Kentucky Historical Marker #0726
A Warfield Skirmish. A plundering, burning, Confederate detached force, under command of Col. V. A. Witcher, harassed east Kentucky and West Virginia during most of the Civil War. In fall, 1864, they took horses and cattle in this area from friend and foe. While Witcher's men made barbecue, Home Guards from Louisa attacked from hill to west. After exchange of fire, both withdrew. See over. (Reverse) Warfield - First Martin County seat, 1870. Established about 1850 as a coal, salt and lumber community by George Rogers Clark Floyd and John Warfield of Va. mountains. Products shipped by river boats to Catlettsburg. Floyd was son of one Governor of Virginia, brother of another. Coal mines used thru Civil War as hiding place against marauding by enemy. See over.
Warfield, KY 40, 971, ,
Kentucky Historical Marker #0727
Known But to God. Here rests the body of a soldier of the Confederacy, struck down by an unknown assassin in May of 1865-apparently on way to home in the South. He was buried in a coffin made of boards rived from a great oak by four men of this community. After the turn of the century, a rose bush marked this final resting place of a soldier who is "Known but to God."
Breaks Interstate Park, KY 80, Elkhorn City, KY, United States
Kentucky Historical Marker #0728
Knott of Lebanon. J. Proctor Knott, 1830-1911. Born in this county. Missouri Legislature, 1851-59; Att. Gen., 1859-60. Came back here, 1863. U.S. Congress six terms, became famous as statesman, satirist, Governor of Kentucky, 1883-87. In 1891 Constitutional Convention, led keeping capital at Frankfort. First Dean Centre College Law School, 1894-1901. Knott County named for him.
Courthouse lawn, US 68, KY 49, Lebanon, KY, United States
Kentucky Historical Marker #0729
Pioneer Ward. James Ward born in Virginia, 1758. He settled on Rockcastle Creek, three miles south of here, where he lived 50 years and died, 1848. Private, Virginia regiments, War of the Revolution, 1775-76, 1778. Came to Kentucky, 1779. With the Clark expedition against Indians, Chillicothe and Piqua, Ohio, 1780. In battles of Bryan Station, and Blue Licks, 1782. See other side. (Reverse) Educator Ward - William B. Ward, 1877-1952. Buried in Saltwell Cemetery. Known as educator, author and leader in the field of education, 50 years. Principal in schools of eastern and northern Kentucky; head of the Old Sandy Valley Seminary at Paintsville. Author Outline of U.S. History; publisher The Mountain Journal and The New Day. Descended from Pioneer Ward. See other side.
Inez, Courthouse lawn, KY 3, 40, ,
Kentucky Historical Marker #0730
Civil War Action. Confederate forces of 200 under Col. John M. Hughs attacked here, Dec. 8, 1863. Twelve days earlier he had attacked Monticello, Ky., captured then paroled garrison of 153 men; no supplies. Continuing to harass USA forces, seek stores, he came here, captured and paroled garrison of 86. Secured quantity of store, saddles, bridles, and 500 stand of small arms.
Scottsville, Courthouse lawn, US 31-E, 231, Scottsville, KY, United States
Kentucky Historical Marker #0731
Sculptor's Birthplace. Birthplace of Joel Tanner Hart, 1810, sculptor and poet. Began as stone-cutter, 1830. Went to Florence, Italy, 1840. Famed for busts: John Jordan Crittenden, Cassius M. Clay, Henry Clay, Andrew Jackson. Marble statues: Woman Triumphant, Il Penseroso, Henry Clay, Angelina and others. Died, Italy, 1871. By Legislative Act, reburied Frankfort, 1887.
1 mi. E. of Winchester, US 60, ,
Kentucky Historical Marker #0732
Secession Abandoned. In May, 1861, delegates of seven Kentucky and twenty Tennessee westernmost counties, the Jackson Purchase, met in Mayfield. Belief in Southern cause, dissatisfaction with Kentucky adherence to Union, and Tennessee delay joining South, caused convention vote to secede and form a Confederate state. With Tennessee's vote to secede, June 8, 1861, proposal abandoned.
Mayfield, Courthouse lawn, US 45, KY 80, Mayfield, KY, United States
Kentucky Historical Marker #0733
Morgan's First Raid. On first Kentucky raid CSA Gen. John H. Morgan with 900 cavalry in Lawrenceburg July 14, 1862; came here that night. Sent out scouts in all directions and took 300 USA horses and mules. Next day moved to Georgetown, then to Cynthiana, after which returned to Tennessee. See map on other side. On raid Morgan covered 1,000 miles in 24 days, raiding 17 towns.
US 60, 62, Versailles, ,
Kentucky Historical Marker #0734
Kentucky Diamond. In the summer of 1888 on the farm of Henry Burris, two miles north, a brilliant stone was found. It was appraised gem quality diamond, octahedral in form, 0.776 carat by G. A. Schultz, a jeweler of Louisville, who bought it for $20. Diamond is now on display in the Smithsonian Institution. No other has been found in area although many have searched. See other side. (Reverse) Other U.S. Diamonds - Up to 1964, only Kentucky gem type diamond was found here: see over. Low grade ones in Elliott County, 130 miles northeast. In the Great Lakes Region, found at one place each in Michigan, New York, Ohio; two places in Indiana, Tennessee; six in Wisconsin. Source of these probably glacial action, although Canadian origin not located. Also diamonds found in 10 other states.
61/2 mi. W. of US 127 on KY 55, ,
Kentucky Historical Marker #0735
Jenny (Jennie) Wiley. Captured by Indians in present Bland Co., Va., Oct. 1787 or '89. Four children and brother killed. A child born in captivity killed also. Harman party pursued, had to give up. Came here and joined by others built stockade. After nearly a year Mrs. Wiley escaped, followed "dream" to safety here. Reunited with husband in Va. They settled in this county in 1800.
