Henderson, Kentucky - History (part 2 of 2)

" Shortly of three o'clock the pickets stationed at the lower end of the city were heard to fire their pieces, and soon they came hurrying to headquarters (the Court House), with intelligence that a force of guerrillas were advancing upon the city. Orders were hurriedly issued for every soldier to get into the Court House, and all the stragglers and pickets collected in the building. After a brief suspense a flag of truce advanced from the rebels, and the bearer delivered a note, which demanded a surrender of our troops to a Confederate force under Col. Sypert. Lieut. Headington declined the demand. The flag of truce again returned ; the terms proposed were ag^in rejected, and a fight seemed imminent. In a short time, however, the rebel leader, Col. Sypert, himself advanced with the flag and had a personal interview with Lieut. H., to whom he exhibited his commission, and said that he wished to avoid the useless shedding of blood, that he had a force sufficient to capture our men, and demanded a quiet surrender - which, of course, was firmly refused. Col. S. then stated that two Confederate soldiers were now held here to be shot in retaliation for crimes committed by an unauthorized party of rascals ; that he now held some half-dozen Federal prisoners, and if the proposed execution came off, he would bitterly retaliate by shooting all six of his prisoners, but he hoped for the cause of humanity, that this course would not be persisted in by the Federal officers. In response, Lieut. H. said that he was a soldier, bound to obey the orders of his superiors, and could not of his own will alter the decrees of those above him, but for the present, the execution had been delayed. Col. S. then requested that the citizens be notified to leave the city, agreeing to suspend his contemplated attack one hour for that purpose.

" The conference between the two commanders was characterized by a tone of gentlemanly deportment, the parties acting with decorum and dignity, and socially taking a " wee drap " together from

" In the meantime, much excitement prevailed. Squads of men, women and children were strii?"ing for the country. Every place of business had been closed on the first intimation of the proximity of the rebels, and our heretofore lively city presented an aspect of the Sabbath. Many stores had been packing up their goods for removal to Evansville and Louisville for several days, and numerous private families had also made their exodus and removed their household effects.

" All this was consequent upon the recent irruptions made upon us by guerillas, and which were about culminating in a public military execution in our city, which would, it was feared, endanger the lives and property of Union citizens.

" Time passed on, and the threatened attack was not made. A courier had been early dispatched to Evansville for reinforcements, or for the presence of a gunboat. Two of the latter arrived late in the evening, one of which threw several shells at a point at the back of the city, where it was surmised the rebel force was located, said to be near Alves' Springs. At one o'clock that night the little steamer Lou Eaves arrived from Evansville with two hundred of the invalid corps, who patrolled our streets and arrested our night police, but subsequently released them, on finding who they were. These men, finding there was no fight on hand, returned to Evansville before morning.

" On Friday it was ascertained that a force of about three hundred rebels were encamped near the city. Our pickets were again put out and passes required to go through the lines. In the morning of this day three civilians were arrested and confined. Having brought no military stores with him. Lieutenant H. was compelled to quarter his troops on our citizens, who fed all assigned them.

" On Friday afternoon, about five o'clock, eight mounted scouts were sent out to scour the suburbs of the city, to ascertain if any force of rebels hovered near. Frequent communication was held between the land force and gunboat. A force of the Home Guard from Indiana, opposite our city, were called over, and evidently there was some secret movement contemplated. About dusk, when most of our citizens had retired to their homes, the body of troops, fully accoutred, with knapsacks on shoulders, and fixed bayonets, issued from the Court House, having five prisoners in charge, viz.: Powell and Thompson, the two Confederates captured at Rock Huven, and Pear- man, a citizen of our town (who had talked foolishh' when on a drunken spree). They proceeded down First Street and halted within one hundred yards of our office. A small sqliad then escorted the prisoners to the river bank, and awaited till a skiff put off from the g^unboat and communicated with them. While here on the beach, Powell asked the officer in command of his guard, if it was the design to shoot Thompson and himself that evening, (The prisoners having been told before they left the Court House that an attack was expected from the rebels, and that all the prisoners were to be placed under cover of the gunboat.) The officer said he did not know, but that some new orders had been received that evening, the nature of which he was ignorant. "If we are to be shot," said Powell, "we would like to see our Catholic friend. Miss Mary Henderson, and receive a cross from her." The officer answered that of course such a request would be acceded to.

"In a short time an officer conveyed some word from the main force on the bank, when the sergeant in charge of the prisoners immediately formed six of his men into a hollow square, and Powell and Thompson, their hands still bound, were again marched up the bank to where the balance of the force stood. It was now obvious that a speedy death awaited the two young prisoners.

"Two platoons of detailed men stood apart in the street, with fixed bayonets and loaded muskets, facing a fence which skirted the pavement, not over fifteen paces distant. Two chairs about a yard apart stood against the fence, and the prisoners being conducted to these seats, their arms were securely pinioned to the boards of the fence. Powell still was firm and undismayed, but Thompson bewailed his hard fate. Their eyes were bandaged with handkerchiefs. The word was given for one platoon to fire on Powell - twelve men discharged a rattling volley full upon him, ten balls striking - one in the right eye, one near the heart, three nearly together in the right shoulder, another in his right breast, and four balls entered his pelvis. Groans of anguish echoed to the report of the muskets. The other squad were then ordered to aim for Thompson, and again the deadly bullets went whistling on their work of slaughter. Four balls riddled Thompson - one striking at the right eye, the rest entering his body. There hung, suspended to the fence by ropes, the lifeless bodies of two young men who, but a few moments previous, were in the full vigor of manhood and health. It was a horrible spectacle to those who stood near, and we are credibly informed that Lieutenant Headington averred that it was the most unpleasant duty he ever had to perform. Our citizens universally, so far as we have been able to learn, strenuously opposed this execution in our midst of men who had not participated in any outrage in our city.

