At 4:35 this morning and perhaps to commemmorate the 102nd anniversary of the great San Francisco earthquake of 18 Apr 1906, Mother Nature let us know that she has the upper hand in all things weather related. Shaking of buildings accompanied by a loud noise pulled us from our beds and made us wonder if this was the “big one” that has been predicted for the Midwest for years. Fortunately, it was only a 5.2 quake followed by smaller aftershocks. I hesitate to say “only a 5.2” as it might be interpreted as teasing Mother Nature and having her retaliate with an even stronger one.
Keeping this in mind, I tiptoed quietly to the family room, turned on the TV and watched for news of the sleep-shattering event. Everyone agrees that it could have been worse. What if it had been worse? Are we prepared? No, not the food supply; most of us have enough food to keep us from starvation for days. I’m talking about all of the research we have done - our files, CDs, charts, and computer programs. Will they be safe until all systems are restored? If you haven’t done so yet, make copies of your computer programs and files. Store them in safe places - in a bank safety deposit box or with a friend or relative out of town. Scan those charts and documents onto CDs and place them in a safe place too. Think about it. Will your material that took years to gather be wiped out in a brief moment?
Friday, April 18, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
Burning of the John L. Lowery
Although the “Golden Age” of steamboating began in 1840, according to “Steamboatin’ on the Cumberland” by Byrd Douglas, passengers and goods continued to be transported on the rivers well after 1900. Steamboating was not without its dangers, though, as witnessed by the many fires, which destroyed the steamers and sometimes resulted in loss of lives.
The following article from the Crittenden Press describes the burning of the John L. Lowery in 1911.
Paducah, Ky., June 15, 1911 - The steamer John L. Lowery, with 50 passengers aboard, burned to the water’s edge off Hamlettsburg, Illinois at 1:30 o’clock this morning. There was no loss of life. The place where the accident occurred is opposite Smithland, Ky., and rescue parties put out from the Kentucky side to aid in the work of saving lives.
How the flames started has not been learned, but a faulty boiler is believed to have been responsible. The steamer started burning near the Illinois bank and the glare lighted up the water front on both sides of the river. The whistles of distress disturbed the stillness of the night and were heard for many miles.
The wildest of scenes were enacted on board the vessel when the flames were first discovered. Women shrieked and became hysterical, while many men frantic with fear, fought their way to the rails. All landed safe, however.”
The Henderson Gleaner of 12 January 1913 says, “The new John L. Lowery, Capt. John L. Lowery’s fine new boat, made its maiden trip from Evansville to Paducah last night, leaving Evansville at 8 o’clock and passing here at 9 o’clock. On account of the rain, very few Henderson people saw the boat pass. It will ply between Paducah and Evansville.”
Published 14 April 2008, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Matthew Lyon's Opinion of Eddyville
Eddyville, Kentucky began as part of old Livingston County. When Caldwell County was created from Livingston in 1809, Eddyville was located in that county. It wasn’t until 1854 that it fell into the new county of Lyon and today is the county seat of Lyon.
Many of you have heard that Matthew Lyon brought a large number of people from Vermont to settle in and around old Eddyville, Kentucky. Just recently I came across a newspaper item in the 16 January 1801 issue of the Columbian Courier, which states that Lyon petitioned the Legislature of Kentucky for a grant of 20,000 acres in the counties of Christian and Livingston for the use of himself and “certain Emigrants” from Vermont. His petition was rejected.
He didn’t give up on his quest to populate Eddyville with Vermonters as just a few days later, Lyon wrote a letter to the editor of the Vermont Gazette, in which he described the area around his Kentucky home. He said, “I am settled at a place called Eddyville, situate about forty miles up Cumberland river, which empties into the Ohio, at about sixty miles from its confluence with the Mississippi, and few miles above the mouth of the Tennessee.
