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Lincoln County Post Bicentennial Edition 1774- 1974

EDITORIAL

As Lincoln County celebrates the 1975 Bicentennial, it is hope that the pages of this edition will be met with interest and approval of those of us who are fortunate to be the inheritors of such a noble Heritage.

To many historical sketches presented herein should serve to remind us that our ancestors faced and overcame many obstacles to pave the Wilderness Road from Northern Virginia to the Bluegrass. Every generation has had to meet and cope with a share of the burdens and responsibilities.

Articles published here have been contributed by many, many local people and by some former citizens who no longer live in Lincoln County. Without the help of all these contributors it would have been impossible to complete this historical sketch of our county.

Also, this edition has been made possible through the efforts of the Lincoln County Bicentennial Commission, Dr. Robert Giezentanner and Mrs. Shirley Dunn, co-chairmen. The leaders of the commission have spent many hours planning the celebration of the 200th anniversary and they have earned the approbation and praise of everyone in the county.

Members of the commission are as follows: Mrs. Ed Gooch, Stanford, Secretary; Robert Baughman, Stanford, Treasurer; and Mrs. Martha Ferguson, Stanford, Publicity Chairman; also, Mr. and Mrs. T.J.Hill, Mrs. Joe T. Embry, Mr. and Mrs. John Baughman, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Grimes, George Brown, W. T. Grimes, Mrs. Ben Gaines, all of Stanford; Mrs. Ray Wilson, Mrs. Joe Hammons, Mrs. Harold Shaw, and Mr. and Mrs. Newland Scott, all of Crab Orchard; Mrs. Hampton Short of Hustonville and Squire Cummins of Moreland.

This publication is, of course far from complete in covering the events which led to the settlement of the county and to the state of Kentucky. Three of Kentucky's most eminent pioneer settlers, men who shaped the destinies of the whole state and region, were residents of our present Lincoln County. They were Benjamin Logan, Isaac Shelby and William Whitley. We know these men were proud of their homes in Lincoln County, just as we are proud of ours' today. All of these men were Indian fighters, but they were more.

They fought against hardships and deprivations more deadly than the savage Indians. They were settlers, not conquerors. Their goal was to establish homes, farms, schools, churches, businesses and communities. They sought better places and a better way of life for their families and for the future.

As Lincoln Countians celebrate the 200th anniversary of their county and country, they are still keeping aloft the torch of the earliest pioneers--they are still seeking to make this place a better place in which to live.

This Bicentennial paper printed by

The Interior Journal

Stanford, Ky for the

Lincoln County Bicentennial Commission

Names , Places of Early Pioneers

[Editor's note: Information for this article about place names in Lincoln County was taken from a paper prepared by William N. Craig which appeared in the Interior Journal and Richmond Register newspapers in February and March 1941]....Editor's name not listed.

Kentucky is known for its most unusual names, many coming from the Indians who were here long before the first pioneers chopped out the Wilderness Trail to the Bluegrass State.

Kentucky was names after the Indian word, "Cutawa", the significance of which is not knwn, unless it means "Boundary". The Indians respected each other's hunting grounds, but it may be presumed that the Kentucky River was the line of demarcation between area appropriated by different tribes, according to Craig's article.

In its evolution, "Cutawa" became Kentucky, according to the United States Gazetteer, published in 1833, and compiled by authors who lived at a time when familiarity with the Indian language was possible.

Lincoln County was established as on of the tree counties in 1780 into which the District of Kentucky was divided. The original boundary embraced about one third of the District, but in later years it has been reduced by cutting off sections to form other counties until its present area is about 450 square miles.

The mother county in Kentucky was named in honor of Gen. Benjamin Lincoln, a distinguished officer of the Revolutionary Army, who in 1778, was designated by Congress to conduct the war in the southern states.

In justice to Kentucky's three great pioneers, Logan the Explorer, Whitley the Warrior and Shelby the Diplomat, it may be said that they reflect great glory on the county, in heroic achievements no less brilliant that the achievements depicted in the career of Col. Lincoln for whom the county was named.

