Abstracts from the
Lexington Observer & Reporter,
January 13, 1864
By Dr. Melba Porter Hay
The Lexington Observer & Reporter was published weekly on Wednesdays by D. C. Wickliffe. Cost of a subscription in advance was $2 or $2.50 at the end of six months.
The paper reported that “Mr. [Lazarus] Powell, of Kentucky, introduced into the Senate of the United States on Monday last, a bill to prevent officers of the army and navy, or other persons engaged in military service, from interfering with elections in the States; and moved its reference to the committee on the Judiciary.” However, “the radical Senators opposed the reference, and instituted in lieu of the Judiciary, the committee on Military Affairs. Messrs. Powell and [Garrett] Davis, of Kentucky, fought valiantly for the bill and its proper reference but were overpowered by those who are willing to see every vestige of Republican freedom swept away by despotic power.”
The paper reported that newspapers in Cincinnati have announced “that the headquarters of the Department of the Ohio are to be removed at once to this city; and that Assistant Adjutant General, (Col. Anderson) had all the books and papers ready for removal from that city several weeks ago.” Also, “Gen. [Ambrose] Burnside has withdrawn his resignation, at the earnest solicitation of the President, and, it is stated, will be again assigned to the command of the department Ohio, in place of Gen. Foster who asks to be relieved in consequence of ill health.” In addition, it was reported that Gen. Rosecrans is “to take command of the Department of Missouri, in place of Gen. Schofield. If this report should turn out to be true, it would seem that Mr. Lincoln was unable to resist the radical pressure made upon him by the Loyal League representatives.”
The paper stated: “John Morgan is advertising for men to make up another guerrilla force, and expects ere long to be in the saddle.”
It was reported that W. T. Samuels had assumed the duties of auditor of Kentucky. His qualifications were “of the highest order,” and he has been “regarded as one of the best officers the State has ever had.” His predecessor, Grant Green, was also “watchful of the public interest, and successful in the discharge of all his duties.” Likewise, Grant’s assistant, Cornelius Bailey, “has shown himself to be a faithful and competent officer.”
“Despatches have been received here, announcing the death of Col. Roy Cluke, of Clarke, and Capt. Wm. R. Lewis, of Fayette, both of the rebel army, at Johnson’s Island, on the 1st inst.”
It was reported that Col. Sanders D. Bruce of the 20th Kentucky “has been appointed Military Commander of the Post at Louisville, in place of Col. A. W. Holman, of the 11th Kentucky Cavalry.” Col. Bruce’s staff included: Maj. H. A. Mitchell, Invalid Corps; Capt. H. C. Brennan, 20th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry; Capt. C. J. Wilson, 33rd Kentucky Volunteer Infantry; Capt. James A. Crawley, 87th Indiana Volunteer Infantry; and Lt. James A. McCampbell, 20th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry.
It was reported that “Mr. Fred Fitch has become a partner with his brother in the conduct of ‘Fitch’s Drug Store,’” which is “one of the largest establishments in the country.”
It was announced that Dr. D. T. Morton performed the wedding of Mr. C. C. Stivers to Miss Minerva Christopher in Lexington on December 29, 1864 [sic; 1863].
It was announced that the Rev. George W. Varden performed the wedding of Miss Josie M. Stone to Mr. George Lancaster of Lexington on January 5, 1864, at the home of the bride’s father, Col. Kinsey Stone, in Bourbon County.
Wm. R. Lewis of Scott County offered for sale the 65-acre farm on which he lived, situated on the turnpike between Frankfort and Georgetown. He also offered for sale his “thoroughbred young English stallion, Melbourne,” described as three years old and “one of the best bred colts in the United States.”
Mary H. Cooper advertised for sale “several hundred first rate locust posts . . . at my farm on the Versailles turnpike near the city limits.”
H. C. Funk advertised for sale his farm in “Jessamine County, nine miles from Lexington and four miles from Nicholasville, and a quarter mile from the Turnpike between the two places.” This farm consisted of 127½ acres. He also offered for sale 15additional acres of timber, located a mile and a half from the other.