“Eddyville is in the centre of Livingston county well situated to enjoy a good country trade of forty or fifty miles extent, and to command its share of the river business, the river being navigable for light boats for 300 miles above Eddyville, and for heavy flat boats down to New-Orleans, at all seasons of the years, and at high water for any vessel whatever. The country is new, having been among the hunting ground of the Indians at the time of Wayne’s treaty. The Indians have all retired some hundred miles south and west of Cumberland, and there are now a great many good farmers settled in Livingston, Christiana [sic] and Logan counties, which too last are adjacent to and older settlements than Livingston county, and whose trade will be considerable advantage to Eddyville, if the settlement prospers.
“Money is not yet plenty here nor yet to scarce as in Vermont ... The present and ensuing years sale of tobacco, cotton, hemp, wheat, beef and pork will help us greatly in this respect, as our imports are small, and salt is made in great quantities among us. Cast iron is made in Kentucky ...
“There is in Kentucky, particularly in the counties of Livingston, Henderson, Christiana and Logan, large quantities of vacant land, a considerable share of which is good for cultivation. For 2 years past I have petitioned the legislature to set apart a share of that land for such republicans from Vermont as may emigrate hither. The legislature have not thought best to comply in all points with my petition, but they have done more, they have offered their vacant land to any body that will settle it, in 400 acre lots or less, except that those settlers who have had 200 acres already, shall have but 200 acres more.”
Lyon went on to encourage people from Vermont to take advantage of this generous offer. He described “the situation” as desirable with luxuriant soil, temperate climate and provisions easily obtained. I know a number of families from Vermont did settle in and near old Eddyville, but do not know how many. Do you?
Published 12 April 2008, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/
Many of you have heard that Matthew Lyon brought a large number of people from Vermont to settle in and around old Eddyville, Kentucky. Just recently I came across a newspaper item in the 16 January 1801 issue of the Columbian Courier, which states that Lyon petitioned the Legislature of Kentucky for a grant of 20,000 acres in the counties of Christian and Livingston for the use of himself and “certain Emigrants” from Vermont. His petition was rejected.
He didn’t give up on his quest to populate Eddyville with Vermonters as just a few days later, Lyon wrote a letter to the editor of the Vermont Gazette, in which he described the area around his Kentucky home. He said, “I am settled at a place called Eddyville, situate about forty miles up Cumberland river, which empties into the Ohio, at about sixty miles from its confluence with the Mississippi, and few miles above the mouth of the Tennessee.
“Eddyville is in the centre of Livingston county well situated to enjoy a good country trade of forty or fifty miles extent, and to command its share of the river business, the river being navigable for light boats for 300 miles above Eddyville, and for heavy flat boats down to New-Orleans, at all seasons of the years, and at high water for any vessel whatever. The country is new, having been among the hunting ground of the Indians at the time of Wayne’s treaty. The Indians have all retired some hundred miles south and west of Cumberland, and there are now a great many good farmers settled in Livingston, Christiana [sic] and Logan counties, which too last are adjacent to and older settlements than Livingston county, and whose trade will be considerable advantage to Eddyville, if the settlement prospers.
“Money is not yet plenty here nor yet to scarce as in Vermont ... The present and ensuing years sale of tobacco, cotton, hemp, wheat, beef and pork will help us greatly in this respect, as our imports are small, and salt is made in great quantities among us. Cast iron is made in Kentucky ...
“There is in Kentucky, particularly in the counties of Livingston, Henderson, Christiana and Logan, large quantities of vacant land, a considerable share of which is good for cultivation. For 2 years past I have petitioned the legislature to set apart a share of that land for such republicans from Vermont as may emigrate hither. The legislature have not thought best to comply in all points with my petition, but they have done more, they have offered their vacant land to any body that will settle it, in 400 acre lots or less, except that those settlers who have had 200 acres already, shall have but 200 acres more.”
Lyon went on to encourage people from Vermont to take advantage of this generous offer. He described “the situation” as desirable with luxuriant soil, temperate climate and provisions easily obtained. I know a number of families from Vermont did settle in and near old Eddyville, but do not know how many. Do you?