In 1769, when explorers James Knox and Richard Skaggs were short of food, after crossing the Rockcastle River, they were advised by Capt. Dick, chief of the Cherokee Indians, to cross Brushy Ridge and come to his river where they would find game in plenty. The stream was named "Dick's River (now Dix) in honor of the Indian chief.

The topography of the county and source of streams indicate that the crossing of Brushy Ridge from Skaggs Creek would be near the headwater's of Dick's River which has its source in the confluence of several streams near Brodhead.

First Post Office in Stage Coach Days

The first post office in Stanford was established during the stage coach days near Main St. and Hustonville Rd. where the Beazley- Raney- Speaks Funeral Home is now located (1975)

The post office was later located near a place known as Doan's Grocery. It was later moved to where the old Korger store was and then on to the Lincoln County Building. In 1880, it moved to the Phillips and Phillips building where it remained until 1967 when it moved to its new site on Main and Cutoff Sts.

It was in 1904 when three rural routs were started in Stanford.

Former postmasters for the Stanford Post Office, which is being operated in a new building that has 2,800 square feet of interior space, in addition to 300 square feet of platform space and 6,435 square feet of parking and maneuvering area for use of postal vehicles, include; Mrs. Harvey Helm, 1914 - 1917, Mrs. W.P. Newell, 1920 - 1925; W. G. Morgan, 1925 - 1934, and Mrs. Helm again from 1934 - 1945, Harry Hill was postmaster until 1947 and then W.A. Rambo and the present postmaster is Doug Noland. (1975)

Other postmasters who have occupied the office since the Civil War are; James Davis, A.D. Lytle and James C. Florence.

This is a sale bill which appeared in the London Sentinel Echo 123 years ago, twelve years before the Civil War began.
The copy was loaned to the Post by Jesse Clarkson Jr., of Waynesburg, Route 1.

**Having sold my farm and am leaving for Oregon Territory by ox team, will offer on March 1st, 1849 all of my personal property, to-wit:

All ox teams, except two teams, Buck and Ben and Tom and Jerry; two millk cows, one gray mare colt, one pair oxen yoke, baby yoke, two ox carts, one corn plow with mold boards; 1500 ten ft. fence rails; 160 gallons maple syrup; two spinning wheels; 30 pounds mutton tallow; one large loom made by Jerry Wilson; 200 poles:

100 split hoops; 100 empty barrels; 132 gallon barrel of Johnson- Miller whiskey, seven years old; 20 gallons apple brandy; 140 gallon cooper still; four sides of oak tanned leather; 10 reel hooks; eight scythes and cradles; one dozen wooden pitch forks; half interest in a tan yard; 8 caliber rifle; bullet molds and powder horn; rifle made by Ben Miller.

50 gallons soft soap; hams, bacon and lard; 40 gallons of sorghum; six head of fox hounds, all soft mouthed except one.

At the same time I will sale my six negro slaves- 2 men, 30 and 50 years old; two boys, 12 and 18 years old; two mulatto wenches 30 and 40 years old. Will sale all together to same party as I will not separate them.

Terms of sale; cash in hand or note to draw four per cent interest with Bob McConnel as security. My home is two miles south of Versailles, Kentucky on McCoons ferry pike.

Sale will begin at 8 a.m. Plenty to drink and eat. J.B. Moss, owner **

Lincoln County's Southern Highlands - Hall's Gap - Waynesburg - Kings Mountain

Oct 1, 1974 "Lincoln County man fought with Andrew Jackson"

About the year 1800, Charles Reed and family left their home in Reedville, North Carolina to seek a new home.

Kentucky had been a state about eight years when the tall, red haired Reeds (originally from Scotland) moved to the Highland section of Lincoln County.

When the war of 1812 broke out, Charles Reed met his old friend, Andrew Jackson (also of North Carolina) at Jellico, Tennessee. He went with Jackson, then known as the Rough-and-ready fighting man from Tennessee.

