Muhlenberg County, Kentucky - The whole text, 1913 (part 2 of 13)

Secondly, I give and bequeath all my debts, dues and demands and all the property I own in this world except what is expressly mentioned in this my last will to my children, namely my sons, Jacob Rhoads, Daniel Rhoads, Ilenry Rhoads, ^lomon Rhoads, David Rhoads, Susanah Nighmyoir and Caty Jackson, Elizabeth VanMeter and Hannah Jackson, all my daughters, to be equally divided among them, at the discretion of my executors at ray decease.

Lastly, I do hereby nominate and appoint my brother Daniel Rhoads and Solomon Rhoads and David Rhoads as executors of my last will and testament, hereby ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament, hereby revoking all other wills by me made as witness and seal this 15th day of April in the year of our Lord 1812 and the presenee of viz: Henry Rhoads. (Seal)*

Many wild animals, large and small, held sway. number of stories arc told about the game that roamed over the.se hills in olden times. 1 here repeat two of these stories, because they are characteristic of life in the wilderness and because they are incidents from the life of Muhlenl>crg's first great pioneer, handed down by local tradition.

When Henry Rhoads was building his log house his iieighhoi-s were few and far between, but all came with, a hel]>ing haml and a hai)py heart to take part in his "house-raising." These old-time house-raisings were attcndcil as much for the sake of their social features as for the purjjose of building a house.

One afternoon, while the cn>wd was busily engaged on the roof of this building, a large bear leisurely wandered into sight. AVhen the men saw the

' The descendants of Solomon Rhoads, son of Henry Rhoads, are represented more extensively In Muhlenberg County and other parts of the Green River country than any other of Henry Rhoads' children. Solomon Rhoads was born June 7, 1774, and died near Rrowder November IS, 1849. (This Solomon Rhoads was a nephew of the Solomon Rhoads who, with Henry Rhoads and another brother, started the station which later became Calhoun.)

Among the children of Solomon Rhoads was Henry Rhoads, whose picture, taken with his wife and daughter, is here reproduced. This Henry Rhoads was born In Muhlenberg in 1806, where be died In 1864. His wife, Klizaheth .Morton Rhoads, was born in Muhlen'oerg In 1808 and died near Greenville In 1907. They were the parents of Morion and Doctor Solomon Rhoads and Cynthia Ann, who In 1863 became the wife of Robert W. Drowning.

Luther Bard Rhoads, of Drakesboro, Is a son of Isaac W,, grandson of Barnabas and a great grandson of David Rhoads, who was a son of Henry Rhoads.

animal they stopped work and immediately started on a bear chase. Some ran after him with axes and others w'ith guns. The women of the wilderness always lent a helping hand. In this instance one woman followed in the bear chase witli a pitchfork. After an exciting time old Bruin was finally killed. That night a large bearskin was stretched on the new log wall and barbecued bearmeat was served in abundance at all the other meals prepared for the house-raising party.

But tlie noise made by the bear-chasers evidently did not scare all the wild animals out of the neighlwrliooil. About a year after that event Henry Rhoads, while walking in his wood, whieli is still standing a short distance north of the old house, e.spied a large drove of wild turkeys. He slowly raised his flint-lock rifle for the purpose of shooting a tine gobbler strutting under a white oak within close range. When he was about ready to pull the trigger lie heard a ru.stling in the dry leaves behind liim. Rhoads looked around, and to his great surprise saw a huge panther preparing to spring upon him. Without stopping to take sure aim he fired at the threatening beast. Luckily, the bullet hit the animal hetween the eyes and killed it instantly. A half-hour later Rhoads walked hack home with the panther skin on his arm and his trusty flint-lock on his shoulder.

These old flint-locks were, as a rule, fine-sighted and unerring. They were slow but sure, although they did not kill every panther they w'ere aimed at. Compared with modern rifles they were slow in all the operations that preceded and resulted in the discharge of the bullet.

Most of the local traditions are subject to a variety of versions. The old panther story, as 1 have related it, has probably changed very little from the original since Henry Rhoads' day. However, another version of this incident has also erejit into circulation, and shows to what e.xtent some traditions are changed. This new version has it that when Henry Rhoads saw the wild turkey in the woods he took steady aim and then pulled the trigger of his flint-lock. He had no more than pulled the trigger when he heard the panther back of him. Rhoads turned, immediately swung his gun around and aimed at the panther, then in the very act of making a long leap from a limb down upon the hunter. But the old pioneer was quicker than the discharging powder or the charging panther, for he had the gun pointed at the animal before the bullet left the barrel, and thus killed the panther with the load that, a few seconds before, had been started toward the turkey ! This same version continues with the statement that the animal did not drop to the ground after it was shot, but fell across the shoulder of the hunter, who then leisurely walked home and did not throw the panther down on the ground until he reached the front of his house. 1 do not adopt this version, but merely record it for its vivacity and novelty.

Henry Rhoads, as already .stated, was a member of the .State Legislature from Logan County when, in 1798, Muhlenberg was formed, and he was the first man to represent the new county in the House of Representative.s. He was sixty years of age when the county was organized. Although he declined various county offices offered to him, he nevertheless continued to work for the good of the community, and probably did as much for the county, if not more, than any of the other early pioneers. He helped draw the plans for the first courthouse and also did much toward promoting the interests of Greenville, the new county seat. He was bondsman and adviser to a number of the younger men whom he successfully recommended for office. Tradition says that many, and probably all, of the German-American pioneers in Muhlenberg came to the county through his direct or indirect influence.

During his last years Henry Rhoads spent much of his time looking after his farm, tanyard, and other personal affairs, but nevertheless lost no opportunity to bring in new settlers and perform such acts as he tbouglit would advance Muhlenberg County and its people. To-day a small sandstone is all that marks the spot where rest the bones of this influential pioneer.

Some day his labors will be more fully recognized and appreciated and an appropriate memorial will then, I dare say. be erected over the grave of the Godfather of Muhlenberg County.-'

- Professor McHenry Rhoads, a great-grandson of Henry Rhoads, was born in Muhlenberg County on July 27, 185S, and entered West Kentucky College, South Carrollton, In 1876, from which institution he was graduated in 1880. He held the chair of natural science in this college until 1885, when he was elected vice-president of the Hartford College and Business Institute, where he taught science and literature until 1891, when he was elected Superintendent of City Schools at Frankfort, which position he held for nine years. In 1900 he was elected to the superintendency of the city schools of Owensboro, which position he held for eleven years. In the fall of 1910 he was appointed Slate Supervisor of High Schools under the General Education Board and elected to the professorship of secondary education in the State University, which position he now holds. He has been a member of the National Educational Association since 1891, and has served in the capacity of director, vice-president, and treasurer. His work as State Supervisor of High Schools arises out of a dual position, he being connected with the State University and the Department of Education at Frankfort.

A FEW DAYS after the State Legislature began its regular session, November 5, 1798, the subject of forming a number of new counties was brouglit before tlie House. Henry Rhoads was then representing Logan County. Through his efforts tlie act establishing a new county out of-p«rts of Christian and lx)giin was passed. It was he who propo.sed and procur^d'the name of Muhlenberg for the new county. This act, pas.sed at the first session of the Seventli Oencral As.sembly, creating Muhlenberg, reads as follows:

§ 1. lie it enacted by the Oencral Assembly, that from and after the fifteenth day of May ne.vt, all that part of the counties of Ijogan and Christian included in the following bounds, to wit: Heginning at the mouth of Mud river, running up said river with its meanders within three miles of the mouth of Wolf Lick fork on a straight line; from thence with a straight line to the Christian county line, six miles below Itenjamin Hardin's; from thence on a straight line .so as to strike I'ond river, two miles below .Joel Downing's; from thence down Pond river with the meanders to the mouth; from thence up Green river to the beginning, shall be one distinct county, and ealled and known by the name of Mrni.E.NBKKO. But the siiid county of Muhlenberg shall not be entitled to a separate representation until the numlx'r of free male inhabitants therein containecl alwve the age of twentyone years, shall entitle them to one representative, agreeable to the ratio that shall hereafter be establishotl by law. .\fter said division shall take place, the courts of the .said county shall be held on the fourth Tuc.sday in every month, r.xcept tho.se in which the courts of quarter .se.ssions are hereby directed to be held. .Vnd the court of quarter scs.sions shall be held in the months of .March, May, .Inly and October, in such manner as is provided by law in rc.spect to other counties in this state.

§ 2. The justices named in the commission of the peace for said county of .Muhlenberg, shall meet at the hou.se of .lohn Dennis, in the .said county, on the first court day after the division shall take i)lace, and having taken the oaths prescribed by law, and a sheriff being legally (pialilicd to act, the court .shall proceed to appoint and qualif.v their clerk, ami fix on a place for the .seat of justice for the .said county, and proceed to erect the public buildings at such place. Provided at ways, that the permanent scat of justice .shall not be fixed, nor a clerk be appointed (except pro tempore), unless a majorit.v of the justices of the court concur therein, but shall be postponed until such majority I'an be had.

§9. It shall be lawful for the sheriffs of the counties of Logan and Christian to make distress for any public dues or oflicers' fees unpaid by the inhabitants thereof at the lime such division shall take place, and they shall be accountable in like manner as if this act had not pas.sed.

The courts of the counties of Ijogan and Christian shall have jurisdiction in all actions and suits dcpcuiding therein at the time of said division, and they shall try and determine the s:ttne. issue process, and award execution thereon.

Section of J. Bussell's "Map of the State of Kentucky wUb Adjoining Territories," published In 1794, showing extent of the original Logan County from 1792 to 1796. Among the errors on this old map is the location of "Howards Settlements." which were on Oasper River and not on Mud (or Muddy) River as here indicated.

