Misc. Records

Where to Emigrate and Why - Frederick B. Goddard, Peoples Publ. Co., 1869

KENTUCKY.

        THE first emigrant to Kentucky was the renowned pioneer, DANIEL BOONE. Attracted by glowing accounts of the loveliness of this region, then almost untrodden by the foot of civilized man, and abounding in such game as the buffalo, the bear, and the beaver, he determined to brave the Indian perils and gratify his love of adventure by exploring its vast solitudes. " It was," he says, "on the first of May, in the year 1769, that I resigned my domestic happiness for a time, and left my family and peaceable habitation on the Yadkin River, to wander through the wilderness of America in quest of the country of Kentucky." After two years of romantic and perilous adventure, Boone revisited his home in North Carolina, to return again to Kentucky in 1775, accompanied by his family. He says: "We arrived safe, without any other difficulties than such as are common to this passage, my wife and daughter being the first white women that ever stood on the banks of Kentucky River."

        Nothing in Indian history surpasses in thrilling interest the experiences of the Boone family in their struggles with the savages, their repeated capture, hair-breadth escapes, .&c., &c. Boone was of much service to the growing settlements, from his bravery, his intelligence, and his consummate knowledge of the Indian character. Kentucky was now made a county of Virginia, and the first court was held at Harrodsburg in 1777. In 1792 it was admitted into the Union as a sovereign State, embracing an area of 37,680 square miles, equal to 24,115,200 acres. In 1860 its population was 1,155,684, of which 236,167 were colored.

        The surface-features of Kentucky may be thus generally described: The Ohio River winds along its northerly boundaries for nearly 600 miles, to empty into the Mississippi at the northwestern corner of the State, and divides it from Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. Upon the west the Mississippi bounds it for about 80 miles, separating it from Missouri.

        In the southeast, the Cumberland Mountains and their spurs give to that part of the State a broken and rugged appearance, without any very lofty elevations. This region is extremely healthy and is well wooded.

        Farther westward and northerly, a large portion of the State may be characterized as an undulating upland, more or less abounding in bold features, with frequent streams, and possessing a healthful climate and an excellent soil.

        Still farther to the west, and southerly, occupying much of the tract between the Cumberland arid Green rivers, are the "Barrens," so named by the early settlers, generally spoken of as "poor land," and scantily timbered. Thence, westward and northerly, the diversified features are gradually merged into the low plains which skirt the large rivers.

        "The most productive soil of Kentucky is that of the blue limestone formation; and in the neighborhood of Lexington and toward the Ohio, the country based on that route is said to be the garden of the State. The line demarking this region passes from the Ohio round the heads of Licking and Kentucky rivers, Dick's River, and down Great Green River to the Ohio; and in this great compass of above 100 miles square, is found one of the most fertile and extraordinary countries on which the sun has ever shone. The soil is of a loose, deep, and black mold, without sand—on first-rate lands, from two to three feet deep, and exceedingly luxuriant in all its productions. It is well watered by fine springs and streams, and its beautiful climate and the salubrity of the country are unequaled, the winter, even, being seldom so inclement as to render the housing of cattle necessary."

        Kentucky is most bountifully supplied with noble rivers and useful streams, affording remarkable facilities for intercourse and commerce, and much valuable water-power for manufacturing purposes.

        "The coal-beds of Kentucky are continuous of those of Illinois and Ohio; they cover 10,000 or 12,000 square miles, and are very accessible. Iron is equally abundant in the State, and it, too, is comparatively neglected, but from its deposits being mainly on or near navigable streams, it must inevitably become a source of future wealth to the country. An estimate of the quantity embraced has been fixed at 38,000,000 tons. Small quantities of lead are also traced in Kentucky, and silver ore has lately been discovered near the Cumberland Falls. Salt springs abound in the sandstone formation, and have become very productive. Saltpeter-earth, or nitrate of lime, gypsum, or plaster of Paris, are found in the caves. Mineral springs are numerous, embracing sulphur, saline, chalybeate, &c. The salt springs received the name of "licks" from the early settlers, on account of their being the favorite resorts of the wild animals, which were fond of licking the efflorescences so abundant around them. The name is also applied to the sulphureted fountains which occur in various places."

