History from an old newspaper

September 15, 2009

Fred A. Engle The Richmond Register Tue Sep 15, 2009, 09:05 AM EDT

The “Richmond Climax” was a predecessor of the “Richmond Register.” Jasper Castle provided me with a copy of the Climax from Jan. 11, 1899. Of special interest from this issue is a column by Gov. Ed Brown about several Madison County communities.

I do not know where or when Brown was a governor, but he was never Governor of Kentucky. We had only two Browns as governors — both named John Young Brown.

I have taken the liberty to insert some notes of explanation that may be useful to modern readers. Given his questionable political authority, here is what Brown said in 1899:

As I gave an extrusion of the “Slashes” in a letter to the Climax some time since, and I perceived it was relished and appreciated by the reading public.

I will now proceed to give an account of the section called Sour Woods.

This section with its environments is in the eastern section of this county. Commencing with the “Slashes.” (It) extends to the Estill County line some five or six miles in width and ten or twelve in length from North to South. It contains the villages of Doylesville, Union, Brookstown, College Hill, Bybeetown, Waco, Elliston and Moberly.

I do not know why this (area) is dubbed by this name, unless it is the sourness of the flowers, grass, fruit and trees. The people appear to be as pleasant as any in the county, so it is not on account of the people. I suppose some of the people are as sweet as sugar or (mo)’lasses, especially the girls.

One of the principal creeks of the county is in this section, Muddy Creek. I do not know why it is called by this epithet, unless it was on account of its muddy waters.

Doylesville:

It is in the extreme northern part, near the Kentucky River. It is not as well known as the other towns named, as it does not lie on the route of general public travel. The counrty surrounding it is somewhat broken. It has a store and a school house. William Rice is the merchant.

This section is very prolific for cedar trees. We get our telephone and telegraph poles from here. This is the former home of the well known Noland boys.

Union City:

Is a nice little village. It has a Christian church and a Baptist church. George Noland, Genie Bruce and the McKinney Bros. are the merchants. The county infirmary is located near this place.

Some of our best citizens are from this section. For instance, ex-County Judge John Chenault, attorney Dan Chenault, Thomas Chenault, Professor Jessie Harris, Dr. John W. Harris, ex-Postmaster William Powell. Frank Golden, better known as “Bruiser,” who use to be quite a politician of that section.

Brookstown:

Is a very small village. It has a Christian church, also a good school. This section was the former home of several of our citizens: French Tipton, Jerry Powell, Charley Powell and Caley Shearer. The latter was one of the boys who wore blue and went to help put the Spaniards through — that is, with bullets. (This is a reference to the Spanish American War.)

Sam Todd and Rufus McCord are the principal farmers. Mr. McCord is one of the landed proprietors of the county. He is the largest freeholder of that section. The McCord family is one of the oldest families in the county.

College Hill:

Is called that name on account of it being located on high ground, and being a favorite seat of learning. It has two Methodist churches, one north and one south. (The northern Methodist and southern Methodist had split decades earlier over the issue of slavery.) It also has a good school.

William Miller and Alexander Miller are the merchants. Pate Adams owns one of the largest nurseries in the county. Some of our good citizens from this section are ex-Sheriff Nath Deatherage and the Adams brothers.

Near this place is located the Cane Springs meeting house. It has been a favorite place for years for the Baptist to hold their associations.

Near this place are sand banks from which our contractors draw their supplies. Ally Adams, a noted personage of that section, has been one of the principal factors in supply and demand (of this commodity). Though the people have no monied banks, they have that which answers nearly as well — large sand banks!

Bybeetown:

Is in the extreme southern end, not far from the Estill line. It has a good school, church, store and a pottery.

Waco:

Is located on the Richmond and Irvine turnpike. It has a fine steam grist mill. The merchants are Charles Searcy, Roe Lackey and Dennis Taylor. Mr. Searcy is one of the prominent men of the county, having served a term in the legislature.

Some of our best citizens are from this section. The large Douglas family, ex-Mayor Thomas Covington, Kit Covington, ex-County Clerk Thomas Thorpe, Stanton Thorpe, our present circuit clerk; James Lackey, our jailor; ex-jailor John Wagers.

One of the oldest industries in the county is located here, the Waco Pottery Works. If the people have no money in banks, they have large banks of pottery clay, and if it was developed it would be a source of great revenue to those people.

Flatwoods meeting house is near this place. It is a great place for revivals.

Bybee Pottery continues today, making “Governor” Brown’s last phrase somewhat prophetic. More on Brown’s views of areas of the county circa 1899 in the next article.

Text Only

Lifestyles & Community

Is MSG (monosodium glutamate) harmful?
Monsodium gluatamate (MSG) is a flavor enhancer often added to Chinese food, soups, processed meats and canned vegetables. The use of MSG remains controversial despite a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) statement that it is safe. Because of this, the FDA requires that whenever MSG is added, that it be listed on the label.

February 5, 2012 1 Photo
Common-sense job hunting
I spent a day with a high-powered and high-profile friend who mentioned that he has more than 700 people a year ask him to help get a new job.
He’s not in the employment business, but is super well connected.
Every now and then, he gets the right person to the right job.

February 5, 2012 1 Photo
It’s a love thing
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, for thy sake we are killed all the day long, we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord.” — Romans 8:35-39

February 4, 2012 1 Photo
Managing the calving season
Providing sound management during the calving season can mean more live calves.
Excessive losses can mean the difference between a year’s profit or loss for a beef producer.
It is important to have a short calving period to allow frequent observation and assistance if needed.

February 1, 2012 1 Photo
Spinach: It’s not just for Popeye anymore
A spinach-loving reader recently approached me to request a column on things to do with her favorite vegetable.
“Favorite vegetable?” You may ask, and rightly so.
When many of us were growing up …and we’re talking Baby Boomers here, the only spinach product known to us was the stuff that came in a can, and it was, in a word, horrible!

February 1, 2012 1 Photo
Topping trees is a bad practice
Topping damages hundreds of trees each year in Kentucky.
Many people are unaware of the detrimental effects of this practice.
Topping involves the drastic removal or cutting back of large branches in mature trees leaving stubs.
Topping can make a tree hazardous and reduce its life.

February 1, 2012 1 Photo
Tips offered for better credit
Many people are aware that their credit score is important, but do not really understand what it is or how to build a strong credit score.

February 1, 2012 1 Photo
Josh Logan to perform in Kirksville
Hello everyone. Josh Logan will perform at Kirksville Community Center on Saturday from 6:30 to 11 p.m. and will entertain you with some great music.

January 26, 2012 1 Photo
Church group to discuss ‘Bad Women of the Bible’
Tates Creek Baptist Church is having a special Coffee Talk Bible Study to discuss “The Bad Women of the Bible” on Tuesday, Jan. 31, at 11 a.m. in the church, located on Boonesborough Road.

January 26, 2012 1 Photo
Preschool screenings and birthday surprises
Hi!
... and the wind blew and blew. Perhaps this is the windy season!
Where is the snow? Students are starting to do snow dances, hoping they can coax enough snow to fall so they can make a proper snowman.
(I'm sure they hope it will fall on a weekend so they won’t have to miss school! lol)

January 26, 2012 2 Photos
More Lifestyles & Community Headlines

Lifestyles & Community

Search Results

History from an old newspaper

Have you ever attended a meeting of a local government agency or taxing district?

Site Map