James O. Hervey, proprietor of Kentucky Central Nurseries at Nicholasville advertised trees for sale, including 10,000 peach trees, 10,000 evergreens, dwarf pears, and cherries, plus raspberries, strawberries, grapes, and currants, &c.
Mrs. George C. Bain offered for sale a 75-acre farm in Woodford County “on the waters of South Elkhorn, about 8 miles from Lexington on the Old Frankfort Turnpike, within ¼ of a mile of Brown’s water mill, adjoins the lands of Thomas Steele, Wm. Payne, James Brown, and John Utterback.”
Samuel Coleman, Thomas T. Hayes, and James G. Kinnaird, trustees, advertised for a teach for “District School No. 22, about 10 miles from Lexington on the Todd’s road to Winchester.” Applicants should be qualified to teach “the English branches, the Ancient Languages, and Mathematics.”
Paul R. Rankin, commissioner, announced a commissioner’s sale on February 18, 1864, of a “splendid Scott County farm” of 520 acres, located “one mile and a half from Georgetown on the turnpike road to Frankfort.” The sale was to include “likely Negroes, consisting of men, women, &c . . personal property . . . stock of all kinds . . . house and kitchen furniture.” The upcoming sale was the result of a judgment of the Scott Circuit Court in the case of Belknap v. Junius R. Ward. R. P. Snell was to be auctioneer.
Robert Todd offered a reward for information that would enable him to recover a horse stolen from his farm near the Versailles Turnpike. He described the horse as “a heavy, square built BROWN HORSE, 9 or 10 years old about 15½ hands high, with one white hind foot and blind in one eye.”
Wm. A. Lindsay provided a testimonial in favor of “G.B. Bailey’s Seed Cleaner,” which he said was “the BEST MACHINE ever produced for taking out cockle, cheat, &c.” Those wanting more information about this machine could “apply to the subscriber at the Broadway Hotel, or to L. K. Prather, a few doors above.”
J. Levi Patterson advertised for sale “three fine Jacks.” He noted that persons interesting in purchasing could apply to him at his home “near Broadwell Cross Roads, six miles south of Cynthiana, Harrison County, Ky.”
Thomas Montague offered a reward for the return of a bay mare stolen from him “in Fayette County two miles from Lexington on the Nicholasville Pike.”
Roger Cannon offered a reward for the return of a bay mare stolen “from the Old Ferguson farm and adjoining Clifton Ware and Noah Howe’s . . . about 15½ or 16 hands high. . . . Moves slowly.” Information on her whereabouts could be “given to McGrady at the 2d toll gate on the Winchester Pike, or Mat Moran, on the Clintonville and Paris Pike.”
A. F. Eastin advertised 96 acres for sale, “situated in the county of Fayette, about six miles from Lexington at the crossing of the Todd’s road and the road leading from Walnut Hill to Chilesburg.”
George Graves offered a reward for a “strayed or stolen” bay horse four years of age. He asked that it be returned to him or to F. P. Hord’s stable in Lexington
W. W. Bruge offered a $50 reward “for the apprehension and delivery to me of a mulatto Negro man named John Anderson, about 5 feet 8 inches high; 35 to 40 years of age; small and rather delicate.”
Susanna Keith offered for hire “a Negro woman, who is a good cook washer and ironer; 2 girls, one about 16 and the other about 14, competent house servants; and a Negro boy about 15 years old, sprightly and capable.” Interested parties could apply to the subscriber on Upper near Maxwell.”
John A. Willis, master commissioner, gave notice to creditors of John M. Hunt, defendant in the Jessamine Circuit Court case of Leonard Cassell v. John M. Hunt, that they should “present their claims to the undersigned commissioner, at his office in the town of Nicholasville, Ky., on or before the 1st day of February, 1864.”
W. C. Hamilton & Co. advertised that the firm wanted to purchase “good clean hemp” and would pay “the highest market price for hemp seed.”