"After the shooting the mii^tary passed the mutilated corpses over to our citizens, three of whom were Samuel W. Posey, Joe. B. Johnston and James B. Evans, and who conveyed them to a building where they were stripped, washed and attired in clean clothing, and placed in neat coffins. Word was then dispatched to their relatives in Daviess County that the bodies were at their disposal.

"Federal soldiers remained in our city un til daylight, when they went up to Evansville, on the General Halleck, showing conclusively that they had performed their mission.

"We cannot forbear noticing the kindness bestowed upon these unfortunates, previous to their death, by an estimable Catholic lady. Miss Mary Henderson, and that the last wish the deceased expressed was to be permitted to receive a cross from her hands.

"Retaliation on innocent parties looks like barbarity - like vindictive«cruelty. There is nothing Christian about it, and, as for policy, in Our opinion, it is the policy of madmen. Where is it to end ? If the villains engaged in the shooting of Mr. Rankin could have been caught and shot, or hung, there is no man in our city, but who would have rejoiced. Nay, we are told that the rebel Colonel Sypert had expressed his intention to shoot all such unauthorized scoundrels. But these young men, whose warm blood has dyed our streets, had no hand or part in\ny deeds of the kind. They were rebels against our Government, taken with arms in their hands ; but they were regular sworn soldiers, and condemned the acts of Edmonds and his gang, who had made the murderous onslaught on Mr. Rankin. Let it be remembered, that our citizens are almost totally unarmed - a squad of armed desperadoes dash into the city, take us by surprise, and we have no idea of their numbers - then they commit excesses which are repugnant to all eyes, and again hurry ofi, and for these acts, the sufferino- citizens are to be plucked, because they could not help themselves. Most wonderful justice !

"On Saturday morning, after the departure of the Federals, some of our prudent and influential citizens, fearing an inroad from Sypert's command, went out to his camp, to disavow an endorsement of the execution. Early in the evening they returned, bearing the following document, which was soon put in type and distributed to an excited public :

'On yesterday two Confederate soldiers were shot to death in the streets ot vourtity. They died unjustly. They condemned - their entire command condemned - as earnestly as any citizen of Kentucky, the wounding of Mr. James E. Rankin, and the plundering of property in your city. But they are gone - and their murder is another crnne added to the damnable catalogue of infamy of the despotism that rules you. We are Confederate soldiers. We fight for the liberties our sn^es bequeathed us. We have not made, nor will we make war on citizens and women. Let not your people be excited by any further apprehensions that we will disturb the peace ot your community by the arrest of Union men - or any interference with them, unless they place themselves in the attitude ot combatants. Such conduct would be cowardly, and we scorn it. We are in arms to meet and battle with soldiers - not to tyrannize over citizens and frighten women and children,

' We move with our lives in our hands, and we are fighting not for booty, but for liberty to disenthrall our loved Southern land from the horrible despotism under which it has bled and suffered so much. We know our duty, and we will do it as soldiers and men. Even if what are denominated Southern sympathisers, be arrested by the tyrants that lord it over you, we would scorn to retaliate by arresting Union men, who had no complicity in the matter; but our retaliation will be upon soldiers.

' Let not the non-combatants of your community be further excited by any fear that we will disturb them. All Union men who may have left home on our account, may safely return. In war, soldiers should do the fighting.

' The brave sons of our beloved land so far have triumphantly resisted the cruel crusade of Northern vandals, and we trust in God that she - our ''Dixie'' - may soon stand forth before the world, a recognized Republic - the grave of patriots and the home of freemen,

"On Friday, his family deemed it advisable to remove him and themselves over the river into Indiana - his physicians and friends flattering themselves that he was recovering from his dangerous wound. On Sunday morning last, at six o'clock, he requested his wife to prepare him some ham, and while he was partaking of this, she asked him if it " tasted natural." He replied "yes, it does," and then swallowed some ice water, which instantly brought on a violent strain of cough- ino-. This cough caused the re-opening or bursting of the wounded blood vessels in his throat, and a rapid stream of blood gushed forth from his mouth and nostrils, stoning his person and the bedding with the purple dye of life. Strangulation laid him cold and rigid in death, and the spirit of this zealous christian, kind husband, indulgent father, and worthy citizen took its flight to another and a better world, "where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest." Funeral services were held over his remains on yesterday (Monday) evening, at the Presbyterian Church, of which denomination he had long been a ruling elder. Rev J. Woodbridge preached his funeral sermon to a large congregation, who felt they had lost one of the best of citizens. Indeed, universal sorrow pervaded our city, and his bereaved family had the sympathy of all.

" Mr. Rankin was fifty-four years of age at his death, and now leaves an afflicted widow and eight children to mourn his loss. But we hope our loss is his gain. He was a Kentuckian, born in Henderson County, where he has passed nearly his whole life. When a youth he acted as salesman in Mr. Pollock's store, afterwards going into business with a partner (John H. Barret), and since 1831, has carried on a dry goods business, enjoying an abundant patronage. He was often elected as Trustee for the town, but never aspired to any political station, preferring the quiet sphere of a merchant, and the de lights of his domestic fireside."

[Written by a young lady of Owensboro, Kentucky, on the death of her brother, \^ illiam C Thompson, who was executed in Henderson, July 22d,

And heedless he listened to the dread surges roar ; Loud rang his voice in wild tones of despairing. The time pass'd away with the present comparing. And in soul-thrilling strains deeper sorrow declaring.

Ruthless ruffians now prowl thio' thy hamlets forsaken. From pale, hungry orj)hans their last morsel have taken; The screams of thy females no pity awaken - AlasI my poor country, my brother's no more!

