Sunday, November 25, 2012

Hartford Herald 12/6/1899 - Hendricks, Render, Hocker, & Watterson; Cicero King


Hartford Herald Wednesday, December 6, 1899

Back to Old Kentucky

            Kentucky is God's country and Ohio county is its choice spot. Some years ago and from time to time, many of our good citizens have sought homes elsewhere. They have profited by experience and The Herald announces with pleasure the return of the following former citizens: T. W. Hendricks, who for some years has made his home at Norman, Oklahoma, has returned with his family to this county and will make his home here. Dee Render, who has been in Texas for five years, is here to reside permanently. LaVega Hocker, who formerly lived at Beaver Dam and went from there to Oklahoma some time ago, has returned and is living at Willlams Mines. Jeff Watterson, who some months ago married one of Ohio county's finest young women and took her to live in Illinois, will return and make his home in Hartford. It is said, upon what we hope is good authority, that John Hocker, who was formerly in business at Beaver Dam and who for some years has been prospering at Norman, Oklahoma, will soon return to make his borne in this county.

            It is likewise rumored that Dr. A. B. Baird, who has been living for some years at Oklahoma City, will soon return to live among the friends of his boyhood. We hope this if true, as nobody would be more heartily welcomed to Hartford than Dr. Baird and his excellent wife. Ohio county is big enough and rich enough to furnish homes for many prosperous immigrants and none will be more cheerfully received than her former citizens.

GAVE HIM TEN YEARS

Such was the Verdict of the Jury In the King Case  - Unfavorable Comment.

            After the speeches by the attorneys on both sides, the case of the Commonwealth vs. Cicero King, for killing marshal Sam Casebier, was given to the jury last Thursday morning just before dinner. The jury had the case under deliberation until Friday morning about 9 o'clock, when they returned a verdict, finding the defendant guilty of man-slaughter and fixing his punishment at ten years in the penitentiary. The verdict came in the nature of a surprise to most of the people, for they were led, from the heinousness of the crime, to expect much severer punishment. There was much general unfavorable comment, though no harsh or incendiary sentiments were expressed. The people of Ohio county are disposed to abide by the law, whether it appears justice to them or not.

            A more cruel and unprovoked murder was never committed in Ohio county than that which deprived brave Sam Casebier of his life. King, accompanied by a companion, both of whom, it is said, were in a drinking humor, was passing down Market street. It was the day before Christmas and Marshal Casebier bad been busy all day in preserving order. The saloons were here then, and there were a number of intoxicated men on the streets. Just as King and his companion got opposite J. H. Patton & Co.'s livery Stable, Marshal Casebier stepped up to King and touched him upon the shoulder. It is supposed the Marshal merely intended to admonish King and his companion to be quiet, or to tell King to take his friend away. Quick as a flash and without an exchange of words, King drew a keen, murderous, spring-back dirk and rushed upon Marshal Casebier, stabbing him a time or two before the Marshal understood the attack. Retreating back into the livery stable, his antagonist dealing him death blows in quick succession, Casebier drew his pistol and fired a time or two at King, but being to badly wounded, his aim was bad, and the bullet bad no effect. King backed Casebier up against the inside wall of the livery stable and stabbed him repeatedly, inflicting wounds from which the Marshal died in less than an hour and before he could be moved from the stable.

            So intent on murder was King that even after he had stabbed the unoffending Marshal to death, and when citizens undertook to arrest him, he attempted to stab everyone who came near him. Mr. G. B. Likens bravely rushed up behind King and grabbed him with his arms around the waist, King all the while wielding his knife. Likens received a deep cut in the leg which laid him up for a number of weeks and came near maiming him for life. Finally King was overpowered by sheer force of numbers, but struggling to the last to use his murderous dirk upon any who came within reach. Briefly, this is the case and these are the facts upon which the jury returned a verdict of only ten years. By good behavior King will be a free man again in less than eight years. There was no evidence adduced to prove that Casebier intended to do anything but speak to King and his companion Wright, or at the furthest, to arrest them for disorderly conduct. An unprejudiced view of the case does not discover that King bad any reasonable cause to stab the Marshal to death. Casebier was a young man of temperate habits, peaceable and unoffending. He never seemed disposed to enforce his authority as Marshal only when the occasion demanded it. He was not of an overbearing nature, but was generally genial and pleasant. And yet be was compelled to give up his brave young life in the simple discharge of his duty.