Jackson led an army that he said, "Could lick their weight in wild cats." His men agreed with him and proved he was right. The British were badly defeated.

The young hero returned home but was killed when his horse fell over a bluff. His son, Henry Reed was left to carry on the family name and traditions.

Henry's oldest child was a girl, Rhoda Ann, who married John Butt. Her surviving grandchildren in Lincoln Co. are: Roberta McGuffey, Clarence Burton, Mrs. Dailey Reed and Violet James. (my note, 1974)

Surviving great grandchildren in Lincoln are; Sallie Faulkner McGuffey, Norman and Billie Joe McGuffey, Berdine Reed and Dave, Warren and Russel Burton.

Henry Reed had a son, Dave Reed, father of Shell, Jim, and John Reed. He has the following Great grandchildren in Lincoln County: Dailey, Walter, Charles and Cecil Reed (Shell Reed's children) Rev. Fonzo Reed and Mrs. Cecil Jenkins (children of Jim Reed) and Chester and Ralph Reed and Helen Jenkins (children of John Reed.)

A son by a second marriage, William Reed, has one surviving son, Mayor George Reed, of Stanford; one daughter, Mrs. Sallie Warfield, one grandson Gene Reed ( son of Lon Reed) and one granddaughter, Alleen Burton ( daughter of Eldie Reed.)

Henry's son, John, is the grandfather of Less Reed. Other sons of his first marriage were Joe and Sam Reed who moved to Texas, a daughter Emily, who moved to Oklahoma; Susan Terry, moved to Virginia and Jane Mason.

It was William who continued to live on at the old home place on Greasy Ridge. His son, Lon Reed, lived there until his death. Lon's widow still owns and lives at the old home place. About four different houses have been built on the old home site.

Another of the pioneer families who were among the first settlers of the Highland section were the Young's. There were two sets of the Young's. One family was no doubt descendants of the Brigham Young family who pushed their way westward in search of religious freedom. The other, Nelson H. Young, father of Henderson Young, did much to establish Methodism in the Highland Community.

The oldest recorded documents found of the Young family are the Bible of Nelson Harrison Young, grandfather of Mrs. Kelly McGuffey and the late Cyrus M. Young.

Records show that the Highland Methodist Church was established in 1849 on the high knoll just East of the old corduroy road, which later became a pike and then a highway now known as old Highway 27.

The oldest graves in the cemetery, which grew up around it, are dated 1852 and 1864. Deaths that occurred between the organizing of the church and this date were probably buried in family plots or in the old Judy Bastin grave yard about one mile away.

A one room school was established near the church in district known as number 52. A record dated April 15, 1891, shows that the county Superintendent of common school of Lincoln County has ordered the trustees of white school district number 52 to pay the debt on the school house in said district and to finish and seat the same.

Therefore in order to faithfully carry out the provisions of said orders, we the trustees of said district number 52, levy and order the collection of a poll of fifty cents (50) on each white male citizen in said district over twenty one years old, for a year, or a period of two years.

Also a property tax of 25 cents on each one hundred dollars worth of taxable property in said district for a year, for a period of two years. The said tax to be collected by the Sheriff of Lincoln County as other taxes are and paid over to the County Superintendent.

Given under our hands the April 15, 1891.

E. R. Austin

H. P. Young Charter Trustees

(continued on page 3)

The records also show that on; July 15, 1888 school began with C. M. Young as teacher holding a Second Class Certificate, General average 83.9 per cent. There was a vacation from October 25 to November 7 on account of the illness of the teacher.

Thanksgiving Day, November 29, was observed as a holiday.

School closed on the 21 of December the teacher having taught 94 days and attended the Institute five days.

Thirty cents (30) was received from the patrons of the school with which a broom and dipper was purchased.

Mr. H. F. Horton and D. W. Jenkins, trustees, were at the school house three times.

C. M. Young became one of the communities foremost pleasers. He often taught school five days a week, built the fires at the church, rang the bell, played the organ, lead the singing, offered prayer, taught a Sunday School Class and sometimes preached.

