History of Bourbon, Scott, Harrison, and Nicholas Counties, Kentucky. With an outline sketch of the Blue Grass Region, by R. Peter. Edited by W. H. Perrin. Illustrated

Preface

. ■■"fj-fvl UR history of Bourbon, Scott, Harrison and Nicholas Counties, after months of arduous toil, is now completed. Oy-i Every important field of research has been minutely scanned by those engaged in its preparation ; no subject of universal public value has been omitted, save where protracted effort failed to secure trustworthy results. We are well aware ofour inability to furnish a perfect history from meager public documents, inaccurate private correspond ence and numberless conflicting traditions, but claim to have prepared a work fully up to the standard of our promises. Through the courtesy and the generous assistance met with everywhere, we have been enabled to rescue from oblivion the greater portion of important events that have transpired in Bourbon, Scott, Harrison and Nicholas Counties in past years.

We feel assured that all thoughtful people in the counties, at present aud in suture, will recognize and appreciate the importance of the undertaking, and the great public benefit that has been accomplished. It will be observed that a dry statement of facts has been avoided ; and that the rich romance of border incident has been woven in with statistical details, thus forming an attractive and graphic narrative, and lending beauty to the mechanical execution of the volume, and additional value to it as a work for perusal. To those who have assisted our corps of writers in gathering material or furnished us data of historical value, we acknowledge our indebtedness ; and to Dr. Robert Peter, of Lexington ; Mr. F. L. McChesne3', of Paris ; Mr. S. F. Gano, of Georgetown ; Mr. L. G. Marshall, of Cynthiana and Mr. J. A. Chappell, of Carlisle, our thanks, for able contributions, are specially due. THE PUBLISHERS. CONTENTS Page.

CHAPTER XL

— -City of Paris — The Church History— Introduction of the Gospel — Building of the First Churches — Presbyterian Organization the first ia the County — Other Denominations — The Barnes' Revival — Benevolent Institutions — The Press— Odda and Ends Generally 102

CHAPTER XII.

— City of Paris— Educational History— The Bourbon Academy —Public and Private City Schools— The Garth Fund— A Sketch of Mr. Garth — Catholic Institutions — Colored Schools and Societies — Some Manufacturing and Miscellaneous Notices 112

CHAPTER XIII.

— Millersburg Precinct— Descriptive and Topographical— Timber Growth, etc. — Settlement of the Whites — Their Hardships and Privations — Early Industries and Pioneer Improvements — Turnpike Roads anpl Bridges — Church and School History, etc 121

CHAPTER XIV.

— Town of Millersburg— Its Founderf.and Projector— Early Growth, Prosperity aud Manufacturing Interests — Churches and Church History — Sunday Schools — Secret Societies, etc. — The Cemetery — Schools and Colleges — Their History and Influence.. 123

CHAPTER XV.

— Flat Rock Precinct— Boundaries, Topography and Surface Features — The Settlement by White People — Hard Life in the Wilderness — Improvements and Pioneer Industries — Schools and Churches — Vi llages, etc. — Masonic Lodge — Mastodon Skeleton 131

CHAPTER XVI

— North Middletown Precinct— Topographical and Descriptive — Occupation of its Territory by the Pioneers — Early Trials and Troubles — Roads, Bridges and other Improvements — Villages — Churches an 1 Preachers — Schools — Kentucky Classical College, etc 134

CHAPTER XVII.

— Clintonville Precinct— Geneial Description— Physical Features — Early Settlers — Difficulties Encountered — Pioneer Industries and Improvements — Church History — Schools, Villages, etc. — An old Masonic Lodge, etc , t-tc 137

CHAPTER XVIIL

— Hutchinson Precinct — Description, Topography, Boundaries, etc. — The Coming of the Pale Faces — Early Struggles with Dangers and Privations — Villages— Pioneer Improvements, Roads, Bridges, etc. — Roligiousand Educational — Hutchinson Academy 141

CHAPTER XIX.

— Centerville Preciuct— Physic il Features, Boundaries and Topography — Settlement of the Whites — The Oldest Man in the Precinct — Early Trials and Difficulties — Pioneer Industries and Improvements — Churches and Schools — Distilleries, etc 14:j

CHAPTER XX.

— Ruddel's Mills Precinct— Topography, Boundaries and Physical Features — Settlements, Villages, etc. — Earliest History — The Ruddel Family — Pioneer Improvements and Industries — Church History and Early Preachers — Educational, etc., etc 146 SCOTT COUNTY.