            In view of the law and the facts in the case, which were certainly not disguised, it seems to be the general opinion that the verdict in this case was a travesty upon justice and a perversion of the law. The jurymen were no doubt conscientious in the discharge of their duty, but we believe we simply give voice to a general expression by stating that, in the main their verdict in this case was almost unanimously condemned. Most of the people seem at a loss to understand how human life and the crime of taking it, could be so lightly regarded.

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Hartford Herald 5/8/1907 - Warden, Peach, Ward-Chinn, & Bennett


Hartford Herald Wednesday, May 8, 1907

Death of Mrs. Kitty Warden

Mrs. Kitty A. Warden, widow of the late B. C. Warden, died at her residence near Echols last Thursday after a lingering illness of diseases incident to old age. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Hiram Brown at Pond Run church Friday after which her remains were interred in the Pond Run church burying grounds in the presence of a large circle of friends and relatives. The deceased, who had been a member of the Pond Run  Baptist church for many years, leaves five children, all grown and married, numerous relatives and a host of friends to mourn her demise.  Her husband and three children preceded her across the river of death some time ago.


Accidently Killed

Fountain Peach, a young man who lived near Rosine, this county, was accidentally killed by being run over by a freight train near Horton last Wednesday night. It seems that he had been to Central City, was returning home and was attempting to steal a ride. He fell beneath the wheels and was ground to pieces, the remains being scattered along the
Track. A coroners jury was empaneled and after due deliberation returned the following verdict: We the jury find from the evidence that this is the body of Fountain Peach and that he came to his death by being run over by a south bound train near Horto,n Ohio County, Ky. on the night of May 1, 1907.


Marriage

Mr. Mannie Ward and Miss Laura Chinn, daughter of W. B. Chinn, were married at the residence of the bride near Sulphur Springs last Thursday, Rev. Bennett officiating. The groom is a son of Samuel Ward, deceased, who lived near No Creek, this county, and is a very industrious young man while the bride is a handsome and accomplished young lady. We wish them every success in life.


Death of William J. Bennett

Mr. William J. Bennett, one of Ohio county’s oldest and most respected citizens, died at the residence of his son George W. Bennett, Beda, last Sunday night. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Fletcher Williams at Mt. Hermon church Monday, after which his remains were interred in the “Old Mill” burying grounds by the side of his wife, who preceded him many years ago. The deceased, who lacked only a few days of being 90 years old, had been a member of the M. E. Church, South, for nearly three quarters of a century. Mr. Bennett leaves two sons, Rev. J. A. Bennett, and Mr. George W. Bennett, and two daughters, Mrs. David London and Mrs. John London, forty-two grandchildren, among whom are Mrs. C.  M. Barnett and Mrs. John B Foster, of Hartford. He leaves thirty-eight great grand-children.

Friday, November 23, 2012

Community of Newville - Maxwell


Maxwell, previously called Newville, is located in Ohio County, but appears to be on the county border. I found this little community on an 1889 Railroad Map located between Buford and Levia (west of Buford and east of Levia) and in 1889 it was called Newville. I next found it on a 1911 county map and it was named Maxwell. It is not listed as a township in the 1900 thru 1940 census records for Ohio, Daviess, or McLean counties. I suspect that if you were born in Newville, or Maxwell, you were probably born in Ohio County - but maybe not.

The following information is found in a history of Daviess County Post Offices: 

"At the junction of Daviess, Ohio, and McLean Counties, seventeen miles south of Owensboro, was a late nineteenth century trade center known as (John) Kigel's Store. In 1867 two landowners, James and Gordon Robison (or Robinson) laid out a town which they called Newville. It was not until May 9, 1893, however, that the local post office was established (by William V. Crow) as Maxwell which lasted through Dec. 1907. Perhaps, as some say, Newville was a "new community." But records in the three counties that claim this community fail to reveal families of Newville or Maxwell for which it could have been named. Maxwell still identifies the place."

