Chapters IX-XII
CHAPTER IX--CITY OF PARIS -INTRODUCTORY -SELECTING A SITE FOR THE TOWN-THE ORIGINAL NAMES OF BOURBONTON AND HOPEWELL--EVERY-DAY LIFE OF THE SETTLERS--THE' FIRST BRICK HOUSE-TAVERNS--THEATRICALS AND OTHER PASTIMES-SOME DISTINGUISHED PIONEERS.
"O, the pleasant days of old, which so often people praise!
True, they wanted all the luxuries that grace our modern day.
Bare floors were strewed with rushes, the wells let in the cold,
O, how they must have shivered, in those pleasant days of old."
--Brown.
ATHOUGH a century has not elapsed since the first settlement of this city, yet its early history is involved in obscurity. It is not known when the first house was built, or who was the first inhabitant, or why this particular locality was selected for the future city of Paris. One or two things are evident: The pioneers who came to this county did not do so to build cities, but came because they could obtain cheap lands. The soil was ferfile; the country marvelously beautiful and attractive, and none would locate in towns who had the means to purchase farms, which almost all possessed. The wants of the people of that day were few and simple. Their clothing was the handiwork of the thrifty house-wife, who was ever busy with the loom and the spinning wheel. And all through this region may yet be found-treasured as heirlooms, articles of exquisite workmanship wrought by these pioneer mothers of Kentucky, who esteemed it their privilege and duty to share in the labors of the household, and whose sacrifices and industry and example laid the foundations of the future prosperity of the State. Corn, wheat, tobacco, flax, were the products of the soil. Almost every farm had its sugar camp, and the people made their own sugar, and from the ashes of burnt cobs they made their soda or saleratus. Except for needless luxuries they were self-sustaining. There was, therefore, no pressing necessity for large towns, with all their rush and bustle of trade. The blacksmith was, of course, indispensable; but he could locate at any cross-roads; and so, too, the carpenter was needed to rear the first rude structures in this then Western frontier of civilization; and then, along the highway of travel the primitive tavern, with its accomodations for man and beast became a necessity, and these, doubtless, formed the nucleus of the future city.
It is not known, nor is it important to know, why this particular locality was selected by the early settlers as a site upon which to build a town. Possibly, the town was an after-thought. Rocky, hilly, marshy in places, it may have been selected because it was not suited for agricultoral purposes, and it would not have done, even at that early day, to have spoiled a blue grass farm to lay the foundations of a country town. That the proposed town was at the confluence of Stoner and Houston, two important creeks, which would yield an ample supply of water power near the large spring. which wells up a short distance from the mouth of Houston; and that it was on the line of the buffalo trace, the then great thoroughfare of travel, were of themselves sufficient reasons for determining the location.
It appears from the records that the lands upon which this city stands was pre-empted by John Reed, of Maryland, on the 18th of November, 1784, and William Galloway and Samuel Lyons, of Virginia, in August, 1786. Lawrence Protzman afterward bought a portion of Reed's pre-emption and laid it off into town lots.
Prior to the selection of a county-seat, the courts of Bourbon County had been held at James Garrard's, near Talbott's Station, at James Hutchison's, and at the residence of John Kiser, near the mouth of Cooper's Run. In November, 1786, the present site of Paris was selected by the court as the county seat, and the following order was made :
Ordered. That the place for holding courts for the county be established at the confluence of Stoner and Honston forks or Licking, and that Alvin Mountjoy, John Grant and James Watson, gentlemen, be appointed to procure two acres of land at said phace for the purpose aforesaid; and also, that they let to the lowest bidder the building of a court house, which shall be a frame of thirty-two by twenty feet, with a shingle, roof, and finished in the neccesary manner; and a jail sixteen feet square of hewn logs twelve inches square.
Teste: JOHN EDWARDS, C. B. C.
The buildings provided for in this order of court were erected during the next year, and the first court was held on Tuesday, October 17, 1787. This court house stood for ten or eleven years, but was sold, when a new one was built, to John Allen, who moved it to his farm on the Maysville road, one and a half miles northeast from town.
In 1789. the following act was passed by the Legislature of Virginia, establishing the town, which at that time was Called Hopewell:
Be it enacted, That two hundred and fifty acres of land, at the court house in Bourbon County, as the same Are laid off into town lots and streets by Lawrence Protzman, the proprietor thereof, shall be established a town by the name of Hopewell, and that Notley Conn, Charles Smith, Jr., John Edwards, James Garrard, Edward Waller, Thomas West, James Lanier, James Little, and James Duncan, gentlemen. are hereby constituted Trustees thereof.
The Trustees of said town. or it majority of them, are authorized to mak-such rules and orders for the regular building of houses thereon;as to them shall appear proper.
As soon as the purchasers of lots in the said town shall have built thereon it house sixteen foot square, with a brick or stone chimney, such purchaser shall then be entitled to, and have, and enjoy all the rights, privileges, and immunities which the foreholders and inhabitants of other towns, in the State not incorporated, shall hold and enjoy.
At the session of the Virginia Legislature in 1790, the following act was passed amendatory to the above:
SECTION 1. Whereas, by an act of the assembly passed at the last session, entitled, "An act to establish a town in Bourbon County," two hundred and fifty acres of land at court house of said county of Bourbon, as laid off into lots and streets by a certain Lawrence Protzman, the then supposed proprietor thereof, was established a town by the name of Hopewell, of which Notley Conn, Charles Smith, Jr., John Edwards, James Garrard, Edward Waller, Thomas West, James Lanier, James Little, and James Duncan, gentlemen, were constituted trustees, and whereas, since the passing of said act, many doubts have arisen who is the real proprietor of said two hundred and fifty acres of land, and in consequence thereof the present holders of many of the said lots are disquieted, and the sale of the remainder thereof thereby prevented.
SEC. 2. Be it therefore enacted by the General Assembly, That from and after the passing of this act, the said two-hundred and fifty acres of land, as laid off into lots and streets, shall be, and are hereby vested in the said Notley Conn, Charles Smith, Jr., John Edwards, James Garrard, Edward Waller, Thomas West, James Lanier, James Little, and James Duncan, gentlemen, trustees, or a majority of them.
SEC. 3. The said trustees, or the majority of them, shall proceed to sell such of the said lots which now remain unsold, at public auction, for the best price that can be had, the time and place of which sale to be previously advertised two months in the Kentucky Gazette and convey the same to the purchaser, their heirs and assigns; subject, however, to the same rules, orders, and conditions, as the said lots are subjected to by the said recited act.
SEC. 4. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That said trustes shall, as soon as the said sale be completed, return an account thereof to the court of the said county of Bourbon, to be there recorded, and the money arising from such sale shall be retained by them for the use and benefit of the person or persons in whom the title to the said two-hundred and fifty acres of land shall hereafter be established, to be paid to such person or persons, or their legal representatives accordingly; Provided nevertheless, and be it further enacted, That in case the title of the said two hundred and fifty acres of land shall hereafter be established in any other person or persons than in the said Lawrence Protzman, the said trustees shall in such case convey such of the lots as were sold by him to the purchasers thereof, in fee simple, and the purchasers or holders of such lots, shall be subject only to account with the real proprietor thereof, for the value of the same when originally purchased as unimproved lots.
SEC. 5. Be it further enacted, that from and after the passing of this act the name of the said town shall be altered, and from thenceforth the name shall be established by the name of Paris; any law to the contrary notwithstanding.
There are conflicting statements as to the name of the place although the above acts of the Virginia Legislature would seem to settle the matter definitely. Mr. Collins. the historian of Kentucky, says it was called Bourbonton and a letter from the Treasury Department at Washington to the compilers or the volume entitled "Sketches of Paris," published here in 1876, corroborates the statement, and asserts that the post office was Created January 1, 1755, with Thomas Eades as Postmaster, who was succeeded by William Paton, appointed July, 1, 1800, and that the name was changed from Bourbonton to Paris, April 28, 1826, when James Paton, Jr., was appointed Postmaster.
Mr. James Paton, Sr., of this city, who is still living. and who was connected with the office from 1815 to 1837, is authority for the statement that there is some mistake as to the date of the change of name; that when he entered the office in 1815 it was known as Paris. He adds, however, that it had at one time been called Bourbonton, a fact which he had entertained by seeing the old way-bills in the office. From these statements and from the enactments of the Virginia Legislature, it seems clear that the town has borne the three names--Bourbonton, Hopewell and Paris. The selection of the last was peculiarly fitting. At the time the town was established there was a feeling of gratitude to France and to the Bourbons for the conspicuous part taken by the French people in the Revolutionary war, in which they contributed so largely to secure our National independence. Besides, the name of the County was Bourbon, given for the same reason. And it was, therefore, the more appropriate that the county-town should be called Paris; and this name was preferred and has been continued, carrying out in this instance, at least, the idea of the "survival of the fittest."
After the selection of Paris its the county seat, its population increased, and according to the census in 1790, six years after the settlement of the place, numbered 358. There is no reason to suppose that the early settlers indulged in any dreams of the future greatness of the town. If they did so, the illusion was rudely dispelled by the census of 1800, which showed a population of only 377, an increase in ten years of only nineteen inhabitants. The county, in the meantime, however, had increased with great rapidity.
The men of that day were not lacking in enterprise, for even then they looked forward to the opening of South Licking, and to carry out this purpose they secured the passage of an act through the Legislature in 1794, constituting John Edwards, Henry Clay, James Kenney, Charles Smith, William Garrard, William Kelley, William Boswell and James Smith, managers of a lottery, the object of which was to raise the sum of $2,800, to be used in opening the navigation of South Licking. Tickets were sold at $2, and the scheme was published for some time in the Lexington Gazette. We have been unable to ascertain whether the drawing ever took place, or the money was ever raised, or South Licking ever opened to navigation. The persons who were the managers of the lottery were leading and prominent citizens, showing that at that time there was not the same public sentiment against lotteries as now exists. In this respect, Paris was neither behind nor in advance of her sister towns; Georgetown had a lottery, and so also there were two in Lexington; one of the latter being for the benefit or the Dutch Presbyterian Protestant Church in that place.
In 1798, an act was passed by the Legislature, establishing Bourbon Academy, and "State aid" given to the institution, which donated for its benefit "six thousand acres of unappropriated lands."
In 1797, the publication of the Kentucky Herald was commenced. In an article published in 1855, in the Citizen, Mr. A. M. Brown, then the editor of that paper, states that James Stewart was the publisher. Other authorities are to the effect that it was published by Daniel Bradford, brother of the editor of the LeKington Gazette. It may be that both Stewart and Bradford were the joint publishers. The publication of the paper continued only one year. In March, 1797, the Legislature passed an act recognizing it as a medium of publishing laws or notices that required publication.
Very little is known of the habits or the every-day life of the early settlers. It is, however, clear, from the names which are mentioned, and from the prominent positions which many of them afterward held, that both the town and county was settled by some of the best citizens of Virginia and Maryland. It is probable that there were very few amusements in those days. There was no town hall. But, there was doubtless enough of social enjoyment and pastimes. The old-time quilting parties, the old-fashioned weddings, which were grand events, and the dance, probably the "Old Virginia Reel," and the Christmas festivities and holidays, and the crowning of the handsomest girl in the village, the "Queen of the May."
The facilities for obtaining news were not good. A post office wall not established here until 1795, and the mails were by no means regular. There was very little local news. The inroads of the Indians, and their pursuit, were the chief topics of interest, and constituted the sensational news of the times, whilst their recital by the fireside at evening was, no doubt, listened to with most thrilling interest.
The erection of the second court house wall begun in 1797, and the building wall finished in 1799. The foundation was laid by Thomas Metcalfe. "Old Stone-hammer," afterward Governor of the State. His uncle, John Metcalfe, had the contract to erect the building. The carpentering work was done by a Mr. McCord. This house was destroyed by fire in 1872.
As soon as the county seat was located permanently in the place, and the town wall laid off by Mr. Protzman, settlers were attracted here, who were on the lookout for suitable locations for merchandising and manufacturing. Mr. James H. McCann, who was born in Paris, in December, 1801, contributed some interesting facts, which appeared in "Sketches of Paris," a volume published in 1876, by G. R. Keller and J. M. McCann, and to whom we are also indebted for much information in regard to the early history of the place. From him we learn that the first settlers finding the bottoms all undesirable location for their purposes, they began to erect their houses on the higher ground. The first houses, it is believed, were built where the Bourbon House now stands, and along the road toward the Episcopal Church.
The first public house (or tavern) was erected of logs, on the lot now occupied by A. Shire's jewelry store, and was kept by Thomas West. It had no name like the hotels of today, but was known as "West's Tavern;" yet, in after years, when it was clapboarded, and washed over with a red-wash, it wall known as "West's Red Tavern," and the only sign displayed wall the "square and compass." The first hotel that bore a name was where the Bourbon House stands, and it was known as the "Indian Queen House," the sign displayed being a picture of a handsome Indian woman. The second hotel was kept by Thomas Eades in the Walker residence. The third was kept by Thomas Hughes, and stood just below the Citizens' Bank, occupying the site of the Stoker Hotel. The "Indian Queen House" (portion of the present Bourbon House), was erected about 1804-5, and kept by Maurice Langhorn.
The first brick house erected in Paris was built by Thomas West, about 1796, extending from Pullen and Chamber's grocery (now L. Frank's dry goods store) to Ficklin's property, opposite the Court House door. It was in three divisions, two stories high. In after years the street was graded down, and these houses had to be entered by high steps, the first floors being perhaps eight or ten feet above the level.