The line that, before the formation of Muhlenberg, separated Liogan from Christian and lay within the bounds of what became Muhlenberg, is described in the act creating Christian County as follows: "Beginning on Green river, eight miles below the mouth of Muddy river' ; thence a straight line to one mile west of Benjamin Hardin's." In other words, this former dividing line ran in a southwesterly direction from a point on Green River eight miles below the mouth of Mud River to a point in the neighborhood of what later became the northwest corner of Todd County. That being the fact, about three fourths of the original area of Mulilenberg County, or about two thirds of the present area, was taken from Cliristinn, and the remainder - the southeastern part of Muhlenberg - was taken from Ixigan County.

- Mud River, up to about 1860, was more frequently referred to as Muddy River than Mud River. Pond River, on Elihu Barker's map of Kentucky published in 1795, Is marked "Muddy or Pond River." Neither Pond River nor Mud River is correctly named or placed on Russell's map, published In 1794.

I judge that after the soutliern line liad been surveyed it was discovered that certain lands originally intended to fall within the bounds of Muhlenberg were, according to the "calls for running the county line." not included in the new county. At any rate, on Decemlior 4, 1800, the Legislature pas.sed "An act to amend and explain an act, entitled 'an act for the division of Chri.stian county,' " which I here quote in full:

Whf.re.as, it is represented to the present General As.sembly that the act pas.sed in Dwember, 1798, for the division of Christian county is imperfect, and wants amending:

Be it therefore enacted by the General Assembly, that so much of the act as calls for running the county line from .six miles below Benjamin Hardin's, to strike Pond river two miles below ,loel Downing's, be and the same is hereby repealed ; and the line shall run from .said six mile tree to Job Downing's on Pond river, so as to include said Downing's dwelling house in Muhlenberg. This act shall commence and be in force from and after its pa.s.sage.

An act to establish the county of Melamn was approved by the Legislature on January 28, 18.54, and set "the second Monday in May, 1854," as the time for the beginning of the new county. Muhlenberg, Ohio, and Daviess eounties furnished the territory. Muhlenberg's part (almut thirtyfive square miles) was all the land that lay between Green and Pond rivers north of the line described thus in the acts of 1851 : ". . . the mouth of the Thoroughfare branch; thence up the Tlioroughfare branch to the mouth of Big creek; thence up Big creek to a point where the road from Kumsey to Greenville crosses the same; thence a straight line to the head of the island on Ponil river, at the Horseshoe bend.'"

In 1890 a change was made in a part of the southeastern boundary of the county. An act passed April 30, 1888, provided for the appointment of cominis-sioners "for the purpo.se of establishing the lines between Muhlenberg and Butler counties." An act approved -May 22, 1890, briefly states: "'Phat Mud river be. and the same is, made the line between Butler and Muhlenberg counties." This act added to Muhlenberg a triangular strip of land covering a few .square miles touching on Mud River below the mouth of Wolf Lick Fork. It incidentally ended the occasionally disputed question as to which county the land really lay in, and therefore also settled the discussion as to which county governed it in the sale of li<|uor. It is said that this strip was, up to 1890, invariably "wet," regnrdh>ss of whether Muhlenberg or Butler were "dry."

'The county line lietween Todd and Muhlenberg was 'Tun and re-marked" in February. 1853 (Deed Book No. 17. page 336). and the line between McLean and Muhlenberg In August. 1872 (Heed Book No. 25. page 452).

Courts And Courthouses

AIjTUOUGH Greenville is Mulilenberg County's first iiud only county seat, the first six county courts anil first three meetings of the court of quarter sessions were held elsewhere, before the town was lx>gun. These initial meetings took place at the home of pioneer John Dennis, about two miles southeast of Greenville on the Greenville and Russellville Road. The original Dennis house was a large threeroom log house put up about 1790 by John Dennis, who in 1810 built a twostory brick of four rooms adjoining it. Both houses were torn down in 1902 by W. I. Gragston, who erected a frame residence on the .site of the old landmark.

Back of the original log and brick residence were scattered a few slave cabin.s, a smoke-hou.se and an ice-house; aeniss the road stood a large log barn, a blacksmith shop, a horsepower corn mill, and several shed.s, all of which gave the Dennis farm the appearanee of a small town. But all these barns and other accessory buildings erected by John Dennis were torn down many years before the log and brick residence disappeared.

The old Dennis house was one of the earlie.st "stopping-places" in the county, and in its day one of the mo.st noted. Among the other early places of entertainment for man and beast were the Tyler Tavern at Kincheloe's Bluff and the Russell House in Greenville. The Dennis tavern was situated on a comparatively much-traveled public road leading from Nashville and Russellville to Owensboro and other towns. Stage coaches, loaded with passengers and their deerskin trunks and carpetbags, halted at this tavern in the olden days. All travelers over this route, whether in public conveyance, horseback, or afoot, or in their own sulkies, buckboards, wagons, or landslides, lingered here. Those who were on long trips made it a point to spend the night with the gonial John and the members of his household. Circuit riders occa.sionally appeared on the scene and held services in the house or under an arbor near by.

Before Greenville was started, the Dennis place was the principal headquarters for the pioneers who lived in the southern part of the county. On the stile-bloi'ks and around the large open fire-places the local happenings were related by the pioneers, who came not only to discuss such affairs but also to trade in the store and to hear the latest news brought by the traveling public. But after Greenville became the county seat one patron after another changed his trading and meeting place to the new town, and long before 1822, wlien John Dennis died, the Dennis place had been relegated to the past. In the meantime, one after another, the pioneers died, and many of the stories of their adventures that had often been told by them were no longer heard, and so in the course of time most of the long-past events gradually ceased to be topics of conversation, slowly faded out of memory, and were finally lost forever. Only a few of these once-familiar facts were handed down for a generation or two, and are now but dimly remembered as traditions.*

Written official records are required by law, and these, from the beginning down to the present, are still pre.served and are now on file in the courthou.se at Oreenville. The first of the county court records 1 quote in full:

Agreeably to an Act of Assembly entitled an Act for Forming a New County out of the Counties of Ixigan and Christian, a commission of the peace frf)tn his K.xeellency, James Garrard, Ksquire, was produee<l. directed to James Craig, John Dennis, William Dell, Isaac Davis, John Russell, Robert Cisna, Richard Morton, John Adams and Jesse Mcl'her.son, appointing them justices of the peace in and for the i-ounty aforesaid, which being read, thereupon John Dennis. Esquire, administered the oath to support the Constitution of the Cnited States, the oath of fidelity to this Commonwealth, and also the oath of a ju.stice of the peace to James Craig, Isaac Davis and William Dell, whereuimn the said James Craig administered the said several oaths to Joim Dennis, Esquire.

John Dradley, Esquire, produced a commission from his Excellency the Governor appointing him Sheriff in and for stiid county which being read, he, the .said John, thereupon took the oath to support the Constitution of the I'nited States, the oath of fidelity to this Commonwealth and also the oath of office of Sheriff, and together with l.saac Davis and William Worth ington. his s<*curities, entered into ami .acknowledged their bond in the penalty of Three Thousjuid lk)llars conditioned as the law directs.

The court appointed Charles Fox Wing their clerk pro tempore who thereupon took the oath to support the Constitution of the United States, the oath of fidelity to this Commonw(*alth and also the oath of office, and together with Henry Rlioad.s, Sen., and William Campbell, his security, enteretl into l»nd in the penalty and conditioned as the law directs.

Alney McLean, Esquire, produced a commission from his Excellency the Governor, appointing liim surveyor in and for the county of Muhlenberg,

' The Dennis house was occupied by a number of well-known persons after It had been vacated by the Dennis family. Among those who In later years lived In this house was the Reverend William Leftwlch Cornett, who came to Muhlenberg In 1874 and continued to live In this historic brick residence until 1884. He died April 15, 1892, aged eighty. He was preacher, farmer, blacksmith, and saddler. One of his old church members says: "Drother Cornett was the Saint Paul of the Pond Creek counir.v. He plowed and preached, worked and worshiped, on and on. for the now and the hereafter." Reverend Cornett and his wife. Harriet Ward Cornett, were the parents of thirteen children, among whom are Ulysses C.. Edward E.. and Andrew Jack.son (who Is an old bachelor, and Is known throughout Muhlenberg as "Uncle Jack").

whereupon he took the oath to support the Constitution of the United States, the oath of fidelity to this Commonwealth and also the oath of office, and together with Robert Ewing and Ephraim McLean, Sen., his securities, entered into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of six hundred pounds conditioned as the law directs.

Beddoed Facsimile Of Commission

admitted as his deputies, who thereupon took the oath to support the Constitution of the United States and the oath of fidelity to this Commonwealth and also the oath of office as deputy surveyors.

The court appointed John Anderson constable for the county of Muhlenberg, who thereupon took the oath to support the Con-stitution of the United States, the oath of fidelity to this Commonwealth and also the oath of constable, and together with Richard Tyler, his security, entered into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty and conditioned as the law directs.

On the motion of Richard Tyler leave is granted him to keep a tavern at his house in Lewisburg whereupon with Lew is Kincheloe, his seeurity executed bond in the penalty and conditioned as the law directs.

The second meeting of the county court took place in the John Dennis house on Tuesday, June 25, 1799. The record covers about three times as many pages as the first, and is signed by John Dennis. Charles Fox Wing was appointed county clerk "during good behavior.'' Evidently his behavior was considered good and his books well kept, for he held the office more than half a century.

James Weir was appointed to compile a list of the taxable property in the county. The following oaths were administered ; Robert Cisna and Richard Jlorton, justices of the peace ; William Bradford, deputy sheriff ; John Culbertson, coroner; Peter Boggess and Thomas Morton, constables.

Sixteen men had their stock-marks recorded. Six roads were considered, and for each a committee was appointed to "view and mark the most eon venient way.'' A number of "bargains and sales'' were recorded. Ferries were established at Smith's Landing and Lewisburg, on Green River. John Dennis was granted license to keep a tavern at his house. Tavern rates and ferry charges were fixed. Among such items are:

The court proceeded to vote for a place for the permanent seat of justice for the county of Muhlenberg. A majority of all the justices concurring.

it is ordered that Colonel William Campbell V hcadright on Caney adjoining the lands of the heirs of William Kussell, deceased, be and is hereby fixed upon as the place for the permanent seat of justice for said county, and that the public buildings be erected at said place.