The vengeance of tyrants undauntedly bore ; E'en before him the proud titled villains in power, Were seen, th»jugh in Ermine, in terror to cower ; But alaslhe is gone, he has fallen - a young flower -

The Assination Of Dr. Walter A. Norwood

A distinguished physician in his time, and a gentleman of extended information upon all matters of importance, met a most horrible death in this county upon the evening of the first of April, 1861. He had immigrated to Henderson from North Carolina, his native State, some years prior to that time, and was not long in winning the confidence and esteem of the people of his new home. He was universally popular and greatly respected for his learning and eminent skill in his profession. He, soon after coming to Henderson, entered into partnership with Dr. Robert P. Letcher, and up to the time of his removal from the city to the county, this was perhaps the strongest firm, and soon, or immediately thereafter, took up his abode in one of the finest sections of the county, lying between Henderson and Corydon, and there established himself in the practice of his profession, at the same time devoting a great portion of his time to agricultural pursuits. A few days prior to April, 1861, a worthless and nmcli dreaded negro, Jim Brown, by name, was seen several times loafing in the woods in the vicinity of Dr. Norwood's place, ostensibly, it was said, for the purpose of assassinating Mr. Furna Cannon, an aged and respected citizen, who owned his (Brown's) wife, and who had refused him the privilege of coming on his place. This treatment enraged the fiendish negro, and at a point alongside of the road, near what is known as Cherry Hill Church, or Canoe Creek meeting house, on the road leading to Corydon, and near tne old Diamond Island Road, leading into the Corydon road, built him a cave or ambush, where he secreted himself at times for the purpose of killing Mr. Cannon as he passed by. Brown hid around in the neighborhood, sleeping and secreting himself a great part of the time in haylofts of the farmers.

On the day of the killing, April 1st, 1861, he had gone into the hayloft of Dr. Norwood, unbeknowing to any member of the family, and there hid himself away befi^ath the hay. Late in the afternoon Dr. Norwood came in with his horse, and went up a rude ladder into the loft for the purpose of getting hay for his horse, and while thus engaged discovered Brown, and immediately ordered him to vacate the premises. This the bloody fiend refused to do. The doctor then turned and descended the ladder to the door of his stable, and called to his wife, who was in the house near by, to bring him his gun. Mrs. Norwood secured the weapon and started, but Brown, realizing the closeness of the. situation, came immediately down the ladder, and seeing the doctor standing in front of him, drew his single-barrel rifle pistol and fired, killing his victim dead where he stood. Mrs. Norwood witnessed the killing, and with shrieking anguish rushed to the body of her dying husband. Brown fled to the woods and was soon out of sight.

No incident in the history of Henderson Count}^, criminal or otherwise, had ever created such profound sympathy or riorhteous indignation. The neighbors congregated, the whole town was unnerved and ready at a moment's warning to shoulder arms and scour the countv for the assassinator of the unfortunate man. The feelins: sfrew more and more intense as additional intelligence of the shooting was received. Men went on horseback and in buggies to learn the facts, and contribute, if possible, in any way to the comfort of the bereaved family, and to the capture of the outlaw.

Captain Bill Quinn, who then lived in Henderson, was the owner of one or two noted blood hounds, and he, in company with a halfdozen or more gentlemen, volunteered their services to search the woods and fields, and out-buildings of the whole county if need be, for Brown. Mounted upon magnificent horses, and as regulators, they took their reckoning from the spot where the doctor was killed, and were soon following on the heels of Brown with the blood hounds in the lead.

From some cause, perhaps delay, the keen-scented hounds failed to take the track, and it was not long before the pursuers recognized that they would have to rely upon their own shrewdness in effecting the capture. Several times during the chase slight information was gained of Brown's whereabouts, but in every instance after strict search he was found missing. He knew he was pursued and 3'et foolishly failed to flee the country, but continued to hang around, sleeping at night in barns, under fodder stacks, and other places. After following close upon his trail and locating him near the Madisonville Road at Mr. Milan Hancock's, the mounted troopers approached that place cautiously early on the morning of the tenth day of April. They had been scouring the country for nine days and nights, with but little rest, and although fatigued and worn, they yet hurried on more determined than ever upon the murderer's capture. At this place ;- negro woman gave them the first reliable evidence they had ever been able to obtain concerning his true whereabouts. She told them that Brown had been seen to enter Mr. Hancock's hayloft the night before, and that she had fed him. By this time the fame of Brown had extended over the county, and by the negroes particularly, he^was regarded in holy horror. They professed to dread him, and for this reason refused to give information. After getting this, the first reliable information, the troopers were satisfied that the end was near at hand for they expected to capture him in Mr. Hancock's hayloft. Before approaching the stable, however, the woman told some of the men that they had best go quickly to William J. Marshall's, in sight and not over a halfmile beyond, for she supposed that he had left Hancock's and gone there some time in the night. Acting upon this suggestion, John Quinn, Bunk Hurt, John H. Marshall and others, went forthwith to Marshall's while a sufficient number remained to investigate Hancock's premises.

Both farms were surrounded, and much to the chagrin of the party at Hancock's it was found that the murderer had fled, leaving behind him signs of having slept in the hay the night before. The party then started to rejoin the others at Marshall's, when the sharp keen crack of a rifle was heard coming from the second story of the barn, and a rush by the outer guards into the building was plainly noticed. They then hurried on as rapidly as their horses could carry them, and arriving at the spot were saluted with the joyful intelligence that Brown was there, but a lifeless corpse.