The first regularly organized school was taught by Turner Lane (1796), in a little frame building, where the First Presbyterian Church stands, corner of Pleasant and Mulberry streets. He was superseded by John McCann (father of the venerable James H. McCann, now living), in 1800. The first Church organized was in 1787, by Rev. Andrew McClure, a Presbyterian minister, though the church building was not erected until 1789, and was not completely fitted up until several years afterward. It stood on the corner of Church and high streets, where James T. Davis' residence now stands, The first public burying-ground was known as the old "Dutch Graveyard," and adjoins the City School premises. The ground was donated by Lawrence Protzman. The first election of Town Trustees was held the first Friday in March, 1797, and the following gentlemen elected: John Metcalf, Daniel Duncan, William Kelly, Andrew Todd, Thomas Arnold and Richard Henderson. The Trustees before that time their office by appointment by the Legislature.
The first bridge across Stoner at this point was built in 1795; was swept away in the fall of 1808, and was rebuilt the next year; this was torn away and replaced in 1833, by the one that stands firm yet, having been re-covered and otherwise repaired in 1875, and bids fair to last for several decades to come.
Paris in her earlier days seemed to have the same intellectual spirit animating her citizens as makes her famous for her educational institutions to-day. Establishing at the earliest day her academy and newspaper, it was but natural that she should have a public library, and as early as 1808 we find her with a chartered institution of this character. with the following gentlemen as Directors: William Garrard, Jr.. Robert Trimble, William Kelly, Samuel Hanson and Benjamin Mills. The library was destroyed by fire in 1829.
The first grist-mill within the town limits was near the mouth of Houston, and was owned by John Allen, Esq. The first post office was kept by Thomas Eades (grandfather of Mrs. B. E. Knapp), at his tavern in the Walker residence. He was succeeded by William Paton, an uncle of our present City Clerk, the venerable James Paton, Sr., who assisted his uncle in the office for some time.
In 1810 the town records were torn up by some unknown person, and the first records after that contain a resolution of condemnation of the unknown vandal.
The first dramatic performance in Paris was in 1807, in the old Burr House, which is yet standing. The dancing room was transformed into a theater, there being no suitable hall in the town in which to give theatrical representations. The company was an amateur one, composed of a number of young men of the place, and during the winter gave several performances. Among the plays enacted was Shakespeare's sublime tragedy of Macbeth, which the young actors essayed to produce, showing that they had the utmost confidence in their histrionic ability. Our informant recalls the tragedy of Macbeth, as one of the pieces presented, from the boys using as by-words, when they would meet each other on the street, the expression, "when shall we three meet again? "
Another amateur society gave performances in 1815. Among the members were a young man named Mitchell, Ed. Hannegan, and James May, an Englishman, who had some experience as an actor. They produced the play entitled "Wild Oats." Hannegan, the young man referred to above, was at that time a clerk in a store ; he was pale and delicate looking, and rather handsome, and in the fernale parts, which were usually assigned to him, made a very handsome and presentable lady. He subsequently, we are informed, went to Indiana, and years afterward, when Hon. E. A. Hannegan, one of the most brilliant orators of his time, was elected United States Senator from that State, it was said that he had been a clerk in a store in this place. It is, therefore, not improbable, that the amateur actor of Paris was, thirty or thirty-five years after, the eloquent Senator from Indiana. James May, who was also a member, figured afterward in the most exciting criminal case in the county, on a charge of forgery, and was sentenced to imprisonment in the State Penitentiary.
In 1823 or 1824, the first regular theatrical company appeared in Paris, under the management of a man named Cargill. The company comprised three ladies and three gentlemen. The performances, which continued nightly for some weeks, were given in the dancing-room of the old Paris Hotel. Among the pieces presented was Maturin's Bertram, which was a great favorite with theater-goers at that day.
The first carriage was brought here by Mr. Thomas Arnold, the Clerk of the Circuit Court, in 1807. He was also the first who purchased a piano, about the same time, Judge Robert Trimble, Judge Benjamin Mills, Jesse Bledsoe and Daniel Duncan, although they were leading, well-to-do citizens of the town, and had large families of children, had no pianos. For many years afterward, there were very few carriages; no buggies. The gig seemed to be a favorite vehicle for travel. Maj. A. Throckmartin, afterward the proprietor of the Galt House, in Louisville, had, it is said, the finest turn-out of that day--an elegantly finished and showy gig, to which two horses were driven, one before the other, tandem style. But horseback riding was then the usual mode of travel; and these were romantic and delightful days, when the young men went visiting or to church, with their sweethearts riding on behind and affectionately circling them with their arms.
In the earlier days, travel was exceedingly dangerous, on account of the liability of travelers being waylaid by hostile Indians. In looking over the old newspaper files, we find that those returning to Virginia would advertise weeks ahead for persons to accompany them through the "wilderness," as it was then called. The first stage that ever passed through Paris was in 1808, conducted by George Walls, of Lexington; but this was only temporary. The first regular stage line was established by E. P. Johnson & Co., of Georgetown, in 1818. It was not until long after, in 1854, that the Kentucky Central Railroad was finished to Paris, and the town placed in easy access with the important trade centers of the country.
In those times, the same care was bestowed upon dress as at the present day; if anything, the young men dressed more elaborately, in fine broadeloths, with tastefully ruffied shirt-bosoms, high stocks and standing collars. Some of the older men, among them Mr. Raines, the father of John B. Raines, for many years Cashier of the Northern Batik, and Mr. Thornton, Capt. Abram Spears, and others, were not led away by the changes of fashion, but adhered to the old time style of knee-breeches, with stockings reaching up to the knees. And there was a courtliness and a dignity in the style which was in admirable keeping with the stateliness and pride of these gentlemen of the olden time, in any one of whom, no doubt, might have been found a fit prototype for the latter-day apostle of aestheticism.
From 1800 to 1810, the town made rapid progress, springing from 377 to 838 in population. In the meantime, the county had become very populous, the census showing a population of 18,009, larger than the county now has after the lapse of seventy-two years,
In 1812, the second war with Great Britain was begun, and the citizens of Bourbon County rushed forward with patriotic ardor in defense of their country. Capt. William Garrard's troops were composed largely of the young men of Paris. During the progress of the war, the deepest interest was manifested, and the most intense eagerness to hear the news. When the dreadful intelligence of Dudley's defeat was received, there was mourning everywhere; but when word came of victories, there were processions, and firing of muskets, and hurrahing, and other demonstrations of joy. The news of peace, and the victory at New Orleans, January 8, 1815, caused great and universal rejoicing.
It was not until 1823 or 1824 that, so far as can be learned, the first debating society was organized. Among the prominent members were George W. Williams, afterward a leading citizen of the county, and George Redmon, a shoemaker. The latter, especially, was a ready speaker, and took an active part in the debates and proceedings of the society.
Such, chiefly, was the beginning of Paris. The men who laid its foundations were men of strong will, of ability, of patriotism, and many of them of culture. The long array of prominent names shows that there were truly "giants in those days." James Garrard, the second Governor of the State, who was among the earliest settlers, was a man of massive frame, weighing upward of three hundred pounds. He had represented the county in the Virginia Legislature, when Kentucky was a part of Virginia. He was a member of the State Constitutional Convention; afterward held important political trusts, and was recognized w one of the leading men of the State. Judge Benjamin Mills was a prominent lawyer, and one of the Judges of the Appellate Court during the old and new court controversy. He was heavy set, rather below the usual height, and those who have seen him say, in appearance, he was very much like his son, Rev. T. A. Mills. Jesse Bledsoe is spoken of as one of the ablest men of his day. He was Circuit Judge of the Lexington District, United States Senator, and held other positions of honor and trust. Judge Robert Trimble was a man of splendid presence; in intellect, and in all that goes to make up true manhood in every respect, one of the first men of the State. He was one of the Judges of the Supreme Court. A splendid granite monument marks his last resting-place in the Paris Cemetery.
These distinguished men--except Governor Garrard--were all contemporaries at the Paris bar, constituting a grand galaxy of legal ability unsurpassed in the State.
For many years, the history of Paris was only the record of ordinary, commonplace events. No startling murders, no great sensations, but everything moved on in the even tenor of its way. "Happy," it is said, "is that nation which has no history ; " where everything passes along calmly and pleasantly and peacefully, undisturbed by the rude shocks of bloodshed, and of war. Where every man reposes in peace beneath his own vine and fig-tree. But here, as everywhere, that great struggle in which all humanity is engaged, the struggle for daily bread, has always been going on; it is the terrible life struggle, and some become weary and heart-sick. and fall by the way. The aggregate histories of all these people, as they toil year after year, earning scarcely enough to save their families from want; the sowing in peril that another may reap the rich harvest; if the life's history of each individual could be given, it would make a history of deeper interest than any which shall ever be written.
And there is another side--another history of the beautiful home-life; of noble deeds of charity, and of kindness; of patient waiting and self-denying sacrifices; the tender and ennobling attributes of our nature, as they show themselves in the gentle ministrations of kindness, and in deeds of which the world knows nothing; these are not written in ephemeral earthly histories, but in another book.-F. L. McChesney
C HAPTER X--CITY OF PARIS--EARLY PERIOD OF THE TOWN--ITS GROWTH--PIONEER POLITICS--IMPROVEMENTS OF THE CITY--WAR EXCITEMENT AND SOLDIERS--TRANSIENT PROSPERITY--BURNING OF THE COURTHOUSE--CENTRAL UNIVERSITY--TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT--CHOLERA, ETC., ETC.
MR. James H. McCann, Who is now living, has a very distinct recollection of Paris as far back as 1805. There were, at that time, seventy-five or eighty buildings, situated mostly in the lower part of the town. From the best information that can be obtained, it is probable the first house built in Paris was the old log house on the northwest corner of High and Church streets, which was torn down last year. Some of these buildings are yet standing, among which are the old Burr House, now occupied by Mrs. Webb as it boarding-house, which was then a tavern, owned and kept by Mrs. James Duncan; the old Walker property, where Mr. Jeff Elgin now lives, is also one of the old landmarks; the two-story brick building, Dr. David Keller's residence, and the house adjoining were both built prior to that time, as was also a portion of the present Bourbon House; and the brick building lately occupied by Bayles & Davis. On High street, the town extended only to where Mr. James M. Hughes now lives. The ground now occupied by John T. Hinton's furniture store, the Adams Express, the post office and J. J. Shaw & Co.'s storehouse, and extending across Main street was then covered by a large pond of water, at times three or four feet deep, and had to be crossed on a log foot bridge. It was the delight of the boys when it was frozen over, and it is said that wild ducks were killed upon the pond even after this time.
We are informed that the building--the residence and store--of Mr. Philip Nippert was built from the timber cut on the ground where it is situated.
The present residence of James Short, Sr., was then standing, and then, as now, the old Paris Mills was one of the institutions of Paris. The lower portion of the town was compactly built, many of the houses being of brick, and the old court house, then comparatively new, was regarded as a model of architectural beauty and symmetry. However, there was not much regard had for tasteful residences; many of the dwelling-houses were erected close to the streets. There were very few front yards with attractive walks, and beautifled by evergreens and flowers. The people seemed to be of a more practical turn of mind, and regarded the ground they owned more valuable for gardens than for showy front yards.
The growth of Paris, from this time forward, for many years, was not rapid. In 1830, the population was 1,217; in 1840, it had decreased to 1,197. In the meantime, the population of the county had also decreased. The small land-holders sold their farms, and went to the West, where land was cheap, and their little homesteads were absorbed in the larger farms of their wealthier and more prosperous neighbors. There was, therefore, no reason to expect an increase of the population of the town, which depended for its prosperity almost exclusively upon the local trade of the county.
From the very first organization of the county and town. the people took a lively interest upon all political questions. They were almost all politicians. "Stump-speaking" has always been the favorite way with the public men of Kentucky in which to reach the people, and almost all the men who have risen to prominence have won success because they were good speakers, most of whom secured their education in oratory upon the hustings. As early as 1792, a political society was organized in Paris, modeled after the Democratic society in Philadelphia, and was formed to oppose the then Federal party. In 1798, the celebrated resolutions of 1798 were passed by the Kentucky Legislature, and the people were much divided, and there was great excitement on the issues of that day. The "Alien and Sedition" law enacted about that time produced a feeling of intense opposition throughout the country, which resulted in hurling the old Federal party from power, and making the name of Federalist ever afterward odious with the people. All this section of Kentacky ranged itself with the Republican party in opposition to the Federalists. Then came on the war of 1812, and our people were unitedly in its favor; then followed the conflict between the old and new court parties, which was probably the fiercest ever known in the State. In 1824-25, came the contest for the Presidency, in which Adams, Clay, Crawford and Jackson were the candidates. There was no choice of President by the people, and the election was thrown into the House of Representatives of Congress, and through the influence of Mr. Clay, the vote of the State was cast for John Quincy Adams. This caused a permanent division and a strict drawing of party lines here into Whigs and Democrats, and in all the subsequent contests Bourbon County and Paris were always carried by the Whig party by a decided majority, and from that day until his death the people followed with an unfaltering devotion the political fortunes of Henry Clay. To give an idea of the political feeling then existing, a public dinner, given in Paris. in July, 1827, to Mr. Clay, was attended by 8,000 people.
