The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1878-07-10

Memories q q ROrmaSr ClGlnen Of
OheO COnaav.

hoitor nerstas
More thsn twelve years have passed
away since I, then . boy of nineteen,
left Ohio county, the place Ofmy birth
and residence up that time, 10 make
Indiana my future home. And though
these years have been crowded with
kindness to me by the people Of my
adopted State and some degree, at
least of worldly success has attended
me, yet my affections for and interest
in the people Of Kentucky, and par
ticularly of Ohio county, have grown
stronger a. the years rolled away.
Even the hills, the valleys, the forests,
the school houses and churches are
dear to me. There my mother sleeps,
and that grove is to me the most hal
lowed spot upon earth. The mention
of these matters-the weekly arrival
of the Herald-to me the most valu-
able and interesting Of all papers
bring to my mind q thousand joyous
memories, mingled, it iS true with q
few regrets and unpleasant recollec-
tons. I have occasionally returned
to Kentucky since my residence here,
in a political or professional capacity,
and each visit has made more manifest
the historic hospitality, the dIsinter-
ested warm-hearted character Of her
people. A very large proportion of
our people, particularly along our Dor
der, are Kentuckians or their descend
ents. They come here for various
reasons.
ROckpOrt in commercial Importance
is second only to Evansville among
the cities of this part of the State. In
many respects I think it is the Athens
of Southern Indiana This county,
Spencer, is one of the banner counties
of the great State of Indiana. 1t has
q population of near 80, 900, and is
dotted all over with splendid school
houses, churches and farm houses.
In the town we have more than
5000 souls, eighteen lawyers, and
most as many preachers and doctors;
many Of them distinguished men.
Nearly every religious denomination
has its resident minister and an elegant
house-CathoIic, Methodist, Baptist,
Presbyterian, United Brethren, Lu-
theran, &c. These, and other attrac-
tons, have brought here not only
Kentuckians, but large numbers from
all the adjacent States. Some of Ohio
county's people have come here and
made their "fOot print on the sand Of
time" At this time 1 only desire to
the remarkable career Of one
or two men. You remember David
]. Axton, q low, red-faced, red whis-
kered man, raised in the very neigh
bOrhoOd you were, my friend. He
came here in 1858 or 9 with nothing
in the World but himself and wife and
rented farm in the lower part of this
county. So poor was he, that he was
actually refused credit for the neces-
saries of life. But be worked on under
all the difficulties poverty imposes.
By his industry, his good business
habits, he has amassed . fortune Of
perhaps $4,000. Rapid strides in
deed for an ordinary mortal, and a no
bic example of what honest toll will
accomplish. He has not only made
money, but, what is perhaps still bet
ter, has won the confidence and re-
spect Of all his people. For more than
ten years he has been one Of the Com.
missiOners of the county, an Office
somewhat like that Of County Judge
in your State-always running ahead
Of his ticket. He is again the nOmi-
nee Of the Democrats for the same pO-
sition.
Another old-fashiOned Kentuckian
living in this county il Robert II.
Mitchell. He was once County At
torney Of Mclean county. and, per-
haps Sheriff. He once lived in Ohio.
He lives here in the same old way,
and is highly esteemed by all his
neighbors. He knows, or knew, near
" all the celebrities of the Northern
part of Kentucky from 1880 to 1850.
He details with much intelligence and
accuracy his personal knowledge Of
Henry Clay. Crittenden, Antony Pey-
ton, Maxwell (the nOblest Roman Of
them AlD, and many Others.
note with much pleasure the NOM
nation Of Hines for the Appellate
Judgeship. Though several years my
senior, 1 remember him well when We
were in school at Sulphur Springs, .
place I shall delight TO visit Sgain.
But 1 have now occupied too much of
your valuable space, yet / hope, my
friend, that neither you nor your read
ers will have occasion to find fault with
the personal character Ofthis letter.
Most truly, your friend,
CHARLES L. WEDprSG.
After all agriculture is the surest
road to wealth. An Illinois farmer