The third county court took place on Tuesday, August 27, 1799, in the house of John Dennis. The minutes were signed by James Craig. The proceedings are similar to the earlier meetings, with the additional feature of the filing of several applications to establish grist mills. On page 28 the record reads :

The persons appointed for the purpose of exhibiting into court a plan for building the public building, which l>eing examined and approved of is ordered to be recorded : "A memorandum of the dimensions of the court house of Muhlenberg county, to be built of hewn logs seven inches thick, nine inches on the face or more, 26 feet by 18, seventeen feet high, a joint shingle roof put on with pegs, except the outside rows with nails, a joint plank floor and loft with a good stairc4ise, the lower story twelve feet high with one door and three windows, a partition up.stairs, a window in each room and shutters to each window, and a door, a judge's bench barred around, an attorney's bench Iwrred around, also a sheriff's lx)x, a clerk's table and seat. The cracks of the house to have shaved boards pegged in on the inskie and daubbed in on the outside, and a sufficient number of jury benches.

Another paragraph informs us that "'Phe court appointed Isaac Davis Ksquire to build a stray pen on the public .square two and thirty feet squaw, five feet high, to be finishwi by the fourth Tuesday in September, next."

An entry written at this meeting concludes with the statement: "Satisfactory proof being made to the court that the said Benjamin lost a part of his left ear by a bite from the accused Mathew in a fight, which is ordered to be recorded."

The fourth meeting is dated Tuesday, September 24, 1799. The fifth meeting was the last held at the Dennis house and took place on November 26 and 27, 1799. 'Fhe following is quoted from the proceedings of November 26, 1799, page 49 (here the word Greenville makes its first appearance on the court records) :

On the motion of William Campbell, and it appearing to the court that it will be advantageous to the public and it also appearing that legal notice

The first of these was the William Campbell who came to Muhlenberg about 1805, lived on the northwest corner of Main and Main Cro.sa streets, and moved to Nashville about 1820. His daughter, Cynthia Campbell, married Samuel Campbell, son of Colonel William Campbell. They had no children.

The second was the William Campbell who, with his brothers David and Charles, located west of Greenville about 1805. He moved to Illinois about 1835.

The third William Campbell was a son of the above-mentioned David Campbell. He married a daughter of Benjamin Haneork, and about 1880 moved to California. Another of the sons of David Campbell was John Campbell, who was a tanner In Greenville for many years.

having been given agreeably to law, it is ordered that a town be established on bis land at the seat of justice in this county on Caney, including thirty acres of land to be called and known by the name of Greenville, whereupon the said William Campbell together with John Bradley and Charles Fox Wing, his securities, entered into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of five hundred pounds, conditioned as the law directs. It is further ordered that the said town be vested in Samuel Russell, Alney McLean, Henry Rhoad.s, Charles Fox Wing, William Bradford and John Dennis, who are hereby nominated and appointed trustees of the said town of Greenville, agreeably to law.

The fifth meeting ends with the statement that it is "Ordered that the next court be held at the town of Greenville, the Seat of Justice of this county."®

The sixth begins as follows: "At a county court held for Muhlenberg county at the house of Samuel Russell in the town of Greenville on Tuesday the 24th day of December, 1799." Among its many items is one showing that Samuel Rus.sell was granted license to keep a tavern at his hou.se in Greenville.

The seventh, dated Tuesday, January 28, 1800, also took place in the Russell house. One of the item.s, which is the first of its kind, roads; "On the motion of the Reverend William Xexon, who produced credentials of his ordination and of his being in regular communion with the German Baptist Church who thereupon took the oath preserihed by law and together with John Culbertson, his security, entered into and acknowledged their l)ond as the law directs, lieen.se is thereupon granted him to solemnize the rites of marriage."

The eighth meeting was the first to be held in the new log temple of justice. Its record is headed: "At a county court held for JIuhlenherg county at the court house on Tue.sday the 2.7th day of February 1800." The new building, although occupied, had evidently not been completed, for the record of April 22, 1800, shows that "On the petition of the commissioners who were appointed to let the building of the court house of this county, ordered that leave be given the undertakers until the first day of August next to complete the same."

At the meeting held on June 24, 1800, an entry was made relative to a jail : "Ordered that the sheriff pay Jacob Severs two hundred dollars for building the county jail, being a part of the price of said jail." On August 26, 1800, is recorded: "The court this day received the jail as b\iilt by Jacob Severs which is received and considered as the jail of the county. On the nomination of John Bradley, esquire, sheriff Samuell Russell was appointed jailor of this county."

» John Dennis, in whose house the first five county courts were held, was the father of a number of children. Among those who made Muhlenberg County their home was Abraham Dennis, who was born In 1784 and died near Greenville In 1875. Abraham Dennis and his wife Tabitha (Rice) Dennis were the parents of eight girls and three boys, among whom was Alney McLean Dennis, who was born In 1822 and died in 1900. Alney Mcl.,ean Dennis was the father of four children, one of whom Is Robert A. Dennis, who Is the father of William Rufus Dennis of Greenville, who In turn is the father of Master William McDavld Dennis, a greatgreat-great-grandson of pioneer John Dennis.

The twelfth meeting is dated Tuesday, September 23, 1800. "The court received the court liouse of the undertakers as being done agreeably to their bond and it is ordered that the bond entered into by the said undertakers be destroyed."

On the same date "A plan of the town of Greenville was exhibited into court and ordered to be recorded. " The plan is recorded on page 75 of Transcribed Deed Book No. 1. The suiweying was done by Alney McLean. He divided Colonel William Campbell 's donation of thirty acres into fifty-

Erected ia 1S36; the clerk's offlee (oue-story brick house) wes built in 1866. Both were demolished in 1906. The old stone Jail is shown in the backyround, between the two brick buildings six lots, all of which lay in the vicinity of the two-acre public square. The proceeds from the sale of these lots was used to help defray the e.xpense of building the new courthouse. The map shows the public square at the southeast corner of streets designated as Main Street and Main Cross Street. Running parallel with and east of Main Street are JIcLean and Water alleys, and parallel with and west of Main Street are Wing and Bradford alleys. Parallel with and south of Main Cross Street are Campbell and Wood alleys, and parallel with and north of Main Cross Street are Thompkins and Russell alleys. Adjoining the thirty-acre plot is another map, designating ten lots of five acres each. From one of these lots two acres are cut off for a graveyard, and five of the ten are granted to Alney McLean, the surveyor.

* James Craig, William Bell, and Peter Boggess, referred to In these early court meetings, were, like many of the others who participated in those meetings, among the well-known pioneers.

Captain James Craig was a Revolutionary soldier, born in 1734, who came to Muhlenberg at an early date and died March 5, 1816. Among his children were:

The second courthouse was built in 1834; so, leaving the intervening county court records untouched, I quote from Record Book No. 4, page 135, under date of January 27, 1834:

The persons appointed for that purpose report the situation of the court house of this county, at this court, upon the examination thereof, deem it inexpedient to make any repairs on the present building; that it would be greatly to the public's good to build a new house instead of repairing the old one, and a majority of all the justices in commission of the place being present and concurring therein, it is ordered that Edward Rumsey, Strother Jones, C'harh's Fox Wing, James Taggart and Wm. Hancock Iw and they are hereby appointed commissioners to draft a plan of a building for a new court house for the county and that they make a report thereof to the next county court.

The commi.ssioncrs appointed for that purpose reported that they had drafted a plan for a new court hou.se for this county, which being examined and accepted of by the court, it is therefore ordered that Ephraim M. Brank, Wm. Martin. Coroner K. 1). McliCan and Charles Fox Wing or any three of them be and they are hereby appointed commissioners to let to the lowest bidder the building or erecting of said house upon the ground whereon the present building stands, after giving due notice by advertising the same, which building is to be completed on or before the first day of August, 1835, to be paid for b.v installments, that is to say, :f500 to be paid as soon as the building shall lie covered in, and the balance to be paid in two annual installments, payable out of the county levy, in such money as the said levy may be collected in, taking txind with approve<l security for the faithful performance of the work on said house with the said plan annexed.

I did not find the plans annexed to this doemment. However, I will state that according to my mcmor.v the old brick courthouse was alsiut thirty-two feet square and two stories high. The court room took up the entire lower floor, while the second was divided into three small rooms, reached by steps erected on the outside of the building against the south Avail.

The contractor, after having almost finished a certain ]>art of his work, was obliged to tear it down and rebuild it in order to comply with his agreement. This delayed matters, and the house was not finished "on or before

William Bell and his brothers Josiah, Robert, and Thomas Boll came to Muhlenberg County about the year 1797. All of them became well-known men. Although the name of Beil Is now extinct in the county, they are still represented by many descendants through their daughters. William Bell was born In 1768 and died in 1826.

Peter Boggess was a bachelor, a son of pioneer Richard Boggess. who came to Muhlenberg from Virginia about 1797 and settled near Pond Creek, above the Russellville Road, where he died about 1805. Richard Boggess was the father of Richard, Jr., J. Warren. Joel. Peter. Robert, William, Lemuel, and Ell Boggess.

the first day of August, 1835." An entry on page 239 notes that a commission was appointed ''to examine the court house just finished by Wm. W. Hancock and receive the same if finished according to contract, and report to the next court."

On November 28, 1836, it is recorded that the house was accepted. It may be well to add that the old log temple of justice stood a short distance north of the brick house, and was not torn down until after the second courthouse was occupied. The third or present structure stands on the site of the second.

In Record Book No. 8, page 13, June 21, 1865, is a record to the effect that Alfred Johnson had completed the stone work on tlie jail satisfactorily and it was ordered to be paid for. This building was used until December, 1912. In this sjune volume, on page 78, is an entry .showing that Finis M. Allison and Jesse II. Reno were awarded the contract for building a clerk's office on the site of the old one. This brick building was completed a few months later. The clerk's office was one story high and contained two rooms, each alxmt eighteen feet square, with a hall six feet wide between them.