        "The country in general may be considered as well timbered, producing large trees of many kinds, and to be exceeded by no country in variety. Perhaps among its forest growths none is more valuable to the settler than the sugar-tree, which grows in all parts, and furnishes every family with a plenty of excellent sugar; and the honey-locust, so curiously surrounded by large thorny spikes, bears long pods in the form of peas, having a sweet flavor, and from which domestic beer is made. The coffee-tree, greatly resembling the black-oak, grows large, and also bears a pod in which is inclosed coffee. The pawpaw bears a fine fruit like a cucumber in shape and size, and of a sweet taste. The cane, on which cattle feed and grow fat, in general grows from three to twelve feet high, is of a hard substance, with joints at eight or ten inches distance along the stalk, from which proceed leaves resembling the willow. There are many cane-brakes, so thick and tall that it is difficult to pass through them. Where no cane grows there is an abundance of wild rye, clover, and buffalo-grass, covering vast tracts, and affording excellent pasture for cattle; and the fields are covered with wild herbage not common to other countries. Here is seen the finest crown imperial in the world, the cardinal flower, so much extolled for its scarlet color; and all the year, except the short winter months, the plains and valleys are adorned with a variety of flowers of the most admirable beauty. Here is also found the tulip-bearing laurel-tree, or magnolia, which is very fragrant, and continues to blossom and seed for several months together." — S. Gazetteer.

        RAILWAYS AND CITIES.—Among the most important are the Lexington and Covington or Kentucky Central Railroad.  Covington, the northern terminus, is situated on the Ohio, opposite Cincinnati; it is a flourishing city. Paris, on the line of the road, is a fine, active town; it is the capital of Bourbon County. Lexington is a beautiful city, of 20,000 people, distinguished for its literary and scientific institutions and the culture and refinement of its inhabitants. Near this city is Ashland, former home of the Statesman HENRY CLAY.

        The Louisville, Cincinnati and Lexington Railway extends from Louisville to Lagrange, 27 miles; thence, branching, one division extends 67 miles to Lexington; the other, now about completed, to Cincinnati. This road, passing as it does through a most desirable portion of the State, has done much to develop its resources. Louisville, its western terminus, is the commercial and manufacturing metropolis of the State; it has a population of about 100,000, is a splendid city, and has a front rank among the great cities of the West.

        The Louisville and Memphis Railroad extends from Louisville in a southwesterly direction to the borders of the State, forming connections, at or near Bowling Green, with the large cities of the South and West.

        The New Orleans and Ohio Railroad extends from Paducah, near the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee rivers, to Union City.

        The Mobile and Ohio Railroad is completed from Columbus, Kentucky, upon the Mississippi River, to Mobile, Alabama, a distance of 472 miles.

        A number of other roads are in operation or projected.

        "The natural resources of EASTERN KENTUCKY," says a writer to the Agricultural Bureau, "have never been developed. A small portion of the lands are under cultivation, being very mountainous, and most of that which is brought under the plow is depleted by a wasteful system of culture, and either left to broom-sage or undergrowth, or cropped still at great expenditure of labor for small returns. A small portion of river bottom lands is too rich to be exhausted by surface-culture, and is still very productive. Even that which has been abandoned is not exhausted, the culture received never penetrating the soil deep enough for that. The almost inexhaustible mineral resources of this country are comparatively unknown. This whole region, back to the Cumberland range and even farther, abounds in the richest minerals, consisting of iron, coal (both stone and cannel), gold, silver, lead, and an immense quantity of lithographic stone, reported to be the purest in the world, and said to exist nowhere else in America."

