And tho' a sad and mournful tone Is coldly sweeping by; And dreams of bliss forever flown Have dimmed with tears mine eye-- Yet, mine's a heart unyielding still-- Heap on my breast the clod; I'll kneel to none but God!
My soaring spirit scorns thy will--
REUBEN T. DURRETT
Reuben Thomas Durrett, founder of the Filson Club and editor of its publications, was born near Eminence, Kentucky, January 22, 1824. He was graduated from Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, in 1849. The following year he began the practice of law at Louisville, and for the next thirty years he was one of the leaders of the Louisville bar. He was editor of the _Louisville Courier_ from 1857 to 1859, and throughout his long life he has been a contributor of historical essays to the Louisville press. Colonel Durrett was imprisoned for his Southern sympathies during the Civil War, and for this reason he saw little service. In 1871 he founded the Public Library of Louisville; and in 1884 he organized the now well-known Filson Club, which meets monthly in his magnificent library--the greatest collection of Kentuckiana in the world. While his library has never been catalogued, he must possess at least thirty thousand books, pamphlets, manuscripts, and newspaper files. Col. Theodore Roosevelt, Dr. Robert M. McElroy, and many other historical investigators have made important "finds" in Colonel Durrett's library. He has one of the six extant copies of the first edition of John Filson's _History of Kentucke_; and he has the copy of Dean Swift's _Gulliver's Travels_, which Neely, the pioneer, read to Daniel Boone on Lulbegrub Creek, near Winchester, Kentucky, in 1770, as they sat around the evening camp fire. The Filson club was founded to increase the interest then taken in historical subjects in Kentucky, and to issue an annual publication. That this purpose has been well carried out may be seen by the twenty-six handsome and valuable monographs which have appeared.[12] The Club's first book was Colonel Durrett's _The Life and Writings of John Filson, the first historian of Kentucky_ (Louisville, 1884). This work brought Filson into world-wide notice and revived an interest in his precious little history. _An Historical Sketch of St. Paul's Church, Louisville_ (Louisville, 1889); _The Centenary of Kentucky_ (Louisville, 1892); _The Centenary of Louisville_ (Louisville, 1893); _Bryant's Station_ (Louisville, 1897); and _Traditions of the Earliest Visits of Foreigners to North America_ (Louisville, 1908), all of which are Filson Club publications, comprise Colonel Durrett's work in book form. This distinguished gentleman and writer resides at Louisville, where he keeps the open door for any who would come and partake of the wisdom of himself and of his books.
BIBLIOGRAPHY. _Memorial History of Louisville_, by J. S. Johnston (Chicago, 1896); _Library of Southern Literature_ (Atlanta, 1909, v. iv).
LA SALLE: DISCOVERER OF LOUISVILLE[13]
[From _The Centenary of Louisville_ (Louisville, Kentucky, 1893)]
In the year 1808, while digging the foundation of the great flouring mill of the Tarascons in that part of Louisville known as Shippingport, it became necessary to remove a large sycamore tree, the trunk of which was six feet in diameter, and the roots of which penetrated the earth for forty feet around. Under the center of the trunk of this tree was found an iron hatchet, which was so guarded by the base and roots that no human hand could have placed it there after the tree grew. It must have occupied the spot where it was found when the tree began to grow. The hatchet was made by bending a flat bar of iron around a cylinder until the two ends met, and then welding them together and hammering them to a cutting edge, leaving a round hole at the bend for a handle. The annulations of this tree were two hundred in number, thus showing it to be two hundred years old according to the then mode of computation. Here was a find which proved to be a never-ending puzzle to the early scientists of the Falls of the Ohio. The annulations of this tree made it two hundred years old, and so fixed the date earlier than any white man or user of iron was known to have been at the falls. One thought that Moscoso, the successor of De Soto, in his wanderings up the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, might have entered the Ohio and left the hatchet there in 1542; another, that it might have come from the Spaniards who settled St. Augustine in 1565; another, that the Spaniards who went up the Ohio in 1669 in search of silver might have left it where it was found; and another, that Marquette, when he discovered the Upper Mississippi in 1673, or La Salle, when he sailed down to its mouth in 1682, might have given the hatchet to an Indian, who left it at the Falls. But from these reasonable conjectures their learning and imagination soon led these savants into the wildest theories and conjectures. One thought that the Northmen, whom the Sagas of Sturleson made discoverers of America in the eleventh century, had brought the hatchet to this country; another, that Prince Madoc, who left a principality in Wales in the twelfth century for a home in the western wilderness, might have brought it here; and another, that it might have been brought here by those ancient Europeans whom Diodorus and Pausanius and other classical writers assure us were in communication with this country in ancient times. One of these learned ethnologists finally went so far as to advance the theory of the Egyptian priests, as related by Plato, that the autochthons of our race brought it here before the Island of Atlantis, lying between Europe and America, went down in the ocean and cut off all further communication between the continents.