The Civil War had its devastating effect on the Highland community as it did all over the nation. The church was divided in it's loyalty. There were two doors in the church, one for the men and one for the women.

They now served a different purpose. They became one for the blue and one for the gray. A partition was built down the middle separating the hostile feelings.

Recruiters marched up and down the old corduroy road with their fifes and drums, "beating up volunteers." A little " Fire water" was often passed around. Men left their fields and joined the cause of their choice.

Out on Greasy Ridge, just over the hill from her father, Henry Reed's house, young Rhoda Reed Butt, aged 15, lay in bed with her first child (Lucy Butt Faulkner) and wept. Her young husband John Butt, who had recently moved to Lincoln from Pulaski County, was over on the highway clearing up the tract of land her had bought from the Transylvania Land Company.

She was afraid he would "join up" and not come home at sun down. Her fears were groundless for young John was not persuaded by impulse. He cleared his acres, set up a saw mill, built a house and moved his family to their new home and established a general store.

Farther up the road, where Greasy Ridge road branches off from the highway, a young Mr. Cash set up a saw mill near sparkling spring which still bears his name.

A method for splitting timber into thin strips known as "weather boarding" had been discovered. Cash owned a weather boarding machine. On the high hill above the spring he built his house. It was the first weather boarded house in Highland. He heard the war drums and young Cash marched away to war.

Somewhere in the South he was mortally wounded. His comrades placed the sick man in a boat, drifted down Green River though enemy lines at night and returned him to his family. He died at home and was buried in the old church yard.

As the civil war soldiers traveled back and forth through Lincoln County they found a certain ridge, leading off from Greasy Ridge, a good and safe place for grazing their horses.

Morgan's Raiders were everywhere, dedicated to steal as many horses as possible from the enemy. This ridge became known as Horse Ridge and is still identified by that name.

Smallpox took it's toll of life among both civilians and soldiers about this time. A company of Union Soldiers had one of its number come down with the disease while traveling though Highland.

The company had made camp, placed the afflicted man under an overhanging rock cliff and placed a comrade to watch over him until he died. He was buried in a shallow grave at the top of the cliff on the old Faulkner home place.

About the year 1854, Estes Marsh and his wife Mary, come to Lincoln County form High Point, North Carolina. The Marsh family had migrated to the United States from the Highlands of Scotland where they were, and still are, very successful at furniture making.

With them was their young widowed daughter, Laura I. Faulkner and her four small children. Laura's husband had been a soldier in the Mexican War. He had shown unusual bravery in the battle of Buena Vista which won for him a citation. But hardships endured there put an early end to his life.

The Marshes, being Baptist, settled in the Pleasant Point area and began a small furniture factory at the cross roads leading from the old pike to Kings Mountain.

The young widow, Laura Faulkner, moved to Highland were she established a post office, read law and taught in the one room school. Her son Albert, married Lucy Butt, oldest daughter or Rhoda Reed and John Butt.

Others moving into the area and marrying into the Young and Reed pioneers were the; Skidmores, Ernests, Burtons, from Woodstock, Pulaski County (Dave Burton married Lena, daughter of Rhoda Reed and John Butt) The Jess McGuffey family come from Sunbright, Tennessee and settled on " Shake Rag Ridge." The old home place is now owned by Randy McGuffey.

Other pioneer families were the Baugh's, Hatfield's, Adamses, Carriers and the Hutchinson's who came from Texas.

There is no doubt many others which history and memory does not record.

The Jenkin, Griffin, Flannery, Sizemore, and the Ross families were among the early settlers.

Mrs. Shell Reed, one of the oldest surviving citizens of Highland, recalls that her family, the Warfield's, came to Highland in 1901. They moved from Shelby County to Lincoln. She was married to Shell Reed, son of David Reed and grandson of Henry Reed.

