The record., 1913-05-15

with his own camera over every his
toric spot in the county, bringing the
features of the dead past To light
again. Aud the stories OF carly
struggles. failures and victories that
these illuminate with the sense OF
actual vIzualation he has told in
nervous and admirable style, direct,
lucid and clear. at times racy of the
yernaCular, but at all times full of
frank dignity aud hearty sympathy
with the period and conditions he
describes.
The plan of Roberts "History
OF Muhlcnbcrs" is essentially that of
the modern historian, by scientific
collection of facts and their careful
analysis into episode and related
groups that give the story of III e
people of the county in connected
order. As the story is related in
easy narrative style, the leaders
among them are brought INTO the
foreground and take their places
properly on the scene. Thus, while
the eminent men that Muhlenberg
gave to the State and Nation get
their due attention, those who re-
NAMED active in their own commun-
ity alone are not neglected. Muh-
lenberg's contributions 10 distinc-
ton in the early days make most
interesting history. General Peter
Muhlenberg, after VIII ON the county
was named, a Revolutionary hero,
whose service was the subject of
song and story everywhere was
never there; but some of his old
soldiers and comrades settled it, fix
cd his name upon the map and
builded its hrst homes. But there
was Alney Mclean, pioneer survey
or, soldier of 1872, for many years
the most distinguished judge of the
western jurisdiction, and member of
Congress; Edw ard Rumsey, the
eloquent Congressman, whose uncle
was one of the first to apply steam
to northumberland Rumsey,
whose brilliant career and promised
usefulness were cut short by per-
sonal SORROW that converted his
promise into tragedy; Robert Max
we'll Martin, the dashing partisan
ranger, whose daring feats duri ne
the CiviI War have been SO cele-
brated since in war histories. These
men Muhlenberg CAV C to the whole
country.
Charles Fox Wing, the eminent
soldier and civilian officer, who was
clerk of the county for more thar
fifty years, has his story that nigh
alone make book of fascinating in
terest. In his frontier Office hi
trained To a high conception o
duty whole flock of young men
who were to go forth, as othe
counties were formed, become thei
officials and lay the foundations o
correct knowledge and official pract
ice all over Western Kentucky. III,
was a patriot widely cele bratet
while he lived for his patriotism
respected for it in his death durini
the most exciting hours of the Civil
War, when the Confederate Genera
S. B. Buckner gave orders that hi
last wish to be buried in the folds O
the star spangled banner should b
strictly carried out, the while Con
federate soldiers occupied ever
! street of Gre enville. Another boo
might be made of the Weir family
pioneer merchants and bankers
who were not only to lay the foun
! da;ion of large fortunes, but wer
through love of learning to max
notable contributions to literature
ames Weir, son of the pioneer, wa
the writer of ubcst seller" of hi:
u torical fiction back IN 1880 whe
his "Lonz Powers" surprised and dc
lighted readers all over the country
1t seems old fashioned n ow, but
. challenged the best criticism ther
:. with its vivid descriptions of life q
u the frontier among pioneer cou
. muuities in Western Kentucky, re,
! cling in the wit, hu,nor and TRACED
= of the times. Even the phone,
=" James Weir, ST., left the journal I
i a journey from Grcenville to Ne
u Orleans and around by sea to Phil
&c deiphia in 1865, which is full of il
&c terest and spirit. Isaac Bard, IL
ie frontier preacher, seller of Bible
L organizer of schools, general pr,
e moter of religious activities all ov
ne Western Kentucky, began his wo
Is in Greenvillc and kept diary fl
e of the light of the times and Il