The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1890-01-02
KENTUCKY COLONIES.
How II Happsns That They Are 20 NumeF-
Gus In the ITlus-0raSs state.

Gus In the BIus-0F6ss state.
II Il somewhat hard for an outside
barbarian TO understand why "Col.
onels" are 90 plentiful in Kentucky.
In the first place Kentucky furnished
great many soldiers, both TO the
Northern and Southern armies, dur.
Ing the war. and naturally some Of
these soldiers are sure enough Col
onels by rank and service. Others
who were minor officers. or perhaps
high privates, are now dubbed Col
onelS by way Of courtesy. Then we
have q 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. Tho Governor Of Ken
lucky has the privilege Of appointing
persons on his staif with the rank OF
Colonel These Colonies are expect
ed TO look pretty and martial at the
Governors ball and 70 ride horseback
whom the Governor heads q procession.
The last duty frequently gives them
great pain and anxiety. There are
scores and scores Of these Governor
staF Colonies in this proud old Com
monvealth. t}s wa
Some executives have been more
lavish than others IN the distribution
Of these gilded honors, That kindly
old gentleman. Governor Luke Black
burn. NJ D., was fond OF creating
COlonelA During his term he made
some sixty Colonies in the city Of
Louisville alone. II I remember the
figures correctly. There are various
reasons which entitle a man TO this
gubernatorial compliment Colonel
Win Hays Is q Colonel because he is
such 4 gifted poet. while Colonel Al
bert Dietzman was given his title by
Governor Knott because he was the
greatest business manager on earth.
Il trust these facts will make Il some
what clearer to the wondering North
erner why Colonies are 90 plentiful in
Kentucky. But there are other rea-
sons. Many prominent citizens are
honOred With this complimentary title
simply as q recognition OF their merit
BY the community. Thus every man
who conducts q large distillery Is ipso
facto Colonel; for Instance. Colonel
John NJ. Atharton. or Colonel Tom
Sherley. Every prominent railroad
ofilcial Is also Colonel; for instance.
Colonel Milton H. Smith. Every Con-
gresham is a Colonel. as Colonel
Asher G. Caruth. Every man with q
Government Office 70 q Colonel; as
Colonel George Du Relic. Every great
editor Is a Colonel. like Colonel Henry
Wattrrson. The Chief OF the Police
Department Is a de iacto Colonel, as
Colonel 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 q Captain In the
war. never call him Captain; call him
Colonel. He Is entitled 10 this pro-
motion twenty-four years after the
war closed. The only men proud to
be called Captain are the commanders
Of steamboats,. the captains Of fire
companies, the conductors Of railroad
trains and the officers In q Salvation
Army. The title Of Major is compar-
atively rare. and. therefore, Is really
more Of a distinction than Colonel.
Only prominent people who have seen
actual service wear the title; for in.
stance. Major Ed Hughes and Major ].
Washington Wann. But still II you
call q Major q Colonel he is not likely
to get mad at you By the observance
Of these few rules l have jotted down.
the stranger can get along in Ken
lucky without committing any serious
breach Of etiquette. Post