        From the March, 1868, Report of the Department of Agriculture, we extract the following respecting the character, price, &c., of Kentucky lands:—

        PRESENT LAND VALUES COMPARED WITH THOSE OF 1860.―Returns from Kentucky show an average increase of about 10 per cent in the value of farm lands over the estimates under the census of 1860, though the advance is by no means uniform, nor is the decline or increase confined to any particular section of the State; as, while in Kenton, Pendleton, and Boone, in the northern portion, lands have advanced from 40 to 50 per cent, Franklin County, close at hand, reports a decline of 25 per cent, and Owen and Oldham "no change." In the western section, Webster reports 10 per cent decline; Ohio, Butler, and Christian, "no change." Todd and Graves, a small advance, and Livingston an advance of 10 per cent. Of the central and southern counties, Clinton reports 10 per cent, decline; Russell and Pulaski, "no change;" Metcalfe, Whitley, and Laurel, 10 per cent advance; Edmonson, 25 per cent, advance and Rockcastle, 30 per cent advance. Thence farther north, Hardin reports a decline of 25 per cent; Spencer, 15 per cent decline and Fayette, "no change;" Scott and Gallatin a slight advance; Henry, 10 per cent, Harrison 20 per cent, and Anderson 33 per cent, advance; Jefferson reports lands in the vicinity of Louisville, 100 per cent higher than in 1860, but not so large an increase for lands more remote from the city. In the northeast, Lewis County reports 30 per cent advance, while the adjoining county of Greenup reports "no change."

        PRICE OF WILD LANDS.—The estimated value of wild or unimproved lands in the State varies from $1 per acre up to the price of improved lands in the several counties. Rockcastle and Pulaski are the only counties reporting as low as $1 per acre, the land in the former being "poor, hilly, and heavy," and in the latter "varying from poor freestone plateaus to rich, north slopes and hollows in limestone, suited to fruit culture." Lewis, Lincoln, Butler, Christian, and Graves report from $2 per acre upward, most of those at $2 being mountainous and poor, though some are covered with heavy forest and are susceptible of improvement and will produce good crops. Russell, Edmonson, Webster, Livingston, Ohio, Hardin, Laurel, Greenup, and others, vary from $2.50 to $5 per acre; Anderson, Owen, Franklin, Trimble, and Metcalfe, $5 to $10 per acre; while Todd and Pendleton estimate at $20, Kenton, $25, Oldham, $30, and Bourbon as high as $75 to $80 per acre; the higher figures representing lands in close proximity to cities, upon lines of railroad, or with valuable timber accessible to market. In Kenton County, the timber is good —oak, ash, black walnut, and hickory, worth much more than the price of the land, and the soil is fertile, as is generally the case in surrounding counties. In Bourbon County, the lands reported are not properly under this head, being in grass, without building improvements, valued at $75 per acre. Along the Kentucky River, these unimproved lands are generally rocky and hilly and in timber, suited to grass and fruits. A portion of the soil is clay, on limestone, thin and rolling. In Anderson, most of this class is rough and hilly, of average richness, producing blue-grass in abundance, and when first cleared will yield 50 to 60 bushels of corn to the acre. In Lincoln, about half the county comes under this head; high, sandy, with heavy forests of oak, poplar, and chestnut, capable of producing wheat, corn, tobacco, sorghum, &c. In Whitley, the creek and river bottoms are rich, the uplands thin. In Russell, the soil of such lands is generally poor and thin, but susceptible of improvement, a portion heavily timbered. In Ohio County, the hill lands abound in coal and iron, and the swamps make good meadow, while the whole county is well timbered. In Graves, about one-tenth is bottom land, one-fourth broken, timbered, and the remainder level, light-timbered, called barrens. The general character of these lands is good, and much of that which is not already fertile may be readily improved and rendered highly productive in general farming, or well suited to grazing purposes.