The old brick courthouse and the clerk's office were torn down in 1906, and in their place now stands, not onl.v a new courthouse, hut one of the best and finest in the State. The first eount.v court in the new building was held on ''the last Monda.v" in September, 1907. Two metal tablets were placed in the front wall of the courthouse. One reads; ''Krwted A. D. 1907.

R. 0. Pace, County Judge. W. O. Belcher, County Attorney. Magistrates: R. T. Johns, J. W. Stuart, C. W. Cisney, Bryant Williams, O. T. Kittinger. Bailey & Koerner, Contractors." The other reads: ''Erected A. D. 1907. Building Committee: T. J. Sparks, Chairman, T. B. Pannell, W. G. Duncan, J. W. Lam, W. A. Wickliffe. Architects, Kenneth McDonald and W. J. Dodd." A bench mark erected in 1911 by Charles W. Goodlove, of the United States Geological Survey, shows that the courthouse yard is 568 feet aliove sea level.

As stated in the beginning of this chapter, the first three meetings of the court of quarter sea.sions were held at the residence of John Dennis. The first justices of this court were William Campbell, Henry Rhoads, and William Worthington, appointed by Governor James Garrard December 22, 1798. Charles Fo.x Wing was chosen clerk. The first meeting took place on May 28, 1799, and the third on October 22, 1799. The fourth and following meetings took place in the courthouse, William Worthington, John Denni.s, and Charles Morgan usually presiding. The last session was held in the spring of 1803, and coincides with the establishing of the circuit court in the county.

The first grand jury impaneled for the court of quarter sessions met on July 23, 1799, and was composed of: Isaac Davis, foreman; Henry Davis, William Cisna, Daniel Rhoads, jr., John Culbertson, Charles Lewis, Gilbert Vaught, Henry Kcath, William Luce, George Brown, Benjamin Garri.s, Richard Nelson Alcoek, William Hynes, John Cornwell, William McCommon, Thomas Bell, and Thomas Ward. They presented three indictments.

'John Edmunds Reno was a son of pioneer Lewis Reno, jr., and a grandson of pioneer Lewis Reno, sr., who setlied at Kincheioe's Biuil about the year 1800. Another son of I..ewiE Reno, sr., was John Reno, the father of Lawson R. Reno, who for many years conducted the Reno House in Greenviile. Lewis Reno, Jr., married Saliie Kincheioe, a daugliter of pioneer Wiiiiam Kincheioe. Lewis Reno, Jr., was the father of five children, among whom were Jesse H. Reno and John Edmunds Reno. Jesse H. Reno was bom in 1817 and died in 1805. He was a prominent man, held a number of oltices, and was for many years In the mercantile business.

John Edmunds Reno was born May 20, 1820. During his earlier business career he conducted a store and tobacco rehandling house in South Carrollton, and later ran a store In Greenville. He held various county offices, in 1852-53 he helped nil the unexpIred term of Judge Godman. In 1874 and 1878 he was elected county clerk. His first wife, the mother of bis three children, was Ademlne Downer. To them were born: (1) Lewis Reno, banker, born June 25, 1847, died April 25, 1906, and who in 1870 married Mary Short, daughter of Jonathan Short;

The first petit jury of the court of quarter sessions was impaneled on March 25, 1800, and was composed of: Charles Lewis, David Rhoads, Dempsey Westbrook, David Robertson, John Cornwall, Isaac Rust, John Keath, John Culbertson, Jesse Littlepage, Matthew McLean, William Boggess, and Daniel Rhoads. Their first case was that of "Commonwealth against Andrew Hays." The judgment shows that Hays was charged with assaulting Richard Nelson Alcock, and was lined "twelve dollars besides cost."

Pursuant to an Act of the Assembly passed tlie 20tli day of December 1802 entitled an "Act to establisli Circuit Courts," and an Act to amend an Act entitled an "Act to establish Circuit Courts passed the 24th day of December 1802." A commission was produced from his Excellency the Governor directed to William Worthington and William Bell, Esquires, appointing them Assistant Judges in and for the Muhlenberg Circuit. And they also produced a certificate of their having taken .the oath of office, they having heretofore token the oath to support the Constitution of the United States and also the oath of fidelity to the Commonwealth, which certificate reads as follows, to wit :

"Muhlenberg County, Set: I do hereby certify that William Worthington and William Bell this day came before me, one of the Justices of the peace for said County, and took the oath of Assistant Judges for the Muhlenberg Circuit, they having heretofore taken the oath to the United States and the oath of fidelity to the Commonwealth, March the 21st 1803.

-Judge William H. Yost was born In Greenville April 17, 1849, He Is a son of Doctor William H. Yost and Mary Jane Drank, who was a daughter of Ephraim M. Drank and a granddaughter of Colonel William Campbell, the founder of Greenville. Judge Yost, after attending school in Greenville, finished his education at Kentucky University, Lexington. In 1870 he began the practice of law in Greenville. where he was associated with Joseph Ricketts. He was county attorney from 1870 to 1875. From 1890 to 1895 he served as judge of the Superior Court of Kentucky. In 1903 he moved to Madlsonville, where he now lives. He is a member of the law firm of Yost & I^ffoon. a ho have offices in Madlsonville and Greenville. No lawyer In Western Kentucky is better known; none is more highly esteemed or more closely Identified with Muhlenberg's courts and courthouses than Judge Yost.

The Court appointed Charles I'o.\ Wing clerk pro tern to the 5Iuhlenberg Circuit Court who thereupon Uatk the Oath of Office, he having heretofore taken the oath to the I'nited States and also the oath of fidelity to the

Commonwealth and together with Sam'l Caldwell and Jes.se Heno. his securities, exts'utc'd IkhuI in the penalty of One thousand poiimls, eonditioned as the law directs.

Sam'l Caldwell. Sam'l Work. Henry Davidge, Robert Coleman, Matthew Lodge, Christopher Tompkins. Reason Davidge, John Davi.s, James II. Mc- Lhughlcn and John A. Cape, Gentlemen, were on their motion admitted to practice as attorneys at law in this Court who produced a License as required by Law and thereupon they severally took the oath of office, they

William Ilynes, foreman, Charles Crouch, Jacob Studebaker, Thomas Dennis, Solomon Rlioads, Rob't Robertson, William Roark, William Baugus, Jacob Taylor, John Keath, John Cain, Sam'] Weir, John Cargle, Thomas Littlcpage, Dempsey Westbrook, Jacob Severs, John Stom, Jesse Jackson and Edmund Owens were sworn a Grand Jury for the body of this Circuit, wlio after having received their charge retired from the bar to consult, &c., and after some time returned into Court & having nothing to present were discharged. . . .

The first petit jury impaneled for the circuit court served at the March term, 1803, and was composed of : Samuel Handley, John Dennis, David Ca.sehier, David Hobert.son, Thomas Bell, Thomas Littlcpage, Thomas Randolph, Henry Unsell, George Nott, Henry Davis, Jacob Anthony, and Philip Stom. The first ca.se tried was that of "The Commonwealth against Peter Acre, sometimes called Aerelield." Peter Acrefield was charged with assault, and was fined "one penny besides costs.''

William Worthington or William Bell, with Christopher Greenup or Ninian Edwanis, prisided over the three sessions of the circuit court that followed. Judge Henry P. Broadnax, of Ijogan County, was next appointed circuit judge, and served from June, 1804, to March, 1819. Up to 1815 two associate judges in each county sat with the presiding judge, and William Worthington and William Bell usually acted in that capacity. Judge Broadnax was succeeded by Judge Benjamin Shackelford, who served from March, 1819, to September, 1821. He was succeeded by Judge Alney JIc- Lean. of Greenville, who served from 1821 to 1841, the time of bis death. Judge John Calhoun .served from 1842 until the new Constitution displaced him in 1851."

- Of the five men who were appointed and served as circuit Judges previous to the adoption of the Constitution of 1850, one. Judge Alney McLean, was a citizen of Muhlenberg. The other four here named were, like Judge MclA'an, among the best-known men in Western Kentucky;

Ninian Kdwards was a son of Hayden Edwards, of Prince William County, Virginia, who afterward moved to Kentucky. In 1796 and 1797 Ninian Edwards represented Nelson County In the State Legislature. In 1798 he moved to Logan Count.v. In 1806, at the age of thirty-one, he became Chief Justice of Kentucky. In 1809 he was appointed Governor of Illinois Territory, and held that ollice until 1818, when Illinois became a State. He was United States Senator from 1818 to 1824. and In 1826 was elected Governor of Illinois for four years. He died in 1833. His son, Ninian W. Edwards of Springfield. Illinois, married the sister of Abraham Idncoln's wife, became one of his most intimate friends, and supplied Lincoln's biographers with much data regarding him.

Judge Henry P. Proadnax was a native of Virginia, and came to Kentucky in his youth. He lived in lAigan County, where he died in 1857, aged about ninety. He was an accomplished man and an able judge. Mrs. Chapman Coleman, in her "Life of John J. Crittenden" says; "Judge llroadnax was a stately, high-toned Virginia gentleman, who dressed in shorts, silk stockings, and top boots. He liad an exalted sense of the dignity of the court, and a great contempt for meanness, rascality, and all low rowdyism."