5 mi. S. of Paintsville, US 23, 460, ,
Kentucky Historical Marker #0736
Harman Station. The first settlement in Eastern Kentucky. Matthias Harman's party of hunters from Virginia built stockade near river bank, 1787. Indians forced evacuation in 1788, and burned blockhouse. Harman and others returned, 1789, and rebuilt an enduring fort. These men at Blockhouse Bottom broke Indian hold on Big Sandy Valley, opened Eastern Kentucky for settlement.
5 mi. S. of Paintsville, US 23, 460, ,
Kentucky Historical Marker #0737
CSA Returns to Tenn.. After Battle of Perryville, Oct. 8, 1862, CSA gathered at Bryantsville on 11th. Pursuing Union force did not attack, but destroyed sources of food. CSA Gen. Bragg started moving forces south, Oct. 13. USA under Gen. Buell pursued to here, where he decided further pursuit was not expedient. CSA continued on, passing thru Cumberland Gap, Oct. 19-24. See map on other side.
4-H Camp entrance, 4 mi. S. of London, KY 229, London, KY, United States
Kentucky Historical Marker #0738
Kentucky Historian. Lewis Collins, 1797-1870, born near Bryan's Station, author of Collins' Historical Sketches of Kentucky. He was presiding judge of Mason County, publisher-editor of the Eagle, lived here 52 years. His 1847 study of his own state-revised by Richard H. Collins, his son, 1874 as Collins' History of Kentucky-is considered a basic source for the historian of today.
Maysville, Courthouse lawn, US 62, 68, Maysville, KY, United States
Kentucky Historical Marker #0739
U.S. Vice President. Richard Mentor Johnson, 1780-1850, one of four Kentuckians-more than any state, except New York-who were U.S. Vice Presidents. Others were John C. Breckinridge, Adlai Ewing Stevenson and Alben W. Barkley. Johnson home 2 mi. north. Col., War of 1812. Congressman, 1807-19, 1829-37; Senate, 1819-29. Vice Pres. with President Van Buren, 1837-41. Ky. legislature, 1841-42.
3 mi. W. of Georgetown, in Great Crossings Park, KY 227, Georgetown, KY, United States
Kentucky Historical Marker #0740
U.S. Vice President. Adlai Ewing Stevenson, 1835-1914, one of four Kentuckians-more than any state, except New York-who were U.S. Vice Presidents. Others were Richard M. Johnson, John C. Breckinridge and Alben W. Barkley. Stevenson, born here, moved to Illinois, 1852. Member Congress two terms. Elected Vice President with Cleveland in 1892. Bryan's running mate in 1900.
S. Christian High School, KY 117, Herndon, KY, United States
Kentucky Historical Marker #0741
U.S. Vice President. John Cabell Breckinridge, 1821-75, one of four Kentuckians-more than any other state, except New York-who were U.S. Vice Presidents. Others were Adlai E. Stevenson, Richard M. Johnson, and Alben W. Barkley. In U.S. Congress, 1851-55. Elected Vice-President in 1856. Candidate of Southern Democrats for President in 1860, carrying nine Southern States. See over. (Reverse) Vice President, Cont. - Breckinridge served as a major of Kentucky Volunteers, Mexican War. Elected to U.S. Senate in 1860. Became brig. general Confederate Army, 1861, and was expelled from the Senate. In battles of Shiloh, Chattanooga, Murfreesboro, and others. Confederate Secretary of War, Feb. 1865 until surrender of Lee at Appomattox, April 1865. He was born and died in Lexington.
Main St., Courthouse lawn, Lexington, KY, United States
Kentucky Historical Marker #0742
Old New Liberty. Settled before 1800, incorporated, 1827. Owen County formed, 1819. "Church on the Twins," organized 1801, first in the county. Now the New Liberty Baptist Church. One of earliest log cabins, built 1806 by John Gayle, stands as part of barn, two miles east. See other side. (Reverse) New Liberty-Cont. - Gayle House, built 1865. For 20 years famous retreat for Kentucky politicians. Torn down, 1920. Union Agricultural and Mechanical Fair, organized in 1859. Old Concord College, started 1867. Used until first high school, 1906. The Owen News started here, 1868.
New Liberty, KY 227, ,
Kentucky Historical Marker #0743
First Coal by Rail. Robert Triplett built the first railway in Kentucky, 1826. Coal was moved from Bon Harbor hills to steamboats on the Ohio River. Triplett the first to get coal substituted for wood as fuel on river boats below Louisville. Coal was shipped south, sold by barrel. Built cotton, woolen mills and laid out town of Bon Harbor, 1842, 21/2 mi. N., which failed.
Owensboro, US 60 & Ewing Rd., ,
Kentucky Historical Marker #0744
Bill Smothers Park. Site of home of William Smeathers (Bill Smothers), who in 1797-98 made first permanent settlement at Yellow Banks, now Owensboro. Officer in Kentucky's "Corn Stalk" Militia in 1803 and on expedition up the Wabash River against the Indians in the War of 1812 under General Samuel Hopkins. He then went to Texas as an Indian hunter and guide. Died there, 1837.
Park at lst & St. Ann Sts., Owensboro, ,
Kentucky Historical Marker #0745
Panther Creek Battle. Sept. 19, 1862, Confederate force occupied Owensboro. USA troops at old Fairground refused demand for surrender. Skirmish followed. Union soldier swam Ohio River to summon help from Indiana Legion. CSA retired to here. Home Guards from Indiana crossed river and attacked next day. CSA retreated with 36 killed, 70 wounded. USA loss, 3 killed and 35 wounded.
7.5 mi. S. of Owensboro, US 431, ,