When Quinn, Hart and Marshall entered the barn, they instituted search by driving long pronged pitchforks through the hay, one ot which pricked the murderers leg, whereupon he threw the hay from off his head, and, without warning, snapped his pistol at Quinn, and then at the others. Fortunately for Quinn the weapon was a selfcocker, with its hammer underneath the barrel, and this was caught by the straw so as to prevent an explosion. He was repeatedly called to surrender under the penalty of death, but replied, '-shoot and be d - d." John H. Marshall, as brave a man as ever pulled trigger, leveled his rifle, and taking aim, fired, the ball striking him in the right temple, causing instant death. The news of the shooting soon reached the town, and before noon hundreds of people visited the scene. A jury was empaneled by Esq. Fraficis E. Walker, and an inquest held, resulting in exonerating Marshall and posse of any blame whatever. Brown's remains were turned over to the Surgeon of the town, and the carcass was scientifically carved, furnishing an abundance of information for young students of anatomy and surgery. Brown belonged to Mrs. Saraphine Pentecost, of this county, and was a most desperate and blood thirsty villain.

The Militia And The Quizzicals

In early times, the fourth day of July, twenty-second day of February and Christmas were more days for joy and pleasure than they are in these days of wondrous inventions and universal selfishness. There were no squibs, sky rockets and Roman candles, &c., but there were dried bladders in abundance that answered the purpose of noisemaking. These days, however, were no greater than what were known as " Muster " days, when the populace turned out to witness the militia drill. Muster days were acknowledged holidays - time appointed by local pugilists to settle the title to the " best man," the time for the devotee of John Barleycorn to test his capacity for drinking all the liquor in town.

Boys, negroes and men on foot, on horseback, in cart and wagon, crowded from every direction and hurried on with anxious speed to the scene where mimic battles were to be fought. Old shotguns, rusty rifles, long untried fowling pieces, cornstalks and hickory sticks were in great demand. Cider wagons, ginger cakes, apples, whisky, and all the other et cetera of the camp was rushed pell mell into the place of rendezvous. Henderson had her muster days attended with horse racing, cock fighting, rifle shooting, wrestling matches, boxing set tos and such like. Each of these pastimes had their votaries in large numbers. Babel, in the palmiest day, was a "tempest in a teapot " compared with a militia muster. The carnival at Rome or the ancient Satur?ialia of the Romans in the heiorht of their reveline: would be tame and insipid when placed in juxtaposition with such an occasion. A modern mass political convention might be compared for noise and wild confusion with what had been accredited a regiment of boisterous militia. The commanding officer of the day would strip his saddle of its red girth, belt on his trenchant blade, don his swallowtailed blue, adorned with bullet buttons and red cahco, wave his plumed beaver around his head, and shout his orders, ''parade,'' and this was about all he knew of the tactics. Forming his men into a straight line was one of the hardest things to do and was seldom done without the aid of a corn row.

In the line were tall, low, long, short, thin and fat, old and young, men and boys, clothed with fur and wool hats and caps and no hats at all ; cloth coats and jeans, calico and linsey, and no coats at all ; boots, shoes and moccasins, and no shoes at all ; new and old pants, white, black and striped, and no pants at all ; shirts ruffled and unruffled, white, black, blue, green, grey and red, cotton, linen and calico, and no shirts at all ; all mingled together in the most heterogeneous and checkered confusion. The officers were more frequently selected for their muscle and abundant voice than for any knowledge they possessed of the tactics. They realized that it was alone their business to give the commands and then for the company to obey and perform, and if they failed, it was their look out.

Many of the Captains, Majors, etc., undertook the difficult task of forming a line but once during the day, and that was early in the morning. Many of the militia were far more steady when going into the fray than when coming out, and such was a militia muster at any time from 1812 to 1847, a great, grand, laughable silly farce, not only tolerated, but legalized and commanded by the laws of the State. Nobody wanted to muster but the Captains, Majors, and so on, yet the people, like good citizens, obeyed three times annually, leavmg labor, home duties and business to undergo this most absurd of absurdities. The sober, intelligent class of people became more and more disgusted. They were annoyed, bedevilled and out of all patience, and longed for the day to come when the Legislature would have sense enough to repeal the law, and thus end, a miserable farce and mfernal nuisance. It seemed this long looked for day would never come, so the people, that is those who wanted to work and did not want to submit longer to the orders of a few bullet-headed, self opinionated mock patriots, determined to place quietus upon the militia drills. How to do this was a question uncertain with many but the leaders. It was soon determined to meet the militia half way on the drill ground, and, if possible, to present a front uniformed in more colors, more rags, worse hats, and meaner guns than the soldiers could procure in a week's search. Under the law, company drill was appointed in April, battalion drill in May and regimental muster in October. Thus three times a year business men were required to turn out and make fools of themselves. A secret meeting of a few leaders was appointed in March, 1847, and at this meeting it was determined to parade a company in the month of April which should be known as the " Quizzicals." Recruiting officers we^^ appointed and the strictest secrecy was enjoined upon each man. Strange as it may seem, there were some good citizens, actuated from patriotic motives and nothing more, who honestly believed it to be the duty of every militiaman to muster at the appointed time and were equally horrified at any at tempt to throw cold water upon the organization. They lamented the lethargic spirit so plainly manifested and governed by the old maxim, " Birds which can sing, and won't sing, must be made to sing," and boldly announced that belief. Some even went so far as to say, " Give me a commission and I'll make 'em drill." This coercive spirit made the " Quizzicals " more determined than ever, and every remark was seized and safely stored away in memory's safe basket for future use. The " Quizzicals" held their secret meetings, formed their plans and not a breath had ever articulated a sound whereby the object of the rebels could be suspicioned. There was danger ahead, yet they braved it all, and on the April muster day, when the village was filled with militia men armed with cornstalks, flintlock guns without any flints, squirrel rifles without hammers, old sabres eaten up by rust, and many other instruments of military insignificance, the Quizzicals came slowly and noislesssly out from their half dozen secret meeting rooms, arrayed in all the paraphernalia of ingenious burlesque. Their arrangements had been so perfected, so well understood and so systematically and accurately carried out, the militia were made ashamed, not only of their military training, but of their dress, which was now shown up by the burlesques in all of its hideousness.