Chapter I

— Early Settlement of Scott County by White People— Their Conflicts with the Savages — Vicissitudes of Wilderness Life — Formation of the County and its Civil Organization — Public^Buildings — Civil Divisions — Population — Elections, Coutity Officers, etc — Political lol

Chapter II

— Moral Improvement and Development — Early Churches and Church History— Rev. Gano and other Pioneer Preachers— Education, Early Schools, Etc. — Education ot the Colored People — Col. Johusoo's Indian School — The Newspapers, etc., etc 157

Chapter III

— Internal Improvements— Early Legislation on Roads— Laying out Roads in Kentucky— Railroads of Scott County— Agriculture — A Sketch of it by J. A. Gano, Sr.— Agricultural Statistics— Associations and their Officers— Distilling of Whisky 161

Part I. General Matter And Bourbon County History

Page. THE BLUE GRASS REGION OF KENTUCKY— It waB' a Favorite Hunting Ground of the Indians— Origin of the Blue Grass — Its Adaptation to a Limestone Soil — Agricultural Excellence of it — Nourishing Properties over other Grasses — Why the Soil of the Blue Grass Region is Fertile — Geographical Extent of the Blue Grass Region * 11

Chapter I

— Bourbon, Scott and other Counties— Their Geological Formations — The Blue Limestone of Kentucky — Timber and Soils of Bourbon County — Analysis, etc. — Cane Ridge Lands — Surface Features and Timber of Scott— Chemical Examination of the Soils and Limestone of Scott, Harrison and Nicholas Counties 21

Chapter II

— The Mound Builders and Pre-Historic Times— Earliest Inhabitants of the Country — Monuments and Fortifications us the Lost Races — Relics of them in Bourbon, Scott, Harrison and Nicholas Counties — The Indians -Their Occupation of Kentucky— Depredations upon the Whites — Disastrous Defeat at the Blue Licks, eic 28

Chapter III

— Settlement of Bourbon County— Early Trials and Tribulations of the Pioneers — Life in the Wilderness — The County Organized and its Machinery set In Motion — Name of County, its Capital Located, etc — Public Buildings, etc — County Officers, Past and Present — The Census, Civil Divisions, etc., etc 36

Chapter IV

— Pioneer Christianity— Early Meetings and Building of Churches — Pioneer Ministers — The Cane Ridge Revival and the Rev. Barton W. Stone — Churches at Present — Educational History — State Aid to Schools — The Superintendent's Report — Colored Schools of the County — Colored School Fund— The Press, etc 48

Chapter V

— Internal Improvements — Turnpikes and Macadamized Roads — Lexington & Maysville — Other Roads — Stage-Coaches, Bridges, etc — Railroads — Their Building — Agriculture in the County — Negro Slavery — Statistics — Fair Associations, Societies, etc. — Their Officers — Distilleries, etc., etc 55

Chapter VI

— Short-Horn Cattle Interests— Adaptability of B mrbw County fur Cattle Raising — Breeders of Short-Horns — Gen. Garrard, Rev. Gano, The Clays, Bedfords and others— Importing of Cattle— The Northern Kentucky Importing Association — Some Noted Herds — The Short-Horn Record 67

Chapter VII

— War History— Bourbon County's Record— The Revolutionary War and Indian Troubles — Our Second Collision with the British Lion — Capt. Garrard's Company — The Mexican War — Capt. W. E. Simms Raises a Company — Late War between the States — The Blue and the Gray — Incidents 75

Chapter VIII

— Paris Precinct — Introductory, Descriptive and Topographical —Early Settlement by White People— Their Pioneer Troubles and Difficulties — Block-Houses and Stockades— Early Industries, Mills, Distilleries, etc. — Turnpike Roads — Pioneer Churches and Preachers — Schools 83

Chapter IX

— City of Paris— Introductory— Selecting a Site for the Town— The names of Bourbonton and Hopewell — Every-Day Life of the Settlers — First Brick House — Taverns, etc. — Theatricals and other Pastimes — Some Distinguished Pioneers — Peroration 89

Chapter X

— City of Paris— Early Period of the Town and its Growth- Pioneer Politics — Improvements of the City — War Excitement and Soldiers — Transient Prosperity after the War— Burning of the Court House — Central University — Murphy Temperance Movement — Cholera, etc VI CONTENTS. Page. Page.

CHAPTER IV.