Wm. McCracken’s Livery and Sale Stables, Main Street, Lexington, advertised that it had “fine carriages & horses, with careful and attentive drivers, buggies and horses, and good saddle horses,” as well as “the best ostlers.”
Wm. H. Price offered a reward for a “light gray stud colt,” stolen from his home in Jessamine County, one mile from Nicholasville.
W. Adams and Dean Megee offered cattle and sheep for sale. They could be seen at Megee’s farm, “in the corner of Jessamine County, immediately on the Woodford and Fayette line.”
John H. Payne Jr. gave notice that creditors of George H. Bowman, deceased, could present their claims to him as executor of Bowman’s estate.
O. P. Beard announced that he would “continue to buy mules and horses for government use, and will . . . pay the highest price . . . in this market.” He said he would also keep “at all times a good assortment of buggies and carriages for hire.”
S. S. Thompson advertised for “a lot of locust timber, for which I will pay a fair price in cash.”
Wm. T. Hughes advertised for an overseer, single, “who has experience in the management of a farm and Negroes.”
Speed S. Goodloe, master commissioner, announced a sale of slaves “in the cases of Thomas Hughes’ Executors vs. James N. West, and Wm. T. Hughes, Assignee vs. Same.” The sale was to be held in front of the courthouse in Lexington on February 1, 1864.
M. S. Dehoney offered for sale seven acres of land with three dwellings—one the former home of M. A. Dehoney—“on the Georgetown and Frankfort pike about half way between the two places.” Interested parties could contact Dehoney at “White Sulphur P. O., Scott County, Ky.”
Charles S. Bosworth offered for sale “the farm upon which I now reside, in Woodford County, five miles from Versailles, on the Scott’s Road, about one mile west of the McCoun Ferry Road, containing 125 acres of good land in a high state of cultivation.”
John P. Innes gave notice that a stray horse had appeared at his farm, “9 miles from Lexington on the Russell Turnpike, about two weeks since.” The owner “can obtain the horse by coming for him and paying expenses.”
C. C. Bryant offer a $26 reward for the return of a “light sorrel mare, eight years old, with heavy mane” that was stolen “on the night of the 8th inst., from the farm of D. B. Bryant, seven miles from Lexington on the Nicholasville turnpike.”
Mrs. Embry offered “Embry’s Blacksmith Shop and a small residence near by,” located on the Richmond Turnpike, for rent or hire. Interested parties could apply to Mrs. Embry “on the premises, or to W. B. Morrow, druggist, in Lexington, Ky.”
F. Jones announced that he had a large stock of fruit and ornamental trees for sale at Jones’ Nursery in Clark County. Interested persons could apply for a catalogue to “J. S. Wilson, Lexington; Henry Jones, Mount Sterling; Messrs. Farley & Taylor, Richmond, or F. Jones, Athens, Fayette County, Ky.”
It was reported that the “extensive bakery establishment of Mr. John W. Lee, on Spring Street, between Main and Water, in this city, was destroyed by fire on Sunday evening.” The “exceedingly cold weather” made it difficult to fight the fire.
Mrs. R. S. Bullock announced her intention to open a school at her residence on Upper Street, near Hill Street, on February 1. Tuition in the primary class for a session of twenty weeks was $13.
It was noted that the Louisville Journal had reported that “Brigadier General Boyle has been relieved from the command of this district, and Gen. Jacob Ammen has been appointed his successor.”
Also, the Danville Tribune reported that “Brig. Gen. S. S. Fry has been relieved as commander of the District of Central Kentucky, and ordered to report for duty at Knoxville.”
It was reported that James Keith, “son of Mr. Quincy A. Keith, President of the Kentucky Central Railroad, was frozen to death, a few nights ago, while on his way from Cincinnati to his home, five miles out on the Lexington turnpike.” Also, “on the night of the 31st ult., Mr. Milburn, a blacksmith, residing a few miles from Danville, Ky., was frozen to death on his way home.”