This hatchet, however, really furnished no occasion for such strained conjectures and wild speculations. If the sycamore under which it was found was two hundred years old, as indicated by its annulations, it must have begun to grow about the time that Jamestown in Virginia and Quebec in Canada were founded. It would have been no unreasonable act for an Indian or white man to have brought this hatchet from the English on the James, or from the French on the St. Lawrence, to the Falls of the Ohio in 1608, just two hundred years before it was discovered by removing the tree that grew over it. The known habit of the sycamore, however, to make more than one annulation in years particularly favorable to growth suggests that two hundred annulations do not necessarily mean that many years. If we allow about fifty per cent of the life of the tree to have been during years exceptionally favorable to its growth, and assign double annulations to these favorable years, we shall have this tree to have made its two hundred annulations in about one hundred and thirty-nine years, and to have sprung from its seed and to have begun its growth about the year 1669 or 1670, when La Salle, the great French explorer, is believed to have been at the Falls of the Ohio. We have no account of any one at the Falls in 1608, or about this time, to support the conjecture that it might have come from Jamestown or Quebec; but we have La Salle at this place in 1669 or 1670, and it is not unreasonable that he should have left it here at that time. In this sense the old rusty hatchet, which is fortunately preserved, becomes interesting to us all for its connection with the discovery of Louisville. It is a souvenir of the first white man who ever saw the Falls of the Ohio. It is a memento of Robert Cavalier de La Salle, the discoverer of the site of the city of Louisville.
FOOTNOTES:
[12] A complete list of the club's publications is: _John Filson_, by R. T. Durrett (1884); _The Wilderness Road_, by Thomas Speed (1886); _The Pioneer Press of Kentucky_, by W. H. Perrin (1888); _Life and Times of Judge Caleb Wallace_, by W. H. Whitsitt (1888); _An Historical Sketch of St. Paul's Church_, by R. T. Durrett (1889); _The Political Beginnings of Kentucky_, by J. M. Brown (1889); _The Centenary of Kentucky_, by R. T. Durrett (1892); _The Centenary of Louisville_, by R. T. Durrett (1893); _The Political Club of Danville, Kentucky_, by Thomas Speed (1894); _The Life and Writings of Rafinesque_, by R. E. Call (1895); _Transylvania University_, by Dr.
Robert Peter (1896); _Bryant's Station_, by R. T. Durrett (1897); _The First Explorations of Kentucky_, by J. S. Johnston (1898); _The Clay Family_, by Z. F. Smith and Mrs. Mary R. Clay (1899); _The Battle of Tippecanoe_, by Alfred Pirtle (1900); _Boonesborough_, by G. W. Ranck (1901); _The Old Masters of the Bluegrass_, by S. W. Price (1902); _The Battle of the Thames_, by B. H. Young (1903); _The Battle of New Orleans_, by Z. F. Smith (1904); _History of the Medical Department of Transylvania University_, by Dr. Robert Peter (1905); _Lopez's Expeditions to Cuba_, by A. C. Quisenberry (1906); _The Quest for a Lost Race_, by Dr. T. E. Pickett (1907); _Traditions of the Earliest Visits of Foreigners to North America_, by R. T. Durrett (1908); _Sketches of Two Distinguished Kentuckians_, by J. W. Townsend and S.
W. Price (1909); _The Prehistoric Men of Kentucky_, by B. H. Young (1910); _The Kentucky Mountains_, by Miss Mary Verhoeff (1911). No publication was issued in 1912.
[13] Copyright, 1893, by the Filson Club.
RICHARD H. COLLINS
Richard Henry Collins, whom Mr. James Lane Allen has happily christened "the Kentucky Froissart," was born at Maysville, Kentucky, May 4, 1824, over the office of _The Eagle_. He was the son of Lewis Collins (1797-1870), who published a history of Kentucky in 1847.