— The Cattle Interest of Scott— Breeders of Short-Horns and the Geueral Improvement of Cattle — The First Stock Breeders and Importers — Sale of Short-Horns at "Long" Prices— The Different HeTds of the County — Fine Sheep aud Sheep Raising 164 CHAPTER TV.— Short- Horn Cattle Interest— Early Introduction of Fine Cattle into Kentucky— Different Importations and Importing Companies— The 17's, and Their Breeding and Quality of Stock— Present Breeders and Their Extensive Herds, etc, etc 231

CHAPTER V.

— War History of the County— Its Revolutionary Heroes— Indian Troubles— The War of 1812— Col. Dick Johnson's Regiment— Battle of the Thames and Death of Tecumseh — Our Difference with Mexico — Scott County in the Late Civil War 170

CHAPTER V.

— War History of the County— Her Pioneers in the Revolutionary Army— The War of 1812 and its Recruits from this Section— Our War with Mexico and its Results— The War of the Rebellion Harrison County's Blue and Gray 239

CHAPTER VI.

— Georgetown Precinct — Introductory, Descriptive and Topographical — Early Settlement of While People — Hard Times and Frontier Life — Pioneer Industries and Improvements — Roads and Turnpikes — Schools — Science Hill Academy — Villages — Churches aud Preachers 177

CHAPTER VI.

— Cynthiana Precinct— Description and Topography— Timber Growth, etc.— Early Settlement of White People— " Rough Habit, Coarse Fare and Severe Duty" — Pioneer Manufactures and Industries — Churches, Schools, Villages, etc., etc 243

CHAPTER VII.

— City of Georgetown— Its Earliest History— McClelland's Fort — A School Notice — The Town Iucurporated — Elijah Craig — Paper Mill, Tanneries, Stores, etc. — Other Early Settlers — Rittenhouse Academy — Village Growth and Improvement — First Court House 180

CHAPTER VII.

— City of Cynthiana— Laid Out as a Town and Granted a Charter — Cyntbia and Anna — Some Old Houses and Landmarks — Bridges and River Improvements — First Sale of Town Lots — Courts, Officers, etc. — Prayer of Judge Reed — War, etc '. 247

CHAPTER VIII.

— City of Georgetown— Growth and Improvement— The Gano Family — TheStevensons„Offutts, Josiah Pitts and other Pioueers — Village Organization — Election of Trustees — Manufactories and Business Interests — Miscellaneous Matters, etc., etc 183

CHAPTER VIII

— Cynthiana— Early Mills and Other Manufact -ries— Pioneer Merchants and Mercantile Establishments — Marriages — Postmasters and Post Offices — Physicians, Diseases and Epidemics — Later Industries — Banks and Banking Institutions 264

CHAPTER IX.

— City of Georgetown— Religious and Educational— The Baptists, Methodists, and Presbyterians — Organization of Societies — Pioneer Ministers — The Christian Church — Barton W. Stone — Other Denominations— The Colored Churches, etc. — Georgetown C-illcge — Its Formation and Endowment— Present Condition — Bacon College — The Military Institute — Female Academy — Other Select Institutions of Learning, etc., etc 192

CHAPTER IX.

— Cynthiana— Secret and Benevolent Institutions— The Press- Bishop Kavanaugh as a Printer — Educational History — Harrison Academy— Graded Schools— Education Among the Colored People — The Moore Fund, etc 273

CHAPTER X.

— Cynthiana — Christianity in an Early Day — Pioneer Ministers — The Methodists and Presbyterians— Other Church Organizations — Formation of Colored Churches — Richard Henderson and Isaac Miller — Church Summary

CHAPTER X.

— White Sulphur Precinct — Its Surface Features aud Physical Geography — While Settlement — Hard Times in the Wilderness — School History — Johnson's Indian School — The Old Town of Sodom — White Sulphur — Catholic Church aud School 201

Chapter XI

— Sylvan Dell Precinct— Boundaries and Topography— Settlement by White People — Their Trials and Troubles — Pioneer Industries — Laying Out Villages and Their Growth — Churches and Preachers — Schools, Schoolhouses, etc 311

CHAPTER XI.

— Stamping Ground Precinct — General Description, Timbers, etc. — Settlement of White People — Their Early Trials and Tribulations- Pioneer Improvements and Industries — Schools and Churches — Villages,

Chapter XII

— Richland Precinct— Topography, Physical Features, etc — Coming of the Pioneers — Their Early Life in the Wilderness — Improvements and Industries — Roads, Mills, etc. — Church History — Schools and School History — Villages, etc 313 etc., etc 203

CHAPTER XII.

