The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1938-07-29
SAYS 4 TOWNS
WANTED TOBE
COUNTY SEAT
Mrs. Barnwell Draws on
Memory For Facts of
Later Years
Ey LILA RIPLEY BARN"ELL
Henderson County Historian

The early history Of Hender-
sonville is shrOuded in mystery a.
profound and uncertain as that
of the dwelling places Of pre-his-
tOric man.
A careful search of the county
records and dlllgent eXamIna-
ton Of the brains Of the oldest
inhabitants has resulted in obtain
ing only the most meagre facts.
Had our pioneers realized that
this information would have some
day been desired. they would, no
doubt. have kept the records more
carefully.
You will pardon me, am sure,
for various personal references,
as many Of the facts stated are rs
/ recollect them from my father.
Colonel V. Ripley.
Henderson county was taken
from Buncombe in 1887, Bun
combe at that time being much
larger than the state of Rhode Is
land. Much discussion followed
over the selection OF a county
seat. Blue Ridge. Rugby, Horse
Shoe and the present site being
the most popular in the contest.
This was finally chosen because II
was on the main highway between
Asheville and GreenvIlle, :. G., a
very important consideration III
those days.
The first courthouse was 4 log
building just opposite our pubic
square. Here our first court was
held. the clerk Of the court being
John A Miller, who was transfer
led from that position III bun
combe To Henderson county. The
descendants of Mr.. Miller are stlI
living at Rugby where they have
been for more than a century, an
unusually long time Of residence
In one place for one family III ou-
country.
The county was named Tor Judge
Leonard Henderson, distinguish.
ed jurist of the Supreme court OF
our state. II you care to see now
he looked YOU may see his PIC
ture in our courthouse which was
obtained by special court order
through the influence Of Judge
Michael Schenck and by him pre-
sented to our county.
Our old courthouse, which some
Of US well remember, was built on
the present location, handsome
dienified structure of brick and
stucco. The lower floor comprls
ed a large hall and the offices
for the clerk of the court, tax col
lector and others. The upper story
was reached by two flights OF
stone steps, leading to a piazza
where during court, the crier
stood to call the names Of those
wanted
The auditorium was a Large
room with wooden benches, eX-
cept in a part partitiOned off by
a railing for the judges stand
the lawyers and those having dl-
rect connection with the cases.
Split bottom chairs accommodate
ed those who sat there. me
floor was covered by thick lay
er of tan bark, occasionally re-
newed, this to prevent noise. the
tan bark received a liberal Sprink-
ling of tobacco juice and was the
abiding place of host of fleas!
In my childhood big billy
goat delighted to occupy the front
entrance and was terror to the
children who passed that way.
This building was erected IN
about 1874. My old nurse told
me that the square was then Just
a chinuuapin thicket. | can myself
remember when we used TO gather
chinauapins where the jail now
stands. .,
The oldest buildings in the
town are my old home, the pres
ent Foster house on Main street.
which my father bought from a
Mr.. King 80 years ago. The TIM
beers in the house are IN won
derful state of preservation, and
the late Mr.. Foster told me that
when he was having some changes
made the workmen were amazed
at the excellence and exactness
of the work. Much of it is dove
tailed. | think they call it, and fits
perfectly. An apple tree on this
property at my present home was
bearing fruit when my father
bought the place. II is still bear
ing and has never been known to
miss a year. 1t has ueen giving
us fine russets for over eighty
years.
The rock store on Main street
was built by my father IS years
ago, the rock coming from his own
auarries and the work done by
his own slaves in 1853.
The Dixon Health Resort is an
other of our oldest buildings. This
was originally intended for Il
girls school and was called Jud-
SON college in compliment to Elu-
ily Judson, wife of the famous
missionary, Adoniram Judscn,
who labored so long in India. The
rock for this building came from
my fathers quarries, the remains
of which may be seen as you
pass by Duncrsggan Inn On the