At a certain signal, the several squads were on the march and with regular precision swung into line. No single human outside of the command had anticipated their coming. No human knew where they had come from, who they were, what was up or what they intended doing.

Soon a golden banner emblazoned in great golden letters,'* Soldiers in Peace, Citizens in War," was elevated over the head of a horrid Falstaphian, and this the immense stomached monstrosity as he appeared, was considerate enough to conspicuously display to the amazed and uneasy multitude. The rank, more than the file, were inhumanely attired in rags of many colors, false faces of unheard of shapes and imaginations, cows, tin and wooden horns, tin and wooden sabres from six inches to ten feet in length, spurs from the size of a shirt button to that of a town clock face, guns from the ordinary toy to one the the size of a gunsmith's sign, necessitating two men to pack it. In short, the burlesque was an actuality complete and beyond any sort of misunderstanding. This squad of malconformed, misproportioned, beautiless militia killers, marched over the village, followed by hundreds of men, women, negroes, boys and children, halting here and there to partake of the hospitality of some citizens who fully endorsed the movement. Thev soon became the center of attraction to which gravitated all of the past worshipers of the militia. It was a deadener ; the patriot soldiers were disgusted, perhaps no more with the Quizzicals than with themselves. Soldiers slipped away and hid themselves, or else became outspoken friends of the burlsqueing party, and so strong was this feeling, it was believed that no more musters would be ever attempted in Henderson.

The day closed with the militia under the weather, the Quizzicals master of the situation. Every means was employed to detect the rebels, but so secretly did they disband, for a long time none of them were positively known. Thus ended the April company muster.

In May th5 battalion muster, a still larger one was to take place, and although it was believed that the heavy dose administered to the militia at the company muster would suffice to break up the nonsense but it was soon found out, the muster officers were using herculean efforts to present an imposing parade on battalion day. This, then, determined the Quizzicals to repeat the dose, and in corresponding numbers. A meeting was held, extra recruiting officers appointed, and a determination manifested to interest the whole county. Recruits were taken in and pledged to secrecy.

A report was circulated that the Quizzicals had disbanded and would never appear again in public, and this, of course, emboldened the patriot commanders. Yet, notwithstanding this report, some one was indiscreet enough to intimate another turnout. Threats were made that if they did the last one of them would be arrested, and the militia had the force to do that very thing. No matter, the Quizzicals worked along, secretly preparing for a high turnout, to be, if possible, on a greater burlesque scale than their previous effort. Recruits came in rapidly and every preparation had been effected, considering the larger number engaged, with more precision than in April.

Dr. William Read, one of the instigators of the movement, and certainly one of the most original, ingenious, and mirth provoking men of that day, painted upon several banners correct likenesses, yet cutting caricatures of some of the militiar officers and others, who had expressed strong faith in the militia law. He had also made arrange- merits for a brass band to be on hand, and a brass band in those days was something sufficient to upset a whole country, and draw for many miles. In fact it was agreater curiosity than a whole Centennial Exposition would be for these times.

The flowery month of May came, and with it bright hopes of the coming muster. Adolphus and his Angelina had prepared their turnout suits, and talked over the times they would have in the village. Puffed up Captains were anxious for the appointed time to arrive when they could march at the head of valiant Knights, and air their Dolly Varden uniforms. The "Quizzicals " were secretly viewing the circumstantial field and amusedly counting the effect of their parade upon the tender sensibilities of the patriots.

Muster day arrived on time, and with it all the multitude of hangers-on, including dogs, donkeys, and howling hoodlums. The fellow with the historical chip upon his shoulder was there, the gentleman with the injin rubber tank was there, fortified to find a safe lodging place for all the liquor gratuitously contributed; the two by four politician ready to " 'spute " with the oldest man on the ground was there. The notorious " best man " in the county wis there, ready to knock down or be knocked down, just as it so happened; a great army of negroes begged time from the plow to attend the great holiday gathering- The village was filled to overflowing, yet none of the visitors knew what a treat was in store for them. They didn't know that a brass band was in town. The " Quizzicals " had appointed the same hour for the parade and were to appear simultaneously with the soldiers.

It was appointed for the Court House bell to ring, then the whole army of " Quizzikers " as they were called, was to remove from their secret fastnesses and unite at a selected and well understood place. While the State drummer was absolutely fanning the wool off of the skin of his drum, and the fifer blowing a crick into his neck, the Court House bell rang, and just such a sight was never before seen on top of or underneath the globe. From every alley, from every street came squads of " Quizzicals " gorgeously arrayed in uniforms incom" prehensible and confounding. The brass band which had been brought into town from Evansville during the night, and hid away without being detected by a living soul, ushered forth from a narrow alley blowing in melodious harmony, " Old Grimes is Dead, that Good Old Soul." The effect was electrical; from every direction came the naughty " Quizzicals," and in the shortest possible time had fallen into their proper places, as though they had been drilling for a six months or more. The State drummer and fifer called a halt in their

"wind and beat," and beat a retreat to hide themselves from the glimmering rays of those brass horns. Horses, as though they knew the day of judgment had come, snapped bridle reins and halters, and scampered for the woods with all their might and main. Those who had never heard a brass band, stood paralized and shivering ; old women shouted Hallelujah, while half-dozen old soldiers stepped around the corner to take another pull at the black bottle, and forever renounce allegiance to the malitia. The Quizzicals marched and counter-marched until their numbers had been increased to two hundred and fifty or three hundred. They were armed to the teeth with genuine shooting irons, but then the militia did not know that they had come to stay, and not to be arrested - they had come to administer a dose which would forever settle the stomachs of the ambitious and haughty captains of the State forces; they were strong and they knew it, they were armed and they knew it, they were backed by the better class of people and they knew it, and most unmercifully did they rub, in the burlesque.