Richard H. Collins was a Cincinnati lawyer for eleven years, but he lived many years at Maysville, where he edited the old _Eagle_, which his father had made famous. In 1861 he founded the _Danville Review_; and in 1874 he published a "revised, enlarged four-fold, and brought down to the year 1874" edition, in two enormous volumes, of his father's history of Kentucky. Unquestionably this is a work of tremendous importance, the most magnificent and elaborate history of this or any other State yet compiled. Traveling the whole State over, obtaining contributions from each town's ablest writer, and then building them upon his father's fine foundation, Collins was able to publish an almost invaluable work. To-day his history of Kentucky, though it certainly contains many errors of various kinds and degrees, is the greatest mine of our State's history which all must explore if they would be informed of our people's past. Dean Shaler and all later Kentucky historical writers have taken pleasure in paying tribute to his work. The one mistake that Collins made, which might have been easily avoided, was to put his manuscripts together in such a manner that the authorship of the various papers cannot be determined; but in this he followed his father's methods; and for this reason the writer has been compelled to reproduce the prefaces of both books, rather than portions of the actual text, for fear he may use matter prepared by a contributor. Collins practiced law in different Kentucky towns, wrote for newspapers and magazines, and spent a very busy and rather active life. He died at the home of his daughter at Maryville, Missouri, on New Year's Day of 1888.
BIBLIOGRAPHY. _History of Kentucky_, by Z. F. Smith (Louisville, 1892); _The Blue Grass Region of Kentucky_, by James Lane Allen (New York, 1892).
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION
[From _History of Kentucky_ (Covington, Kentucky, 1882, v. ii)]
Twenty-seven years, 1847 to 1874, have elapsed since _Collins's History of Kentucky_ quietly and modestly claimed recognition among the standard local histories in the great American republic. That has been an eventful period. Death, too, has been busy with the names in the Preface above--has claimed alike the author and compiler, Judge Lewis Collins, and about one hundred and fifty more of the honored and substantial names who contributed information or other aid towards preserving what was then unwritten of the history of the State. The author of the present edition (now nearly fifty years of age) is the youngest of the forty-two contributors who are still living; while several of them are over eighty and one is over ninety-two years of age. Time has dealt gently with them; fame has followed some, and fortune others; a few have achieved both fame and fortune, while a smaller few lay claim to neither.
It is not often, as in this case, that the mantle of duty as a state-historian falls from the father to the son's shoulders. It has been faithfully and conscientiously worn; how well and ably, let the disinterested and unprejudiced judge.
The present edition had its origin in this: When Judge Collins died, the Legislature of Kentucky was in session. As its testimonial and appreciation of his services and character, this resolution was unanimously adopted, and on March 21, 1870, approved by Gov. Stevenson:
"_Resolved by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky_:
"That we have heard with deep regret of the death of Judge Lewis Collins, of Maysville, Kentucky, which has occurred since the meeting of this General Assembly. He was a native Kentuckian of great purity of character and enlarged public spirit; associated for half a century with the press of the State, which he adorned with his patriotism, his elevated morals, and his enlightened judgment. He was the author of a _History of Kentucky_, evidencing extended research, and which embodies in a permanent form the history of each county in the State, and the lives of its distinguished citizens, and is an invaluable contribution to the literature and historical knowledge of the State.
His name being thus perpetually identified with that of his native State, this General Assembly, from a sense of duty and regard for his memory, expresses this testimonial of its appreciation of his irreproachable character and valued services."
This touching, and tender, and noble tribute to the departed author and editor, was but the culmination of a sympathy broader than the State, for it was echoed and sent back by many citizens from a distance. He had lived to some purpose. It was no small comfort to his family, to know that their bereavement was regarded as a public bereavement; and that his name and works would live on, and be green in the memory of the good people of Kentucky--the place of his birth, the home of his manhood, the scene of his life's labors, his grave. In a spontaneous tribute of praise and sympathy, the entire newspaper press of the State, and many in other States, announced his decease.
That action of the State, and those generous outpourings of sympathy and regard, started fresh inquiries for the work that had made him best known--_Collins's History of Kentucky_. It had been _out of print_ for more than twenty years! It was known that I had been associated with my father as an editor, and then his successor, and had assisted him with his _History_. Hence, many applications and inquiries for the book were made to me; always with the suggestion that I ought to prepare a new edition, enlarged, and bring down to the present the history of the State. It was an important undertaking--as delicate as important. I shrank from the great responsibility, and declined. But the urgency continued, for the necessity of a State history was felt. The great State of Kentucky, the mother of statesmen and heroes, the advance guard of civilization west of the great Appalachian chain, had no published _History_ of the last twenty-six years; and no _History_ at all in book form, _now accessible_ to more than a few thousand of the intelligent minds among her million-and-a-third of inhabitants. The duty of preparing this _History_ sought _me_, and not I _it_. It has been a task of tremendous labor, extending through the long weary months of nearly four years. But it has been a sweet and a proud task, and the _destiny_ that seemed driving me on is almost fulfilled. I wish I could know the verdict of the future upon my labors, but that is impossible. The carping and noisy fault-finding of the dissatisfied and ungenerous few are far from being pleasant; but the consciousness of duty done, with an honest heart, and the praise of the liberal ones who will appreciate the work, will be a noble and a proud satisfaction, and a joy ceasing only with my life.