As far back as 1830, there was much interest in the construction of turnpikes, And the feeling then manifested has brought forth abundant fruit in giving to Bourbon County the most complete system of turnpike roads in the State. In that year there was much enthusiasm in favor of the Maysville & Lexington Turnpike road, which now constitutes our main street, and which, connecting with other roads extending hundreds of miles north and south, has not inaptly been called the "Broadway of the United States." To this road the citizens of Paris subscribed $30,500; in Lexington $13,000 was subscribed; in Millersburg, $5,200; in Nicholas County, $8,000, and $10,300 at Maysville. The Maysville & Lexington road bill passed Congress, but was vetoed by President Jackson. Collins' History of Kentucky contains the following "Practical Joke on the President," which was claimed, but, of course, groundlessly, to have some remote connection to the veto: "When President Jackson passed through Paris, in 1829, enroute to Washington, to be inaugurated President, some Adams men changed the sign-board, east of town, so as to make 'To Maysville' sign point to Mount Sterling. It is said, the General and party passed on toward the latter place some distance before discovering the mistake, It is added, that it was afterward claimed that this was, in great part, the cause of the old General's vetoing the Maysville road bill."
In 1851, the county of Bourbon subscribed $100,000 to the Lexington & Covington Railroad Company; individual subscriptions of stock were also made of $100,000. A like county subscription was also made to the Maysville & Lexington Railroad. Subsequently, the city of Paris subscribed $10,000 to the Covington & Lexington road. The Maysville & Lexington road, after being partially graded, and some other work done upon it, was abandoned, and was not finally completed until twenty years afterward, when the county subscribed $200,000 to aid in its construction. The Covington & Lexington road was finished to Paris in 1854. The road was afterward sold, and the stock of the county supposed to be lost. Subsequently, however, in a suit of the old owners against the heirs of an estate, who had purchased the road, the Court of Appeals decided to set aside the sale, and the title to the road reverted to its original owners. A compromise was affected by which a new company was organized, and this county accepted for its subscription $75,000 in stock, and this stock was sold last year for $45,000.
With the completion of the road to Covington, and the opening of new avenues of trade, the town and county both enjoyed, until the beginning of the late sectional war, an unwonted prosperity. There was a ready market for their stock and all their farm products. Indeed, the railroad, as is almost always the case, benefited the farmer more than it did the people of the town.
But the political excitement of 1860, followed by the terrible civil war, unsettled all business. In that year this county had given a large majority in favor of the Union candidates; but the feelings and interests and associations of a large majority of the people were with the South in its struggle. They deplored the war, and would have rejoiced could it have been averted, but when it begun and was followed up by the emancipation of the slaves, the white population, nine out of every ten, were in sympathy with the Southern people. In addition to this, the very flower of the young men had volunteered as soldiers in the Confederate army, Col. Roger W. Hanson's famous Second Kentucky Regiment and Gen. John H. Morgan's Cavalry being largely recruited from this section of the State. These people were in the anomalous position of being under Federal rule, yet sympathizing with the South. We state facts, and offer no comments. It was a civil war in which countrymen and townsmen and brothers were arrayed against each other, and that is the most dreadful of all wars. Paris and Bourbon County gave both to the Union and Confederate cause names which will be conspicuous in history. Judge Richard Hawes, the foremost citizen of his day in the county, at an advanced age, abandoned his home (which was seized by the Government and used as a hospital), to avoid imprisonment, took refuge in Virginia, and was afterward made Governor of the Confederate Provisional Government of Kentucky. Col. William E. Simms was one of the Senators from the State in the Confederate Congress ; Col. E. F. Clay, Maj. Thomas Y. Brent, Capt. J. Lawrence Jones, Capt. Daniel Turney, Capt. Ed. Taylor, Capt J. M. Thomas, Capt. Ed. F. Spears, and others, made a record of brilliant service in the Confederate army. On the Union side were Gen. John T. Croxton, Col. Charles S. Hanson, Col. R. M. Kelly, Col. G. C. Kniffin, Maj. John Hall, Capt. M. M. Clay, Capt. Greenberry Reid, Capt. Thomas Vimont, and others, who bore a prominent part in the great struggle, Find all of whom, both Confederate and Federal, are more particularly mentioned in a preceding chapter. Paris, fortunately, suffered very little from the ravages of war; no battle was fought in its immediate vicinity. In Novembar, 1861, a serious affray occurred near the jail, at the bridge, between a squad of Union soldiers, belonging to the Eighteenth Kentucky Regiment, and Abram Spears and Daniel Hibler, two well-known and prominent citizens, in which the former was killed and the latter severely wounded, being shot through the breast, after having shot and killed a soldier named Ford. It was with some difficulty that Hibler was protected from the infuriated soldiers, but he was immediately arrested by Capt. Greenberry Reid, who happened at the time to be passing through the bridge, and was lodged in jail, where he remained until the following July, when he was released by Morgan's command. This affair, on account of the prominence of the parties engaged in it, caused very great excitement in the community. At that time, military rule was supreme. In October, 1861, the Flag suspended publication. In April, 1862, the grand jury found indictments against thirty-four citizens of the county who had entered the Confederate service, and against twelve others for invading the State to make war against it. On July 18, 1862, about sundown, Gen. John Morgan's forces reached Paris. A deputation of citizens had met Gen. Morgan on the road to Ruddel's Mills and surrendered the town. His advent here caused much rejoicing among the Southern sympathizers. But, a short time afterward, when he had left, an order was issued by the Federal authorities forcing Morgan's friends to pay for the acts of their favorite chieftain; and, in the carrying out of this order, assessments were levied upon a number of citizens of this section of of the State. September 1, Paris was again abandoned by the Union forces, and was taken possession of by the Confederates, who paroled all citizens who were attached to the Home Guards. The Provost Marshal issued an order making Confederate money receivable for all goods and produce sold. One merchant who refused to take the Confederate notes as money was placed under arrest. After remaining here a short time, the Confederates abandolled this section, and, after the battle of Perryville, withdrew their entire forces from the State.
It was not until the close of the war in 1866 that Paris made any considerable advance in population. The slaves had been emancipated, and rejoicing over their new-born freedom were restless under the restraints of farm-life, and came to the city by hundreds. Besides, there was an almost universal belief that with the destruction of slavery, Kentucky and other States where the institution had existed would enjoy a prosperity which they had never betore realized. The prices of land, of houses, of everything, were inflated; money was plentiful; speculation was rife everywhere, and everything seemed to betoken an era of unexampled prosperity. In Claysville, a suburban town near Paris, one hundred houses were built in one week. In the meantime, railroad enterprises were infused with a new life. Action was taken looking to the completion of the Maysville & Paris Railroad, and the county, by a large popular majority, voted a subscription of $200,000 in aid of the enterprise. Another project, the Frankfort, Paris & Big Sandy Railroad was also agitated in 1871. A charter had been obtained from the Legislature in that year, and an application was made by Gen. John T. Croxton, the President of the company, to submit to a vote of the people of the county the preposition to subscribe $400,000 to the capital stock of the company. The Court, Judge Richard Hawes presiding, rejected the application. The contest was then transferred to the Legislature, and an amendment of the charter was asked making it mandatory upon the Court to submit the proposition to a popular vote. The question was thoroughly discussed, and although opposed by the Senator from this district and the Representative from the county, and the Railroad Committee in the House, of which Hon. J. C. S. Blackburn was Chairman, made a unanimous report against it, still the bill passed by a majority of thirteen votes; and in April, 1872, the Court, carrying out the mandatory act of the Legislature, submitted the proposition to the people, and it was carried by a majority of 288 votes; for the subscription, 1,672; against 1,384. The contest was very exciting, the county being thoroughly canvassed by Gen. Croxton, F. L. McChesney, R. S. Henderson, Col. E. F. Clay, Capt. James M. Thomas and Frank Kennedy in favor of the proposition. Hon. W. A. Cunningham was the only one who spoke against the subscription, replying to F. L. McChesney, at Clintonville. A subscription of $360,000 was made to the road in Scott County, and $350,000 in Bath, with the private subscriptions, making in all $950,000; but the road was never built, and the subscription never called for. The financial crash of 1873 followed, and put an end to all enterprise; the growth of the city was checked; the value of property fell; business became paralyzed; the mechanics had very little to do; a feeling of depression pervaded every department of trade; and the city has not yet recovered from the effects of that disastrous financial crisis.
In 1870, the negroes were made voters, and first voted here at the August election in that year. At the polls, a partition was erected, and the whites voted on one side and the colored men on the other. Prior to 1869, two villages, Claysville and Ruckerville, had been within the city limits, and in anticipation of their enfranchisement, and to keep them from obtaining political control, an act had been passed by the Legislature, cutting them off from the city, and re-arranging its boundaries. Nothwithstanding this Legislation, the Republicans for several years carried the municipal elections, and elected Roger W. O'Connor, Mayor. Subsequently, the charter was amended so as to require the payment of a per capita tax before voting, and since that time the Democrats have carried the city at each election by a decided majority.
On May 8, 1872, the old court house was destroyed by fire, the work of an incendiary. The True Kentuckian, of May 15, contains the following description of the fire, written by the Hon. R. T. Davis:
About 10 o'clock Wednesday night, smoke issued from the court house; but as no danger was apprehended, and no particular attention paid to it, it was mistaken for clouds; but, as the volume increased, and the smoke-wreaths ascended faster, persons went over, and, on opening the door, were horrified at finding that the interior of that ancient structure was in flames, and everything demonstrating, beyond a doubt, that some ruthless hand had applied the incendiary torch to our halls of justice. The windows, which were open in the evening, were tightly closed by the vandal, in order that the flames might make such headway, and eat so deeply into the vitals of the building, to defy all efforts to save it, when the incendary's work should be discovered. Even the doors opening from the vestibule into the court room were closed, and every precaution taken by the yet unknown burner to prevent an early discovery that might thwart his infamous design. When the inner door was opened, an appalling sight met the view; everything combustible was rapidly falling a prey to the devouring element; huge flame-tongues were darting, hissing, lapping and blighting everything they touched; struggling, so if obedient to fire king, whom motto was "excelsior!" And now broke forth upon the still night air the fearful cry of "fire!" which soon brought crowds to the scene of conflagration, some manifesting deep concern, while by far the greater number looked calmly on.
The engine was soon brought into requisition, and our firemen bore down on the brakes manfully, with what appeared at first a prospect of success of subduing the flames. But no sooner did a stream of water extinguish the fire in one quarter than it burst forth in another.
Seeing that the old structure was doomed, the firemen ceased their efforts to save it, and directed their attention to the other buildings that were jeopardized by sparks and flying cinders, until the heat became so intense that those who manned the engine at the cistern, new the scene of the burning, were compelled to abandon their work, and, as they could do nothing more, draw off to watch the flames, which men burst through the roof, and, in a few moments, fiery billows were rowing, tossing and seething around the base of the cupola, that symmetrical architectural work that lowered aloft a "thing of beauty" and just pride of the Bourbons for more than half a century.
As the shoots of flame amended, all eyes were directed to the old town clock, whom hands pointed to 10.50, the hour at which it cessed its labor, and when face had been familiar to us from childhood, and wore the same look for all--a look so tender for those in squalid poverty as those in regal splendor. Like a faithful sentinel, it stood at its post, and faced the fiery enemy, until the supports gave way, and it was forced to yield to the fire-fiend who had decreed that with it "time should be no more."
When the old cupola sank down into the bed of fire, many of the spectators gave utterance to an involuntary exclamation, and a beautiful young lady burst into tears when the dear old fabric disappeared from view forever.
There was more and heavier timber used in the construction of the edifice than one would have supposed, being erected at a period when, to use the language of a friend, "timber was cheap and carpenters were honest." The fall of the cupola, and the other lumber brought in its descent, filled the air with millions of sparks, that circled, eddied, whirled and danced through the atmosphere, making a scene grand and beautiful beyond description, and the myriads of swallows that had been dislodged from their homes in the cupola, were confusedly darting hither and thither, reminding one of the dove sent from the ark, seeking a place to rest its wearied wings, but finding it not.
The morning after the fire dawned bright and beautiful upon our city; but the beauty was marred by the sad spectacle presented by the ruins of the old buildings, where the law had been expounded for threescore and ten years. Nothing was left of the old structure, wherein andiences had listened, with rapt delight, to the eloquence of Clay, Marshall, Breckhrridge and others of the flower of Kentucky orators, but a shapeless mass of smoldering ruins. True, the old edifice was unsightly, and anything but a credit to a county possessed of so much wealth as Bourbon, but we deplore its loss, and say "peace to its ashes."
In 1873, an earnest effort was made to secure the location of Central University in Paris. Rev. L. H. Blanton, then of this city, now the Chancellor of the University, was the leading spirit in the movement, but was heartily seconded by a number of our public-spirited citizens. A magnificent subscription, reaching $110,000, was made, and offered as an inducement for the location of the University here, and in addition to this amount, it was believed that the interest upon the Garth Fund could also be diverted in the same direction. This would have increased the amount of the subscription to fully $140,000. Considerable feeling, however, had been engendered as to the location, and although Paris offered much the largest bid, the institution, by a vote of the Alumni Association, under whose auspices the enterprise was carried on, was located at Richmond. The response made for subscription was exceedingly liberal, and in the highest degree creditable to the people of our county.
In the latter part of November, the Murphy temperance movement was began in Paris by Mr. I. N. Grubbs, of Pittsburgh, Penn., and George Leavenworth, a reformed drunkard, of Cleveland, Ohio. The meetings were held at the Baptist Church, and largely attended. Every night they would address immense audiences, and would be followed by brief remarks from local speakers. Leavenworth was an earnest and persuasive speaker, and certainly one of the most effective temperance lecturers in the country. During the meetings, which lasted more than two months, there were upward of one thousand signers to the pledge of total abstinence, all of whom enrolled themselves as members of the Christian Temperance Union. Such good order was never seen in Paris as on Christmas Day, 1877. There was a temperance dinner and supper in the dining-room of the Paris Hotel building, and no drunkenness seen anywhere. For a time, at least all was quiet, and temperance hold full away in this city. The movement unquestionably was productive of good, but the results fell far short of the expectations of those actively engaged in it.
