The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1913-03-04
Richmond, Present and Past

My mind ,ruminated upon the subject of
writing up Richmond at the present and
the past X
Richmond, if am correct, was founded
in 1898. 1t was moved from Old Town,
the former county seat some four miles
west of the present location. The removal
was the occasion of an incident which was
a clash between two opponents. The ad-
vocate of the removal worsted his adversary
in knock-down fisticuff free fight.
The writer's father, grandfather and
grand uncle came from England and set
tied in Richmond when it was small viii
lage and engaged in the carding business,
so my people have been identified with the
interests of the city for nearly hundred
years.
Let us retropect some five decades when
the writer was small boy and see what
was here then, or ascertain what has sur
vived the mordant tooth of time and see
what is still left from the five preceding
decades.
First, we may take our plaza or public
square and see our grand and substantial
court house which was completed some
sixty years since. Its contour is about the
same twas then, only it has been repaired
and remodeled little. Irs facade or front
view finished in Grecian style with massive
pillars is majestic, even superb. Our pub
lie square will favorably compare with or
surpass that of any other town or city of
its size in the state.
Our court house square has been con-
siderably improved by the removal of the
old iron fence which was an eye sore for
several years and has been beautifed by
its we'll kept lawn and the making of
cement walks which gives it the appear
ance of some noted building in some
large city.
There are but few of the old time build
ings left around the plaza that were here
some decades since. They have been de-
molished principally by FIRE and buildings
of more pretentions have taken their
places.
| Scattered around the city are few of
the old timers left which stand as land
marks to remind the younger generation
what was here some fifty years since. On
the corner of Main and First streets stood
! the old time hotel where the writer was
born then the White house, and after
wards known as the Francis house, run
by John Francis father of Hon. David r.
/ Francis, of St. Louis, who is a widely
known man.
have seen the town grow from small
town of some thousand people to q city OF
over five thousand people with all of the
modern improvements. Where went to
school in an old two roomed one story
brick building, Caldwell High School has
been built which is honor to our city
and is one of the best brick buildings and
best equipped in the commonwealth with
a corp of able teachers.
Madison Female Institute is one of the
best and is largely attended. Its outward
appearance has been little changed in the
last half century.
i We have one of the best Norma
Schools in Kentucky or perhaps in the
United States. The grounds are excellent
and being on an elevation, the scener,
towards the east and south is charming.
One of the old land marks which ha.
had many vivid recollectionS, the FRS
Christian church has been razed and {
superb building is taking its place. Wher
completed it will be very convenient ant
will be one of the very best brick struct
ures in Central Centucky.
In those days of yore there was NJ
: ingress or egress to and from Richmond
except by stage coach. Now we have twt
good railroads and almost all of the othe
good things and conveniences of life.
And our little city has also produce
some noted men, Chief Justice Miller, Q
the Supreme Court of the United States
the late Curtis F. Burnam, Assistant Urea:
! urer of the United States, David r. Frar
els, ex-Mayor of St. Louis, Ex-Governor G
Missouri and ex-member of Presiden
Cleveland's cabinet. And our noted GOV
ernor, James b. McCreary, twice governol
member of the Senate and house of Cor
gress: First in war. first in peace an
first in the hearts of his countrymen."
Sincerely,
Edwin Brown.
(.