Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1884-04-04


comparatively Il don't resollect the
number of the population prtcisly,
| don't think it exceeded much l,500 |
inhabitantD but it was inhabited by
an intelligent and interesting popu
lation. 1t was cultivated society
for what might still be called a sort
of frontier settlement; as in the fol-
lowing year, in my travels through
Illinois, found that now magnificent
and grandly developed state, in all its
material, social and uninviting con-
dition. Then even, the great city of
st. Louis, which vi5itel also coa-
tanned population of only 5000
souls. What mighty change in the
last half century,
IIopkinsvillc at the time advcnted
to, i'll her social, moraland intellectual
condition, could justly enter into ri
valry with any community west of
the Alleghenies. The manners of her.
people were polished and refined
her public as well as private morals
above reproach; and so little disor-
der among her people, both in town
and county, as falls to the lot of the
most favored communities. Her
ne d of prominence, character and
anding, considering the number of
her population equal to any. When
1 arrived in IIopkinsville l found
these distinguished gentlemen of the
legal profession Chas. S. Morchead,
Fidelio c. Sharp, w. w. Fry, Gus
tavus A. Henry, j. b. Crockett,
G1ovim Page, the first three ofwhom
were then in the full tide of practice
with well established regulations,
and the three latter rapidly budding
into notice, and very soon developed
into full bloom. Two others, Benz.
Patton and Robt p. Henry had both
died 4 year or two before, and their
fame was still echoing through town
and county, at the time OF my arri-
val /; and not confined to town and
county, but revcrberating through
out the State. But in the hurry of
writing prctcrmitted two other
prominent gentlemen Of the profess
sion about that time-Jas. Breathitt
and Jas. Ewing; neither of whom
lived great while after. Besides
Jas. f, Buckncr, was himself COM
mencing the struggle. 1t may be
that | have omitted to mention 9TH
ers of that period. But If so, 1t is a
lapse of my memory. Besides these
gentlemen of note of the
legal fraternity, the medical profess
ion was not less famous for its learn.
r ed physicians. DR.. Jno. +. Henry
, who was afterwards professor il
several medical colleges, and MAJ
Of unqucstioned ability; Drs. Web
: Der, Bell, Glass, Montgomery, mel
, of considerable literary attainments
: and of undoubtcd success in thu
Q practice of their profession. | can
: not now call to mind the names o
A others; some of whom were jus
|, pluming their feathers for the ad
4 venturous flight. In addition t,
0 these professional celebrities, ther
: were literary gentlemen not few
: of a which modest sample was founC
: in the person of James Rumsey, win
c was as guilelcss as a child, and intel
s lectually, as brilliant as the most ia
h vored sons of genius. In the pri
f vate walks of life, could be seen me
, of exalted character, and of persona
G worth public spirit, worthy Of al
/. imitation a specimen of which plain
i ly manifested in the bearing and con
c duct of John P. Campbell ST.. whor
{ l always looked upon as one of ma
l. ture's noblemen, and whose memor
>. | shall always revere as gencrou
c friend. These worthy specimens {
t, the male population of the whic
J. were much enlarged by many in til
i county, were supplemented by man
h high-toned, intelligent, refined We
It men, of whom ] will not be guilty
J. the bad taste of particularizing bt
,f who contributed largely to the man
A. excellen cies of the community.
So much in regard to the gener
n view q tho towR of Hopkinsvill