Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-12-12
Fayette Co., KY,
Farmers at Odds
with Lexington City

Lexington, KY Dec. 10.-kcntucky
| has had its feuds in the mountains
and its duels in the Bluegrass and the
| purchase but not for a century has a
more bitter bloodless feud been fought
than that now being staged in the
courts here between the farmers OF
Fayette county and the city dweilers
Of Lexington.
! For the city jewellers have decrced
that Court Day. on Chcapside, a
block in the center of the city, an in
| stitution of century's duration, must
go. And the farmers say that Court
Day must stay.
| The courts have decided in favor of
the city jewellers once. but a mistake
was made in not including the county
in the suit 10 abolish the custom of
farmers bringing their horses and
mules and livestock of all kinds to
Chcapside for sale and of the people
of the countryside gathering in the
shadow of the statue of John Cabell
breckenridge. former vice president
| of the United States, to discuss the
political issues of the day. For. it dc
vclops. Cheapside has for ZIG years
been the property of the count.
Back in 1890 Cheipside was the CEN
ter of the city of Lexington, then the
Metropolis of the west. At that time
the city trustees ordered the first mar
ket house erected on the square. The
plllory and the stocks, the public we'll
and the courthouse fas at present)
stood on Cheapside. There on Wednes-
days and Saturdays the country peo-
pie brought in their produce, and the
city dweller and the country dwelier
met and traded and snapped tales and
talked politics. In later years James
Lane Allen 4 Kentucky writer. made
Cheapside famous with his description.
OF the monthly Court Day" the last
Of the ancient institutions of central
Kentucky.
In 1905. 1t develops, the city Of Lex
lnston decided Cheapside to the coun-
ty Of Fayette. Since that time the
county has been responsible for II
In late years the brick pavement Of
Cheapside has become pitted ami
rough. On court days it is crowded
with farmers and livestock ana wagons
loaded with produce-this once q
month. On other days automobiles
blled the places, parked at all angles.
For many months there have been
complaints of the ,unsightlincss OF
cheapslde and the apparent lack of au-
thorlty by. the city police. So action
was started in Circuit Court TO force
the city to "abate the nuisance" The
llrCnlt Court nrI
abated. But the court did not count
on the county. Now the action has
been revived through fling OF a petit
ton by the county declaring it alone
mas jurisdiction over this plot of
ground, containing perhaps a quarter
OIL an acre. in the heart of the city.
What the result will be cannot be
told until the Circuit Court again acts
and the Court of Appeals has its final
say. But one thing is certain. the
country folk are going to fight to the
last ditch TO retain their Mot of
ground in the city where they can
gather and sell their stock and talk
politics.
One custom Of Cheapside that has
ong passed but of which James Lane
Allen tells in his story was The set
Ting Of physical encounters and drink.
ing. of this latter, Mr.. Allen saws:
Another notable recreation ~ tba
day was drinking. Indeed the two
pleasures went marvelously Wen to.
gether The merchants kent
barrels of whiskey in their cellars for
their customers. Bottles Of II sat
openly on the counter"