[Then follow three pages of names of persons whom he thanks for assistance.]
ANNIE C. KETCHUM
Mrs. Annie Chambers Ketchum, poet, naturalist, and novelist, was born near Georgetown, Kentucky, November 8, 1824, the daughter of Benjamin Stuart Chambers, founder of Cardome Academy; her mother was a member of the famous Bradford family of journalists. Miss Chambers was graduated from Georgetown Female College with the M. A. degree. Her first husband was William Bradford, whom she married in 1844, and from whom she was subsequently divorced. After her separation from her husband, she went to Memphis, Tennessee, and opened a school for girls, which she conducted for several years. In 1858 she was married to Leonidas Ketchum, a Tennessean, who was mortally wounded at the battle of Shiloh in 1863. After her husband's death, Mrs. Ketchum returned to Kentucky and conducted a school at Georgetown for three years, but, in 1866, she returned to Memphis, where she again taught for a number of years. Mrs. Ketchum spent the winter of 1875 at Paris, France, pursuing her literary work, and on May 24, 1876, she entered upon the novitiate in a convent there. She afterwards returned to America and her last years were spent in Kentucky. Mrs. Ketchum died in 1904. Her first literary work to attract attention was a novel, entitled _Nellie Bracken_ (Philadelphia, 1855). From 1859 to 1861 Mrs. Ketchum was editor of _The Lotus_, a monthly magazine published at Memphis. _Benny: A Christmas Ballad_ (New York, 1869) was the first of her poems to attract any considerable attention; and her best known poem, _Semper Fidelis_, originally published in _Harper's Magazine_ for October, 1873, is a long, leisurely thing that makes one wonder at its once wide popularity. All of her poems Mrs. Ketchum brought together in _Lotus Flowers_ (New York, 1878). _Lotus_ was her shibboleth, and she never missed an opportunity to make use of it. She made many translations from Latin, German, and French writers, her finest work in this field being _Marcella, a Russian Idyl_ (New York, 1878). _The Teacher's Empire_ (1886) was a collection of educational essays contributed to various journals. Mrs. Ketchum's _Botany for Academies and Colleges_ (Philadelphia, 1887), was a text-book in many institutions for several years subsequent to its publication.
BIBLIOGRAPHY. _History of Kentucky_, by R. H. Collins (Covington, Kentucky, 1882); Appletons' _Cyclopaedia of American Biography_ (New York, 1887, v. iii); B. O. Gaines's _History of Scott County, Kentucky_ (1905, v. ii).
APRIL TWENTY-SIXTH
[From _The Southern Poems of the War_, edited by Emily V. Mason (Baltimore, 1867)]
Dreams of a stately land, Where roses and lotus open to the sun, Where green ravine and misty mountains stand, By lordly valor won.
Dreams of the earnest-browed And eagle-eyed, who late with banners bright, Rode forth in knightly errantry, to do Devoir for God and right.
Shoulder to shoulder, see The crowning columns file through pass and glen!
Hear the shrill bugle! List the rolling drum, Mustering the gallant men!
Resolute, year by year, They keep at bay the cohorts of the world; Hemmed in, yet trusting in the Lord of Hosts, The cross is still unfurled.
Patient, heroic, true, And counting tens where hundreds stood at first; Dauntless for truth, they dare the sabre's edge, The bombshell's deadly burst.
While we, with hearts made brave By their proud manhood, work, and watch, and pray, Till, conquering fate, we greet with smiles and tears The conquering ranks of grey!
Oh, God of dreams and sleep, Dreamless they sleep--'tis we, the sleepless, dream, Defend us while our vigil dark we keep, Which knows no morning beam!
Bloom, gentle spring-tide flowers-- Sing, gentle winds, above each holy grave, While we, the women of a desolate land, Weep for the true and brave.
Memphis, Tennessee.