Mrs. Reed recalls their first year of married life. After a summer of hard work they sold their tobacco crop for $60.00. They owned $ 25.00 of that amount for rent. Shell then went to work in the log woods for money to buy groceries. It was a long cold winter but there were good times too.

Once the neighbors caught them gone, moved their furniture to one corner of the room and when the Reeds returned , there was a square dance in session.

Highland continued to grow and prosper. Today the quality of its tobacco is classed among the best in the state. A modern pallet mill, that employs 17 workmen, has replace the old saw mills.

The Scotch heritage still shows in its people. They are proud working, and honest. Merchants say it is hard to sell to them "on credit" but if you do, you are almost certain to collect.

Most of their farms are small, mortgage free and well kept. Their homes are modest but modern.

Editors Note: This paper wishes to thank Mrs. Kelly McGuffey, Mrs. Raxie Ervin, Mrs. Serena Dye, Mrs. Shell Reed, Mr. Norman McGuffey, and Mrs. Ocela McMan for information used in this article.

Bicentennial Edition

Kentucky, 1774 - 1974

Lincoln County's Southern Highlands,

Hall's Gap- Waynesburg- Kings Mountain

Waynesburg Citizen Celebrates Birthday

Mrs. Nettie Gooch, Waynesburg, Celebrated her 87th birthday at a dinner given in her honor by her son, Leonard and his wife, at the Faulkner's Restaurant.

Mrs. Gooch was born in Garrard County, a few miles from Lancaster, November 17, 1885.

She grew up on a farm where she enjoyed horseback riding, gardening and growing flowers.

After her marriage to Fred Gooch she moved to Waynesburg 65 years ago and has continued to live in the same house, just off the business circle, ever since.

Her husband died 30 years ago, but she continued to live on in the same home just two doors away from the Baptist Church where she is a member.

She has two sons, Leonard who is the Waynesburg Post Master, and Oxley who lives in Dayton, Ohio

She has seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

When asked what she thought of modern times and the current way of living, she answered; " I think they are great. The generations I have seen grow up have done a wonderful job improving conditions in the world."

" I wouldn't want to go back to the 'good old days' of wood burning stoves, coal oil lamps hung on the wall and feather beds to keep you warm."

Mrs. Gooch lives alone in her trim little cottage which she has been modernizing and passes her time by sewing in winter and watching her garden and flowers grow in the summer.

Her many friends in and around Waynesburg wish for her many more happy birthdays.

Highland

Highland NAMED FOR TOPOGRAPHICAL REASONS

Highland was obviously named for topographical reasons, the elevation being approximately 1400 feet, which is about 500 feet above Main Street in Stanford.

It is presumed that King's Mountain is named from the famous mountain of the same name in North Carolina, which figured largely in the war in 1780. Many came to Kentucky after the war from the state.

Three homes of three great men who helped with the settlement of Lincoln County and Kentucky, still remain in the county.

Logan, Whitley and Shelby, heros of early Kentucky, came through the wilderness to develop the state of Kentucky, known as the Bluegrass State.

Highland store dates back to Civil War

by: Elsie Faulkner

There has been a store in Highland at the corner of Greesey Ridge Road and the old Highway 27 since before the Civil War. About the year 1858, Laura J. Faulkner, a young widow, with four small children to support, moved to Lincoln Co. from High Point, North Carolina.

Her ancestors, the Marshes, had migrated from the Highlands of Scotland to establish a successful furniture business in High Point.

She established a post office on the corner and named it Highland in honor of her homeland and because it fit the location. To check out a better livelihood for the family she read law from her husband's law books and taught in the local school.

The old store and post office disappeared. The Griffins set up a new store across the street. The Kelly McGuffey family operated the store a few years. In 1938, Jess Faulkner, grandson of Laura Faulkner built a new two story frame building on the spot his grandmother once owned. After his death in 1961, Roy McGuffey the present owner, bought the business.

Two years ago the old frame building burned. It was replaced by a very modern, one story, brick building.

The old buildings are gone, but the spirit of good will, friendliness and fun, lingers on with every new generation