Henderson County KyArchives History - Books .....Dedicatory, Preface And Introductory 1887 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ky/kyfiles.html ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com December 22, 2007, 11:48 pm Book Title: History Of Henderson County, KY DEDICATORY TO THE MEMORY OF THE BRAVE OLD PIONEERS, KNIGHTS ERRANT OF THE WOOD, "Who gave her Pilgrim Sons a home No Monarches Step profanes; Free as the chainless Winds that roam Upon the boundless Plains," THIS WORK IS Affectionately Dedicated by the Author. PREFACE. "When at the first I took my pen in hand Thus for to write, I did not understand That I at all should make a little book In such a mode; nay, I had undertook To make another, which, when almost done, Before I was aware, I this begun." —John Bunyan. THE following History of Henderson County has long been announced as forthcoming, but interferences I could not control prevented. It was, indeed, commenced several years ago, but its prosecution has been frequently interrupted by other occupations and embarassments, of which it is, perhaps, out of place here to speak. I have been compelled to await the indifferences of people, and, with no one to assist me, have discovered for myself that the compiling of historical matter, in book form, is a task rather to be shunned than courted. The labors of this work have been of the severest and most painful and patient character. Through the pity of some, the derision of many, the rebukes of others, and with the good wishes of a few, I have steadily pursued my course in quiet, to the goal of my ambition, and now return gratitude to God for what success has been achieved. With no guiding light or compass to direct my researches, I have plodded along through a multitude of books and papers, as best I could, in search of I knew not what. I have faced a listless auditory, and, by perseverance, have revived from the wreck of almost destroyed memories, matter that would soon have been lost to the world. Doubtless there are many incidents and many sketches of persons omitted; but the fault is not with me. I have advised, I have plead, I have done all, and more, too, than I ought to have done, and yet failed. The work is now done, and I have endeavored to execute my task with candor and fidelity, avoiding all false coloring and exaggeration. In preparing this work, that course best adapted to suit the age, has been pursued. The style of the work is not labored, but brief, plain and simple, as the purpose in writing it required. I hope it is neither barbarous nor ungrammatical, for, though I make no claim to elegance, I have endeavored to be correct, concise and intelligible, It has been my endeavor to present the series of events in a clear and artless form, rejecting whatever was deemed irrelevant, and dwelling chiefly upon those features most important. Considering the long period embraced, the multiplied number of characters and events delineated, the extent of the field covered, the preservation of historical unity has been no easy task. If any deficiences are found, they ought to be referred rather to the judgment than a willingness to spare myself the care and tedium requisite to avoid them. That ill-fed and wounded vanity, small envy, jealousy and self-inflated opinion may instigate hostility to the work, I expect, but to the people of Henderson and Henderson County, the work is submitted with a profound deference, and in the hope that it may meet with that indulgence Accorded works whose destiny has been regarded with far less solicitude. In spite of all my efforts to the contrary, some typographical errors remain in the copy, but they are so obvious that anyone can correct them. I have gratefully to acknowledge the assistance of a number persons; particularly, I must mention Colonel E. W. Worsham, Dr. P. Thompson, Robert A. Holloway, Walter S. Alves, Charles T. Starling, Thos. E. Ward, Larkin White, E. L. Starling, Jr., Ben Harrison, Hon. P. B. Matthews, Dr. H. H. Farmer, Thomas Soaper, John T. Ruby, Jacob F. Mayer, Geo. H. Steele, L. F. Wise, W. S. and C. H. Johnson, Geo. W. Smith, S. A. Young and Hawkins Hart. Respectfully, E. L. STARLING. INTRODUCTORY. A NOTED historian has said that truth comes to us from the past, as gold is washed down the mountains of the Sierra Nevadas, in minute, but precious particles, intermixed with infinite alloy, the debris of centuries. Research teaches that where the suns of many decades have shone upon a spot where events transpired among a few hardy pioneers, who manifested no solicitude about handing their names and deeds down to an admiring posterity, it is a difficult task, indeed, to separate from the infinite alloy of narration and traditionary lore, the minute, but precious particles, which are the quintessence of true history in whatever guise or form it may be given the public. Most of the men and women of pristine days seem to have entertained the idea that events of those times were matters of temporary concern, brought about alone for the benefit and amusement of those who witnessed and enjoyed them, and not intended for those who were to follow after. Written evidence of old events, reminiscences of true merit, were not made, or, if made, were not preserved, only so far as actual requirements demanded at the time. Even in records of a public character, the official in charge deemed it incumbent upon himself to write down as few words as possible, and make one sentence supply the demands of three. There were many incidents, doubtless, in the early settlement of this part of Kentucky, which, had they been carefully preserved and handed down from parent to child, would to-day be treasured as bits of history beyond pecuniary valuation. Blood curdling adventures of men and women, privations and sufferings of the early settlers, who gave their lives that we might enjoy the heritage, come to us patched up by traditionary handling until we scarcely know whether the story has been magnified or deteriorated in Us value and truthfulness, How strange this is, and yet this generation has gone on and on for forty years with the same apparent unconcern. Valuable papers have been stored away in some secluded corner, where the light of day has not been permitted to peep in since the barrel or box was tightly closed. Rats and mice have nibbled away valuable matter, which, had it been assorted and compiled with a view to its material and interesting value, would have proved of invaluable interest to many now living, and truly interesting to all persons who love to revel with intelligent antiquarians in reminiscences of the forgotten past. Yes, many of these old papers, which should have be«n carefully preserved, or better committed on pages, which would have forever precluded the possibility of their destruction, have not only been neglected, but actually cast out to be scattered by the winds to the four quarters of the compass. The fiery flames have consumed pages, whose ashes have become a part of the dust of the earth ; and, yet, if these ashes could speak, they could a tale unfold, whose telling would awaken in many a keen interest for a further research into history now blotted out forever. Old people who had a knowledge of incidents historical, and an education equal to the demand, have lived and died without even so much as leaving a line whereby their knowie4ge might be made perpetual by some one more impressed with their historical value. Whether this can be, and is yet to be, attributed to a lack of interest, want of inclination, or whether the information has failed to make a deserved impression, is not for the writer to say. These negligences and ignorances, or whatever they may be called, meet the historian at every turn of his work, and will have to be overcome as best they can. Our readers will certainly exercise as much leniency as we have patience in the long, tedious and difficult research, a history of which follows. Additional Comments: Extracted from: HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KENTUCKY, BY EDMUND L. STARLING, COMPRISING HISTORY OF COUNTY AND CITY, PRECINCTS, EDUCATION, CHURCHES, SECRET SOCIETIES, LEADING ENTERPRISES, SKETCHES AND RECOLLECTIONS, AND BIOGRAPHIES OF THE LIVING AND DEAD. ILLUSTRATED. HENDERSON, KY, 1887. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ky/henderson/history/1887/historyo/dedicato308gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/kyfiles/