The following is a current map:





Sunday, November 18, 2012

Hartford Herald, 9/6/1905 - Webb, Farmer, Owen, & Westerfield


Hartford Herald,  Wednesday, Sept. 6, 1905

    "Four of Ohio County's oldest landmarks passed to their final rest last week. Three--Achilles Webb, Beda, aged 86 , James Farmer, of Ralph, aged 88, and David Owen, of Ralph, aged 70, died Friday and were buried in the family burying grounds of each, respectively Saturday.  The fourth, Mr. David Westerfield, died at the residence of his son, Mr. Alex Westerfield, of the Concord neighborhood, Saturday, in the 87th year of his age. His remains were taken to Mt. Hermon church, near Beda, Sunday, and after funeral services by Rev. R. D. Bennett, his remains were interred in the Mt. Hermon Cemetery in the presence of a large circle of friends and relatives."

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Hartford Herald 6/8/1881 - Pine Knob and McHenry



A Visit to Pine Knob.  May 29th, 1881

Editor Herald:

            After some time spent in walking company with Mr. E. Rowe, we arrived at the grand scenery. There stood the rocks almost straight up towards the heavens, 80 or 100 feet high - with pines scattered here and there, seemingly without anything to support them but rocks. A little further on we found a cave or house made by the rocks projecting over some 60 or 80 feet.

            On a flat rock we found where the Indians had mortars some 18 or 20 inches deep. Near this rock house is a good spring of cool water where we rested and took dinner which we had taken along with us. After resting we climbed a large hill where we found the graves or John Brown and son. On these grave stones were the following Inscriptions:

John Brown was born : October 17, 1776,
and departed this life May 21,1848.
  
P. H. Brown was born November 18, 1816,
and departed this life February 1,1848.

            The ground around the graves was at one time in cultivation, though at this time it is in the woods, and a lonelier place I have never seen.

            At the foot of the hill and below the spring is the dwelling of the sleepers just mentioned. I have been told that the way the old man come to his death was from a pistol ball fired by his son. The old man had climbed up to the window and shot at his son whilst he was in bed and missed his aim whereupon the son drew a revolver and shot his father dead. I saw the window the old man fell dead from. The house was a good log one of its day and is creditable at this time. I feel at this time that I am well paid for my walk as I have got back and am resting. W.

Note: Pine Knob is east of Hartford in neighboring Grayson County, located about two miles north of Caneyville. John Brown was a famous outlaw that was known as Dock Brown. Dock Brown and his gang terrorized Grayson County and surrounding counties from about 1841 till his death in 1848. There is a book titled, Dock Brown, The Outlaw of Grayson County, that was written in 1876 by Colonel William R. Haynes. It is almost certain that Ohio Countians suffered from Dock Brown

-------------------------------------------------o-----------------------------------------------------

McHenry   June 1, 1881

      Having for sometime had a desire to know something of the life led by the coal-digger, I this morning, in with a goodly number of miners, boarded the first “train” and were soon whirled from the outer world to the inner, which was strangely new to me. I must confess that strange sensations passed over me as we were being conveyed from the light and life without to the almost impenetrable darkness within, and had it not been for the jest and song of the miners who were with me my courage would without doubt have forsaken me, but their indifference was my inspiration, and we were soon, without exception, a gay party. We stopped at the "lie way" and changed cars for the "fourth north," where we were soon landed without mishap. Here, after a short rest, we commenced a short tour of that portion of the mine. We found the miners in their rooms busily engaged with pick, drill and shovel in dragging from hidden coffers the great wealth of Kentucky. In a reclining position, their shoulders resting on the coal, they will pick patiently for hours in making a drilling, and then the main part of the work is done. It is a hard life, but the men on the whole seem to enjoy it. They work hard till "snack time," and men assemble in groups, eat, drink and make merry by song and jest.