Published 12 April 2008, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Book Sale
To view books currently on sale, visit my Western Kentucky Books Blog here: Western Kentucky Genealogy Books
Monday, April 7, 2008
Ohio River Floods
Folks living along the Ohio River are seldom surprised by the river spilling over its banks onto farm land, roads and houses. It happens just about every year. 2008 has been an especially hard year with high water damaging homes and occasionally closing schools because of roads under water. The river levels have been much higher, though.
Four of the greatest floods of the Ohio River valley occurred in 1884, 1913, 1937 and 1997. In 1884, it was reported in the Evansville Daily Courier that the towns of Smithland in Kentucky and Golconda, Elizabethtown, New Liberty and Shawneetown in Illinois were partly underwater.
The flood of 1913 almost destroyed the town of Caseyville in Union County. The town hall floated off and when a livery stable started floating away, it was caught and tied to a tree.
The Great Flood of 1937 is still fresh in the minds of many. I can remember my parents talking about people who were displaced by the flood moving in with friends and relatives who lived on higher ground. This flood would also play a part in the demise of the little river town of Weston in Crittenden County, Kentucky.
Since the earliest settlement, Weston has had problems when the river was on the rise. In 1886 the Ohio River high water played havoc with the business of John S. James at Weston. The following details are taken from Crittenden Circuit Court case file #446, which can be found at the Kentucky Dept for Libraries and Archives, Frankfort, Kentucky.
John S. James, plaintiff, against The Evansville & Cairo Packet Co., Defendants.
The plaintiff states that the defendants are an incorporated Company owning and running a line of steamers between the cities of Evansville Ind. and Cairo Ill. on the Ohio River, and is known as the Evansville & Cairo Packet Co.
He states that he is the owner of a steam saw mill situated on the Ohio River at Weston, Crittenden County and that he had at great expense built a logway extending from his mill down into the River for the purpose of hauling sawlogs from the river up to his mill, which is situated on the bank of the river. He states that he also had a log float attached to his logway and that the defendants while navigating the Ohio River with their steamer Hopkins on or about the [blank] day of [blank] 1886 carelessly and recklessly ran their steamer Hopkins into and over the logway and float thereby tearing down and destroying the same and rendering it unfit for use and the log float was a total loss.
That in order to repair the logway so as to render it of use to the plaintiff for the purposes intended, he was compelled to and did expend the sum of $115.13 in repairs. In addition, he was deprived of the use of the logway for 10 days to his damage in the sum of $15per day. He says by reason of the destruction of the logway & float, he was been damaged in the sum of $265.13. Wherefore he prays for judgment against the defendants. [signed] John S. James by Blue & Blue (attorneys).
Published 7 April 2008, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/
Friday, April 4, 2008
Will of Blount Hodge 1874
Transcribed from Livingston County, Kentucky Will Book C, page 19. This will has to take the prize as the most interesting one to be found in Livingston County.
In the name of God Amen I Blount Hodge of Smithland Livingston County, Kentucky being of sound mind and disposing memory though 70 years of age the 28 day of May & cannot live long at best & further feeling it to be my bounden duty as an honest & honorable man in the sight of God, do make and declare this to be my last will and testiment, hereby revoking and destroying all former Wills heretofore made by me.
First: I will and devise to Ellen Tanner mother of Charley Hodge Dec’d Thirty nine acres of land lying and being in Pope County Illinois, valued at $300, the same land on which she now lives and for a more particular description of said land see deed of same from Charley Hodge to me recorded in Pope County Clerk’s office.
Secondly: I will and devise to my son Gus. Hodge of New Orleans one undivided half part of the Marion Robertson farm in Marshall County Ky. Deeded to me by said Robertson & wife containing 186 1/2 acres the whole tract valued at $3000.
Thirdly: I devise to my son J.C. Hodge five dollars heretofore having given to him absolutely about four thousand dollars in Notes and real estate see Judge Bennett & A. Birdwell. Now the above devise is all of my estate real or personal he ever shall inherit except a full plain and radcal [sic] change in all his habits associations & dealings in every respect and I here acknowledge that I have no hope that there will any change for the better but shall look for the event and I have this day rec’d information that he is now fixing up plans to thwart and destroy this will & I do hope to God the County court of Livingston County will scout all such subterfuges if any should be attempted.
