Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-09-18
KENTUCKY COLONIES.
How 1t Happens that They are SO
Numerous in the Blue Grass State.

From the Louisville Post.
1t is somewhat hard for an outside barbarian
to understand why ''colonels" are SO plentiful
in Kentucky. In the first place Kentucky fur
nished great many soldiers, both to the north
ern and to the southern armies during the war
and naturally some of these soldiers are sure
enough colonies BY rank and service. Others,
who were minor officers or perhaps high pri-
Yates, are now dubbed colonies by way of
courtesy. Then We have very few colonies
who hold over from the Mexican war, and there
are other colonies of militia like the Louisville
Legion, who come by their titles honestly. The
governor of Kentucky has the privilege of ap-
pointing persons on his staff with the rank of
colonel These colonies are expected to look
pretty and martial at the governors ball and to
ride horseback when the governor heads pro-
cesslon. The last duty frequently gives them
great pain and anxiety. There are scores and
scores OF these governor-staf colonies in this
proud old commonwealth.
Some executives have been more lavish than
others in the distribution Of these gilded hon
ors. That kindly old gentleman, Gov. Luke
Blackburn. Md, was fond of creating colo
nels. During his term he made some sixty
colonies in the city OF Louisville alone, if re-
member the figures correctly. There are vari-
GUS reasons which entities man to this guber-
Material compliment. Col. Will HAYS Is a
NO4OhSA
Col Albert Dietzman was given his title by
Gov. Knott because he was the greatest bust
ness manager on earth.
trust these facts will make it somewhat
clearer to the wondering northerner why col
onels are SO plentiful in Kentucky. But there
are other reasons. Many prominent citizens
are honored with this complimentary title
simply as a recognition of their merit BY the
community. Thus every man who conducts a
large dlstilery Is ipso facto a colonel; for in
stance, Col. John NJ. Atherton, or Col. Tom
Sherley. Every prominent railroad official is
also colonel; for instance, Col. Milton H.
Smith. Every Congressman is a colonel as
Col. Asher G. Caruth. Every man with a gov
heile. Every great editor is a colonel, like
Col: Henry Watterson. The chief of the
police department is de facto colonel, as Col
Wood. Then there are other gentlemen who
are colonies because no other title fits them
But the law on the subject is little vague and
has never been formulated by the legislature
II a man has been captain in the war never
call him captain; call him colonel He is emit
tied to this promotion twenty-four wears after
the war closed. The only men proud to be
called captain are the commanders of steam
boats the captains of fire companies the con-
ductors OF railroad trains, and the officers in a
salvation Army. The title OF major is compar-
atively rare and. therefore, is really more Of
distinction than colonel. Only prominent
people who have seen actual service wear the
title for instance, Major Ed. Hughes and Major
j. Washington Wann. But still if you cali a
major colonel heis not likely to get mad at
you. BY the observance of these few rules I
have jotted down the stranger can get along in
hentucky without committing any serious
breach Of etiquette.