Paris, in its earlier days, was not a healthy city. In 1816, it was visited by what was called the "cold plague." The victims of the disease were first seized with a chilly fever, after which there were symptoms somewhat resembling cholera. Not being understood, it was especially fatal to old people. Among those who died were John Hildreth, James Kenney and Peter Cline and wife.
In 1833, the cholera first appeared in Paris. Business was suspended, and all who could get away left the town. The following is a list of those who died during the epidemic: Jonathan Willett, Thomas Burdin, Sophia (daughter of Dr. N. Warfleld), Mrs. Lym, Thomas Hardwick, a daughter of Maj. George W. Williams, Mrs. Judith Bryan, Mrs. Gaither, Mrs. William M. Samuel, Mrs. Moore and son, Mrs. Hinton, Peter Sharrer, Sr., Mrs. Charles Brent, Parker (son of Mrs. Andrews), Jonathan Dearborn and son William, Erasmus Gill, Isaac Avery, Samuel D. Scott, Samuel Beeler, Mrs. Ann Kennedy, Mrs. James McCann, Peter Hizer, Mrs. Praul, Richard Samuel, George Davis, Mrs. James Paton, Richard Turner, a turnpiker (name unknown), Richard Holmes (a wagoner at John Mitchell's). Colored persons: Olivia, at William C. Lyle's; Julia, at N. Warfield's; Grace, at Mrs. Barker's; boy, at James H. McCann's; woman, at E. H. Herndon's; Jennie Jackson; Sarah Wallace; woman, at Mr. Cummins'; Marshall's woman; David, two men and woman at S. Pyke's; woman, at Mr. Waggoner's; Jenny, at Rev. Amos Clever's; Phoebe, at Jonathan Massic's; Gabriel, a stone mason; woman, at David Cline's; girl, at John Mitchell's; thirteen, at H. T. Duncan's factory. Citizens of the town who died in the country: George P. Bryant, Miss Susan Croxon, Dr. Davis, George W. Williamson, Mrs. John G. Martin, Elizabeth Leer, Mary Ann (daughter of Jonathan Massie), Mrs. Berkley.
At this time, Paris contained a population of about 1,200; and when this is borne in mind, the proportion of deaths from the scourge was very large..
In 1839, a disease known as the "Paris fever" prevailed, and a number of the citizens of the town were its victims, among whom were Benjamin Riggs, Hugh I. Brent, Joshua Smith, Sallie Davis, James Scott and others. The disease was supposed to have been caused by the miasma & rising from the ponds and stagnant water about the town.
Again, in 1849, the cholera visited Paris, and the following taken from a slip which was sent out from the Citizen office, dated August 4, 1849, tells the story of its workings:
"The cholera has raged with great malignity and frightful mortality in Paris during the first few days of this week, but we are gratified to announce that the disease has abated in the violence and number of its attacks. The following is a list of the deaths since Thursday noon (July 26) to noon to-day: A. S. Pomeroy, Dyer Austin, Mrs. Thomas Rule; Old Cato, at Mrs. Keiningham's; Mrs. Green McIntyre; Aaron, son of N. B. Rion, Mrs. Squire Taylor, James Gardner's child; E. P. Watts, at A. Cummins'; negro woman at Mrs. Scott's; Squire Robinson; Ned, negro man of C. Talbott's; James H. Wood, old Mrs. Lovely, Thomas R. Rule, John H. Thurston, Samuel McElroy, Dr. John A. Ingels; negro girl at Charles Talbutt's; George Elliott, James Heatherington, William Finlay, Mrs. Elizabeth Barker; Mary, daughter or George Northcutt; old negro woman, Smoot's mother; Charles, son of C. C. Daugherty; George, son of Dr. L. G. Ray; Dr. Quisenbury, Ezekiel Thurston (not cholera); Mrs. Sarah D. Scott, Charles Snyder (consumption); Mrs. Brent's negro boy, William T. Davis; Henry, son of Mrs. Robinson; Frank T., son of A. T. Sebree; Mrs. Martha Potts (in Millersburg); Mrs. Barbara Lennox (in Millersburg); James Daugherty, Mrs. Ann Mitchell, Mrs. Israel N. Smith, Jesse P. Kern, negro girl of Mrs. Williams; negro girl at David Kelley's; Mrs. Samuel Clair; Mr Sheppard (chair-maker); John McIntyre (in the country); Mrs. Catharine Hibler; Judy Klizer, a free woman; Stepney Barnett, free black; Old Davy, negro man near town, and James Scott.
"The above is as accurate a list as we have been able to obtain, but we believe it to be very nearly correct. We hear of very few new cases within the last twenty-four hours. The whole number of deaths, since the 3d of July (when the first case of cholera occurred) to the 4th of August, in town and vicinity, sixty-five, which includes all the deaths of cholera and five or six other diseases. Owing to sickness, we have been unable to publish the Citizen this week. We hope, however, that we shall be able to renew our regular issues next week."
In addition to the above, the following also died: Mrs. Richard Talbott, child of William M. Taylor, Mrs. A. S. Pomeroy, Mrs. Robert S. Morrow, Mrs. Cheshire, Roger D. Williams (son of Maj. George W. Williams) of fever, Thomas Rule, Jr., Miss Harriet Robinson, Mrs. John Crosby, Miss Susan Daugherty, John Talbutt (son of Charles Talbutt), William Scroggin, Mrs. Willis Wills, Mrs. Dr. John A. Lyle, Miss Mary Chambers and others.
In 1852--53, the cholera again visited Paris, but was not so fatal as in 1833 and 1849.
In the fall and winter of 1873-74, the cerebro-spinal meningitis prevailed in Paris, and was very fatal. Among those who died were the following: Mrs. B. F. Massie, Oliver Shaw, Mrs. William Lair and child, William Clay, Miss Katie Holliday, Mrs. Mary Buckner, three children of Mrs. Merringer, Willie Gaper and Miss Ollie Stoker. About this time there were other deaths, among them the following: Mrs. B. F. Pullen, Mrs. J. S. Sweeney, Mrs. J. T. Hinton, Mrs. O. P. Carter, Miss Carrie Stuart, Miss Mary Ingels, Mrs. W. T. Poynter, Mrs. G. W. Williams and Mrs. Louisiana Rankins.
In 1873, the cholera appeared at Millersburg, and was very fatal. There were no cases in Paris. During the former epidemics, well water was generally used; now almost every residence has a cistern, and it is claimed by some that the city owes its exemption from cholera in 1873 to the almost exclusive use of cistern water.--McChesney.
CHAPTER XI--THE CHURCH HISTORY OF PARIS--INTRODUCTION OF THE GOSPEL--BUILDING OF THE FIRST CHURCHES--PRESBYTERIAN ORGANIZATION--OTHER DENOMINATIONS--THE BARNES REVIVAL--SOCIETIES, THE PRESS, ETC.
"How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of peace and bring glad tidings of good things."
HAND in hand with the early settlers came the earnest and devoted preachers of the Gospel. The husbandman tilled the son and the golden grain rewarded his industry, and in every household there was bread to supply the physical wants of man. But it is said, "that man shall not live by bread alone," and religion comes offering to satisfy the soul's hunger and the soul's thirst, and to give the bread, of which if any man eat he shall never hunger, and the water of which if any man drink he shall never thirst. And so in the early days, when the rude log house was built, the same hands erected the modest house of worship, where the Gospel of peace was proclaimed. First, in the county, so far as we can learn, came the Baptists; then the Presbyterians. Whilst there was wickedness then just as now, yet there seemed to be a strong religious element, transplanted here from the Valley of Virginia, which pervaded the whole community. But scarcely had the church gained a foothold than infidelity also appeared. Just before the close of the last century France had run wild, the Sabbath had been abolished, and the darkness of atheism had settled upon that people. At that time one of the most learned and brilliant of this school of infidels was Augustin Volney, the author of the "Ruins of Empires," whose whole life was devoted to the pulling down of all the altars of religion. It is not known why he came here, but about that time he became a resident of the county, and was industrious in sowing the seeds of infidelity; and the tares which were thus sown have grown up, and the baneful influence of his teachings have not passed away to this day. About the same time occurred in this county, that remarkable religious phenomenon, "the Shakes," the greatest revival which has ever occurred in the State, of which a full account is given elsewhere in the history of the county. In this connection we may state that we are informed on good authority that of all those who had the "Shakes," or spiritual "exercises," not one failed afterward to live a consistent Christian life.
The following full and accurate history of the Presbyterian Church, we reproduce from the "Sketches of Paris:"
Presbyterian Church.-The Presbyterians were the pioneers of religion in Paris, having established the first church in 1787, and continued ever since to sustain an organization, and to-day are sustaining two preachers, having two working congregations and owning two church buildings.
Rev. Andrew McClure, a man of devout and energetic disposition, was the first minister, and to him is due much of the honor for the firm hold his people have upon this community. He organized the church, was its first leader, and remained in charge until his death in 1793. The first official act of the session of the church, of which we have any record, bears date of September 25,1809. The Ruling Elder then were Isaac Orchard, John Curry, James Alexander, Joseph Mitchell and William McConnell. It is probable that nearly all of these men were Elders when the church was organized.
In the spring of 1795, Rev. Samuel Rannells took charge of the church, and continued until his death in 1817. During Mr. Rannells' ministry, as well as Mr. McClure's, the church at Paris was connected with the church at Ruddel's Mills (or Stoner Mouth, as it was known), and after Mr. Rannells' death this connection was dissolved, and the Paris congregation sustained a minister for his whole time, having extended a call to the Rev. William Wallace, a young man of brilliant talents and ardent piety. He preached in Paris for some time before his ordination and installation as pastor. Under his ministration, the church was blessed with a revival, and more than one hundred persons were added to the membership. He died in 1818, after a pastorate of about one year.
At the death of Mr. Wallace, and for some time afterward, the pulpit was supphed by the Rev. James McChord, a man of extraordinary ability and one of the most eloquent speakers of his day. Mr. Renck, in his history of Lexington, says he studied law with Henry Clay, but after mature deliberation abandoned that profession and attended a theological seminary in New York, where he took the foremost rank. His eloquence and energy built up a large congregation in Lexington, but he had his troubles, was removed, and died May 26, 1820, brokenhearted, aged thirty-five years. During the winter of 1819, or the spring of 1820, the Rev. John McFarland was called and installed pastor of the church. His pastorate extended through a period of eight years, and was terminated by his death on the 28th of July, 1828.
Rev. Mr. Pratt was engaged as pastor. During the following year, the pastor, assisted by Rev. John Black, conducted a meeting, during which thirty-four persons were added to the church, twenty-two of whom were colored. Again, in 1847, there was a considerable ingathering. Mr. Pratt's ministry closed during the spring or summer of 1852.
He was succeeded, in the fall of the same year, by Rev. E. B. Smith as pastor. Mr. Smith's ministry closed in the spring of 1856, and was followed by the Rev. Mr. Carrier, who seems to have labored as stated supply one year. In November, 1857, Rev. W. T. McElroy was invited to act as stated supply.
In January, 1858, a joint communion was held by the two churches, preaching alternately by the pastors. Twelve persons were received into the communion of the New School Church, and a less number into the Old School, and the Synod of Kentucky on the part of the New School, having taken action looking to organic union of the two bodies. This action was consummated in the Paris church, in April, 1859, the joint session then meeting for the first time. The preachers employed during the four following years were Mr. Liggatt, Revs. E. W. Bedinger, Holloway and W. B. Browne.
In the spring of 1863, Rev. D. O. Davies was called, and installed pastor, and it was during his ministry that the war trouble sprang up, which resulted in the division of the church in 1866.
Mr. Davies continued pastor of the church in connection with the Southern General Assembly, until 1868, when he resigned the charge, and a call was extended to Rev. L. H. Blanton, now Chancellor of Central University, which was accepted and he was installed as pastor. In 1869-70, the present splendid church edifice was built, and in November, 1870, the church was dedicated, the dedicatory sermon being delivered by Rev. Dr. J. C. Sthes. About the same time the Synod of Kentucky met in Paris. During the pastorate of Dr. Blanton, the church membership was largely increased, and great activity was observable in the promotion of all the interests of the church. It was a working pastor, and an active, working, giving church. During the twelve years of Mr. Blanton's ministry, the large sum of $75.000 was collected, including the amount subscribed to build the church. The ladies were especially active, and prepared and published a book, entitled "Cooking in the Blue Grass," from the sale of which they realized several thousand dollars. Mrs. A. E. Randolph, now a missionary in China, went from this church, which has contributed liberally to the cause of foreign missions. Dr. Blanton resigned in 1880, and was succeeded by Mr. Sumrall, who served as stated supply for several months. In the spring of 1881, the congregation extended a unanimous call to Rev. Dr. E. H. Rutherford, of St. Louis, Mo. The call was accepted, and Dr. Rutherford in May, entered upon the duties of pastor. The following is a list of the present officers of the church : Ruling Elders, George W. Davis, A. W. Wright, D. M. Dodge, Joseph A. Howerton, John Gass, Joseph M. Jones and R. P. Dow. Deacons, Joseph Neely, David Kennedy, F. L. McChesney, Ed F. Spears, W. A. Johnson, George R. Bell, Victor K. Shipp, Emmett M. Dickson. Secretary and Treasurer, Joseph M. Jones. The Sunday school numbers about 125 pupils. Joseph A. Howerton, Superintendent; George W. Davis, Treasurer; W. A. Johnson, Secretary; Victor K. Shipp, Librarian; William Webb, Assistant Librarian.