— Lytle's Fork Precinct— Topographical and Descriptive — Coming of the Pioneers — Their Early Hardships and Toils — Early Industries, comprising Mills, Bridges, etc. — The Churches — Schools and Schoolhouses

Chapter XIII

— Berry Precinct— Topographical and Descriptive— Settlement of the Pale Faces — Their Life on the Frontier— Mills, Distilleries, and Other Improvements — Early Churches and Preachers — Educational Interests — Villages 317 — Villages, etc 207

CHAPTER XIII.

— Big Eagle Precinct— Its Description and Topography— Advent of the White Man — Early Difficulties and Trials — Pioneer Industries and Improvements— Religious — The Particular Baptists— Schools and Vil-

Chapter XIV

— Rutland Precinct— Its Description, Topography and Surface Features— Early Settlement— Hard Life and Frontier Vicissitudes— Pioneer Industries and Improvements — Early Churches— Villages and Educational History of Precinct 319 lages 208

CHAPTER XIV.

— Turkey Foot Precinct— Topographical aud Physical Features — Settlement of the Pioneers — Their Hard and Rough Life — Pioneer Improvements — RoadB, Bridges, etc. — Origin of the Name of Turkey Foot — Churches, Schools, Villages, etc.. etc 209

Chapter XV

— Unity Precinct— Topographical Features— Timber Growth, etc.— Pioneer Occupation of the Precinct— Early Trials and Troubles- Mills, Roads, and Other Improvements — Schools and Educational Advantages — Churches, etc 321

CHAPTER XV.

— Oxford Precinct— Boundaries, Topography and Surface Features — Timber Growth, etc. — Early Settlement — The Life of tho Pioneers on the Frontier — Roads, Mills and Other Improvements— Schools and Churches — Village, etc 211

Chapter XVI

— Newtown Precinct — Descriptive and Topographical Features — Pioneeer Occupation — Trials and Hardships of the Settlers — Mills, Roads, Bridges, etc. — Methodists and other Early Churches} — Schools — Newtown Village 213

CHAPTER XVI.

— Leesburg Precinct— General Description— Topographical Features— Settlement of the Whites — Life in the Wilderness— Hard Times, etc.— Mills, Roads, Distilleries— Religious and Educational History — Villages, etc., etc 323

Chapter XVII

— Claysville Precinct— Surface and Physical Features— Advent of the Pioneers— Their Buffets with Wild Boasts and Indians— Pioneer Industries and Manufactories— Churches and Church History Schools and Teachers — Villages, etc 327 . HARRISON COUNTY. CHAPTER^!.— Early Settlement of Harrison County — Life in the Wilderness— 3 Its Hardships an 1 Privations — Organization of the County — The Erection of Public Buildings — Laying'Off the County into Election Precincts— The Census since 1800— County.Officers, etc., etc 217

CHAPTER II.

— Religious History of the County— Pioneer Churches and Pioneer Preachers — Christianity at the Present Day — Educational — The Schools of the County — Schoolhouses and their Furnishings — Superintendent's Report — Colored Schools, etc 221

CHAPTER III.

— Internal Improvement — Turnpike Roads and Bridges — The Railroad History of the County — Whisky-Making as a Commercial Interest — Some of the Distilleries — Agriculture — Fair Associations and Officers — NICHOLAS COUNTY.

Chapter I

— Early Settlement of Nicholas County— Rough Life on the Frontier—The Difficulties Met With— The County Organized— The Courts and Officers— Blue Lick Springs— Public Buildings of the County— Election Precincts — The Census, etc., etc 329

Chapter II

— Moral and Educational Development in the County— The Organization of Churches— Pioneer Preachers— The Deering Camp-Ground— Educational History— Schools and School History— Statistics— Colored Schools, etc 0„, 335

Chapter III

— Internal Improvements, etc.— Tho Old Maysville Road— Other Turnpikes— Bridges, Turnpikes and Railroads— Building of the Kentucky Central— Distilleries— Agriculture— Its Rise, Progress and Growth in Nicholas County, etc., etc 340 Statistics, etc., etc CONTENTS. VII Page. Harbison Countt Page.

