The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1880-11-10


mate, Abe Lincoln, Is rather novel and
unique. He was tall, gangling and
awkward; his pants and socks would
meet within six inches, with huge
foot, which, when Abe put ii down, was
there to stay until he chose to take it
up. Oliver says he never dreamed in
those days, when playing with Abe Lin
coin, that he would become President.
But such is the genius of our institutions
that the poorest lad and most awkward
urchin may climb to the tOpmOst round
Of the ladder of fame to political impOr-
lance. Mr.. Brown remembers distinctly
when John Morgan was clerk Of this
county. He was first appointed while
the territorial government was In force,
and after the State was admitted under
the Constitution of 1916 he was twice
elected by the people. Morgan was sue
ceeded in the clerkship by Wakefield,
who after q time resigned, when VIM.
Bennett, father of Esq. James p. Ben
nett, was appointed clerk pro tenn, and
served for time; he was succeeded by
ThOs. p. BrittOn, who served two terms
or more; he by John Crawford, and
then came VIM. w. Cotton. When
James Brown and his son, Oliver, came
here in 1918 he remembers that the fol-
lowing prominent citizens were then
living ia the county, viz: VIM. Spencer,
who was son Of Capt. Spirre Spencer,
who fell at TippecanOe, and who lived
In Luce; +. Lahew lived on the Grand
view road, where the Lynns now live;
John. Murphy, Richard Horseley, VIM.
and Enoch Berry, VIM. Hughes and
Richard Brown, father of VinsOn Brown.
D. II. Brown further remembers that
Daniel Grass built water mill ON Lake
Drain, and that there were horse mills
at the following points: One ON the
VIM. Wilkinson place, built by Judge
James Small; one built on the White
house place by Thos. and John Martin;
one ON the Magil place, and one at New
tonville, by one Of the Lamars, ut which
place young Oliver used to go to mill
repeatedly on horseback in the cold and
stay all day before getting his grist
ground, putting in the time with the
other boys parching corn and telling
stories. There was also horse mill ON
the VIM. Briscoe farm, built there fifty
five years ago by David Luce. Benja-
min Romine had distillery and water
mill on Honey creek fifty years ago.
Mr.. Brown remembers that Col. Mason
]. Howell was for many years the Sem
ator and Representative from this coun-
ty. Among the prominent citizens Of
the county who came about the time Mr..
Brown and his father did was John f.
Cotton, who at different times held
many offices of honor and profit. He
was the father of the old County Clerk,
VIM. w. Cotton, now deceased. Mr..
Brown remembers distinctly when
Judges Blackboard, GoOdlett, Hall and
Embree held terms of the Circuit Court
here. Judge Blackford held court I'm a
double log house on the spot where
Judge Laird's residence is. The up
stairs was fitted up as a sleeping room
for the inn or tavern, which was held
in one part of the double log building
below. The grand jury sat around u
fire in the woods where Henry Roetzel's
house stands, surrounded by sentries to
keep off intruders. Shadrack Hall was
Sheriff of the county two terms thirty
or perhaps forty years ago. He was
the father of Wesley Hall, Randolph
Hall, and of Mrs. ]. G. Morgan, the
late Mrs. VIM. Mattingly and Miss
Virginia Hall. The first brick court
house built for the county was built by
one Goldsmith, from brick made on the
lot where Lewis G. Smith, Jr., lives.
The second brick court house was built
by John and James Pullen, under Dam
lei Brown and Thos. p. Britton, ST.,
contractors, from brick made ON Main
street. Mr.. Brown says that for many
years after he came here game was
abundant, and consisted of bear, deer,
turkey, etc.-RockpOr (Lad.) Gazette.