In 1866, a division occurred in the Presbyterian Church, a portion uniting with the Southern General Assembly, and the remaining adhering to the Northern branch of the Church. The division of property was arranged without litigation, in a way satisfactory to the parties interested. The history of the church in cunnection with the Southern General Assembly has already been given. The other branch of the church retained possession of the building on the corner of Pleasant and Mulberry streets, which has since been repaired and handsomely improved. The following is a list of the pastors since the division: Rev. W. F. C. Webster, 1870-71; from spring of 1871 to fall of same year, Rev. G. W. Coons; from September, 1871, to April, 1874, Rev. C. F. Beach; from December, 1874, to 1878, Rev. R. W. Cleland. For some time after this, the church was without a regular pastor. Last year, Rev. Ernest McMillan was called to and accepted the pastorate of the church. The following are the officers : Elders, B. F. Harris, Dr. Joseph Fithian, James McClintock, Sr., Thomas I. Brent. Deacons, James Hall, George F. Smith, William H. Park. Superintendent Sunday School, George F. Smith; Librarian, George D. McClintock.
The Baptist Church of Christ in Paris, in union with the Baptist Churches of the General Union, was constituted in the old court house on the 18th of February, 1818, upon the following members; Joel Prewitt, Rachel Johnson, James Pritchett, Pheba Pritchett, Agness Pullen, George Bryan, Hannah Gorham and Nicholas Talbott, by Elders Jeremiah Vardernan and Davis Biggs.
"The first business meeting was held March 5, 1818. Elder Vardeman was Moderator, and Joel Prewitt, Clerk. The first Deacons were Nicholas Talbott, George Bryan and William S. Bryan, and Willis Young, First Stated Clerk.
" From this time to December, 1832, the number that had united with the church was 302 whites and 153 colored, of whom, among the whites, there are now living here or holding membership: Joseph Stephens, Washington Wheat, James Paton, Mrs. Grosjean, Mrs. Lucretia Feemster and Joseph Porter and wife.
"On April 18, 1818, George Bryan, William S. Bryan, James Pritchett and Joel Prewitt were appointed Commissioners to build a meeting-house for the church, and obtained a large lot at the intersection of the Winchester Turnpike road with Pleasant street, which was finished in March, 1822.
"Elder Vardeman continued pastor of the church from its organization to 1826, preaching one Saturday and Sunday of each month. The church was also supphed with preaching, during that time, by Elders John Holliday, Mason Owings, James D. Black, A. G. Curry, G. Gates and others.
"A revival commenced in the winter of 1827-28, under the preaching of Elder Vardeman and others, when 135 whites and 46 colored persons were received into the church.
"In 1839, Elder Vardeman moved to Ralls County, Mo., where he continued to preach until about a week before his death, which occurred in May, 1842, aged sixty-seven. His biographer says of him: 'This distinguished minister was one of a class somewhat rare in the annals of the church. He possessed the peculiar talent of bringing the leading truths of the Gospel home to the consciences of his hearers. His illustrations were singularly varied, his language strong, simple and well suited to convey clear thoughts to every class, even the most illiterate, while the deep fountains of feeling gushed from his own heart, and poured, like a shower of rain, over the minds of his hearers. In deep emotion, vivid conceptions of Gospel truth and the power of exciting sympathy, he resembled Whitfield. His voice was powerful, sonorous and clear. He commenced his ministry about the year 1801.'" (From "Sketches of Paris," furnished by Mr. James Paton, Sr.)
The Deacons up to this time, in addition to those first named, were Jahab Wheat and Joseph Stephens; Clerks, Willis Young and Henry Croxton.
With 1832, commenced the "reformation," which caused a division in the church, and an act of separation from those claiming to be "Reformers" was adopted in December of that year.
In January, 1833, the church was re-organized, with about forty-eight white members. It has now a membership of about one hundred. From the time of its organization until a few weeks ago, the church has had a pastor--1833, Elder William Vaugh; 1836, R. T. Dillard; 1837, A. Goodell; 1838, G. C. Sedwick; 1842, J. W. Kenny; 1844, J. R. Davis; 1845, G. G. Goss; 1848, W. M. Pratt; 1849, T. J. Drane; 1849, F. D. Isbell; 1851, S. L. Helm ; 1852, J. M. Frost; 1853, Y. R. Pitts; 1854, J. H. Yeaman, J. B. Link.
In 1857, the colored members of the church were organized into a separate church, under the name of the "African Church," by Elder J. B. Link and others, and have kept up their own organization ever since, and have been prosperous, having built a large and comfortable house of worship.
In 1858, Elder George Varden was chosen paster, and served until 1870. In 1865, the congregation determined to remove their house of worship from the old location, and rebuild in a more central position, sold the old building and lot, and purchased a lot on the corner of Locust and Main streets, upon which the present building was erected in 1867-68.
In 1870, Elder John Kingdon was chosen pastor; 1872, C. S. McCloud; 1873. Elder A. Myers supphed the church with preaching, and occasionally Elder Salin; 1874, Elder A. N. White, who continued several years. He was succeeded, in 1878, by Elder S. F. Taylor, who has recently resigned. The church is now without a pastor. The following are the officers: Deacons, James Paton, Sr., Joseph Stephens, Chester F. Croxton, James Bradshaw; Clerk, W. M. Goodloe. Sunday school-R. S. Henderson, Superintendent; William M. Goodloe, Treasurer; R. H. Hudson, Jr., Secretary; John Prewitt, Librarian; number of scholars, fifty-five.
Methodist Episcopal Church South.-The organization of the Methodist Church in Paris dates back to 1807. For about ten years, the preaching was in private houses, and mostly in the house now occupied by D. B. Flanigan, then owned by Morgan Francis. In 1817, mainly through the efforts of Peter Schwartzweiler, a brick church was built on the site on which the present building stands. The congregation being weakly, the building was not finished until 1820. Here the congregation worshiped until 1860, when the present building was erected. Several of the members of the congregation here, now living, contributed to the erection of the church, but the success of the undertaking was mainly due to the liberality and energy of Mr. John D. Hearne, then a merchant of this city, now of Covington, Ky.
Until 1865, Paris was only a circuit, having preaching only once or twice a month. In the fall of that year, it was made a station, and Rev. William F. Taylor appointed pastor. During the four years' pastorate of Mr. Taylor, the membership increased from seventy-five to one hundred and fifty-four. Rev. James C. Morris succeeded Mr. Taylor, remaining four years, and though many were added to the church, yet the membership decreased, owing to deaths, removals, etc., to one hundred and thirty-eight. Rev. W. T. Poynter followed Mr. Morris, remaining four years. During his pastorate the church was prosperous, and under his skillful management its financial plans were well executed, and he left the church in very good working order. He was followed by Rev. E. H. Pearce, who remained but one year, leaving the church about as he found it Rev. Dr. James A. Henderson succeeded Mr. Pearce, and remained two years. He was followed by Rev. J. O. A. Vaught, who is the present pastor, now closing the second year of his pastorate, which is proving a prosperous year, more than forty persons having united with the church already.
Besides the above, nearly all the prominent ministers in the Kentucky Conference have preached in Paris-Cole, Lakin, Lindsay, Gann, Bascom, Durbin, Stamper, Cartwright, Kavanaugh, Stribling, Ray, and many others.
The following is a list of the officers : Pastor, Rev. J. O. A. Vaught; Stewards--James McClure, Gray Smith, John Trundle, Selby Lillerton, E. P. Gamble and Edward R. Fithian; Trustees--H. M. Rucher and Dr. Wash. Fithian.
St. Peter's Church.(written by Rev. G. A. Weeks)-The first services of the Episcopal Church in Paris, or which there are any records, were conducted by clergymen from Lexington, Ky. As early as August 27, 1815, the Rev. John Ward, of Lexington, came to Paris and held service in the old court house, and on that occasion baptized an infant daughter of Walker and Sarah Thornton. That infant, long years ago, grew to womanhood, and is still living in the county and is well known as the poetess, Mrs. M. R. McAboy. This was the tint baptism. After that time, up to the year 1830, occasional services were held, chiefly by clergymen from Lexington, among whom might be mentioned the Rev. G. T. Chapman, the author of a famous book of sermons on the principles and claims of the church.
During this period, no regular ministrations were sustained, nor does there seem to have been any further attempt made than to minister to certain persons who had preferences for the church on account of early associations in Virginia.
But in the year 1832 or 1833, a decisive attempt was made to establish a parish and erect a church edifice. This was done under the efficient leadership of the Rev. Amos Cleaver, who came to Paris from Philadelphia, then in the prime of his strength and energy. By indefatigable labor, covering a period of six years, he drew together a congregation of people, organized them into a parish, and completed a comfortable church edifice of brick. This church edifice was consecrated in due form and order under the name of St. Peter's Church, on the fifth day of August, 1838, by the Rt. Rev. B. B. Smith, Bishop of the diocese.
Soon after the consecration of the church, Mr. Cleaver saw fit to resign the charge of it, at least for a time, and the Rev. Francis B. Nash was chosen his successor, but did not long continue in the office, for, in the year 1840, Mr. Cleaver was recalled, and again entered upon the work which he had previously given up. He continued his second rectorship till some time in the year 1843.
During the ministry of Mr. Cleaver and Mr. Nash, a good many people were led to sympathize with the struggling parish and co-operate in its efforts, who did not become members of it. But some were baptized and confirmed.
Among the names of adults who received baptism at this time, mention might be made of Sarah A. Berkley, Mrs Cordelia Kelly, Mrs. Eliza J. Elliott (afterward Mrs. Garrett Davis), Mrs. Margaret T. Brent, Maj. Thomas Elliott, Caroline A. Scott, Amelia A. Timberlake. Of course, a much greater number of infants were baptized during the period.
Several of the adults named above were among the very first who received the rite of confirmation. Among the early confirmed we should also mention Mr. John Richards, Mrs. Mary A. Timberlake, Mrs. Elmira D. Brent, Mrs. Elizabeth L. Hart, Mr. William Hearne, Mr. Jefferson Scott, and, later, Mr. Hugh Brent. Some cummunicants had been confirmed elsewhere, as Mrs. M. Morray, Mrs. John Richards and Miss Nancy Marshall.
The first marriage under Mr. Cleaver's administration was that between John Alexander and Betsy Gass, and the second between Thomas Elliott and Eliza J. Morrow.
The first funeral was that of Matilda P. Hearne, an infant seventeen months old, and the second that of Charles E. Talbott, aged thirty years.
In the early part of the year 1843, Mr. Cleaver again gave up the charge of the church, and was succeeded by the Rev. J. Avery Shepherd.
The names of the rectors of the church succeeding Messrs. Cleaver and Nub, with the time they continued in office, are as follows:
Rev. J. Avery Shepherd, about one year; Rev. O. G. Moore, about three years; Rev. H. H. Reid, about two years; Rev. T. H. Mitchell, about four years; Rev. J. Austin Merrick, about ten years; Rev. G. A. Weeks, about seventeen years, and who is the present incumbent. Under the ministrations of Messrs. Shepherd and Moore, there was a marked increase in the number of baptisms and confirmations.
After Mr. Reid's popular rectorship, he went abroad and was accidentally killed by a fall from a balustrade in a hotel in Italy.
Mr. Mitchell, in addition to his work in church, conducted a flourishing school, in which he did much good in instructing the youth of the parish. Mr. Merrick, by his efficiency as a disciplinarian, and by a strict adherence to church principles, imparted a churchly character to the parish which it never had received in such measure before. He and his good wife also did much for the instruction of the youth in a parish school. He resigned, at last, on account of chronic ill-health, and finally died in a charitable institution in the city of New York.
Among the laymen, now gone to their rest, who have been eminently useful in upholding the above named clergymen in their work, it may not be deemed invidious to mention the names of Dr. Harry Hopson and Hon. Robert T. Davis.
In the spring of 1870, the old church which Mr. Cleaver had built, was in the main taken down, and during the fol. lowing summer and fall another of more elegant appearsees and more complete in its appointments, erected in its place. This rebuilding was done at a cost of nearly $10,000, including all the furnishings. And as the building was now essentially a new church, it wall reconsecrated on the 18th day of November, 1870. In its design as an ecclesiastical structure, it may be regarded among the best in the diocese.
The parish has slowly advanced in strength from its beginning, and without doubt to-day stands on a stronger basis than ever before. Its baptisms and confirmations, reaching up into the higher hundreds, are an indication of the good it has done. "O, pray for the peace of Jerusalem; they shall prosper that love thee."
Officers of church at present time (February, 1882): Rev. George A. Weeks, Rector; Dr. David Keller, Senior Warden; Mr. William S. Taylor, Junior Warden; Harry Spurs, Vestryman; W. W. Forman, Vestryman; O. A. Gilman, Vestryman; John C. Brent, Vestryman; Anderson Berry, Vestryman; James A. Stewart, Vestryman.
