The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1877-06-27
FRAGMENTS or THE EARLY HISTORY
OF OHIO COUNTY.
CHAPTER XI.
ny II. ID. TAYLOR.

II is probable that religion was at toll
cradle low ebb in our early history, al
least those aggressive doctrinal discussions
OF the present day; but there was no
doubt strong under current of true piety
and religious sentiment 10 the minds and
feelings Of the early settlers. The muir
ders which occurred near Barnctrs Sta
ton, of which an account is given in a
former chapter, we're committed ON a
party returning from meeting. Old ladies
have been heard to boast of the feat OF
walking from Hartford TO house near
the site of the present Beaver Dam
church, a distance of five miles, to attend
night meetings. At a very early day a
quandam Episcopalian. or church oil
England minister, found bis way to Hart
ford. A4uilla Field, an old invalid bach
elor, Rho was subject to most severe at
tacks of phthisic, but MAS a firm believ-
or in good luck, and had acquired the
mel; nanie OF 'Luck's AL from lis
frequent application of the phrase, was
reported to Ice at the point OF death.
Our good minister, who had been'in>
dulgiug rather freely, as he was disposed
to do. thought it his duty to Welt ur.
Field, and administer the consolation OF
religion. aud strsightway repaired to his
house and found him apparently
on the very verge OF the grave. No
time was TO be lost, and our minister,
with Lut few preliminary remarks. pro-
ceeded to inform the old gentleman thst
be was diving, to which Uncle Aquilla
gasped forth: "Iu Ia lveEs all" This
C ,llous reply was like wet blanket on
the minister's religious zeal, and he i'm
mediately arose from his seat and af>
firmed with rugged oath for preacher,
tilat the man would die.
yBenjsinin Talbot, though at the time
first a resident of Logan and then OF But,
Ter county, was perhaps among the first
Baptist preachers wlo organized regular
Baptist churches in Ohio county. Bea-
yer Dam aud Walton's creek we're the two
most prominent and fiourishing church
es. The Ashbys, Mortons, Popes, Tich>
enors and Rowes, we're among the most
Jealous and active members and worr
shippers at the latter, and the Atherton's,
Colemans and Renders at the former
church. Geo. Render wRs a good, pious
old preacher, combining his sphere of ac>
ton to his neighborhood, and relying
upon HE own labor on his farm for his
support, in which he was very successful.
Thomas Downs was also a Baptist
preacher, but as the field Of his labors
were mostly in the section now included
in Mclean and Daviess counties. little is
known Of his reputation. His brother,
William, was likewise preacher Of con-
ability, in controversial debate,
and lived for many years in Hardin and
Nelson counties, where he was said, to
have waged war to the knife with the
Catholics.
Although there were several Methodist
preachers in the country at an early date.
il seems that no itinerant formed circuit
of regular preaching until about the year
1904. The first camp>meeting was held
near the present Paradise road, between
the old Phipps and johnson farms, and
the second on that point Of ridge now
so frequently covered with hay stacks,
and near those wide spreading sugar
trees in Milton Tsylor's m adow.
Camp-uleeting for number OF years af>
forwards were held alternately Mt Bethel,
No Creek, Anthony Thompson's and at
points on the Ohio river, and 1t will as
tonish the preachers OF the present day to
learn that the Hartford circuit included
q part OF Muhleubsrg. Mclean, Butler,
Grayson. Breckenridge, Hancock and all
or Ohio and Dayiess counties, taking four
weeks to 60 around it. Yet the people
attended the regular appointments with
utmost confidence that the preacher
would be there regardless of weather, and
were seldom, if ever, disappointed in their
expectations. That old veteran pioneer
of Methodism. Jesse Walker, was the
first circuit ride--cOld, hunger. fatigue.
danger. were so many incentives to fur
Their zeal and industry. The humble log
cabin and the desert wilds were his fa>
vorite temples to worship IN, aud the
glad tidings of salvation his constant
theme, "whether in the city full or on
the desert waste"
That great ornament TO the christian
10 his own church IN human