Tate, Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, be impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors in office," and a committee was appointed to prepare articles of impeachment. The articles of impeachment were presented to tlie Senate by the House of Representatives on the 24th of March and a committee from the House was appointed to conduct the prosecution before the Senate. At twelve o'clock ou ]\Iarch 29tli the Senate of Kentucky resolved itself into a high court to consider the articles of impeachment. The unusual and novel scene was M-itnessed by a large concourse of people.

Judge W. S. Pryor, Chief Justice of the Court of Appeals, administered the oath required by the Constitution. After the oath was administered to the Senators the sergent at arms made proclamation that the Senate sitting a.s a high court was then ready to consider the articles of impeachment against James W. Tate, Treasurer of Kentucky, charging him with high crimes and misdemeanors in office. After the testimony of several witnesses had been heard a vote was taken and thirtythree Senators voted in the affirmative and only one in the negative. The President of the Senate thereupon declared that the Senate of Kentucky sitting as a high court for trial of impeachment had found James W. Tate, Treasurer of Kentucky, guilty of high crimes and misdemeanors in office, being convicted thereof by concurrence of two-thirds of the meml)ers present and the judgment of the court was ''That said James W. Tate be, and he is hereby, removed from the office of Treasurer of Kentucky and disqualified to hold any office of honor, trust or profit under this Comnionwealth."

James W. Tate was a native of Franklin County. He served nearly five terms as Treasurer. He was known throughout the State as "Honest Dick Tate." It was never determined the amount of money which he took with him but the supposition was that he only carried with him a small amount.

Several years after he left, his daughter l)rought suit in the Franklin Circuit Court against a life insurance compaiiy for the amount of a policy on her father's life, alleging in the ])etition that more than seven years had elapsed since he had been heard from. On the witness stand she testified that ho had gone to South America and after visiting several sections of that country he went to California and that the last time she heard from him he was arranging to start, that day, to a small mining town in the interior of the State.

cemetery. A large number of prominent citizens from all sections of the State were present. The remains were taken from a vault in the cemetery where they had been for two years and were taken to their last resting place about one hundred feet south of the Richard M. Johnson monument. The services were opened with prayer by Rev. G. F. Bagby, after which the choir sang "My Country 'Tis of Thee." Gov. Knott then introduced Robert Burns Wilson, who delivered an oration. After which he introduced the orator of the day, Judge Wm. M. Beckner, who delivered a most excellent eulogy. The crowd present was estimated at 2,500.

The election on the proposition of Franklin County subscribing $150,000 to the capital stock of the Frankfort, Georgetown and Paris Railroad was taken in July, 1887, and was carried by a large majority. Great interest was manifested in the election. Bands of music paraded the streets and a large vote was polled. The city voted almost unanimously for the appropriation and the county outside of the city was almost solid against it, except the Forks of Elkhorn, which gave a good majority for the proposition. There were 2,838 for the proposition and 1,208 against it.

Ex-Governor Luke P. Blackburn died at his residence in Frankfort, September 14th, and was buried in the Frankfort cemetery. He was born in Woodford County in 1816. He was elected Governor in 1879. He was a man of strong character and tender heart, his kindness of heart and sympathy for the suffering led him to pardon more men from the penitentiary than perhaps any other man who was ever Governor. He practiced medicine in Frankfort for many years. He and Dr. Churchill Blackburn were partners and they had an office in the old mansion house upon the site where the McClure building was afterwards erected.

The monument in the Frankfort cemetery, erected by order of the State in memory of Gov. Blackburn, was unveiled on May 27th, 1891. The Masons conducted the ceremony. Addresses were delivered by Hon. William M. Beckner, of Winchester, and Gen. Basil W. Duke, of Louisville.