A description of this motley crew would be impossible ; men six feet four inches long were mounted upon mules four feet high, men weighing two hundred and fifty pounds were mounted on small animals fed for the occasion, men were dressed in shucks, uniforms and false faces absolutely hideous were worn by the rank and file, but the music was good. The militia retired to what was known as the Taylor field, now in the Third Ward, where they were soon followed by the " Quizzicals." They marched around them time and again with the band playing its best music, and when the band ceased playing, they were furnished music not quite so refined or melodious. It seemed that the whole stock of tin horns, then in the world, had been collected together and turned loose at one and the same time, no one of them conveying the same sound. The patriots were outdone, humiliated, disgusted. The great crowd of spectators had left them in their glory, and was paddling along in front, alongside, in the rear and all around the brass band.

The Quizzicals returned to town with their banners flying and were received by the gracious few remaining on the streets with shouts of rapturous approval. Col. Burbank became enthusiastic and inxited the whole command to his factory on the corner of Main and Third Streets, to partake of a sufficiency of his eight-year old. Of this " Cornicopia" the command helped themselves freely, so freely that many of them were unable to keep in line, keep the step or keep their stomachs. Mr, A, B, Barret entertained the anti-militia, and others did likewise. From that time, militia musters became unpopular and a militiaman was as much afraid of a Quizzical as he could have been of any burlesquing terror. To the Quizzicals of Henderson, no doubt, the credit is due of breaking up muster drills in Kentucky.

The Famous Dog Supper

Over half a century ago, when Henderson was but a small village with storeboat gunwales for sidewalks, in place of her now broad and symmetrical engineered brick pavements and stone reservoirs, there lived here a company of young men noted for their wit and humor ; their whose sole aim it was to practice upon the unsuspecting some original bit of humor, calculated at times to unnerve the victim, yet at all times intensely amusing to those of the party and to others doing the duty of casual spectators.

At that time there stood on Court Hill an insignificant building called a Court House, at the end of which was an ell with two rooms, one of them used for a County, the other for a Circuit Clerk's office. These depositories of chancery, common law and statutory records were as orderly during the day as the chronic grumbler of well settled habits could wish, but after nightfall they became the haunts of mirth and gaiety, good humor and high glee. A flow of spirits, the sunshine of the mind, mixed as serenely with the social atmosphere as does the glittering dewdrop with the sweets of the morning rose. It was there that plans were formed. 'Twas there that minds, cultivated by a close communion with the classics - unbridled and skipping like young colts - in the field of fancy, shaped the mould from out of which something truly amusing was to come. 'Twas there the famous " Dog Supper " received its embryo life, and it was there it culminated in such sickening actuality. The story of this supper was at one time a national one, and to this day many readers will recall the memories of that old canine festivity. There are those yet living who heard of the feast at the time it occurred ; others who have had a traditionary knowledge of it, while others have read it in the light of a romance in ** Lonz Powers," a book written by Hon. James Weir, of Owensboro. The s^ory is an intensely interesting one, and the best of it is, it is true.

history ever written of that interesting entertainment. The author of Lonz Powers used ideal names. I shall use the true names so far as it lies with me. There were five leading characters officiated in the getting up and serving of the " Dog Supper." Their names were, William D., Samuel and Young E. Allison, Harvey Green and Thos. Towles, Jr. Old Dan Shallow, who figured so conspicuously upon that occasion was a magistrate who called himself "Judge," a selfconceited, harmless old fellow whom this particular crowd loved to joke at all times.

It was a very usual thing about that lime, for the young meti of the town to have bachelor suppers - that is, suppers where none but male bipeds were invited. The Allisons had enjoyed many of these social feasts and convivial rejoicings and now felt it incumbent upon them to give one in return and thus repay the hospitality of their numerous acquaintances, for they disliked the idea of being in this way indebted even to their best friends.

These gentlemen were all bachelors, for, although great jokers themselves, marriage was a practical joke they had hitherto studiously avoided. Sam knew how dangerous it was to trust too much to the sympathy of the heart, and had, therefore, discreetly dodged the question whenever pressed too close by maid or widow, and had so far escaped not onlv the bonds of Hymen, but any suit for a breach of promise, for he took especial care never to write letters, and in the language of " Uncle Johnny Weller," kept a sharp look-out on the " Vidders," But Sam was now fully determined on one thing, and that was to give a supper which he vowed should be a "dog fine feast" and one both sumptuous and unique.

On the same day of one of those celebrated militia musters at Pleasant Grove, our joking friend was so fortunate as to decoy into his stronghold a fat, old, goutish canine by the name of "Watch," - a name, by the by, not at all significant of his peculiar qualities, for he slept full three-fourths of his time, and would devote the other fourth to the same luxury had not necessity compelled him to pass it in eating. Old Watch acknowledged no master, and, like all dogs of this kind, was an independent, careless dog, passing his years in glorious idleness, feeding on the fat of the land, lying on cellar doors, turning up his aristocratic nose at his lean companions and enjoying himself, like many men of the same occupation and pursuits. His days were numbered, however, for he had struck the joker's fancy, and so Sam Allison sacrificed him upon the altar of fun and dedicated him to the nourishment of his hungry friends.