Fourthly: I will and devise to Almira Wynder the house and lott whereon I am now living including all the house hold & Kitchen furniture also the red frame house and lott on which it stands on the corner of Mill [and] Charlotte streets fronting 50 feet on Mill and running back One hundred feet to the Church lott then to Charlott also the double frame house where Henry Green & Andy Miles lives, and the entire lott under fence where it stands on Adair Street these Several devises to Almira Wynder in the aggregate amounts to $5360.
Fifthly: I will and devise to Lucy Wynder a colored girl that lives with me and is a daughter of Almira Wynder the frame Looney house & lott 45 feet front on Charlott Street running with Mrs. Bates line 200 feet towards the river valued at $300. Also a lott on Main Street opposite J.W. Richardson residence sold to me by Mrs. E. Looney valued at $50. Also 63 acres of land joining the land sold to Doctor Jones being to remmant[?] of the Joseph T. Allyn land this I value at $3.00 per acre. My executors hereafter named will sell all this d_vise the first good chance and appropriate the money in Schooling Lucy which will be the best.
Sixthly: I will and bequeath to Almira Hodge jr. and Lillian St. Clair Hodge, both of which are my children and daughters of Almira Wynder, to belong to them jointly my Cooper farm on Tennessee River containing 7 or 8 hundred acres & perhaps more if it is run properly in this County which I value at 8 or 10 thousand dollars but it is my wish that my executors R.S. Boyd & A. Birdwell sell the Cooper place for the best price as soon as convenient on a good long credit as my said Executors may deem necessary to obtain as much as possible and then invest the proceeds of same in good and secure Bonds, and collect the interest and apply to the education of said children. Also I will and devise to Almira Hodge the Stable lot 100 by 200 feet on the corner of level & Charlott Street valued at $100. Also I devise the proceeds of the 177 acres of land bought of John Davis and sold to Wm. Vance & McClane. I devise she sall [sic] have the proceeds of said sale when collected valued at $1200.
Seventhly: I will & devise to Lillian St. Clair Hodge daughter of Almyra Wynder the Brick house & lott on the corner of Mill & Front Street[,] being 50 feet front by 200 back and is part of lot No. 7 which I value at $2000.
Eighthly: I desire that my personal property not devised in this Will, be sold and all the cash notes collected and the land notes collected, and if any of the land sold should have to be bought or fall back to my estate I desire the same to be resold by my Executors to the best advantage they having full power to make Deeds &c. Also I will and desire that all the money collected on notes or land notes or for land resold if any, and ater pay [sic] my just debts and expenses in carry [sic] this will fully out be equally divided 1/3 each to Almira Wynder Almira Hodge & Lillian St. Clair Hodge.
Lastly: I hereby impower and authorise my Executors R.S. Boyd & A. Birdwell to sell & convey & confirm a sale to any or all of said property devised to Almira Wynder & her 3 daughters whenever it becomes necessary as she may have to leave here, & pay the proceeds of said sales whenever in the Judgment of my said Executors it is for the best or should be deemed necessary, and should such a course be deem[?] & necessary & my Executors think it best, then in that case they will pay Almira Wyder her part to do with as she please, but be sure & Keep the children vested in good securities & to [be] used for their schooling & support.
Finally: I hereby appoint my special friends R.S. Boyd & A. Birdwell my Executors to carry this my last will and testament into effect and request the County Court of Livingston County to not require Security of them but permit them to qualify uppon their own personal bond & I wish my executors to be paid two hundred dollars each when all the services are performed which can soon be done.
In addition to the above I have this day to say that there has been an attempt to take my life with Stricnine & I now think I Know the parties that were engaged in it & I think they will produce a fraudulent Will or try evry _ evice to _estroy this. I make this will in Justice to my word and conscience before God & man. [signed] Blount Hodge.