The following sketch of the early history of the Christian Church was written by Elder John A. Gano: "At the request of several brethren, members of the church in Paris, Ky., I write the following brief history of that church, in its origin, infancy and progress. For many years Elders Stone, Purviance, Dooley and others, in their itinerations, preached much in Bourbon County. The churches at Mount Carmel, Millersburg and Flat Run, at in early period, under their labors came into existence, nor should I fail to mention the efficient labors of those faithful ministers, Francis R. Palmer, Thomas Smith, Joel Haden and others, who, during the first quarter of the present century, throughout a considerable portion of Northern Kentucky, preached without any earthly compensation. Paris often shared in the benefit of these labors. It was not, however, until in September, 1827, when I came with Brother Thomas M. Allen to Paris to hold a meeting, that any encouraging movement toward the formation of a church took place. During that meeting he immersed Mrs. George W. Williams, and her mother, Mrs. Mary T. Webb. Later in the autumn of the same year, we held another meeting. Through the kindness of the magistracy we were permitted the use of that time-honored, grand old court house, all the meeting-houses in town being closed against us, until the good Baptist, Brother William Bryan, offered us the use of their house. As some of the members of his church objected, we preferred to use the court room and it was here, at this second meeting in the autumn of 1827, an effort was made to gather a church. On invitation several came forward to have their names enrolled, viz.: Mrs. Mary T. Webb, Mrs. George W. Williams, Mrs. H. Wilson, Mrs. M. Ashford, Miss M. Speak, and, perhaps, another. To encourage this little band, I had my name enrolled among them. Brother Allen and the writer preached either separately or together, monthly or oftener, for this little flock, which soon increased in numbers and influence. So many valuable additions, male and female, were made within a year that the church was organized on the same divine principles as the one in Jerusalem more than eighteen centuries ago. Mr. Allen was the influential and working man, and it was mainly through his instrumentality that the church prospered, and a good brick house of worship was erected in the year 1828. Brother T. M. Allen and John Rogers were present at the dedication of that building. Among the many generous contributors to aid in that work, I remember Mr. Hugh Brent, Sr., Mr. John L. Hickman, Sr., Mr. Daniel Duncan, George W. Williams, Esq., Mr. Samuel Pyke, Mr. Henry Wilson, Mr. Michael Ashford and Mr. Daniel Smedley. The first three were not members of the church. The others were, or soon became such. After the completion of the house, Brother Allen became the regular preacher. My labors were still frequent and were successful. In those days we never thought of receiving any salary. Brother Allen visited Virginia in 1831, and was urged to preach monthly for the church in Paris, and consented to do so. I continued my labors with them until about 1835, and it was during this period that so many of the Baptist Church in Paris, embracing the preacher, Brother G. Gates, Brother Hiram Bledsoe, Brother William Bryan, and many others, discovering, on mutual consultation, with many of our brethren, the entire religious harmony existing between us, a cordial union was formed, on the foundation of apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone. Our house became the place of worship, the brethren yielding up their former house to their quondam associates. Brother Allen removed to Missouri in 1836. Brother Aylett Raines succeeded me as the preacher in Paris, and, becoming permanently located here, did most efficient and successful service through a long series of years. The church has also had the labors of Elders R. C. Ricketts, David G. Burnett, John G. Tompkins, G. B. Moore, William S. Giltner, Dr. L. L. Pinkerton, O. P. Miller, L. Pyron, John Shackleford, David Walk, C. R. Marshall, and John S. Sweeney, the present pastor. A host of others have transiently visited and preached for this congregation, from the gifted Alexander Campbell, deceased, down to the many of humbler talents, both of the living and the dead.
"The church has continued to grow in members since its organization, and now has a membership of about four hundred. Elder John S. Sweeney is the pastor, having held the position for the past twelve years, and still retains a strong hold upon the affections and confidence of the congregation. He is a minister of decided ability, as is evidenced by his unusually long pastorate; longer, if we mistake not, than that of say other minister since the organization of the Christian Church in Paris.
"The following are the present officers of the church: Pastor, J. S. Sweeney; Elder, James M. Thomas; Deacons, J. T. Hinton, J. D. Butler, Horace Miller, W. T. Talbott, W. W. Gill; Treasurer, J. T. Hinton; Superintendent Sunday School, James M. Thomas. The Sunday school is largely attended, numbering upward of two hundred scholars. The old church building was torn down in 1859, and the present building crected and dedicated in June, 1859."
The Catholics of Paris and vicinity were occasionally visited prior to 1840 by missionary priests from Louisville and Cincinnati, among whom were Rev. Fathers Baden and Kenrick, afterward Archbishop of Baltimore,and others who labored hard in and around Paris. In 1850, Paris and the adjacent country were the flelds of labor for Rev. Fathers McMahon, Force, Allen and Perry, of Lexington. Services were held in private houses throughout the county. Rev. Father Force bought the present lot on Main street, and in 1854 Rev. Father Allen, under the direction of the Right Rev. Bishop Carroll, built a small church, which still stands on the lot, for the accommodation of the congregation. In 1858, the frame church being entirely too small, the membership numbering about two hundred, Rev. Father Allen began the foundation of the new brick church, the corner-stone of which was laid in 1858.
Rev. Father Brandts, the successor of Rev. Father Perry, came to Paris in 1860. Seeing the want of a larger church, he commenced the erection of the present building, which was dedicated in 1865. The membership had then increased to about four hundred. In 1869, the congregation determined to enlarge the church, and means were provided for that purpose. The building of an addition was begun at once, and was finished in 1870. The total cost of the church building, including the addition, was about $25,000.
Father Brandts was succeeded by Rev. James McNerney, in 1876, who remained until 1877, when Rev. Ferdinand Brossart was appointed. On November 6,1878, the present rector, Rev. James P. Barry took charge of the church.
The history of the church in Bourbon County may be summed up as follows: Some fifty years ago, the mentben were few and widely scattered, and had no regular church; consequently the Holy Sacrament of the Mass, as a matter of necessity, had to be offered up in some private residence. Today, the Catholics of Bourbon have a resident priest at Paris, a neat church, a spacious cemetery, and a visitation convent; with schools attached, boarding, academy and parochial. The Catholic population numbers one hundred and thirty famihes, or about one thousand persons.
The colored people have three new and substantial church buildings in Paris. The Methodist Church, finished within the last two or three years, is one of the most tasteful in the city. Rev. A. Price is its pastor. Rev. Elisha Green is pastor of the Colored Baptist Church, and Elder Julius Graves, of the Colored Christian Church.
For three weeks in March, 1882, Paris was the scene of the most wonderful religious revival which has ever occurred in its history. George O. Barnes, an evangelist, formerly a minister in the Presbyterian Church, but now out loose from all church connection, held a series of meetings in the court house, which will accommodate 1,200 per sons, and during the three weeks of his stay preached twice a day to crowded houses, and frequently hundreds were turned away unable to find sitting or even standing room. For several years, wherever Mr. Barnes has preached, them never has been a hall or church large enough to accommodate the throngs who wish to attend. Frequently the seats were filled an hour before the service began, and sometimes persons would remain from one service to another, without going to their homes. Such a deep religious interest never before pervaded the community. There are widely varying estimates of Mr. Barnes and his teachings. Some regard him as the most powerful preacher of the Gospel in the world, the Whitfield of the nineteenth century in eloquence, whilst a few are not favorably impressed by him, and regard his teachings as unsound and dangerous. His doctrines are sometimes severely criticised and his preaching condemned on account of the homely and so-called "slang" expressions used by him in the pulpit. But he rivets and holds enchained the attention of the audience from the opening to the closing word of his sermon. He never tires himself; while speaking, never moistens his lips with water; and never wearies his audience. His knowledge of Scripture is wonderful, and the great success of his labors is, in a measure, due to his deep earnestness, the simplicity of his language, his persuasive eloquence, and the absolute control he wields over those who listen to him. Holding that his commission as a minister of the Gospel is not only to preach, but to heal all manner of diseases, he prays with and anoints all the afflicted and suffering who wine forward, and "trust as best they can in Jesus to heal them." Under his ministry, during the last three months, about three thousand persons have been anointed. In a poem entitled "Pulpit Eloquence," by Mrs. Amelia B. Welby, is given a picture of a preacher which so nearly describes Mr. Barnes that we reproduce it here
In stature majestic, apart from the throng,
He stood in his beauty, the theme of my song!
Such language as his, I may never recall;
But his theme was salvation-salvation to all;
And the souls of a thousand in ecstasy hung
On the manna-like sweetness that dropped from his tongue;
Not alone on the car his wild eloquence stole;
Enforced by each gesture it sank to the soul.
He spoke of the Savior-what pictures he drew!
The scenes of His sufferinp were clear on my view;
The cross-the rude cross where He suffered and died.
The gush of bright crimson that flowed from His side,
The cup of His sorrows, the wormwood and gall,
The darkness that mantled the earth as a pall,
The garland of thorns, and the demon-like crews,
Who knelt as they scoffed Him- Hail King of the Jews!"
He spake, and it seemed that his statue-like form
Expanded and glowed als his spirit grew warm;
His tone so impassioned, so melting his air,
As touched with compassion, he ended in prayer,
His hands clasped above him, his blue eyes upthrown,
Still pleading for sins that were never his own,
While that mouth, where such sweetness ineffable clung
Still spoke, though expression had died on his tongue.
O God! What emotions the speaker awoke;
A mortal he seemed, yet a deity spoke;
A man-yet so far from humanity riven!
On earth-yet so closely connected with heaven!
Mr. Barnes is fifty-flve years of age. He has preached twice every day for the past five years, and seems to gather strength by his labors. His labors closed here on the 29th of March, with altogether 621 confessions and 156 anointings, total, 777. The like has never been seen before in Paris.
In this chapter devoted to sketches of the Christian churches, it is not inappropriate to say a few words of those secret and benevolent societies which have done so much good in the community, and the grand aim of which is charity; a virtue that Paul declared was greater than faith and hope. First in order as in age, is the Masonic Institution.
Paris Lodge No. 2, A., F. & A. Masons, was organized in November, 1791. The charter was obtained from the Grand Lodge of Virginia, Kentucky at that time being a part of that State. The lodge at Paris was the second organized in Kentucky, the first lodge being in Lexington. All the lodges in the State remained under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge in Virginia until 1800, when the Grand Lodge of Kentucky was established. The lodge here has a long history, extending over a period of ninety-one years, and during that time has done a great work of charity. It is now in a flourishing condition, and bids fair to increase in all the elements of usefulness, The following are the present officers of the lodge: H. R. Blaisdell, W. M.; S. B. Kennedy, S. W.; Charles Offutt, J. W.; A. Shire, Secretary; B. F. Pullen, Treasurer.
Bourbon Lodge, No. 23, I. O. O. F., Paris, Ky., was organized, under dispensation, November 29, 1845, which was granted by John B. Hinkle, then Grand Master of Kentucky, to the following members of the order - P. G., J. V. Lovely, George Stoll, Joseph B. Cooper, R. P. Timberlake and W. S. Simpson. The first officers of the lodge were: J. V. Lovely, N. G.; L. B. Allison, V. G.; J. T. Davis, Treasurer; (an office which he has held for thirty-five years), and W. W. Fothergill, Secretary. The lodge has had a total membership, up to January 1, 1882, of 441. The membership, January 1, 1882, is 84. Deaths to same date, 35. The receipts of the lodge from its organization to January 1, 1882, aggregate $30,500. The total expenditures, including benefits,etc., $27,000; leaving a balance on hand of $3,500. In 1854-55, the Odd Fellows Hall, now opera house, was erected at a cost of about $10,000. In 1879, the hall was enlarged and otherwise improved. The lodge has property and funds to the amount of $16,000. The following persons are now the officers of the lodge: George Winter, P. G.; F. R. Armstrong, N. G.; Joseph Honey, V. G.; James T. Davis, Treasurer; J. J. McClintock, Secretary; manager of the opera house, J. Z. Croxton.
Peabody Lodge, No. 13, Knights of Pythias, was instituted September 23, 1870, and remained in existence one year, when it surrendered its charter and effects to the Grand Lodge of Kentucky. On the l3th day of February, 1873, it was again re-organized, and has continued unto the present day in a healthy and flourishing condition. The Knights of Pythias is an organization possessing peculiar attractions to the young men of our country, and to the middle-aged it is a haven wherein to pass the declining years of their lives, and, at the end thereof they can, through the agency of the endowment rank, leave a nice little competency to their loved ones. Of its membership here, B. F. Pullen is a Past Grand Chancellor, and A. J. Lovely is the Vice Grand Chancellor of Kentucky, at this time. The following members are the officers of Peabody Lodge, No. 13: E. S. Hedges, P. C.; A. C. Adair, C. C.; W. S. Taylor, V. C.; W. H. Lockhart, P.; A. C. Gatzeit, K. of R. and S.; J. G. Hanly, M. of F.; J. M. Daniels, M. of F.; W. M. Goodloe, M. of A.; J. H. Fuhrman, I. G.; J. W. Hite, O. G.; Charles Offutt, Trustee; A. J. Lovely, D. D. G. C.
StonerLodge, No. 559, Knights of Honor, was organized March 31, 1877, with the following charter members: B. .F. Pullen, J. T. Nichols, Benjamin G. Paton, J. G. Hatily, Joseph M. Jones, O. A. Gilman, Dr. J. Ed. Ray, J. McCarney, Irwin Taylor, O. P. Carter, George H. Shawhan, Matt. Turney, J. S. Kenney, T. K. Marsh, J. D. McClintock, John W. Jameson, W. A. Cunningham, G. W. Allison, R. M. Adair, F. C. Lewis, G. M. Davis, Ed. Taylor, J. M. Grinnan, A. S. Stout, B. R. Hutchcraft, M. C. Chapline, F. R. Armstrong, Dan. Turney, C. A. Kenney, A. J. Lovely. Since that time, eighteen have been initiated into the order. This lodge has lost only one member since its organization, by death, Dr. L. D. Burnes, recently deceased, whose family have received $2,000 insurance. The officers, at present, of this lodge are : Henry Spears, Past Dictator; Judge Matt. Turney, Dictator; J. G. Hardy, Vice Dictator; Dudley Talbott, Assistant Dictator; W. W. Forman, Guide; F. L. McChesney, Chaplain ; F. R. Armstrong, Reporter ; A.J.Lovely,Financial Reporter; Henry Spears,Treasurer; Hugh Henry, Guardian; O. P. Carter, Sentinel ; O. A. Gilman, Joseph M. Jones and Dr. J. Ed. Ray, Trustees. F. L. McChesney, Representative to Grand Lodge.