Judge llenjamin Shackelford w-as a son of Benjamin Shackelford, and was born In Virginia, April 24, 1780. In 1802 he located In Lexington, where he practiced law

Prior to 1850 tlie circuit judges were appointed by tlie Governor. Since that time the following elected circuit judges have served: Judge Jesse W. Kincheloe, of Ilardinsburg, 1851-1856; Judge George B. Cook, of Henderson, 1856; Judge Thomas C. Dabney, of Cadiz, 1857-1862; Judge R. T. Petree, of Hopkinsville, 1862-1868; Judge George C. Rogers, of Bowling

Green, 1868-1870; Judge Robert C. Bowling, of Russellville, 1870-1880; Judge John R. Grace, of Cadiz, 1880-1802; Judge Willis B. Reeves, of Elkton, l,S!l,'i-18!17; Judge I. llersehel Goodnight, of Franklin, 1808-1901; Judge Samuel R. Crewdson, of Russellville, l!)01-lfl0H; Judge William P. Sandidge, of Rus.sellville, from 1904.

until 1807, when he mo\ed to Christian County. In 1815 he was appointed circuit Judge in the Judicial district which embraced Christian County (which (or a few years included Muhlenberg), and served in that capacity uninterruptedly until the adoption o( the Constitution of 1850 - a period of thirty-six years. Few men in Kentucky occupied the circuit bench longer than he. It is said that during that time fewer of his decisions were reversed by the higher courts than any other judge's in the State. He died in Hopkinsville. April 29, 1858. His two sons were Richard and Doctor Charles Shackelford. General James M. Shackelford, of the Federal army, who spent the early part of his life in Hopkins County, was a member of another branch of the Shackelford family.

Judge John Calhoun was born In Henry County In 1797, and shortly after came to the Green River country with his father. In 1820 and 1821 he represented Ohio County in the Legislature. About 1825 he moved to Breckinridge County and represented that county in the lA-gIslature a numtier of times. He was a member of Congress from 1856 to 1839. In 1841 he was appointed circuit Judge by Governor Letcher. He w-as a good orator and an accomplished lawyer. Calhoun, the county scat of Mcl-ean, was named in his honor.

Prior to the adoption of the Third Constitution all county officers were appointed. Up to that time none of the officers of the State, with the exception of the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, members of the Legislature, electors for President and Vice-President of the United States, and members of Congress were voted for by the people. The manner of filling offices in cities and towns was regulated by their charters. Trustees of towns were either appointed by the county courts or elected hy the people. The Legislature controlled the subject, and the regulation of the subject was by no means uniform. The reader curious on this subject is referred to the State Constitution of 1799. f>om 1850 to 1890 the general elections for county and State officers were held on the first Monday in August Since 1890 such elections have taken place on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. The following county judges, county attorneys, (*<mnty elerk.s, jailers, and shcrilTs have served Muhlenberg since 1850:

-\V. Briggs MeCown died in 1S.S9 anil bis unexpired term was filled by John .Alliaon. -Moees Wicklifife resigned in bSfil and bis unexpired term was filled by S. D Chatham and John Jenkins.

The Weirs

NO NAME is better known in Muhlenberg than that of Weir. James Weir, sr., was a pioneer merchant and the founder of a family whose history is closely interwoven with all the history of the county. James Weir, sr., was a son of William Weir, a Revolutionary soldier of Scotch-Irish descent. He was a surveyor by profession, and in 1798, at the age of twenty -one, came to Muhlenberg on horseback from his home at Fishing Creek, South Carolina. This trip was the first of his many long horseback journeys, and e.\tended over a period of eight months.

While on this expedition in search of a place to begin his career he spent some of his time writing sketches and poems bearing directly or indirectly on the places he visited. His account of this trip to Muhlenberg he himself styles "James Weir's Journal : Some of James Weir's travels and other things that might be of interest.''

'I'he old journal is still preserved, and although it throws very little light on the history of Muhlenberg, his observations, made in the Green River country and elsewhere, show the character of a young man who, immediateb^ after his arrival in the county, became one of its most influential citizens. He evidently idled away no time on this trip, and the same may also he said of his entire journey through life. His first entry in the journal begins: -'Mareh .'i, 1798, T set out from South Carolina, the land of my nativity, with the intention to explore the we.stern climes.'' He gives a graphic description of the country through which he pa.ssed on his way to Eastern Tennes.see. Writing of his short stay in Knoxville, he says: "In the infant town of Knox the houses are irregular and interspersed. It was County day when 1 came, the town was confu.scd with a promiscuous throng of every denomination. Some talkeil, some sang and mostly all did profanely swear. I stood aghast, my soul shrunk back to hear the horrid oaths and dreadful indignities offered to the Supreme Governor of the Universe, who, with one frown is able to shake them into non-existence. There was what I never did SM before, viz., on Sunday dancing, singing and playing of cards, etc. . . . It was sjiid by a gentleman of the neighlwrhood that 'the Devil is grown so old that it renders him incapable of traveling, and that he has taken up in Knoxville and there hopes to spend the remaining part of his days in tranrpiillity, as he believes he is among his friends,' but as it is not a good principle to criticise the conduct of others, 1 shall decline it with this general reflection, that there are some men of good principles in all places, but often more bad ones to counterbalance them.''

These few lines show that althougli Mr. Weir thought the "infant town of Kno.\" was a very wicked place he, nevertheless, did not wholly condemn it. F'rom Knoxville he rode to Nashville, where he remained a few months and where he "kept school at the house of Colonel Thomas Ingles, a gentleman of distinguished civility." Before leaving Tennessee he wrote:

Thinks I, is this that promised land? Is this that noble Tennessee whose great fame has filled the mouths and fired the breaths of many through the different states T If so,

On the 8th day of October, 1799, 1 crossed the Clinch River and there took to the Wilderness, which is 95 miles without a house or inhabitant. I met two gentlemen who proved very good company through this lonely wilderness. This wilderness land belongeth to the Indians, who will not suffer anybody to settle on it. The pioneer james weir, about isio barren and mountainous. After three days' travel we arrived iuto Cumberland, a Country whose fertility of soil and plea.sant situation I could not pass over, without particular attention. This country is well settled with people.

Having tarried there a few days in a friend's house, I passed over into the state of Kentucky' and travelled through some of the lower parts, viz., on Green River and Red River. This country' is for the most part newly settled, their buildingis and farms but small. Some live by hunting only, which explore the solitary retreats of the wild bear and buffalo. Others, being more industrious, cultivate the soil, though not as properly as they might for want of implements. The land yields e.xceedingly well, corn, wheat, cotton and all other grains and plants common to the southern states. The latitude is nearly the same as that of North Carolina.

The range for cattle is good in the summer and for bogs I suppose it is equal to any' in the world. There are low flats and marshes which overflow at certain seasons which after the water is departed make e.xcellent range for hogs. I saw a gentleman here who from four of a stock raised 200 head in three years. These flats lie along on Green River and up some of the creeks tliat empty into it. They would produee rice or grass, I think, very well, and in some places corn, as she does not overflow in the summer season. It is thought that near to these flats it will be sickly on account of vapours and thick fogs which exhale from them and which also breed numbers of mosquitoes which infect the inhabitants even unto their houses. It is

Green River is navigable all seasons of the year for large boats, which may pass to and from Illinois and from thence to the Atlantic Ocean. It is thought that it will be a place of great trade in time to come.

Here I made a stop again, and kept school six months in Muhlenberg county on this River, in a Dutch settlement. Some of them are of distinguished kindness. Their profession is Dunkards and Baptists. They appear to be very sincere, God only knows their hearts.

rir.t Wif. of Piouoor Jon.,, w.nr, .boot 1825 statement relative to his first six months in Muhlenberg. He evidently found the place that plea.seil him and therefore settled in Muhlenberg and closed his story of the trip he made in .search of the promised land.

I'ioneer James Weir arrivetl in Muhlenberg County about the time the county was formed. He took an active part in the first county court meetings and also helped Aluey McLean lay out the town of Greenville and did much toward the moral and commercial development of the community. He was instrumental in getting a number of pi-oplc to settle in the county. His sister, Jane Weir, and her husband, pioneer Joseph Poag,* and his brother, Samuel Weir,- who lived and died near Paradise, were, like him, iiilluential persons.

' Pioneer and Mrs. Joseph Poag were the parents of six children, all of whom were well known in the county: Miss Parthenia; Mrs. Jane (Isaac) Clifford; Mrs. Elizabeth (Christian) Vnught: Mrs. Anna (James) Rothrock; Mrs. Margaret (Joseph) Mclntlre, and James \V. Poag. who married Angeline K. Solomon.

2 Pioneer Samuel Weir was horn in South Carolina In 1769 and died near Para* dise in 1830. His farm was one of the best-managed places in the county. It was at bis home that his mother. Mrs. Susan Weir, died. On the marble slab marking her grave are no dates; the well-carved inscription reads simply. ''Susan Weir, the Pest of Mothers.'* Samuel Weir married Klizabeth Vanlandingbam. sister of

The Weibs

He was the first merchant and hanker in Greenville. His business increased very rapidly in the new town, and he soon established another store at Lewisburg or Kincheloe's Bluff. In the course of time he conducted mercantile houses in Henderson, Hopkinsville, Morganfield, Madisonville, and Russellville. He also had a store in Shawneetown, Illinois. But Greenville, from the time of its beginning, was hi.s home and headquarters.

James Weir bought practically all his merchandise in Philadelphia, to which place he made more than a dozen trips on horseback, accompanied by no one except his faithful body-servant Titus. Most of his goods were transported in wagons to Pittsburgh and thence by boat down the Ohio on their way to his various stores. The boxes intended for Muhlenberg County were sent up Green River, unloaded at Lewisburg, and then hauled on wagons to Greenville.

These wagons were always at the river landing when the freight arrived, but the teamsters were often obliged to wait many days for the expected boats. Mr. and Mrs. Weir made a number of trips together to the Kastern market. On one occasion they Imught some of the best furniture for sale in Philadelphia. They transported it to Pittsburgh and there unpacked it, furnished their own stateroom, and used it while traveling down the Ohio and up Green River to Lewisburg and then sent it to their home in Greenville.