Signed and acknowledged by Bount Hodge as and for his last will and testament in our presents at his request this 13th August 1874. [signed] Ben P. Cissell, J.K. Huey, W.D. Greer, Thos. C. Leech, W.H. Sander, Jno. W. Lockett, R.S. Boyd, J.K. Hendrick, R.W. Martin, A. Birdwell, J.R. Hooks, Willie Marble.
Codicil: I, Blount Hodge of Smithland, Livingston County Kentucky being of sound mind and disposing memory do hereby make publish and declare this codicil to my last will and testament, and hereby make it as a part of my said will, that said will being the one connected herewith and dated the 15th day of August 1874. In my said Will by the third clause thereof I devised to my son J.C. Hodge Five dollars in addition to the property which I had given him before, and I stated in said clause that the above devise is all of my estate rent or personal he ever shall inherit except “certain” change valued therein took place.
Now to avoid any question on this subject and for good reasons I hereby declare that the said Five dollars is all of my estate which I intend or devise my said son to have making no exception whatever.
There is some property which I have acquired since my last will was written now I hereby will and desire that my executors herein after named, do sell the same and any other property real or personal which I may own at time of y death not disposed of in the foregoing Will and appoint[?] such terms as they may deem best, and that the proceeds be equally divided between Elmira Mynder & her two children Elmira Hodge & Lilliam St. Clare Hodge, but the interest of said two infants to be invested in bonds or appropriated by my executors in educating & maintaining them as my executors may deed best.
In view of the fact that one of my executors appointed in my will aforesaid viz: Anthony Birdwell has recently died and the other one R.S. Boyd lives remote from Smithland I do hereby nominat constitute and appoint my two friends John L. Vick and W.D. Green as the executors of my last will and testament & of this codicil thereto in the place of Birdwell & Boyd and hereby give them every right power and authority that said Anthony Birdwell & R.S. Boyd were given by said will and full and complete power to carry out out [sic] my said will & codicil thereto in all respects and to make and execute deeds to the property they are authorised to sell, and in the event that either one of them cannot or fails to quality and act as my said executor then I hereby empower the other one to act and carry out sais will & condicil into effect and request the County Court of Livingston County not to require security of my said executors but permit them to qualify uppon their own personal bond. I wish my executors to be issued for their services when performed by them three hundred dollars each. Signed and acknowledged by Bounty Hodge as and for a codicil to his last will and testament this November 27th 1874. [signed] Blount Hodge.
Witnesses: W.D. Greer, John L. Vick, W.H. Sanders, H.H. Duley.
Produced in open Court and proven to be the last will of said Decedent by the oaths of T.C. Leech and R.S. Boyd two subscribing witnesses thereto and other testimoney and said Codicil was fully proven by the oaths of H.H. Duley, W.H. Sanders, and John L. Vick, subscribing witnesses thereto and other testimony and said will was approved by the court as the last will and testament of Blount Hodge Deceased and said Codicil was approved by the Court as a codicil to said Will and ordered to be recorded. 9 March 1877. [signed] John L. Vick Clerk.
In the name of God Amen I Blount Hodge of Smithland Livingston County, Kentucky being of sound mind and disposing memory though 70 years of age the 28 day of May & cannot live long at best & further feeling it to be my bounden duty as an honest & honorable man in the sight of God, do make and declare this to be my last will and testiment, hereby revoking and destroying all former Wills heretofore made by me.
First: I will and devise to Ellen Tanner mother of Charley Hodge Dec’d Thirty nine acres of land lying and being in Pope County Illinois, valued at $300, the same land on which she now lives and for a more particular description of said land see deed of same from Charley Hodge to me recorded in Pope County Clerk’s office.
Secondly: I will and devise to my son Gus. Hodge of New Orleans one undivided half part of the Marion Robertson farm in Marshall County Ky. Deeded to me by said Robertson & wife containing 186 1/2 acres the whole tract valued at $3000.