L. B. Todd, postmaster at Lexington, announced that on January 12, 1864, letters for the following persons remainded in the post office: Mr. Barter, Frederick Braxton, Alf G. Barnard, Thos. Bracken, Thos. Cabbert, Mrs. Mandy Clay, Miss Nancy Canon, Capt D. O. Crawford, Newton Cannon, James Dean, Patrick Drury, Miss Sue Ewing, John M. Fleming, Miss J. S. Ferguson, Timothy Gierty, Mrs. Elizabeth Gibson, G. M. Goodlow, Miss Bettie Herndon, Mrs. W. F. Hendricks, Sergeant B. Hinchman, J. W. Johnson, Messrs. Chas. Kreydoon & Bro., Lawrence Lawless, Harvey Lamne, John M. Luttrell, Michael Milligan, Francis M. Moore, Theo McHold, Dr. J. S. Newberry, Miss Lina Neal, Thos. O’Day, Thos. C. Paynes, Stephen Philips, Harvey Rush, T. B. Salts, Mrs. Hannah Smaw, Mrs. Bridget Slevin, George Sutton, Robert A. Thompson, Richard Walker, James Williams, Miss Harriet Woods, Miss Maria Young, Miss Eliza Young, Miss Mollie E. Bowlin, C. C. Brown, S. C. Bull, Miss Maria Bryce, W. P. Collins, John Coxen, J. B. Cottle, John K. Cook, R. M. Cox, Joseph Dear, Miss Martha England, James Fitzpatrick, Miss Nannie A. Foster, S. D. Grizzard, H. P. Goudy, Thos. Hoover, Mrs. Mary Holland, David Horn, Miss Lettia Lewis, Miss Jane Lisle, H. H. Monday, Mrs. M. F. Moss, John G. Netre, Wm. Oldham, Mrs. Hannah E. Page, A. L. Soule, Dr. W. D. Scott, John T. Stone, Mrs. Nancy Williams, Letty Williams, W. D. Young. Hours for the post office were 8 a.m. to dark, except on Sunday, when it was open from 8 to 9 a.m.
David T. Carr announced that a black horse, “blind in one eye, and high-headed, rough shod all round,” has been stolen from his residence at Chilesburg, Fayette County, on December 24. He added: “Supposed to have been taken by some of the hands returning from Camp Nelson.”
Margaret Couchman offered a $25 reward for return of a mare stolen from her “9 miles from Lexington near the Todd’s Road, leading to Lexington.”
William S. Brink offered a “liberal reward” for the return of his “bay stallion colt, two years old last spring,” that had been stolen from him “8 miles south of Lexington on the Tates Creek Road, on the 27th of December.”
Mrs. M. Woodfolk offered a $100 reward for return of “a negro boy named Tee, about 21 years old; 5 feet 7 inches high; weighs about 140 pounds; is lame from one leg being one inch shorter than the other.” He ran away “July last,” and “went to Camp Nelson, and is said to be there occasionally from Tennessee.”
D. C. Wicliffe offered a $10 reward for return of a “rockaway harness . . . stolen from my premises within the last ten days.” He also offered “$25 for such information as will lead to the conviction of the thief.”
The Curd House advertised for hire “a girl about seventeen common cook—a good washer and ironer.”
Charles S. Bodley, administrator of Thomas J. Wells, announced that he would hold an auction of a “chestnut filey [sic]” and a “grey colt” on January 20 at 10 a.m. in front of O. P. Beard’s stable.
Jane H. Lowen, administratrix of Lewis Lowen, announced slaves for sale—“women, girls and boys; all competent and good servants”—in front of the courthouse in Nicholasville on January 18. She would also “at the same time hire out for the present year several Negroes, among them some good cooks, house girls and boys.”
Z. Gibbons, attorney at law, advertised his practice in Fayette and adjoining counties.
B. Macauley, stage manager, announced upcoming performances at the theatre in the Odd Fellows’ Hall.
John W. Lee published a note of thanks to “Messrs. O. A. Reynolds, R. J. Woodhouse, John Richards, James Bruen, and numerous citizens . . . for their strenuous to save my bakery from fire on Sunday night. . . . Also to the Lyon Fire Company.”