He made many trips down the Mississippi to New Orleans, from which place he returned to Greenville either via land or via ocean boat to Philadelphia, where after making his purchases he continued his journey by land and river. He wrote an account of a trip taken in 1803, giving his experience while traveling down the Mississippi, then via ocean and up the Delaware to Philadelphia. It is an interesting story and is quoted in full in an appendix to this history. One of the ledgers kept in his Greenville store about 1814 is still preserved and is described in the chapter on "Life in the Olden Days." pioneer Oliver C. Vanlandingham. They were the parents of seven children: Kllzaheth, who was married to Isaac Roll; Susan, to T. J. Rice; Nancy, to Elijah Smith; Margaret, to O. C. Vanlandingham, Jr.; Esther, to Josiah Maddox, and Samuel M , to Elizabeth R. Vanlandingham. Samuel M. Weir was born in 1826 and died near Paradise in 1908.

Edwajid B. Weie, Sb., 1876

children, was born in 1792 and died in 1838. She was a daughter of Doctor Edward Rurasey (of Christian County), who was a brother of James Rumsey, the inventor. Doctor Edward Rumsey was the father of eight children, four of wliom are identified with Muhlenberg history : the Honorable Edward Rumsey; Anna C. Rumsey, who married James Weir, sr. ; Harriet Rumsey, who married Samuel Miller, and whose only child, Harriet R. Miller, married Edward R. Weir, sr. ; and Emily Rumsey, who married Riehard Elliott, of Hartford, Kentucky.

(1) Edward Rumsey Weir, sr., who, aa just stated, married Harriet R. Miller. Mr. and Mrs. Edward R. Weir and their children are referred to in this and other chapters.

(2) James Weir, jr., of Owensl>oro, who married Susan C. Green. He was a hanker, lawyer, and wellknown writer. Among his books is "lionz Powers." A review of this work is given in another chapter, where also appears a biography of the author.

(3) Sallie Ann Weir, who married Edward R. Elliott, a son of pioneer Richard Elliott. -Mr. and Mrs. Edward R. Elliott moved to Jacksonville, Illinois, in ISfil. They were the parents of Edward, Richard, Frank, J. Weir, and Henry Elliott, and Mr.s. Anna R. (William S.) Devine.

(4) Susan M. Weir, who married Professor William L. Green. Profe.ssor Green, ns stated in the chapter on "Post-Primary Edueation," was one of the first promoters of higher education in Muhlenberg.

(5) Emily Weir, who married Samuel M. Wing, son of Charles Fox Wing. The names of their children are given in the chapter on "Charles Fox Wing."

Of the elder James AVeir's five children only one, Edward R. Weir, sr., lived in Greenville all his life. Edwanl R. AVcir, sr., was born in Greenville on November 29, 1816, and died Februarj' 5, 1891. He was an influential merchant, lawyer, and politician, a slave-holder, an aliolitionist, and a strong Union man. He was wealthy and charitable; always active in cburch work and in the elevation of his fellow-men. Nearly every act of his life was directed toward the moral and comincreial good of Muhlenberg County. He represented the county in the State liCgislature in 1841, 1842, and in 1863-65. In 1848 he built, on fancy Creek, a mile north of Greenville, the first steam saw and grist mill in the county.

Mbs. Harriet B. Weir

The large brick residence erected by Edward K. Weir, sr., about the year 1840, on South Slain Street near the foot of Hopkinsville Street, was in its day one of the best-built homes in the county. It not only afforded him and his family every possible comfort, but stood as an example of what enterprise can do. He dug what is probably the most symmetrical stone-lined well ever made in Kentucky. The brick cabins built for his slaves, and the greenhouses and icehouse, have been torn down, but the solid old residence and hexagonshaped office near it still show that what Edward R. Weir, sr., did he did well.

Among the articles written by him are "A Visit to the Faith Doctor," published in the Western Magazine, of Cincinnati, in November, 1836, and "A Random Sketch by a Kentuckian, E. R.

1839, issue of the Knickerbocker Magazine, and are here reviewed in one of the appendices. These sketches pertain to some of his experiences in Muhlenberg County. Some time during the '40s of the last century he wrote a short history of the Harpes, which it is said was publishe<l in the Saturday Evening Post of Philadelphia. Although I have tried to obtain a copy of this article, I have failed to do so. If printeil, it probably appeansi under some as.sumcd name and under a heading other tlian "The Harpes."

Harriet Rumsey (Miller) Weir, wife of Edward R. Weir, sr., was born in Christian County Mandi 16, 1822. Mrs. Weir came to Greenville in early youth and lived fliere for three quarters of a century, when, after the death of her son Max Weir, she moved to Jacksonville, Illinois. Few Muhlenberg women were better known in their day than Mrs. Weir. She took an active interest in her husband's affairs, and always helped him in his business and in his various efforts to do good. During the last 6fty years of her life she was generally referred to as Lady Weir, for all who knew her realized that she was a noble woman in every sense of the word. She died at the home of her son Miller Weir on February 16, 1913, and is buried at Greenville. The day after her funeral the Greenville Record said: "Her long life was nn active one, spent in simpleni'ss and goodness. She was a brilliant woman; in manner, ever kind and attentive. She was one of the most loved women in the whole county. Her religious activities were varied and effective, doing much in that line without show or o.stentation."

(1) Edward Rumsey Weir, jr. (better known as Colonel E. R. Weir), was born August 13, 1839, and died March 30, 1906. After the close of the Civil War, Colonel Weir became a merchant in Greenville and later a leading lawyer. Eliza T. Johnson, daughter of Doctor John M. Johnson, was his first wife and the mother of his children, who were: Frank Weir, who was killed September 19, 1890, in Eastern Kentucky while in the revenue service; Jerome Weir, of the U. S. Army; Harry Weir, of Greenville, who married Ruth Grundy; Ixmise B. Weir, who married W. D. Reeves, and Anna C. Weir, who married Max Layne. Colonel Weir's second wife was Alice Culbertson, of the State of New York, to whom he was married in 1898.

(2) Anna C. Weir, who married David W. Eaves, a son of Sanders Eaves. Their children are: Elliott, Lucian, Lucile, Harriet, Ruth, and Belle Eaves.

(3) Miller Weir, who early in life settled in Jacksonville, Illinois. He is a banker and is identified with the politics of Illinois. He married Fannie Bancroft. Their only child, Fanita, married Edward P. Brockhouse, a banker and lawyer of Jacksonville.

(5) Max Weir, who was born December 23, 1863, and died Jlay 18, 1904. He was a bachelor, a popular merchant in Greenville, a devout Christian, and a local and State Y, M. C. A. worker. In 1899 he wrote "From the Father's Country,'' a pamphlet of a religious character, which was published shortly after his death.

Muhlenberg Men In The War Of 1812

WHEN on June 18, 1812, war against Oreat Britain was declared by the United States, no State responded to tlie call for volunteers more readily than did Kentucky. The second war with England lasted over two and a lialf years, during which time three companies that presented themselves for service were organized in Muhlenberg. Most of the men in these three organizations were citizens of the county. From the "Roster of Volunteer Officers and Soldiers from Kentucky in the War of 1812-15," compiled in 1891 by Samuel E. Hill, Adjutant-General of Kentucky, 1 copy the following list of ofHcers and privates of these three companies and also the dates as there recorded. These names are here given as printed in the roster, although many of them are evidently misspelled. The only additions I have made to this record are the notes stating that Captain Kincheloe's company took part in the battle of the Thames, and that Captain McLean's company fought in the battle of New Orleans.

Iiistoky Of Muhlembf-Kg County

A century has passed since the War of 1812 began. It is said that for many years after this war accounts of daring deeds performed by Muhlenberg men were told by the soldiers who participated in some of the battles. With the exception of a few, all of the.se old storie.s, although handeil down for a generation or two, are now forgotten. Most of the men who saw service in the second war with England pa.sscd away before the close of the Civil War. George Penrod, who died January 22, 1892, at the age of about one hundred, was the last of the Muhlenberg veterans of 1812.1

Practically all that is now told in local traditions of this war forms part of the story of the life of eight wellknown local men : Larkin N. Akers, who ran the gantlet after the battle of the River Raisin; Charles Fox Wing and Mosley Collins Drake, who took part in the battle of the Thames; Ephraim M. Brank, Alney McLean, Isaac Davis, Joseph C. Reynolds, and Michael Severs, who took part in the battle of New Orleans.

Larkin Nicholls Akers came to Greenville about twenty-five years after his miraculous escape at River Raisin. He was a private in a company organized in Central Kentucky, where he lived at the time he enlisted. The famous mas-sacre of River Raisin took place in Michigan on January 23, 1813, and was one of the most cruel and bloody acts recorded in all our history. The American forces, mainly

Larkin N. Akrbs, In 1866

* George Penrod was a son of Tobias Penrod, who about 1800 settled near wbat has since been called Penrod. George Penrod was the father of Lot, David, Samuel, William, Leander, Thomas, and Martin Penrod and Mrs. Nancy (David) Kussell.

Kentuckians, after fighting a fierce battle against a superior number of British soldiers and their Indian allies, surrendered under promise of protection from the Indiana. But the British made no attempt to carry out their promise. On the contrary, they encouraged the bloodthirsty Indians by oflfering them pay for all the scalps they would bring in. The unprotected and defenseless American prisoners, who were crowded into a few cold houses and pens, were soon in the hands of the merciless savages. Some of them were killed outright or cruelly burned to death ; a number were scalped alive. Many were tortured in various ways, some by being compelled to run the gantlet. In the confusion not many made their escape. But of those few who ran the gantlet and came out alive, Larkin N. Akers was one.

Akers often told the sad story of his River Raisin experience to his family and friends while sitting around the fireside or while working in his tailor shop in Greenville. The treatment he received during that massacre was almost beyond human endurance. His body was virtually covered with scars. Up to the time of his death, which occurred in July, 1865, he frequently suffered intense pain from a fractured skull and other wounds inflicted by the Indians.*

Mosley Collins Drake was among the Muhlenberg men who took part in the battle of the Thames. This battle took place on October 15, ISl;), in Southern Ontario, near the Thanns River, and was the victory gained by American forces under General William Henry Harrison over the British under General I'roctor and their Indian allies, led by Tecumseh.