            After being conducted around for a while and becoming thoroughly mystified with the devious windings of the rooms and entries I was seized with an unaccountable desire to stand erect once more, and being Impossible in the Render mines we made preparations to leave. After being shown the main entry we were placed under the care of the driver, on the rear of whose car we were directed to hold, which we did like grim death and were safely conducted to the blessed sunlight, which we hailed with pleasure while we breathed again the free air of heaven. Our thanks are due the miners and drivers alike for courtesies and kindness shown us during our short sojourn with them.

            Quite an accident occurred in the McHenry mine on Thursday, the 2nd inst., by which Lee Fisher was disabled. He was mining a “standing shot" when a huge block of coal fell unexpectedly on his right shoulder crushing it and the arm. His injuries, however, are not thought to be serious.          

            Dr. V. M. Taylor has disposed of his house and lot to Dave O’Bryan and will attend a course of lectures in Louisville the coming term. Doctor and his amiable lady will be much regretted, and their return and permanent establishment in our midst will be eagerly looked forward to.

            Prof. Hodlel of  Evansville, is giving a series of  lessons in penmanship. The Professor is a through master of the science and should be liberally patronized.

            Considerable excitement is rife in regard to mad dogs and we hope that it will continue until every yelping cur in the two towns has been killed.

            The work at the two mines is still good, though the operators declare their intention of reducing the price for digging per bushel one-half cent, and a strike is imminent.

            Married, at the residence of bride’s parents in Hamilton, on the 25th ult., Mr. Smith of Taylor Mines, and Miss Harlan. May joy, peace and prosperity attend them.

            Success to the Herald is the wish of SEMPER FEDELIS

Hartford Herald June 1, 1881 - McHenry


McHenry Newsletter  May 23, 1881

            Died, at her residence in this place Friday, the 29th Inst., Mrs. Fields. Her health had long been failing, and, though the blow was sudden, it was not altogether unexpected. She was interred in the family burying ground, near Cromwell, this county, yesterday evening. Her loss from our midst will be deeply felt.

            McHenry is still improving. I notice a new building in course of construction - the residence of Mr. Espy.

            Mr. Remus Hunter’s residence is nearing completion and will soon be ready for an occupant.

            Miss Villie Taylor is visiting friends and relatives in this place.

            Miss Effie Taylor, after an absence of a week, returned yesterday and will today resume her position as assistant teacher in the school at this place.

            I understand that the McHenry Coal Company will be ready to take out coal at the new “slope" about the first of September, and the ensuing season, I predict, will be a lively one for miners in this locality.

Semper Fidelis

Monday, November 12, 2012

2012 OHIO COUNTY VETERANS DAY OBSERVANCE


2012 OHIO COUNTY VETERANS DAY OBSERVANCE

Thomas E. Carter 1828-1883 lived his whole life in Ohio County as did his brothers, children of John J. and Nancy (Coleman) Carter.  Thomas served in the Union Army with the 17th Kentucky Infantry Co. A advancing to rank of corporal, was captured November 30, 1864, and held as a prisoner of war at Andersonville, Georgia.  Upon release from prison at the end of the Civil War, he headed home onboard the SS Sultana.  The Sultana, a Mississippi River steamboat paddlewheeler, exploded April 27, 1865, later described as greatest maritime disaster in United States history.  Three of the four boilers exploded resulting in the Sultana burning and sinking near Memphis killing approximately 1,600 of the 2.400 passengers.  Thomas was initially listed among the dead by the Union Army.  According to the book Disaster on the Mississippi, by Gene Eric Salecker, Thomas was taken to the Overton union hospital in Memphis, Tennessee for medical attention.  Upon hospital release, family legend states that he walked back to Centertown, Kentucky.