In the summer of 1835, a neat little note of invitation, enveloped in a perfumed covering, was sent with due form and etiquette to some dozen or more of Sam's particular friends and acquaintances. Mr. Allison was open and frank in the use of his language, reminding his friends that it should be a supper if. nothing more than a dog supper. These invitations were signed " Sam Allison," and one of them was addressed to old Judge Shallow. " By blood," said the Judge upon receiving his invitation, " but what the devil he means by dog supper I don't know and don't care, so that he has a good supper and a plenty to drink." The other friends each received a similar invitation, all of them containing a distinct invitation to a dog supper.

Knowing Sam's proneness for jokes, they laughed over his allusion to a canine feast, faking it for granted that a fat saddle of venison and all the et ceieras of high living awaited their coming. Duly to the moment, the guests gathered around his hospitable board and sat down in high glee and good humor to partake of the dainties he had prepared for them. It was a laughing, jolly company, and Judge Shallow was there in all of his glory, and, as he had not eaten any dinner, needed neither pickle nor whisky to sharpen his appetite. At the request of the host, he had taken the seat of honor, not on his right or left, as was the custom of kings, but at the foot of the table immediately facing his host, while by his side sat young Donald McConnel, (Tom Towles), a wild fellow much given to reading Shakespeare, and who scarcely ever conversed except with quotations from the old tragedians, now and then simplified and made intelligible by remarks of his own. Tom was a rare bird and particularly odious to the old Judge, for he had strong suspicions of his sanity, and on the present occasion would have preferred his being a little further removed from his valuable person, for to tell the truth, the Judge was slightly timid of his company, not so much *' on account of himself as of the public and his family," as he was accustomed to say when avoiding any danger.

At the head of the festive board sat the joker, his eyes twinkling with delight and his whole face beaming with humor. No guest could have wished a more happy, joyous or smiling entertainer. They were certain of the welcome, and as certain of a good supper, and all were well disposed for fun, frolic and high humor. Immediately before Sam, as the leading dish of the table, was the body, or rather the saddle, of "Old Watch," cooked and prepared in the finest style, beautifully brown and inviting, sending forth a savory odor and tempting in no small degree the palates of the anxious and expectant guests. Uncle Sam Johnson, a colored individual of those days, noted for his pugilistic as well as keen perception of well behaved qualities, vjcis tht co?ino/sseur oi the a.n culinary upon the occasion. Royally did he roast " Old Watch," and royally grand did he locate him upon the shining porcelain.

Pouring out a glass of wine and motioning his friends to do the same, Sam arose to his feet and gave a toast standing, " Here's that you may all have good and strong appetites for the 'dog supper ' - to the memory of all dogs in general - hoping that they may live as long, grow as fat, and die as glorious a death as ' Old Watch.' "

The shout that greeted Sam's toast shook the house to its very foundation and alarmed the neighborhood tor many squares around. The delighted company, unsuspecting the joke now playing upon themselves, and little dreaming of the reality of Sam Allison's joke, drank off their bumpers in high glee at the merry humor of their host, while Tom Towles, with a jovial twinkle of the eye, exclaimed :

" He was a gash an' faithfu' tyke As ever lap a sheugh or djke. His honest, sowsie, baws'nt face Ay gat him friends in ilka place ; His breast was white, his towzie back Well clad wi' coat o' glossy black; His gawcie tail, wi' upward curl, Hung o'er his hurdies wi' a swurl."

" Well done, Tom ! " cried Sam, laughing. " You have given as faithful a description of ' Old Watch ' as if done by myself. But fall to," he continued, flourishing his carver, "and never cry 'hold! enough ! ' until dog and wine can no longer be forced down your gullets. Sam Allison never begrudges his victuals so long as his friends are satisfied with dog. Come, my wise administrator of the laws," said he, addressing Judge Shallow, " shall I help you to a slice of this canine dish ? "

"Ay, ay," replied the Judge, merry with wine and glad with the expectation of a good supper. " By blood ! send me down a lion's portion of the venison, or dog, as you choose to call it. I can hide as much of a brown roast in my slim body " - slapping his attenuated abdomen - " as jolly Falstaff dare do in his palmiest days."

the table, continued zealously to supply the constant demands of his guests for what they, innocently humoring the whim of their host, laughingly called "dog." Lihgrally and bountifully did the joker fill the plates of his friends from the fat saddle of " Old Watch," and never was a haunch of venison so lauded and admired. It was praised for its fatness, its juiciness and peculiar flavor, and again and again did Sam, flourishing his carver, supply the demands of his ravenous company.

But now old Judge Shallow, filled with repletion, and unable to swallow another morsel, threw down his knife, and while complacently rubbing his provision depot, exclaimed ; " By blood ! I can eat no more ! and if I continue to feel as I now do, will never eat again." The remainder of the guests followed the example of the Justice, gave up the contest and awaited the signal to move. Towles, as a finale to the feast, crying out with mock solemnity :

" Immortality and fellowship with me. and the light and joy of telicity All these hast thou reached to-day! Leave, then, the dog behind thee."

But Sam had no thought of letting them off so easily. They had enjoyed themselves vastly on his wine and dog, and at his expense, and he now thought it time to shift the scenes and slightly vary the entertainment. Rapping upon the table to draw the attention of his noisy guests, Sam filled his glass, bidding them to do likewise, and then, bowing, exclaimed :

"One more toast, gentlemen. Here's to the memory of old Watch ! When alive his good humored face and fat, waddling sides have often gladdened our eyes ; when dead, he still remembers his friends and administers to their comfort, pleasure, and appetite ; peace be to his manes, and may his lazy spirit tumble into some world, where he'll find plenty to eat and nothing to do."