        MINERALS.—Kentucky is rich in mineral resources, and her beds of coal and mountains of iron and. stone are almost inexhaustible. Coal is found in abundance in Greenup, Rockcastle, Laurel, Pulaski, Whitley, Clinton, Edmonson, Hardin, Ohio, Butler, Christian, Webster, and other counties. In most of these counties this coal is of excellent quality, but used only for home consumption, there being no means of transportation. In Laurel County the coal beds are from three to five feet in thickness. A railroad is now in progress of construction through the central part of the county, connecting with Louisville, which will open up a market for this coal, now undeveloped for want of means of carriage to market. In Pulaski they claim to have "the best bituminous coal on the continent." Our Clinton correspondent says:— 

        "A range of hills in the eastern part of this county, extending north and south, contain animmense amount of coal in strata of four feet in thickness."

        This coal is now being worked to some extent by a company who ship to Nashville. In several counties roads are being built that will encourage the more extensive development of this interest, but as yet little has been done in that direction.

        Iron is found in greater or less quantity in Greenup, Trimble, Rockcastle, Pulaski, Whitley, Russell, Clinton, Edmonson, Ohio, Butler, &c., but, like the coal deposits, has been but feebly developed. In Greenup, the furnaces are closed up, ore within reach of present facilities being pretty well exhausted. Iron ore is found all through Russell County. "About 35 years since a very superior iron was manufactured here, from which some of the blacksmiths made good edged tools without steel. The iron was hard and tough. There has been no development since, and it is doubted whether the ore is in sufficient quantity to pay for working." This ore also abounds in Clinton County, and David Dale Owen, in his Geological Survey of Kentucky, in speaking of this and counties east of it, says:—

        "There is every reason for believing that their resources in coal and iron—staple commodities of those nations of greatest prosperity—will, when fully developed, compare favorably with those of any civilized country on the face of the earth."

        In Butler County there is much iron ore, but it is said to be of the honeycomb variety, which is considered comparatively valueless. A large amount of capital could be profitably invested in utilizing the iron interest of this State.

        Lead is found in Trimble, Owen, Bourbon, Scott, Franklin, Anderson, Livingston, and counties contiguous. In Anderson there is a mine said to yield 80 per cent of lead, but the chemist making the test reported that it would not pay to work it. In Livingston, lead has been found upon the surface, but has not been worked to any extent. Salt wells exist in several counties, but are not worked. In Clinton, says our correspondent, "a fine stream of salt water has been struck on Willis Creek, in the northwest, and a company are now at work producing salt, and the prospect is considered good. There is a fine opening for men experienced in salt making, there being an abundance of water, and timber and labor is cheap. Salt for the Nashville market and for the Cumberland River country comes from Ohio and Western Virginia. The cost of shipping salt down the Ohio and up the Cumberland, is certainly much greater than down the Cumberland to Nashville." Salt water also abounds in Metcalfe, Anderson, Whitley, Russell, &c. There has recently been discovered a gold mine in Anderson County, and its value is being now tested by a company. Saltpeter is found in Rockcastle, and limestone and freestone abound in Lewis, Trimble, Clarke, and other counties. Our Lewis County correspondent claims for his county "the finest ledge of freestone from Pittsburg to Cincinnati, from which nearly all the fine buildings in the latter city are now being built, and the rock of which the Cincinnati and Covington bridge was built was taken from the quarries of this county; not extensively worked, there being but one quarry in operation, employing 200 men.

        TIMBER.—The timber resources of this State are well known, the finest quality abounding in all sections, and embracing a great variety of forest trees of primitive growth, furnishing unlimited lumber supplies, as yet but partially developed. The soil of the State, however, supplies her chief source of wealth, rendering Kentucky peculiarly an agricultural and grazing country, in which latter branch she has long ranked among the first in the land.