Thirdly: I devise to my son J.C. Hodge five dollars heretofore having given to him absolutely about four thousand dollars in Notes and real estate see Judge Bennett & A. Birdwell. Now the above devise is all of my estate real or personal he ever shall inherit except a full plain and radcal [sic] change in all his habits associations & dealings in every respect and I here acknowledge that I have no hope that there will any change for the better but shall look for the event and I have this day rec’d information that he is now fixing up plans to thwart and destroy this will & I do hope to God the County court of Livingston County will scout all such subterfuges if any should be attempted.
Fourthly: I will and devise to Almira Wynder the house and lott whereon I am now living including all the house hold & Kitchen furniture also the red frame house and lott on which it stands on the corner of Mill [and] Charlotte streets fronting 50 feet on Mill and running back One hundred feet to the Church lott then to Charlott also the double frame house where Henry Green & Andy Miles lives, and the entire lott under fence where it stands on Adair Street these Several devises to Almira Wynder in the aggregate amounts to $5360.
Fifthly: I will and devise to Lucy Wynder a colored girl that lives with me and is a daughter of Almira Wynder the frame Looney house & lott 45 feet front on Charlott Street running with Mrs. Bates line 200 feet towards the river valued at $300. Also a lott on Main Street opposite J.W. Richardson residence sold to me by Mrs. E. Looney valued at $50. Also 63 acres of land joining the land sold to Doctor Jones being to remmant[?] of the Joseph T. Allyn land this I value at $3.00 per acre. My executors hereafter named will sell all this d_vise the first good chance and appropriate the money in Schooling Lucy which will be the best.
Sixthly: I will and bequeath to Almira Hodge jr. and Lillian St. Clair Hodge, both of which are my children and daughters of Almira Wynder, to belong to them jointly my Cooper farm on Tennessee River containing 7 or 8 hundred acres & perhaps more if it is run properly in this County which I value at 8 or 10 thousand dollars but it is my wish that my executors R.S. Boyd & A. Birdwell sell the Cooper place for the best price as soon as convenient on a good long credit as my said Executors may deem necessary to obtain as much as possible and then invest the proceeds of same in good and secure Bonds, and collect the interest and apply to the education of said children. Also I will and devise to Almira Hodge the Stable lot 100 by 200 feet on the corner of level & Charlott Street valued at $100. Also I devise the proceeds of the 177 acres of land bought of John Davis and sold to Wm. Vance & McClane. I devise she sall [sic] have the proceeds of said sale when collected valued at $1200.
Seventhly: I will & devise to Lillian St. Clair Hodge daughter of Almyra Wynder the Brick house & lott on the corner of Mill & Front Street[,] being 50 feet front by 200 back and is part of lot No. 7 which I value at $2000.
Eighthly: I desire that my personal property not devised in this Will, be sold and all the cash notes collected and the land notes collected, and if any of the land sold should have to be bought or fall back to my estate I desire the same to be resold by my Executors to the best advantage they having full power to make Deeds &c. Also I will and desire that all the money collected on notes or land notes or for land resold if any, and ater pay [sic] my just debts and expenses in carry [sic] this will fully out be equally divided 1/3 each to Almira Wynder Almira Hodge & Lillian St. Clair Hodge.
Lastly: I hereby impower and authorise my Executors R.S. Boyd & A. Birdwell to sell & convey & confirm a sale to any or all of said property devised to Almira Wynder & her 3 daughters whenever it becomes necessary as she may have to leave here, & pay the proceeds of said sales whenever in the Judgment of my said Executors it is for the best or should be deemed necessary, and should such a course be deem[?] & necessary & my Executors think it best, then in that case they will pay Almira Wyder her part to do with as she please, but be sure & Keep the children vested in good securities & to [be] used for their schooling & support.
Finally: I hereby appoint my special friends R.S. Boyd & A. Birdwell my Executors to carry this my last will and testament into effect and request the County Court of Livingston County to not require Security of them but permit them to qualify uppon their own personal bond & I wish my executors to be paid two hundred dollars each when all the services are performed which can soon be done.
In addition to the above I have this day to say that there has been an attempt to take my life with Stricnine & I now think I Know the parties that were engaged in it & I think they will produce a fraudulent Will or try evry _ evice to _estroy this. I make this will in Justice to my word and conscience before God & man. [signed] Blount Hodge.