The jolly company, with hip, hip, hurrah ! duly drank down this toast with all the honors, although the shouts of some of them were a little faint, and a suspicious paleness began to gather around the corners of their mouths. A faint glimmering of the truth was nowdawning upon the mind of more than one of that jovial crowd, and very naturally beginning to work a marked change in their hitherto joyful countenances. Towles, with a sickly smile, excited by his suspicions, exclaiming, " Ah, no more of that, Hal ; an' thou lovest me ? "

Yet they were not fully convinced ; but the joker did not leave them long in doubt, for he continued playing witli wicked pleasure upon their fears and suspicions. The present scene he said but proves that great and leading fact - that habit and custom make the man. The Chinese consider a filthy bird nest the most choice of all food ; and we, setting ourselves up for judges, laugh at their folly and curse their filthiness. The Jews, led astray by the superstitions and laws of his nation, look with holy horror upon the carcass of a well fed hog ; while we, ridiculing their prejudice, think nothing equal to a well cmed ham. Some nations of the earth think no food so pleasant and palatable as a dish from the human body ; while we, softened and refined by Christianity and civilization, revolt at the very idea. The Indians of the West and Pacific Islands, and even the inhabitants of some of the most ancient and refined nations, dream of no food more excellent than a roasted dog - and yet we, led astray by the habits and customs of the country, never think of trying this favorite dish. But it is all habit and custom and prejudice," said Sam, with a quizzical leer at his gaping audience ; " for here we have been supping upon that eschewed and abominable dish, and in our ignorance praising it for the very best and most delicious venison. The last time 5'ou saw old Watch, my friends," continued the joker with mock seriousness, "he was taking the sunshine on a cellar door. Poor fellow ! You will never see him there again ! His deep, mellow bark will never more arouse you from your slumbers, or disturb your pleasant dreams. All that now remains of him is this well picked carcass before me, and here," continued Sam, stooping down and drawing from under the table the well-known, familiar head and skin of old Watch, " is the only memento of that gallant dog and of this glorious feast. At the sight of the bloody head, the waggish Towles, true to the drama, although about sinking under the effect of nausea, sprang to his feet, exclaiming with tragic vehemence,

During the short speech of Sam an awful change had been gradually creeping over the late merry faces of his guests. There was a contracting of muscle, a heaving of chests, and the old Judge, with rueful countenance, had already pointed out the place of disease, by laying his hand submissively, and with Christian kindness, upon his stomach. But when the joker, like Anthony exhibiting the wounds in the dead Caesar's body, held up to their astonished gaze the grinning, ghastly remains of old Watch, the effect was electrical. No orator has ever produced a more rapid and wonderful revolution in the feelings, thoughts and actions of his auditory, than Sam Allison in his short address. The old Judge, having gorged himself with an anaconda portion of the dog, was now disgorging the same as fast as nature and the case would allow^ His long, wiry figure, bent over the back of a chair, resembling an inverted letter "C," was heaving like the stormtossed ocean. Whenever his own nauseous stomach would give him an instant of peace, the Justice would turn his long, doleful face, pale with sickness, and rueful with tears, upon his suffering and nauseated companions, muttering, as he rubbed his heaving and rapidly decreasing abdomen, " O, Lordy !" " O, Lordy !" Then he would take another turn at old Watch, mingling along with sighs and groans and tears his favorite oath of " By Blood," and prayers and supplications for relief with " O, Lordy ! " " O, Lordy ! "

But every storm must blow over, and so did this tempest-tossed company of heaving " suppers out, " at last find a calm, if not to their troubled souls, at least to their troubled stomachs, in which latitude and longitude their souls were just about that time pretty generally centered. Each guest, so soon as he was able to stagger away, seized his hat and, without ceremony or leave taking, made tracks for home, fully satisfied with their frolic. They staggered along their several ways, some swearing, some laughing and some stopping to take another heave, but all muttering "dog." Towles made a ludicrous attempt at a tragic farewell, but once more struck with a sudden nausea at the sight of old Watch's grinning head, it was no go! - he broke down in the midst of his quotation, and beat a retreat as best he could, laughingly shaking his fist at the shouting Sam. Old Judge was the last man to desert the festive board, for, having laid in a greater amount of dog than his comrades, it took him a longer time to disembark it. At last he too made his arrangements to take his departure. With both hands pressed tightly upon his weary and badly strained stomach, his eyes still wet with tears and his countenance still rueful from sickness and pain, he lingered a moment to cast one look (more of sorrow than anger) upon his laughing host and the wellpicked carcass before him. Sam, noticing his fixed and earnest gaze, seized the carver, crying out, " Ha, Judge! shall I help you to another slice of Old Watch? "

It was too much for the Judge, for, although he made a terrible effort and struggled hard for the mastery, he had at last to succumb, and with a deep groan, leaning his aching head against the door post, he again went through a mimic representation of the " Ground Swell " of the Sea. At length the good Justice also managed to leave the festive hall and steer his way for home. The cool night air brought some relief to his fevered brow. Once more free from sickness was fast regaining his spirits, when Fate, the ill-natured sprite, played him another naughty trick, bringing back a relapse of the old disease.

The moment when entering his own premises, and when he was congratulating himself upon having arrived in safety, and was even so far recovered as to utter with considerable gusto several emphatic "By bloods," his house dog, running out to give him welcome, leaped playfully upon him, looking wistfully up in his face. This combination of ideas was too strong for the delicate nerves and stomach of the poor Judge, for the bark of his welcoming friend reminded him too forcibly of the deep bay of old Watch and his grinning mouth and head, and again was this unfortunate Justice compelled to unload a little more of the old canine.

Once since the famous night of the feast, Sam Allison, by swinging the skin of old Watch over his shoulders and taking a walk through town, caused so much sickness and vomiting that for a short time the faculty were disposed to believe that cholera had made its dread appearance in their village. Nor were they fully convinced of their error, until Sam gave them an instance of the peculiar power and influence of that last and only memento of old Watch and the " dog supper."