The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1877-05-02


lIandley, whom he appointed his agent
among other matters, inserted the follow
ing clause: AS it appears that there is
much danger from the Indians in that
quarter, and the inhabitants think il
dangerous to cultivate their respective
out-lots, Won will give them leave to cul
tive the commons, in common, observing
oaiy 10 Kill tie hedry timber" From the
tenor OF Mr.. Larkin Dorsey's letter Of in-
struciions, the following facts may be
inferred First. that the country was
much infested with redskins second,
that the settlers were but slightly indebt-
ed to cultivation for support; and lastly,
that Mr.. Dorsey was no farmer, for even
Cutfy would have laughed TO seorn the
idea OF raising corn aud potatoes among
brambles, bushes and briars, Observing on.
" 10 kill the HAIRY timber.
We have no precise date as to the set
Element of Hartford, but by reference
again to an old land suit. we learn
from the deposition Of James Hsrrod,
that he came up Green riyersin 1882, and
travelled up Rough creek, on the south
side, and after travelling in company With
John Isaacs, and crossing a large stream
which be then called Muddy Run, he
came to high bluff which he estimated
to be fourteen miles FROM Green river, and
a short distance below that bluff, on a
small white-osk tree, cut the initials OF
his name, as the beginning corner Of an
entry in the name Of Gabriel Madison for
four thousand acres. A remarkable in>
cident afterwards occurred in rela-
ton to this white-oak. In 1921, or 2,
on the trial of an action Of eject
meut, the plaintiffs, claiming un-
der Madison, aud defendants under Bar
.n.lts title, it became necessary to iienti-
fy Msdison's beginning corner; the same
John Isaacs. who then resided in some Of
the upper counties of the State, was Gu NJ.
moned aud attended as witness.
When called to the stand he gave posi-
tive testimony as to the oak still standing,
and which he never had seen since the
country was settled,until his present visit
As counteryai!ing evidence the defend.
ants produced experts, who had carefully
examined the tree, and gave it as their
opinion that il never had been marked.
SO confident was Mr.. Isaacs Of the truth
OF his statement, that he requested the
Court to send the jury. uuder the care Of
the Sheriff to the tree standing but a few
hundred yards from the Court house.
The procession marched to the spot
where the tree stood devoid Of any mark
or scar. but Isaacs, nothing daunted seized
an axe, and soon split out o large block
from il, aud 10! there we're the very
msrks be bad stated, aud upon q careful
count OF annulations. they agreed precise.
ly with the date he had given. The
reader can easily imagine with what a
proud step the old veteran hunter-his
character "vindicated' redeemed and dis
CENTRALIZED '-marched back 10 the Court.
house and exhiS!ted his blocks to the adj
miriag crowd.
/, also appears from the deposition OF
Isaacs aud Matthias Shultz, that Rough
creek was notorious and well-known as
early as 1852. and that a company Of
men raised field OF corn at Barnett's
Station in 1885. This old station was
about two miles northeast Of Hartford
and WAS the late residence Of DR.. 3. F.
Nall, aud from tradiuoas Of Indians de.
predations. Hartford was settled during
the year l7S5 or 6. The Indian depre>
dations will be made the subject Of sep.
crate chapter.
How Hartford and the stream upon
which it is located acquired their names.
is unknown. The stream near is head
is called Yellow creek, in various entries
and surveys, but lower down it invariably
bore the nssue OF Rough creek. The fol.
lowing seems the most rational solution
OF the question. Near it's source the
country is broken and billy the rains
wash the soil from the hill-sudes immedi>
atelY into the strssm and kept it turbid
and yellow, whilst lower down. in the
wide, level bottom lands the current lost
its force. and the stream was greatly OBJ
structed with logs and driftwood, giving
it hagsard, rough aspect; hence arose
the name Of Rough. on the lower, and
Yellow. on the upper portion of the
stresm. Hartford Was probably derived
from Abe ford on the stream, where deer
and other wild animals were in the habit
OK crossing in great numbers.
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