Thomas received a pension for his military service of $16.00 per month and died of a disease contracted during the war.  At his death there were less than 120 Civil War (referred to as the Late War) pensioners in Ohio County, his being one of the larger amounts.  He never married, once was asked, Uncle Tom what made your teeth so short?  Gnawing horse bones in Andersonville Prison was his reply.  After the war he belonged to the Remus Whittinghill GAR Post 11, the Grand Army of the Republic was a fraternal organization of Union Civil War veterans. The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War is the legal heir and represents the GAR and the Boys in Blue who saved the Union.     

Thomas E. Carter is buried at West Providence Baptist Church Cemetery, as are his brothers James Carter and  Richard Bennett Carter.  Brothers, Prince William Carter, John Walter Carter and Amsiah Carter and their parents are buried at Walton’s Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.  Thomas, James, Prince William, John Walter and Amsiah were the older brothers and all served in the Union Army during the Civil War, returning home to Centertown after their service was completed.

West Providence Church members, American Legion members and descendants of the Carter family, Helen Allen McKeown and Doug Carter, will be among those coming together to replace and dedicate a Civil War marker for Thomas E. Carter.  The ceremony will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, November 12, 2012, at the cemetery. The dedication will be performed by members of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War-Sgt Elijah P. Marrs Camp 5, Nicholasville, Kentucky.

A fitting tribute of respect for observance of Veterans Day, the Centertown Welborn Lee Ashby American Legion Post #296 and Auxiliary Unit will, as part of their membership drive, be serving lunch at Centertown City Hall following the ceremony. 

A welcome is extended to all to attend the dedication and dinner.


Saturday, November 10, 2012

Achilles Webb

The following is a little bit of information about a man named Achilles Webb. A Bible record was sent to me and I added some census data and an entry from FindaGrave. All together we can conclude that Achilles Webb was one of the early settlers of Ohio County and that he lived a long life and raised many children. It looks like his first wife died in 1888 and he remarried (see 1900 census), and it looks like his son, Thomas E. Webb, ended up living in Texas (the apparent source of the Bible record).


ACHILLES WEBB-CORNELIA ANN (BARNETT) BIBLE RECORD

Contributed by Anthony Jones, 9059 Longmont Drive, Dallas, Texas 75238

FAMILY BIBLE, containing the Old and New Testaments

MARRIAGES

Achilles Webb and *Cordelia Ann Barnett was married December 24th, 1841
Thos. E. Webb & Palestine Shown were married December 23rd, 1875
            * ( listed as Cornelia in 1850 census, Ohio Co., Ky.)

BIRTHS

Achilles Webb was born September 6th, 1816
Cordelia Ann Webb was born July 1st, 1823
Nancy Jane Webb was born September 22nd, 1842
Sally A, Webb was born February 4th, 1844
Thomas E. Webb was born September 7, 1847
Virgil Webb was born June 6th, 1851
David A. Webb was born June 7th, 1854
Zelma S. Webb was born December 7th, l856
Felix B. Webb was born February 4th, 1859
Mary E. Webb was born April 7th, 1861
Robert Webb was born May 6th, 1864
James B. Webb was born September 8th, 1869
Palestine (Shown) Webb, wife of Thos. E. Webb was born August 7th, 1849
Felix Barnett was born September 9th, 1794
Sallie A. Barnett, wife of Felix, was born December 6th, 1791
Joseph A. Barnett was born March 20, 1818
David L Barnett was born January 17th, 1821
Elizabeth M. Barnett was born May 7th, 1825
Sarah Jane Barnett was born January 17th, 1827

DEATHS

Virgil Webb died December 17th, 1869
Thos. E. Webb died April 28, 1902
David A. Webb died September 2, 1879
Nancy Jane Webb Stevens died Apr 1903
Sally A. Webb Shaver
Achilles Webb
Felix B. Webb died November 8, 1884
Mary E. Webb died 1912
Cornelia A. Webb died February 24th, 1888
Palestine (Shown) Webb died November 27, 1919
Felix Barnett by the falling of a tree August 13th, 1826
Sally Barnett died March 15th, 1833
Ethel Webb Jones died June 25, 1933