Signed and acknowledged by Bount Hodge as and for his last will and testament in our presents at his request this 13th August 1874. [signed] Ben P. Cissell, J.K. Huey, W.D. Greer, Thos. C. Leech, W.H. Sander, Jno. W. Lockett, R.S. Boyd, J.K. Hendrick, R.W. Martin, A. Birdwell, J.R. Hooks, Willie Marble.
Codicil: I, Blount Hodge of Smithland, Livingston County Kentucky being of sound mind and disposing memory do hereby make publish and declare this codicil to my last will and testament, and hereby make it as a part of my said will, that said will being the one connected herewith and dated the 15th day of August 1874. In my said Will by the third clause thereof I devised to my son J.C. Hodge Five dollars in addition to the property which I had given him before, and I stated in said clause that the above devise is all of my estate rent or personal he ever shall inherit except “certain” change valued therein took place.
Now to avoid any question on this subject and for good reasons I hereby declare that the said Five dollars is all of my estate which I intend or devise my said son to have making no exception whatever.
There is some property which I have acquired since my last will was written now I hereby will and desire that my executors herein after named, do sell the same and any other property real or personal which I may own at time of y death not disposed of in the foregoing Will and appoint[?] such terms as they may deem best, and that the proceeds be equally divided between Elmira Mynder & her two children Elmira Hodge & Lilliam St. Clare Hodge, but the interest of said two infants to be invested in bonds or appropriated by my executors in educating & maintaining them as my executors may deed best.
In view of the fact that one of my executors appointed in my will aforesaid viz: Anthony Birdwell has recently died and the other one R.S. Boyd lives remote from Smithland I do hereby nominat constitute and appoint my two friends John L. Vick and W.D. Green as the executors of my last will and testament & of this codicil thereto in the place of Birdwell & Boyd and hereby give them every right power and authority that said Anthony Birdwell & R.S. Boyd were given by said will and full and complete power to carry out out [sic] my said will & codicil thereto in all respects and to make and execute deeds to the property they are authorised to sell, and in the event that either one of them cannot or fails to quality and act as my said executor then I hereby empower the other one to act and carry out sais will & condicil into effect and request the County Court of Livingston County not to require security of my said executors but permit them to qualify uppon their own personal bond. I wish my executors to be issued for their services when performed by them three hundred dollars each. Signed and acknowledged by Bounty Hodge as and for a codicil to his last will and testament this November 27th 1874. [signed] Blount Hodge.
Witnesses: W.D. Greer, John L. Vick, W.H. Sanders, H.H. Duley.
Produced in open Court and proven to be the last will of said Decedent by the oaths of T.C. Leech and R.S. Boyd two subscribing witnesses thereto and other testimoney and said Codicil was fully proven by the oaths of H.H. Duley, W.H. Sanders, and John L. Vick, subscribing witnesses thereto and other testimony and said will was approved by the court as the last will and testament of Blount Hodge Deceased and said Codicil was approved by the Court as a codicil to said Will and ordered to be recorded. 9 March 1877. [signed] John L. Vick Clerk.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Thumbs Up!
Politics can be a dangerous business, but words are usually the weapon of choice. That wasn’t the case, though, 200 years ago in old Livingston County, Kentucky. According to an article from the 27 Nov 1806 issue of the New York Evening Post, a confrontation occurred on election night in Eddyville. A Mr. Cofield was introduced to Matthew Lyon, who stated he did not wish to be acquainted with the man as Mr. Cofield had not voted for him and, therefore, Cofield could not be Lyon’s friend. Cofield became upset, which resulted in Lyon being knocked down and somehow Cofield’s thumb became positioned in the mouth of Lyon, who promptly amputated it at the first joint.
With the current election campaign getting more passionate daily, let’s hope the candidates can refrain from a situation of this nature.
With the current election campaign getting more passionate daily, let’s hope the candidates can refrain from a situation of this nature.
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