Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-02-09

FOREWoRD.
The early history of Kentucky, during its form
4 alive period, is replete with picturesque and
thrilling incidents which enchain the attention OF
even the most casual reader, naturally, since at
the time Of their enactment they attracted ana
held the attention of the civilized world.
Prominent among such periods was the DECADE
/ extending from 1916 to 1926, when the state WIS
almost rent in twain by two political factions, the
Routgrowth of a memorable monetary arrangement,
disturbing to the finances of the state. This fnan-
,ial disturbance led to the passage by the legs-
lature of relief laws which gave rise to the most
violent and embittered civil conflict which has
ever occurred in this country The situation be-
came acute The Relief and "Anti-Relief'-
! 1.-THE Old" and New Court" battles were fought
over on the stump in the tayerns on the streets,
and in the privacy of the homes; so great was the
financial stress.
I The excitement became intense its counterpart
)nly to be found in Paris when, in the bursting
of "The Mississippi Bubble" John Law became
the victim of the vices and cupidity of the dis
solute Regent Louis PHILIPPE of Orleans.
Out of this tense situation was seemingly
ivolved tragedy, which created most profound
ensation throughout the country The historian
Wakes bare mention of it, No motive is assigned.
% side lights are thrown upon the facts contained
the simple annals of the state
This absence of all detail seems strangely sig
Aifcant of an underlying mystery unexplained
he unravelling of this mystery has suggested this
tory of The Heart of Kentucky.
CHAPTER l.
II Nothing could be more picturesquely beautiful
N han was the old evidences Road" or "Emigrant
NTrail" as it generally called In the
! early days of the eighteenth century; the great
Eoighway of travel, then now, leading over the
Blue Ridge and Allegheny mountains into the
lark mysterious valley Deyond toWaro 'he seI'
! ling sun.
i For many miles it ran through sparsely set
tied country over the foothills leading up to the
astern slope of the Appalachian Chain Then
trough the Cumberland Gap" the giant gateway
etween Virginia and the wildly beautiful country
allied Pennsylvania, it continued its zigzag course
estward always westward down the rough
fountain sides until it pierced the fertile blue
rass lands lying beyond. OF this valley, the poid
4 hunters on their return home would tell sucn
yondrous stories that The Trail was soon dotted
y 18th movers wagons and camp fires glowed like
Jars from the depths of the pine forests whlcn
t. lothed the mountain sides. They were not as
pponted, these hardy adventures who nrst pene-
rated the wilderness in search OF game ana new
3huntng grounds, for they found paradise IN
;tead No wonder they called it Gods country.
After passing through the Gap the western
lope of this mountain range was dotted mere anu
here with springs and small inland lakes 10 Whlch
J. Ger and other wild creatures OF the Iorest came
Stake their thirst One of these pellucld lakes
ed by a mountain spring situated on a plateau
veil up on the mountain side, OF too little geo
Nraphica Importance to require name, was re.
1harkable however, for the picturesque beauty Vi
Is surroundings and always caught the eye OF
me traveller on this lonely trail. Here the ROAD,
eenlv furrowed by the heavy wagons that passed
hat way wound round the lake on one SIDE, the
hore from time to time reaching out INTO the
alter, forming little tongues OF land covered
18th reed grass weeping willows unuer WHOM
lie wild fowl hid their nests.
To the right of the road beyond the lake sloou
noble group of ancient hemlocks guarding The