        CROPS.—Few farmers in Kentucky confine themselves to the culture of any one crop, and a mixed husbandry generally prevails, embracing the production of wheat, corn, oats, rye, potatoes, tobacco, the raising of stock, &c. Wheat, corn, and tobacco are the chief crops, the latter being the principal one for export, the corn grown being largely used upon the farms—converted into stock. Our Trimble correspondent writes:—

        "The tobacco crop in this county is the most valuable. In 1866 the product was 1,916,100 pounds, but, owing to the drought, the crop of 1867 did not reach more than half as much. The product of hay in 1866 was 826 tons; corn, 276,235 bushels wheat, 11,824 bushels; barley, 1,052 bushels."

        Tobacco is also extensively grown in Owen, Franklin, Edmonson, Ohio, Christian, Webster, Pendleton, Todd, Graves, and other counties, while wheat and corn receive especial attention in Greenup, Lewis, Bourbon, Scott, Hardin, &c., and corn alone, the leading grain product, in Laurel, Oldham, Anderson, Boyle. In Edmonson tobacco yields an average of about 800 pounds to the acre, with a profit of about $30 per acre. Ohio County: "Our principal and most reliable crops are tobacco and corn, upon which our farmers have mainly relied for profit; first, by the sale of their tobacco direct; second, by the sale of stock fed and fattened by their corn and hay." Todd County: "In favorable seasons the average yield of tobacco is 900 pounds. A good hand will make 3,000 pounds, which has been sold here, for several years past, at $12 to $15 per hundred-weight. Owing, however, to the change in the labor system, the quantity raised is annually declining."In Graves the yield and profit is about the same as in Todd County.

        In Lewis County, "the best bottom lands yield from 60 to 100 bushels of corn to the acre, and wheat averages 15 bushels." Scott County: "We raise an average of 40 bushels of corn, 30 bushels of oats, and 10 to 15 bushels of wheat; this being one of the noted blue-grass, counties, is largely devoted to grain and our surplus grain is consumed by stock during the winter." Laurel County: "Corn is the special crop, average 25 bushels. I last year raised on two acres, well manured, of good corn." Whitley County: "Corn and wheat, crops eaten and fed to horses, cattle, and hogs, which are driven on foot to foreign markets." Oldham County: "Indian corn the chief crop; 40 bushels to the acre; net profit, $12 to $15 per acre." Henry County: "The greatest profit is derived from the corn crop, which is fed to stock, mules steers, and hogs, affording good profits." Fayette County: "If we have any specialty it is in the fine quality of our stock; probably no section of our country can boast of finer stock than we have, and, in my judgment, mules, horses, and cattle attain a higher degree of perfection here than in any other section of the Union." Boyle County: "This is a stock-raising county; but little grain is sent out of the county, most of the corn and grass raised being fed to stock. This is one of the principal mule-raising counties in the State." Harrison County: "A large portion of the corn crop, nearly all the rye, and a small portion of the wheat is distilled into whisky, there being several large distilleries in the county, making a fine market for grain, they paying this season $1 for corn and $1.15 for rye."

        Wheat is generally sown broadcast from the middle of September to the middle of October, the drill being practically unknown in most of the counties, and where used putting in a small percentage of the seed. Harvesting commences as early as the middle of June, and is usually over the first week in July. But little attention is given to cultivation. In Russell and many other counties they "sow in corn land, scratching in among the corn stalks with a shovel plow, the yield being from four to ten bushels."

        Blue-grass is the almost universal grass of Kentucky, and the "blue-grass region" is too well known as a grazing country to require lengthy notice at our hands. This grass is very hardy, and if not grazed after the first of August until winter, makes excellent winter pasture; stock doing well upon it, except for the short period it may be covered by snow. White clover, crabgrass, fox tail, &c., are also found, while among the cultivated grasses successfully and profitably grown are herds-grass, timothy, red-top, orchard grass, clover, Hungarian grass, &c. While under favorable circumstances stock may be sustained nearly the whole year upon pastures alone, the average pasture season, when cattle will do well without other feed, ranges from seven to nine months; sheep subsisting longer, and frequently the entire year. The average cost of pasture per head is given at from $1 to $2 per month, and for foddering during the winter from $2 to $2.50 per month.