Advertised for sale: A “house and lot situated on Short Street, adjoining the Baptist Church, formerly owned by William Pullen. For terms, call on I. N. Sheppard and W. R. Snider, Trustees, or James F. Drake, who will show the property to any one wishing to purchase.”
Chas. S. Bodley, administrator of Ann E. Boyd, gave notice for those with claims against the Boyd estate to “present them to me proven according to law.”
George Stoll Jr., city clerk, reported that the mayor had made appointments to standing committees of the city council as follows: Claims—J. W. Lee, chairman, Thos. Smith, O. A. Reynolds; Ways and Means—W. W. Lonney, chairman, E. H. Parrish, B. G. Bruce; Propositions and Grievances— D. F. Wolf, chairman, J. W. Lee, O. A. Reynolds; Judiciary—Wesley [Suchcer ?], chairman, James Chrystal, Thomas Smith; Improvements and Repairs— W. W. Bruce, chairman, Thomas Smith, J. Q. A. Hayman, M. G. Thompson; Poor and Work House—mayor, ex-officio, chairman, W. W. Lonney, B. G. Bruce; City Schools—B. G. Bruce, chairman, E. H. Parrish, W. W. Lonney, D. F. Wolf, Hiram Shaw, Prof. J. K. Patterson, Joseph Wasson; Accounts— E. H. Parrish, chairman, M. G. Thompson, J. W. Lee; Gas—James Chrystal, chairman, W. Spencer, Thomas Smith; Trustee School Fund—D. F. Wolf, chairman, J. W. Lee, J. Q. A. Hayman; Fire Department—M. G. Thompson, chairman, W. W. Bruce, B. G. Bruce.
Notice was given that Fred Fitch had become a partner with Frank Fitch in Fitch’s Drug Store.
W. S. McChesney, who had a “commission and forwarding house on Short Street between Mill and Broadway,” announced that he would “pay the highest price in cash for country produce, viz: hemp, wheat, corn, oats, rye and barley.”
S. Schoonmaker advertised for “a good salesman in an dry goods store.”
Joseph George offered a “suitable reward” for return of or information leading to the recovery of a sorrel mare that had strayed or been stolen. He noted: “She will probably aim to get to the neighborhood of Chilesburg or Athens.”
Daniel Runyon advertised for the return of a “large light roan cow, blind in her right eye,” and her calf. Anyone returning them would be “liberally rewarded.”
Wm. F. Craven advertised for sale twenty head of mules, which “can be seen at my farm in Fayette County, about 9 miles from Lexington, and about two miles south of the Versailles turnpike.”
E. L. Van Winkle, secretary of state, presented a letter from Governor Thomas Bramlette to the Kentucky Senate and House of Representatives, asking them to authorize “the speedy organization of a State force” to provide security and defend the citizens of the commonwealth.
Thomas Montague advertised a “liberal reward for the return of” a bay mare stolen from his property “on the Nicholasville pike, on Wednesday last, the 30th of December.”
Samuel Downing offered a reward for the return or a mare stolen from his farm “about 4 miles from Lexington on the Nicholasville turnpike, on the night of the 25th ult.” He noted: “She was seen going in the direction of Nicholasville that night, with two men riding her.”
Norton & Sharpe, Lexington, advertised: “Bull’s Bitters, Bull’s Sarsaparilla, and Worm Destroyers, sold wholesale and retail.”
It was reported that the “remains of Col. Roy S. Cluke, of the 8th Kentucky (Rebel) cavalry, who died at Johnson’s Island on the 1st day of this year, arrived at Paris on Monday last, permission having been granted for their internment in Kentucky. Col. Cluke was a native of Clarke [sic] County, Ky., served nobly in the Mexican war as a private in the 2d Kentucky regiment, but the honors which he won at Buena Vista were clouded by the fatal delusion which impelled him to raise a regiment of rebel cavalry when Kirby Smith occupied our State, and he has fallen a victim to disease contracted while engaged in the rebel service.” Also, the remains of Capt. Wm. R. Lewis of Fayette County, who died at Johnson’s Island “have been by permission brought to Kentucky for interment, and will be buried at the residence of his father, Mr. S. Higgins Lewis, in this county.”