Paris has enjoyed unusual literary advantages. The "Lecture Association," for four or five years, brought here the most distinguished lecturers in the country, among whom were Mrs. Livermore, Henry Ward Beecher, Theodore Tilton, Robert Collyer, Rev. T. DeWitt Talmage, Olive Logan, Miss Helen Potter, Josh Billings and others. The association was financially a success, and, although no lecturers have been engaged for two years, has not been disbanded, and has a handsome surplus fund in its treasury. The "Paris Literary Society" has, for a number of years, been one of the institutions of Paris, and has done much to aid in the cultivation of a higher literary taste on the part of our people. Owing to the absence of some of its members it was not re-organized this season. The Paris Historical Society is a new organization, under the auspices of the Presbyterian Church (S. G. A.). It has held several interesting meetings, and bids fair to contribute much to the improvement of the young people of the city. The exercises comprise essays on historical and other subjects, readings, recitations, and vocal and instrumental music by the members of the society.
The Press-The first paper ever published in Paris, as elsewhere stated, was the Kentucky Herald. It was established in 1797, by Mr. James Stewart, and was printed in a log house on High street. It however did not succeed, and, after a sickly existence of about one year, it died. No other paper was published until in 1808, when the Western Citizen was established by Messrs. Grimes & Johnson. In early times, printers were under the necessity of making their own ink, an art which few of them understood. Whilst this operation was in progress in the Citizen office, the fire used for the purpose communicated to some papers, and before it could be extinguished, the early files of the paper were destroyed. It is, therefore, impossible to ascertain the exact date of the first issue. The oldest number, seen by A. M. Brown, the editor of the paper in 1855, bore date, Thursday, November, 3, 1808, and was the thirtieth number of the first volume of the paper. Supposing a number to have been issued each week, this would bring the date of the 1st to the 7th day of April or that year. The number referred to was a curiosity; it was printed on foolscap paper, the pages measuring seven by twelve inches. This was smaller, however, than the ordinary size, for in the same issue this reference to the paper used appears: "We are this week reduced to the necessity of printing on writing paper, in consequence of having been disappointed in receiving a supply of the usual size." We have before us a copy of the paper, published in 1811, containing four columns to the page, a measuring nine and a half by fifteen and a half inches, besides the margin. This was probably the size of the paper at the beginning.
Early in 1809, the Citizen was purchased by Mr. Joel R. Lyle, who had before that been engaged as tutor in the "Bourbon Ladies' Academy and Boarding School," conducted by the Rev. John Lyle. Mr. Lyle was not then a practical printer, but in the course of his long connection with the office, acquired a knowledge of the business. He continued the editor of the paper until the summer of 1829, when a severe illness compelled him to resign his post to his son, William C. Lyle. The business was conducted under his name, however, until the 1st of January, 1832. For several years prior to this date, the paper was published under the name of Lyle & Keenon. Mr. Adam C. Keenon, now of Frankfort, for many years the Public Binder, was the partner ostensibly, but his brother, John C. Keenon, who was a practical printer, received the profits. Mr. K. learned the business in the Citizen office, and in 1817 published a paper in Cynthiana called the Guardian of Liberty, which was continued for a year or two. In this connection, it may be mentioned that Bishop H. H. Kavanaugh, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, worked in the office when a boy. Mr. J. L. Walker entered the office and commenced learning the printing business About the first of April, 1828. On the 1st of January, 1832, he and William C. Lyle became the owners of the office, and it was conducted under the name of Lyle & Walker.
It cannot be ascertained in what house the Citizen had its birth. After Mr. Lyle became the editor, the office was for some time in the second story of the stone house, on the corner of Broadway and High streets, and was entered by a stairway on the outside. It was afterward removed to the one-story stone house on the corner of High and Church streets, used before as a blacksmith-shop. It was again removed to the stone house on Broadway, second door from the corner. In 1841, the office was eitablished in the building, corner of Main and Church streets, where it remained until 1877, when it was removed to its present location.
In its earlier years, the Citizen supported the principles of the Republican party, as opposed to these of the Federalists; was a warm advocate of the war with England in 1812; in the fierce struggle between the Old and New Court parties took the side of the Old Court party; supported Mr. Adams and Mr. Clay in opposition to Gen. Jackson; and when parties became divided under the names of Whig and Democrat, was found consistently advocating the principles of the former. For a number of years, when under the control of Messrs. Lyle & Walker, the paper was edited with signal ability by Mr. A. M. Brown, who afterward went to Missouri. Mr. Joel R. Lyle died in 1849. The following sketch of Mr. Lyle wait given by one who knew him: "He was a man of strong, active and well-informed mind, arid conducted his paper with ability and spirit. He was possessed of a rich and genial humor, which made him a pleasant companion, while his integrity of character, And his warm and devoted piety, secured to him the respect and confidence of all who knew him. His personal appearance is amongst the earliest recollections of our boyhood. In those days, it was the custom in the Presbyterian Church for the leaders of the music, or clerks as they were called, to stand up in front of the pulpit while singing. Mr. Lyle and Ebenezer Sharpe, one of the beat men we ever knew, were the leaders of the music in the church on High street. They were both very fleshy, realizing Shakspeare's description of the fourth stage in man's life, and we remember them as they stood up there, thirty years ago, with their round, protuberant stomachs, and with voices uncommonly rich, mellow and powerful, sang the songs of praise they both loved so well, and of which they never wearied while on earth. William C. Lyle died in January, 1874. He stood high as a citizen, was respected by all while living, and his death wait sincerely mourned. Mr. John L. Walker died in 1873. He was for many years an office-bearer in the Presbyterian Church, first as Deacon, and Afterward as a Ruling Elder. He possessed the confidence and respect of all who knew him."
In 1867, the Citizen was published by John R. Johnson & Co. In February, 1868, F. L. McChesney and Lemuel T. Fisher became the publishers, and the politics of the paper was changed, and from that time forward it has been a consistent advocate of Democratic principles. In 1873, Mr. Fisher sold his interest, and William A. Johnson became one of the proprietors, and remained with the paper until 1878, when he disposed of his interest to the present publishers. The Citizen ig now conducted by F. L. McChesney, and his son, James R. McChesney. [Mr. McChesney is too modest to say the Citizen is a good paper, but we have no such conscientious scruples, and take this opportunity to tell the people of Paris arid Bourbon County that in the Citizen and True Kentuckian, they have two as good newspapers as may be found in Central Kentucky, and if they don't support them well they deserve to be bumped, This is not an Advertisement, but a gratuitous expression of sentiment.-Ed.]
In 1817, a young man named Lilly started a paper in Paris. Its name was the Instructor. It lived but a short time. It is stated that the paper was afterward removed to Millersburg. The editor died with consumption soon after.
A paper called the Paris Register was published here awhile, about the years 1827-28, by Messrs. Clay & Benning. We have before us as we write No. 7, Vol. 1, dated December 1, 1827. It was a New Court, Relief and Jackson paper. It survived a year or two. Mr. Thomas Clay, one of the proprietors, was the brother of Green Clay, of this county. Mr. Benning was the same man who was afterward killed at Lexington by Charles Wickliffe.
The Kentucky Flag was established here in 1854, by Samuel Pike. Col. Pike was recognized as an experienced editor, and the Flag, under his control, became one of the leading Democratic papers in the State. It was especially a popular campaign paper. Col. Pike was succeeded by Selucius Garfield, who was, in 1849-50, a member of the State Constitutional Convention, and afterward a delegate to Congress from Washington Territory. He was a fine speaker and writer. At that time, he was a Democrat in politics. When, however, he was elected to Congress from Washington Territory, it was as a Republican. He is now residing in Washington City. While in control of the paper, Mr. Garfield secured the services of Samuel Williams, who became a partner in the business. Mr. Williams afterward became the managing editor of the Louisville Courier, and is now prominently connected with the press of Kansas City, Mo. He is recognized as one of the best newspaper men in the country. Afterward, the paper was conducted by Judge M. M. Cassidy, now of Mount Sterling, and Judge Burgess, now a Circuit Judge in Missouri. In 1857, Col. William E. Simms and John G. Craddock took charge of the Flag, and under their management it was one of the ablest edited papers in the State--Col. Simms being the political editor. Col. Simms afterward, in 1859, was a candidate in this district for Congress, defeating Gen. John M. Harlan, now an Associate Justice on the Supreme Bench. He was afterward a Colonel in the Confederate service, and also one of the Senators from Kentucky in the Confederate Congress. Since the war he has retired entirely from public life, and resides at Mount Airy, his home-place in this city. John G. Craddock and R. W. Clayton conducted the Flag in 1858, and were succeeded by W. W. Pike, now or Cincinnati, who published it until the fall of 1861, when the war came on and the paper was suspended.
The Paris True Kentuckian was established in February, 1866, by a joint-stock company, with John G. Craddock, as editor and publisher. The Citizen was then pablished by Messrs. Lyle & Walker, but its political principles were not in accord with the views of a majority of the people of the county; the Kentuckian, being a Democratic paper, from its first issue received a liberal support; its subscription list rapidly increased, and its columns were soon overcrowded with advertisements. Since that time, its subscription has been steadily increasing until it now has the largest number of subscribers of any county paper in Kentucky, and as a newspaper is the most remarkable success of any journal in the State. It contains a vast amount of local, State and general news. It is, perhaps, only just to say that Col. Craddock has been ably seconded in his efforts to make the True Kentuckian a good paper by John W. Hite, one of the best newspaper men in the State, as well as by an efficient corps of reporters.
Within the last few years, a number of papers have been started in Paris. In 1875-76, G. R. Keller, conducted a weekly called the Saturday Night. Afterward, the Sunday Courier was established, edited by the late Louis S. Howell, and, in July, 1880, Messrs. John Gnadinga and Gus. Fee commenced the publication of a campaign paper, the Bourbon Republican. These papers were all short-lived. In October, 1880, G. R. Keller started the Semi-Weekly Sun, which was continued until January 1, 1882. A few weeks ago, Bruce Champ commenced the publication of the Bourbon News.
Such is a brief sketch of the newspapers of Paris. The True Kentuckian is known almost everywhere, whilst the old Citizen, after many vicissitudes, has reached its seventy-fifth volume. The men who founded it, like the men who laid the foundations of our little city, have passed away, and it is one of the few old landmarks of the past. In its day it has played no inconspicuous part in the history of the town and county, and whatever may be its future, its past, at least, is secure.
The Rescue Fire Company was organized March 16, 1874. The city furnished the company with a splendid handbrake engine and four-wheeled hose carriage, and afterward purchased of the Ahrens Manufacturing Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio, a No. 4 steam fire engine, which was given the name of R. W. O'Connor, and a two-wbeeled hose carriage, calling it O. A. Gilman. Afterward, a hook and ladder truck was bought for the use of the company, which they named the Ever Ready. The company has rendered invaluable services to the people of our city, and is one of the beat inland fire organizations in the State. The following-named. members are its present officers : R. W. O'Connor, President; Nich. Kreiner, V. P.; A. J. Lovely, Secretary; J, T. Doyle, Treasurer; J. A. Stewart, First Chief; Nich. Kreiner, Assistant Chief; William Mitchell, First Engine Director; W. F. Ficklin, Second Engine Director; O. N. Fithian, First Line Director; E. B. January, Second Line Director; Frank Webb, Third Line Director; W. M. Goodloe, Fourth Line Director; G. F. Smith, First Pipeman ; G. W. Nippert, Second Pipeman; J. D. McClintock, Third Pipeman; Frank Ca", Fourth Pipeman; W. O. Hite, Engineer; John M. Schuman, Assistant Engineer. Standing Committee, J. A. Stewart, William Mitchell, C. N, Fithisn, G. F. Smith, A. J. Lovely.
The Paris Gas Company was organized Novernher 24, 1866. S. Salomon was elected President, and Allen Bashford, Secretary, with the following Board of Directors: R. T. Davis, Jacob Spears, W. W. Michhell, Dr. L. D. Barnes. Capital stock, $28,500. November 23, 1867, R, T, Davis was elected President, and W. W, Mitchell, Secretary; in 1874, B, F. Pullen was elected President, and James Paton, Sr., Secretary, and continued in office until January, 1878, when Dr. Ed. Ingels was elected President, January, 1879, A. Shire was elected President and Secretary. The capital stock was unchanged, remaining at $28,500, and was owned by seventeen stockholders. For a number of years, the company declared no dividend. Since 1879, under the new directory, it has paid an annual dividend of from 6 to 8 per cent, besides accumulating and setting aside a surplus fund of $1,000. Very much ofthe success of the company is due to the efficient President, Mr. A. Shire, who has managed its affairs; with signal ability. The city of Paris has stock in the company amounting to $10,000, which is now yielding a good revenue The following are the present officers of the company: A. Shire, President and Secretary; J. R. Swiney, Treasurer; Board of Directors, A. Shire, J. R, Swiney, J. K. Ford, W. R. Erringer, J. T. Hinton-McChesney.