Like .some of the other Muhlenberg men who belonged to Captain Ijcwis Kincheloe's company and who took part in the battle of the Thames, Drake claimed that he saw Tecum.seh after the great Indian chief was killed, and often remarked that if any of the soldiers skinned Tecumseh and "made razor strops out of his hide" they must have done so after he .saw the dead body.

Mosley Colliks Drake, About 1870

' I.arkln N. Akers married Sally Harrison, who was related to General William Henry Harrison. Mr. and Mrs. L. N. Akers were the parents of live children; (1) Anna Akers, who married John A. Stembridge; (2) Jane Akers, who married William Lindsey: (3) Matilda Akers, who after the death of her first husband. Uavid Donevan, married Joseph Randall, both of whom lived In Hopkinsville; (4) Thomas Akers, who married I,.era Boswell, of Princeton; (6) Sarah Catherine Akers, who married Charles W. Lovell, of Muhlenberg.

Ephraim McLean Brank's heroic act on the breastworks in the battle of New Orleans, January 8, 1815, is one of the most thrilling incidents recorded of any Muhlenberg man, as it is a fine one in national history. To his family and friends he seldom described the part he played in this battle. However, his friends and comrades, John Shelton, Mike Severs, and others, frequently told the story, and although their version was never written, it was in nearly every detail the same ns the one here re-quoted from McElroy's "Kentucky in the Nation's History.''

McElroy, by way of introduction, says: "The effect produced upon the British army by the daring coolness of a single Kentucky rifleman is thus graphically described by one of the British officers who took part in the historic engagement.'' He then quotes:

"Wc marched in solid column in a direct line, upon the American defenses. I belonged to the staff; and as we advanced we watched through our glasses the position of the enemy, with that intensity an officer only feels when marching into the jaws of death. It was a strange sight, that breastwork, with a crowd of beings behind, their heads only visible above the line of defense. We could distinctly see their long rifles lying on the work.s, and the batteries in our front, with their great mouths gaping toward us. We could also see the position of General Jackson, with his staff around him. But what attracted our attention most, was the figure of a tall man standing on the breastworks, dressed in linsey-woolsey, with buckskin leggings, and a broad-brimmed felt hat that fell round the face, almost concealing the features. He was standing in one of those picturesque, graceful attitudes peculiar to tho.se natural men dwelling in forests. "The body rested on the left leg, and swayed with a curved line upward. The right arm was extended, the hand grasping the rifle near the muzzle, the butt of which rested near the toe of his right toot. With the left hand he raised the rim of the hat from his eyes, and seemed gazing intently on our advancing column. The cannon of the enemy had opened on us, and tore

* Mosley Collins Drake was a son of pioneer Albritton Drake. Albritton Drake and James Drake, his father, were Uevolutionary soldiers. It Is said they were descendants of Sir Francis Drake. When Albritton Drake Joined the Hevolutlonary forces he called on his sweetheart. Ruth Collins, to bid her goodbye. The story is told that when the two parted they chanced to be standing under an apple tree on which a few dried "second growth" apples were hanging. The girl plucked one of them and gave It to Albritton, saying, "Keep this in your pocket as a reminder of me." He carried It in his pocket, not only during the Revolution, but up to the day he and Ruth Collins were married. That same apple - much shriveled and very hard - was preserved by Mosley Collins Drake for many years, and is now owned by John R. Drake, son of William Drake.

Albritton Drake was one of the best-known pioneers in the lower Long Creek country, where he died in 18.34. His wife died in 1847. They were the parents of Reverend Silas, Mosley Collins, Reverend Benjamin, J. Perry, Edmund, and William Drake.

Mr. and Mrs. Mosley Collins Drake were the parents of eleven children: (1) Ruth Ann, the second wife of Moses ,M. Rice; (2) Albritton M., married to Eiizabeth Hancock; (3) Sarah Amandaville, to Moses M. Rice; (4) John Perry, a bachelor; (5) Edmund L., to Ruth Drake; (6) James Marion, to Mary E. Saddler; (7) William M., a bachelor: (8) Susan P., to John Wells, then to John Jenkins; (8) Jackey L., to Thomas S. Saddler; (10) Sophia V., to James P. Drake; (11) Mosley Collins, Jr., to Amanda Saddler.

"The roar of cannon had no effect upon the figure before us; he seemed fixed and motionless as a .statue. At last he moved, threw back his hat rim over the crown with his left hand, raised the rifle to the shoulder, and took aim at our group.

"Our eyes were riveted upon him ; at whom had he leveled his pieeeT But the distance was so great, that we looked at each other and smiled. We saw the rifle flash and very rightly conjectured that his aim was in the direction of our party. My right hand companion, as noble a fellow as ever rode at the head of a regiment, fell from his .saddle.

"The hunter paused a few moments without moving his gun f r o Ml h i s shoulder. Then he reloaded and assumed his former attitude.'* Throwing the hat rim over his eyes and again holding it up with the left hand, he fixed his piercing gaze ui>on us as if hunting out another victim. Once more the hat rim was thrown back, and the gun raised to his shoulder. This time we did not smile, hut east glances at each other, to see which of us must die.

of our party dropped to the earth. There was something most awful in this marching on to certain death. The cannon and thousands of musket balls playing upon our ranks, we cared not for, for there was a chance of escaping them. Most of us had walked ns coolly upon batteries more destructive without (|uailing, but to know that every time that rifle was leveled toward us, and its bullet sprang from the barrel, one of us must surely fall; to see it rest motionless as if poised on a rack, and know, when the hammer came down, that the mes.senger of death drove unerringly to its goal, to know this, and still march on, was awful. I could see nothing but the tall figure stand-

* Tradition says E. M. Brank did not load the guns he shot from the breastworks. He used flintlocks, and fired them as rapidly as Mike Severs and Robert Craig reloaded and handed them up to him.

Mitiilenberu Men In The War Of 1812

ingon the breastworks; he seemed to grow, phantom-like, higher and higher, assuming, through the smoke, the supernatural appearance of some great spirit of death. Again did he reload and discharge, and reload and discharge his rifle, with the same unfailing aim and the same unfailing result; and it was with indescribable pleasure that I beheld, as we neared the American lines, the sulphurous cloud gathering around us, and shutting that spectral hunter from our gaze.

"We lost the battle; and to my minil, the Kentucky rifleman contributed more to our defeat than anything else; for while he remained in our sight our attention was drawn from our duties; and when, at last, he became enshrouded in the smoke, the work was complete; we were in utter confusion, and unable, in the extremity, to restore order sufficient to make any successful attack - the battle was lost.''

McBlroy's footnote, page 365, following this quotation, reads: "This manuscript is marked 'Kentucky Rifleman in battle of New Orleans,' Durrett Collection. The hero here described was E. JI. Brank, of Greenville. Kentucky." The manuscript referred to is not signed, but gives the name of E. M. Brank as the hero of the sketch. The late Z. K. Smith informed me that this description was first printed about the year 1820 in one of George Robert Gleig's liooks on the campaigns of the British at Washington and New Orleans. I have not had acce.ss to any of these works by Gleig and am unable, therefore, to refer the reader to tlie (piotation in the original. At any rate, this interesting dascription was (|UOted as early as 1832 by Walter Walcott in "The Republican" of Boston, and later republished, hut slightly changed, by various Kentucky papers, clippings of which are .still preserved by Rockwell 8. Brank and other descendants of E. M. Brank.

Ephraim McLean Brank was born in North Carolina August 1, 1791, and died in Greenville August 5, 1875. lie was a son of Robert Brank and Margaret (Mc- Lean) Brank, who was a sister of Judge Alney McLean and Doctor Robert 1). Mc- Lean, sr. Ilis first wife, the mother of his children, was Mary (Campbell) Brank, daughter of Colonel William Campbell. She wa.« horn March 27, 1791. and died in Greenville December 4. 1850. His second wife was Ruth B. Weir, the third wife and widow of pioneer James Weir.

E. M. Brank came to Muhlenberg about 1808. He was a lawyer by profession, but devotcfl most of his time to surveying. He lived in Greenville on Main Street, half a mile north of the courthouse. Although his later years were spent in farming, he nevertbele.ss continued to take a great inter- est in the progress of the town. Captain Qrank was a man of stately proportions and wonderful physical constitution. He was a "crack shot" and an enthusiastic hunter ; a well-read and a resolute and systematic man, and very kind to all those with whom he came in contact.®

Of all the citizens of Muhlenberg County who took part in the second war with England probably none worked witli more zeal or did more for his country than Alney McLean. Immediately after the news reached Western Kentucky that war had been declared he organized a company of volunteers, and was always ready to leave with them at any time they might be called. The official records show that his first company was "enlisted September 18, 1812," and was "engaged to October 30, 1812." Whether or not this company saw any service other than to march from Greenville to Frankfort or Newport, and after remaining in camp awhile, returning home, I can not state with any certainty. However, one tradition says that after this company had been accepted it was discovered that the supply of volunteers was far greater than the number of arms and other necessary war material at their disposal, and that it fell to the lot of McLean's company to turn over their self-supplied equipment to such men as had none but were members of companies that had been chosen for immediate service.

After Alney Mels'an helped organize Lewis Kincheloe's company in the fall of 1813 he formed another of his own, drillerl his men often and had them prepare, like the minute-men, to report on a moment's notice. At the head of his second company he took an active part in the battle of New Orleans. Judge Little, in his "Life of Ben Hardin," says:

After the battle he was assigned to very arduous fatigue duty, of which he complainetl to General Jackson. He received an insulting rebuff, for whieh he never forgave his old commander.® . . .