William S. Galpin and William S. Simpson announced that their business, Galpin & Simpson, had been dissolved. All persons indebted to this company were requested to pay the debt to Hunt & Beck.
Samuel T. Hayes offered a reward for the return of a horse stolen on January 5 and information about the perpetrators of this “gross outrage.” He related: “I sent my servant to town in charge of my wagon loaded with wood. On the way, about 7 miles from Lexington on the Winchester pike he was stopped by two men in a buggy, dressed in citizens clothes, the one with cap and the other a hat, and one of the horses of my team was taken out, put in the buggy, and an old worn out horse left in his stead.”
A. Bohannon and J. Stout, executors of Sally Bohannon, deceased, advertised a sale at the courthouse in Versailles of 350 acres of land, “including the dwelling house belonging to the estate of German Bohannon, dec’d.” Also, sold will be “one Negro man, about 50 years old; one Negro woman, without encumbrance, about 22 years old; one Negro woman 24 years old, with two children; one Negro girl about 16 years old.”
D. R. Thomas advertised for sale “426 acres of Nicholas land, lying on the pike to Sharpsburg, 3 miles east of Carlisle, known as the John Hall farm.”
Thomas Norris & Co. announced the purchase of “the confectionary establishment on Main Street, of Mr. George Krauss.” The new owner promised to “keep constantly on hand, and manufacture to order, every variety of confectionary.”
James Reidy and D. Burbank announced the dissolution of their partnership in the business James Reidy & Co. Burbank had purchased the stock of the company and had associated himself with W. E. Bosworth, planning to carry on the business under the name Burbank & Bosworth.
T. J. Harrison’s Drug Store advertised for sale “best clear white Maysville Coal Oil”; “family dyes, all colors”; “pomades for beautifying the hair”; “Glycerine Cream, Camphor Tea, Rose Lip Salve, and Coral Lip Balm”; “fine cloth, hair, nail and tooth brushes”; and “Glenn’s celebrated Verbena Water and fine Toilet Soaps.”
A. F. Hawkins, cashier of the Northern Bank of Kentucky in Lexington, provided notice that the president and directors of the bank had declared a dividend of four percent.
Newbol & Co., located “4 doors below Phoenix Hotel,” advertised ladies’ and children’s furs “At Cost.”
F. P. Hord, L. C. Graves, W. McCracken, E. R. Hoagland, O. P. Beard, and Jas. Perkins announced that “In consequence of the high prices of feed, the Livery Stable Keepers of the city of Lexington” had established livery prices.
Speed S. Goodloe, master commissioner, announced the sale to the highest bidder of “two Negroes,” a boy about twelve and a woman about 40, to be held in front of the courthouse in Lexington on February 1, 1864. This sale was the result of a lawsuit between J.A. Grinstead against Blackwell & Murphy.
The trustees of Woodford Female College— Thomas Graddy, Zeb Ward, Wm. M. Daniel, N. Stone, and John S. Minary—announced that the school and approximately six acres of land would be auctioned at the courthouse in Versailles on January 22, 1864.
Campbell & Cochran, No. 17, Main Street, Lexington, announced they had “just received” two Steinway pianos, which they would sell “at manufacturer’s prices.”
Norton & Sharpe, Lexington, advertised “Dr. John Bull’s Compound Cedron Bitters” for sale. The remedy was said to treat “diseases of the stomach, bowels, liver or kidneys,” as well as “all affections [sic] of the brain, depending upon derangement of the stomach or bowels,” plus “gout, rheumatism and neuralgia” and “fever and ague.” Dr. John Bull’s “principal office” was located on Fifth Street in Louisville.
The newspaper noted that a vote on the expulsion of Garrett Davis of Kentucky from the U.S. Senate was set for January 13, 1864.
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