CHAPTER XII--PARIS EDUCATIONAL HISTORY--THE BOURBON ACADEMY--PUBLIC AND PRIVATE CITY SCHOOLS--THE GARTH FUND--A SKETCH OF HIS LIFE-COLORED SCHOOLS AND SOCIETIES--SOME MANUFACTURING AND MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. ETC.
AT an early day, the people of Paris enjoyed unusual educational advantages. The Bourbon Academy was founded in 1798, by an act of the Kentucky Legislature, and a donation of 6,000 acres of land appropriated toward its endowment. William Garrard, David Purviance, Augustine Eastin, John Edwards, Andrew Todd, John Allen, William Kelly, Thomas Jones, Sr., Hugh Brent, John Stone, James Brown, Sr., Barton W. Stone, James Matson and James Kenney were the original trustees of the institution. The lands donated by the State were located upon the south side of Green River. They were leased out at first, and finally sold for the benefit of the academy.
In 1799, a committee was appointed to select a suitable location and purchase grounds for the academy. A tract of eight acres of land was purchased on the Maysville road, nearly opposite the residence of Young Moran. The land was purchased of John Henry, the trustees paying him £105. A frame building was erected, thirty feet long and eighteen wide, capable of accommodating from thirty to forty pupils, and in May, 1800, the first session of the Bourbon Academy was begun, with Isaac Tull as teacher. The terms for tuition then were, to say the least, modest: For teaching reading, writing, spelling and common arithmetic, $8 per annum, and for English grammar, Latin and the sciences, $12-50 per annum. He was restricted to teach only thirty scholars, and the subscribers to the endowment fund of the Academy were given the preference to send their children. In January, 1802, Mr. Tull was succeeded by James H. Russell, who taught only a short time, William T. Fowler taking charge in October of the same year, and the school continued under his superintendence for some years.
In 1805, the lot on which the public school building now stands was purchased for $110, from Thomas Mitchell, the school property in East Paris having been sold for $500 to Samuel Pyke; and a more commodious school building wag erected in 1806-7, to meet the increasing educational wants of the community. The new building was large enough to accommodate a hundred or more pupils. In the year 1807, the Academy was re-opened with the Rev. John Lyle as President, and his brother Joel R. Lyle and James H. Dickey se assistant teachers. In the "Sketches at Paris," it is stated that Mr. Lyle continued in charge of the academy until 1810, when he resigned and established a female seminary. In Collins History of Kentucky, we find the following: "November, 1806--The first female academy in the West, if not in the United States, established, at Paris, Ky., by Rev. John Lyle, with from one hundred and fifty to three hundred pupils." From this it is evident that Mr. Lyle continued as President of the institution but a short time. His brother also resigned, and in 1808-9 became publisher of the Western Citzen. David V. Rannalls was elected President of the academy in place of Mr. Lyle, and Willis M. Arnold, assistant. The latter was succeeded in 1811, by Joseph Russell. In the same paper, we find the following: "An examination of the students of Bourbon Academy took place on the 9th inst., attended by several members of the Board of Trustees and citizens of the town, when the improvement of the scholars, under the tuition of Mr. David V. Rannalls, was very pleasingly evinced in the several departments of their studies. The Board of Trustees of the Academy by their committee took occasion to express their approbation of his exertions," etc. The paper is signed by Anthony Thuntin, Jr., James Hickman and Val Peers. In 1813, Mr. Ezra Howe was elected Superintendent, and provided his own assistant teachers. In 1814, Daniel Baldwin was appointed Professor of the Latin and Greek languages. In the "Sketches of Paris," the following reference is made to Mr. Baldwin: "Notwithstanding his superior abilities as a teacher, he retained his position only one year, for it appears that he did not get along as smoothly as possible with the students. He administered a severe chastisement to one of the pupils, which was the cause of his becoming the recipient of similar chastisement from the hands of the parent. The Bourbon Academy, however, is indebted to him to the extent of two shares of bank stock, a private donation made by him for the purpose of encouraging students who displayed the most proficiency in the dead languages, by giving them premiums. We find the following in his bequest: 'It shall be recorded, that this money was recovered by me from Edward Bayse, in a case of assault and battery.'
"Mr. Baldwin was succeeded in 1815 by Alban Stewart, with John Stevenson as assistant. In 1816, Stevenson gave place to Benjamin W. Hayden, who continued to teach until 1826. William E. Gallaudet, in October 1816, was appointed professor of the languages; he taught only a few months. In April, 1817, John Gayle was appointed President, who held the position for two years. At that time there were fifty-nine students in the academy--twenty-seven in the classical department, and thirty-two studying the other branches.
"In 1819, the Rev. James McCord was elected President, with Ebenezer Sharpe as Assistant Professor. Mr. McCord died in 1820, while in office, and the duties fell upon Mr. Sharpe, who discharged them most faithfully for seven years; so much so, that when he resigned, he received the unanimous approval of the Board of Trustees for the ability and skill with which he had managed the institution. In 1821, Charles Lincoln was appointed Assistant Teacher for one year, and the next year David Dunlap was appointed; and, in 1823, the Rev. Guerdon Gates was appointed Professor of the Natural Sciences. In October, 1824, John H. Harney, afterward the distinguished editor of the old Louisville Democrat, was employed by Mr. Sharpe as assistant, and in 1826 he was appointed Professor of Natural Sciences in place of Mr. Gates, who was compelled to resign on account of sickness in his family; but in October of the same year, he was recalled and elected Superintendent. He continued in charge till 1829, when John Roche, a former Professor of Languages in Transylvania University, was elected. He resigned in a few months, and the duties again devolved upon Mr. Gates. In 1831, Ebenezer Marston was elected Superintendent, and it remained under his supervision for some years. After this it began to lose its prestige, and the rooms in the building were rented out from time to time to different parties for private residences and for teaching private schools and one of the rooms was for awhile occupied by the Masons as a lodge room.
"The following persons taught school there at different periods: A. L. Mehurin, William Henderson, father of the Rev. H. A. M. Henderson, late Superintendent of Public Instruction; James Riddle, Simeon Smith, A. C. Raymond, Harvey Wood, Rev. A. E. Thorns, Daniel Vaughan, Joseph Raymond and John H. Pratt. About 1850, Mrs. Emily Tubman, a lady of great wealth, and who is renowned for her charitable works, rented a room in this building, and established the 'Tubman Free School,' paying the teacher, Mr. Redmon. Schools were taught in this house by Mrs. Murray, Mrs. Reed, George A. Irvine, Paul Guyser and Messrs. Stone and Colton. It was conducted in this way until 1856, when the Trustees of the Bourbon Academy, by a special act of the Legislature, transferred the property and the management of the institution to the Trustees of the town of Paris, and in this year was erected the City School building, as it now stands, exclusive of the commodious additions of 1875. It was completed in 1857, and was first occupied by Prof. J. B. Anderson and his two daughters, in teaching a high school. He was followed by Revs. George Varden and W. B. Browne, who taught school together until the commencement of the great civil war, and during that period it was occupied by the Federal troops as a hospital. After the war, it was repaired and again occupied for its original purpose, W. E. Clark and Thomas J. Dodd teaching separate and distinct schools.
"The Paris City School was organized in 1865, with Prof. Julius Herrick as Principal. Mr. Herrick held the position to 1867, when he was succeeded by Rev. Dr. George Varden, from 1867 to 1868; Prof. W. H. Lockhart was elected Principal in 1868, and served until 1871; W. E. Clark from 1871 to 1873; Ben. D. Best from 1873 to 1874. Prof. Puckett was appointed in 1874, and held the position of Principal until June, 1880, when Rev. H. R. Blaisdell, the present incumbent, was appointed. He is assisted by Misses Anna L. Oldson, Mary B. Spears, Nellie Fithian, Mrs. L. Walker and Mrs. Alice Woodward. The attendance is about three hundred. For efficiency, it is claimed that it is not surpassed by any public school in the State. The same School Board is in office under whose supervision the additions were made some years since. This fact is a striking proof of their faithfulness, and of the good sense of the people. In politics, they are equally divided ; while all belong to different churches and politics and religions, bids are not allowed to influence their action. They are elected for a term of three years-two members of the board being elected annually. The following is a list of the members of the board: James M. Thomas, Chairman; Dr. Joseph Fithian, Secretary; J. H. Brent, Esq., Henry Spears, H. M. Rucker, W. W. Massie."
Private Schools.--In addition to the City School, Paris has the advantage of several first-class educational institutions. The Garth Female Institute was organized in the summer of 1875 by a joint-stock company, with the late R. T. Davis as President. The institution was named in honor of William Garth, whose name is so prominently associated with the educational interests of the county, and of whom further notice is made in this chapter. Prof C. E. Young, formerly of Staunton, Va., and a graduate of the University of Virginia was elected Principal, which position he continues to hold. The institution having become involved, was sold publicly in the spring of 1880, and purchased by the Principal, who is now sole owner. The buildings are unsurpassed in beauty, convenience and location by any school building in the State. The course of study is unusually thorough and complete. Every department of study is under the charge of competent instructors. As now organized, the corps of teachers is as follows: C. E. Young, Mathematics and Natural Sciences; Miss Mary E. E. Johnson, Moral Philosophy and Higher English; Mrs. E. Muth, German; Miss Bettie Young, Principal of Primary Department; Mrs. C. E. Young, Matron and Teacher of Calisthenics; Prof. E. Amende and Mrs, Minnie Wilson, Music.
Bourbon Female College was founded at the close of the war by Prof. Walker Buckner, who conducted the institution several years. He was succeeded by Mrs. A. E. Randolph, now a missionary in China, who was assisted by Col. George M. Edgar and Miss Kate Edgar. At that time the school was under the patronage of the Presbyterian Church.
In 1874, Prof. J. A. Brown, now President of Harrison Female Academy, at Cynthiana, Ky., purchased the property. He associated with him in the conduct of the school Prof. Wharton S. Jones, now of Memphis, Tenn., and under their joint management the college was eminently successful.
In 1880, Prof. W. S. Jones and Mrs. A. B. Clay took charge of the college. Prof. A. Sanders leased the property in September 1881. The average attendance during the past year has been about seventy-five. The course of study embraces the branches usually taught in first-class female schools. The following persons comprise the faculty: A. Sanders, Principal, Mathematics and History; Dr. George Varden, Language and Psychology; Miss Mary B. Dennis. Natural Sciences and Composition; Mrs. E. M. Avirett, English Literature and Reading; Miss Alice Daugherty, Music; Prof. A. M. Gutzeit, Assistant Music; Miss Emily Halliday, Art.
The Edgar Institute was organized in 1875 by a joint-stock company, with Cassius M. Clay, Jr. as President, Col. George M. Edgar was elected Principal, with Capt. M. H. Cramp and Prof. B. B. Ford as Assistants. It at first embraced the department of military instruction, and the pupils were required to be uniformed, but this feature was afterward abandoned. During the principalship of Col. Edgar, he was also assisted by Prof. W. H. Lockhart and Rev. Dr. George Varden. He continued in charge of the institution until the summer of 1879, when the property was purchased by Prof B. H. Waddell and Col. C. H. Withrow. In July, 1881, Col. Withrow retired, and Prof. Waddell became the sole owner of the school. He continues to be the Principal, and is assisted by his brother, Capt. James Waddell. The school buildings occupy a commanding position, overlooking the city; the grounds comprise about twenty acres; the school building is new, and the institution certainly offers advantages of a high order. The property now used as the Institute, formerly was the homestead of the late Hon. Garrett Davis. Judge Matt Turney, in 1876, succeeded Mr. Clay as President of the institution, a position which he now holds.
Miss Maria Tipton has a select school of thirty scholars. She is considered one of the finest teachers in the State, and has recently purchased the late residence of Mr. J. H. Bassett, with a view of opening a boarding school for young ladies. Mrs. Jessie Parrish has charge of the department of music.
Prof. Yerkes has a select school for boys and young men. He stands in the first rank of educators, and within the past year has declined an appointment to a professorship in Center College, at Danville, being unwilling to give up his school in Paris.
For the past ten years. Prof. W. H. Lockhart has taught a select school, and many of his graduates have taken high rank in the educational institutions of the country. He is a thorough and accomplished teacher, and has done much to promote the cause of education in the State. He is Common School Commissioner of Bourbon County, a position which he has filled with marked ability and faithfulness for a number of years. His papers and addresses on educational subjects evidence research, thought and a trained mind.
St. Joseph's Academy, under the charge of the Sisters of the Visitation, is beautifully located on a commanding eminence overlooking Paris. The school was organized in 1870, under the control of the Sisters of Loretto, who remained about flve years. They were succeeded by the Benedictine Sisters of Covington, who had charge for about two years. Then the Sisters of Notre Dame, Covington, who kept it only one year. The Sisters of Visitation of Maysville, who have been here three years, have purchased the property, and are building up a successful school. Mother Gonzaga, who is admirably qualified for the position, is the Mother Superior. She is assisted by a fall corps of competent instructors.
The parochial school, numbering about one hundred pupils, is also under the management of the Sisters. The Catholic school for boys is taught by Miss Lucy Tully. Rev. Father Barry teaches a night school for young men--tuition free.
[The following sketch of a good man and a zealous friend to education, was written for this work by Mr. William Myall, a beneficiary of the "Garth Fund." He pays a deserved tribute to a deserving man, and we publish it in full in Paris' educational history, together with Mr. Garth's will, as of general interest to the reader.-ED.]
William Garth, the subject of this sketch and founder of the "Garth Fund," was the son of Thomas Garth, a native of Scott County, Ky. His moth