By change of districts Judge McT^ean, of Greenville, in 1822, succeeded Judge BiTiadnax in the Breckinridge district. He was always an active politician. His accession to the bench and twenty years service there did not diminisli his interest in public affairs. He had served as a captain at New Orleans, and while not witli the Kentucky troops, who, in the language of General Jackson, "ingloriously fled," yet he resented this stigma cast upon his State. He was ever an opponent of "Old Hickory." Naturally enough

-Mr. and Mrs. E. M. Drank were the parents of five children: (1) Louisa, who married James M. Taylor (no children): (2) Tabltha A., who became the second wife of Doctor William H. Yost (no children): (3) Samuel C.. who died in cbild- Iiood; (4) Heverend Robert G. Drank, who married Ruth A. Smith. He was bom November 3, 1824, and died in St. Louis August 21. 1895. Among their four children Is Reverend Rockwell Smith Drank. (5) Mary Jane, who became the first wife of Doctor William H. Yost. Through his skill, liberality, and long service "Old Doctor Yost," as he was called, became one of the best-known physicians in Muhlenberg and adjoining counties. Doctor Yost was born July 5, 1820, and died in Greenville November 1, 1894. Doctor and Mrs. Yost were the parents of three children: (1) Mary W. Yost, the first wife of Doctor T. J. Slaton. Their two children are Doctors Henry Y. and Drank Slaton. (2) Judge William H. Yost, who married Lizzie Reno. Their two children, who reached maturity, are Doctor E. R. Yost and Mrs. Mary D. (Reverend W. H.) Fulton. (3) Doctor E. D. Yost, who married Bertha Grimes (no children).

- John F. Coffman, who during the campaign around New Orleans served as one of General Jackson's bodyguard, was. It is said, the only man In Muhlenberg to vote for Jackson in the presidential election of 1826.

he was a friend of Henry Clay. He was, while judge, chosen a Clay elector in 1824 and again in 1832. His taste for and activity in politics shocked those of his constituents specially sensitive as to the proprieties of the bench.

Judge Alney McLean, in honor of whom McLean county wia-s named, was a native of Burke county. North Carolina. He emigrated to Kentucky and began the practice of law at Greenville, Muhlenburg county, about 1803, but had little to do with politics before 1808. He was a representative from that county in the legislature, 1812- '13; a captain in the war of 1812, a representative in Congress for four years, 1815- '17 and 1819- '21 ; one of the electors for president in 1825, casting his vote and that of the state for Henry Clay ; again in 1833 an elector for the state at large, when the vote of the state was cast a second time for the same distinguished citizen. He was appointed a circuit judge, and for many years adorned the bench. One of the oldest and ablest of Kentucky ex-judges, in a letter to the author, speaks of Judge Mc- Lean as "a model gentleman of the old school, of great eourtesy and kindne.ss to the junior members of the bar," an honored citizen and a just judge.

The following is copied from the record entered by the clerk of the Muhlenberg Circuit Court in Record Book No. 8, at the March term in 1842. It verifies not only some of the statements given above but adds other facts, and also shows the high esteem in which Judge McLean was held by his contemporaries :

And thereupon Edward Rumsey, Esq., offered the following preamble and resolved statement, to wit: At a meeting of the members of the Muhlenberg Circuit Court, on Monday, the 21st day of March 1842, the Hon. John Calhoun was called to the chair, and the following statement and resolution being presented, were unanimously adopted :

"The Honorable Alney McLean, late presiding judge of this Court, was born in the state of North Carolina, in May 1779. In June 1799 he removed to this county, and commenced the practice of law, which he successfully pursued, through a long series of years, securing by his integrity, ability and courtesy the confidence of the bench, the friendship of the bar, and the esteem of the public. In 1812 & 1813 he represented his county with fidelity and distinction in the General Assembly.

"In 1813 and 1815 he aided in repelling the invaders of his country in the memorable battle of New Orleans, at the head of his company, acted the part of a gallant officer and devoted patriot. With honor and reputation he represented his district in the 16th and 18th Congresses. In 1821 he received the commission of Judge of the 14th District in which he presided with eminent impartiality, dignity, and ability, for more than twenty years. The 31st day of December, 1841 his active and useful life was suddenly terminated by a severe attack of bilious pneumonia. Regret and grief for his death, though great and general, may well be somewhat alleviated by the reflection that he lived not in vain, that he died after a long career of public and private usefulness - full of honor, high in the affection of his friends and the esteem of his countrymen, leaving a bright fame, a beloved memory behind."

Alney JleLean was the first county surveyor of Muhlenberg, and laid out the town of Greenville in 1799. lie took an active interest in all movements that might help develop the county. Ills popularity is also shown by the great number of children named in his honor b.v their parents. Doctor Robert D. McLean, sr., of Greenville (born 1783, died 1875), in his day one of the best-known surgeons in West(>rn Kentuck.v, was his brother.

Judge MeIx'an was a son of Kphraim McLi>an and Kliza (Davidson) Mc- Lean. Ilis father, in 1820, at the age of ninety, removed from North Carolina to Greenville, and there dieil three years later. Judge Mel.rt-an married Tahitha R. Campbell, daughter of Colonel William Campbell. .She was horn in Virginia January 25, 1785, and died in Greenville February 17, 1850. No one among the pioneers is more freipientl.v and more ereditahly mentioned in local traditions than Judge Mtdjean. In his day he was esteemed one of the greatest men in the Green River country, and as such his name will always he recorded in its history, much to the credit of .Muhlenberg County."

Isaat? Davis was an officer in Alney McLean's company, and was among the Muhlenberg men who t(«)k part in the battle of New Orleans. 'Pradition says he freipiently referred to his military experience as "a tramp around with the hoys." While camping at New Orhains. so runs the story, he, like

'Judge and Mrs. Alney Mcl.enn were the parents of ten children, all of whom were born In Muhlenberg County. Six of them were married and lived the greater part of their life In Mississippi, where they died; William D.. Ileverend Thornton, Judge Robert D., Samuel, Mrs. Eliza A. D. McBride, and Mrs. Transylvania McBride. None of the four children who made Muhlenberg their home were ever married: Tabltha was born May 2.'5. 1815, and died .September 10, 1898; Alney was born October 27, 1819, and died May 29, 190.5; Charles W. was born October 27, 1819, and died October 13, 1893; Rowciia wus born October 22, 1827, and died September 10 1861.

Judge William C. McLean, of Grenada. Mississippi, who during 1910-11 was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Ml."slssippi, is a son of Judge Robert D. McLean.

the others, suffered many hardships. lie was accustomed to fresh butter and sweet milk, and these he missed far more than any of the other things of which he was deprived. Before leaving New Orleans he vowed that upon his return to Muhlenberg he would not only build a comfortable house, but also dig a large cellar and keep it well supplied with butter and milk. Practically all the well-to-do pioneers used cellars, but none, according to this tradition, was better etjuipped and supplied than was the one dug by hsaac Ilavis. The old Isaac Davis house still stands - near Green Kiver, east of Martwick - and although its cellar is no longer noted for its abundance of butter and milk, it is still pointed out as the "Isaac Davis milk cellar."

Davis lived on a farm that in early days was regarded one of the best-managed places in the county. He owned many slaves and much stock, and raised large quantities of corn and wheat. He did not plant tobacco, for he considered tobacco injurious to the soil. It is said that he protected his ground so well and cultivated his corn so carefully that he never had a crop failure, and that even during the dryest years his ridge land never produced less than fifty bushels to the acre. His corncril)s were always well filled. When his neighbors' crops failed he sold them corn for their immediate need at any price they cared to pay, even though that price was less than half the prevailing market price. If they were in I>oor circumstances and could pay nothing, he gave them the corn.

In his earlier years he freipiently taught school, for which he invariably declined pay. He instructed the rising generation "for the good of the community," as he expressed it, although in the meantime he had "more than enough to do at home."

Isaac Davis was born in Virginia October 9, 1782, came to the Nelson Creek country while a l>oy, and died in Muhlenberg June 6, 1858. His wife. Mary, was a sister of pioneer JIoscs Wickliffe. She was l)orn April 22, 178.5, and died September 14, 1870.*

Another of the well-known veterans of the War of 1812 was Joseph C. Reynold.s, who was born in North Carolina May 17, 1793, and who while still a boy came to Muhlenberg, where he died January 13. 18<>8. While visiting in Tennessee he enlisted in a company organized in that State. He showed great bravery at the battle of New Orleans, where he experienced a number of narrow escapes. Tradition has it that General Andrew Jackson complimented him on his courage in battle.

" Mr. and .Mrs. Isaac Davis were the parents of seven children: Mrs. Eliza Jane (Richard H.) Jones: Mrs. Mary K. (William .Me.) Sharp; Mrs. Julian Ann (George) King; Mrs. Ellen (Ellas Widcllffe) Davis; Aaron W., William, and Edward Davis.

The Isaac Davis House. Near Mabtwick

Joseph C. Reynolds was for fifty years one of the best-known men in the county. He was a successful farmer, and up to the time of the emancipation of the slaves was one of the largest slave-owners in Muhlenberg. He was a liberal man, and never hesitated to volunteer to help a neighbor or friend when he felt his help was needed. In January, 1820, he married Mary Fortney Reynolds, a daughter of pioneer Richard D. Reynolds, sr., a

Revolutionary soldier. They were the parents of six children, all of whom were influential citizens. Mrs. Reynolds, like her husband, always had the good of Muhlenl>erg at heart and did much toward the moral advancement of the county. She came to Muhlenberg in her youth, and died near Greenville August 31, 1868.®

In addition to Akers, Drake, Wing, Brank, McLean, Davis, and Reynolds, there were many other Muhlenberg men in the War of 1812. Traditions regarding most of them are very vague. Even Michael Severs, who helped load the guns that Ephraim M. Brank shot while standing on the breastworks at New Orleans, and who in his day was one of the most picturesque characters in the county, is now almost forgotten.

Severs lived in the Bevier neighborhood, where he died about the year 1850. He came to Muhlenberg some time before 1800. He was then, and ever after, a tj^pical backwoodsman and a true representative of the pioneer days. Although manners and customs changed as he advanced in years, he nevertheless continued to wear the hunting-shirt and to use a flintlock rifle. During all his life he wore moccasins in winter and went barefooted in summer.