Chapter IV

— Fine Stock Interests of Nicholas— The First Improvement in Cattle — Importation of Short-Horns, and Their Adaptation to the_ Blue Grass Region — Some of the Breeders of the County aud Their Herds — Value of Cattle-Raising — Fine Sheep, etc 347 Berry Precinct 702 Cynthiana, City and Precinct. Claysville Precinct. Leesburg 719

Chapter V

— Carlisle Precinct — Its General Description and Topography- Early Settlement and Pioneer Life — Manufacturing Enterprises and Industries — The Old Buffalo Trace — RoadB, etc. — Schools and Teachers — Richland 697 Rutland 707 Sylvan Dell 691 Churches, etc 351 Unity 717

Chapter VI

— City of Carlisle— Laying;* out the Town— First Sale of Lots- Public Buildings, Hotels, etc.— Business Enterprises and Manufactories — Mills, Tanneries and Stores — Names of Some of the Original Lot Owners and SettlerB— Early Officers, etc 353 Nicholas Countt : Carlisle, City and Precinct 731 Ellisville Precinct 782 Headquarters Precinct 777 CHAPTER Vis. — Carlisle — AmuBements and Entertainments — More of the Manufacturing Interests — Anecdote of Col. Russell — The MayBville Pike — Cholera Epidemic, Deaths, etc. — Internal Improvements— Rebel Raid — Newspapers, etc 364 Lower Blue Licks Precinct 772 Upper Blue Licks Precinct 794 Union Precinct 787

Chapter VIII

— Carlisle— Its Religious History— The Presbyterian Church- Rev. Mr. Rankin its First Pastor — Organization of other Churches — Elder Rogers — A Sketch of his Life — Some other Eminent Preachers — Masonic ADDENDA. Biographies Too Late for Insertion in Proper Places 801 Fraternity, etc 384

Chapter IX

— Carlisle— A Chapter of Biographies— Gov. Metcalfe, otherwise "Old Stone Hammer" — Business Men, Past and Present, and Pioneers of the Town — Some of their Oddities, Peculiarities and Eccentricities 39.1 ILLUSTRATIONS. VIEWS. Ashbrook, Mrs. Artie, Residence of. 305 Bedford, E. G., Residence of, " Woodland Villa " 605

Chapter X

— Lower Blue Licks Precinct— General Outline and Topography — Early Settlement — Life on the Frontier — Blue Lick Springs — The Salt Makers — Their Capture by the Indians — Batt'e of Blue Licks — Churches, Schools and Villages 423

Chapter XI

— Headquarters Precinct — Topography — Boundary, Physical, etc. — Early HiBtory — Settlement of the Whites — Villages, etc., etc. — Turnpikes and other Improvements — Churches and Church History — Schools, Secret Societies, etc., etc 425 Bowen, G. W., Residence of, " Airy Castle "' 275 Bourbon County Court House „ 7 Clay, J. E., Residence of, " Marchmont " 43

Chapter XII

— Ellisville Precinct— Its Broken Surface and General Topography — Early Settlement — Pioneer Industries and Improvements — Ellisville as the County Seat — Its Former Glory and Present Desolation — Educational and Religious History 429 Clay, M. M., Residenceof, " Evergreen " 35 Cane Ridge Meeting-House 256 Deering Camp-Grounds 403 Dills, Noe Residenceof, "Woodland Hall" 675

Chapter XIII

— Union Precinct — Descriptive, Topographical, etc., etc. — Incident of Somerset Creek — Settlement of the Pioneers — Early Improvements and Industries — Mills and Roads — Churches, Schools and Villages, 430 Glass, V. K., Residence of, "Glaston " 605 Hinton, James, Residence of, "Wood Lawn " 97 Harrison County Court House 215 Kerr,W. H., & Bro., Residence of, " Woodbridge Stock Farm " 625

Chapter XIV

— Buzzard Roost, or Upper Blue Licks Precinct— Name of Buzzard Roost — General Topography — Early Settlement — Rough Life of the Pioneers — Improvements, etc. — Churches — The Deering Camp-Ground — Lamar House, at Carlisle .* 367 Miller, H., Residence of,"" New Forest" 481 Megibben, T. J., Residence of 245 Schools and Villages 432 Megibben, T. J„ DiBtillery of, " Edgewaler Distillery " 255 Nicholas County Court House 331

Appendix

. Patterson, S. L., Residence of, " Patterson Dale" 97 Horse Interests oe Bourbon, Scott and Harrison Counties 439 Scott County Court House 167 Skinner, William, Residence of, "Forest Hill" 285 Scott, James, Residence of, " Pleasant Retreat" 61 Shaw, William, Mills of, "Paris Mills" 139