CENSUS DATA


1850 Census, Ohio County, KY: Name: Achilles Webb; Age: 32; Birth Year: abt 1818; Birthplace: Kentucky; Home in 1850: District 1, Ohio, Kentucky; Gender: Male; Family Number: 540; Household Members: Name Age: Achilles Webb 32, Cornelia Webb 24, Nancy Webb 5, Sally Webb 4, Thomas Webb 2, Nancy D Webb 34

1860 Census, Ohio County, KY: Name: Achiles (sic) Webb; Age in 1860: 39; Birth Year: abt 1821; Birthplace: Kentucky; Home in 1860: Hartford, Ohio, Kentucky; Gender: Male; Post Office: Buckhorn; Household Members: Name Age Achiles Webb 39, Cornelia A Webb 36, Nancy J Webb 18, Sally A Webb 15, Thomas E Webb 12, Virgil Webb 9, David Webb 7, Zelma Webb 4, Felix Webb 1

1870 census, Ohio County, KY: Name: Achilles Webb; Age in 1870: 45; Birth Year: ; abt 1825; Birthplace: Kentucky; Home in 1870: Bells, Ohio, Kentucky; Race: White; Gender: Male; Post Office: Buford; Household Members: Name Age Achilles Webb 45, Cornelia Webb 44, Thos E Webb 23, David A Webb 16, Zelmer Sophia 14, Felix B Sophia 16, Mary E Sophia 8, Robert Sophia 6, James B Sophia 1

1880 census, Ohio County, KY: Name: Achillais (sic) Webb; Age: 62; Birth Year: abt 1818; Birthplace: Kentucky; Home in 1880: Hartford, Ohio, Kentucky; Race: White; Gender: Male; Relation to Head of House: Self (Head); Marital Status: Married; Father's Birthplace: Virginia; Mother's Birthplace: Virginia; Occupation: Farmer; Household Members: Name Age Achillais Webb 62, C. A. Webb 87 (sic), F. B. Webb 21, Robert Webb 15, J. B. Webb 11, Andrew King 23 (son-in-law), M. E. King 20, Ines King 1

1900 census, Ohio County, KY: Name: Akillus (sic) Webb; Age: 77; Birth Date: Sep 1822; Birthplace: Kentucky; Home in 1900: Buford, Ohio, Kentucky; Race: White; Gender: Male; Relation to Head of House: Head; Marital Status: Married; Spouse's Name: Milberry Webb; Marriage Year: 1854; Years married: 46; Father's Birthplace: Virginia; Mother's Birthplace: Kentucky; Household Members: Name Age Akillus Webb 77; Milberry Webb 70; Alfred H Cain 39 (step-son)

FindaGrave: Achilles Webb; Birth: unknown; Death Sep.1, 1905, Oho County, KY.  



~
Owensboro Area Obituary Index
Daviess County Public Library
Name: WEBB, Achilles
Birthdate: No Birthdate on Record
Deathdate: Died: 9/1/1905
Birth Place: 
Death Place: KY, Ohio County
Age: 86
Cause of Death: flux
Cemetery: 
Beulah Cumberland Presbyterian Church
KY, Ohio County
Obit Source: OM 9/8/1905
Survivors: son: Robert Webb
Comments: OM - p.7; soldier - Civil War; age 86-11-25; residence Heflin area; see also 9/9 p.7
~
Achilles Webb 
Regiment Name 17 Kentucky Infantry
Side Union
Company F
Soldier's Rank_In Pvt.
Soldier's Rank_Out Pvt.
Film Number M386 roll 29
~
Burial: Beulah Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Beda


Sunday, November 4, 2012

Historic Map of Fordsville

Historic Map of Fordsville - July 1915





























Ohio County Vietnam War Deaths


Ohio County Vietnam War Deaths (taken from Viet Nam Wall in D. C.)

SSG Herman Glendale Goodall, Beaver Dam

1st SGT O. L. Midkiff, Dundee

SGT Roger Dale Cooper, Fordsville

SGT David Thomas Seaton, Fordsville

PFC Denton Ray Slack, Fordsville

Please let me know if I have missed anyone.