        FRUITS.—Fruit culture has not received much attention in Kentucky, there having been no market for the crop, while in some counties our correspondents think results have been indifferent, and sometimes failures, when the experiment has been tried. Most of our reporters, however, claim that all fruits suited, to the latitude, such as apples, peaches, pears, plumbs, quinces, small fruits, and berries, &c., will do well under proper care and cultivation, and prove highly remunerative. In some sections the worm and bug have been very destructive to orchards, and discouraged attempts at fruit-growing. One correspondent writes:—

        "All the principal northern fruits grow well here, particularly the apple, peach, plum, &c. But little attention has been paid to fruit until within the last few years, but farmers are now planting good orchards of choice fruits."

CORRESPONDENCE.

        From Louisville, Kentucky, August 6, 1868, Mr. JOHN J. SPEED, Postmaster, writes as follows:―

        Farming lands very fine, and prices high in this vicinity. In adjoining counties prices are much lower; soil good.

        All sorts of labor high. Plenty of laborers (black), but great unwillingness to work. Want good German workers, of both sexes.

        Climate very variable—extreme heat and cold. City regarded as healthy.

        No minerals near. Timber in the county—walnut, poplar, oak, ash, &c., plenty.

        Crops good this season; corn, wheat, potatoes, and oats; prices good. The city is the country's market.

        Common school system in successful operation. Private schools abundant. All denominations represented.

        The population is composed largely of Americans, some Germans, Jews, and Irish.

        From Boyd County, Mr. E. L. SHEPHARD writes:―

        Bottom lands sell from $50 to $100 per acre. Back, and hill, and small creek valley lands, from 50 cts. to $10 per acre. We have plenty of coal, limestone, and timber. Of our crops we export very little. Our people are mostly immigrants from Southern States.

        From Hardin County, August 10, 186S, Mr. S. W. D. STONE writes:―

        Farm lands in this county vary, from the best to the thin and poor, in price, from $10 to $60. We need farm laborers and mechanics. Abundance of coal within fifty miles. We have good schools, and Protestant and Catholic churches. The majority of our people are natives of Kentucky. We have a good many Germans.

We raise any quantity of fine fruit. We have the best fruit lands in this or any other State. Peaches are selling at from $2 to $6 per bushel. Fruit land, from $10 to $25 per acre.

        From Russellville, Logan County, August 20, 1868, Mr. J. W. WINLOCH, County Clerk, writes:—

        The south, east, and western portions of Logan County are beautiful level farming lands, well timbered, finely watered, and fertile, black soil, with a red clay subsoil, adapted to growth of corn, tobacco, wheat, oats, rye, potatoes, &c. Pretty thickly settled, and well improved. Land worth from $15 to $60 per acre. The country north of the railroad, and lying in the northern part of the county, is rather mountainous—abounding in the finest beds of undeveloped coal and minerals.     Land not very rich, except along the water-courses, and in valleys; value of land, from $1 to $30. There are good common schools in every neighborhood of

the county, and a splendid male college, and a neighborhood, 1 female college located at Russellville, the county seat, a pleasant town of some 3,000 inhabitants, with Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, and Catholic churches.

        Farm labor is much needed; good opening for mechanics; professions overrun. Relations existing between Southern and Northern men, the most harmonious; and the war is considered over.

        From Bourbon County, Mr. W. H. POLK, Postmaster at Paris, the county seat, writes as follows:―

        Lands in this vicinity are worth from $80 to $150 per acre. A number of counties in this, the central part of the State, embracing those of Bourbon, Fayette, Harrison, Scott, Woodford, Madison, Jessamine and others, are very fine counties, and the land all rates high. Since the breaking up of the system of slavery labor is very unreliable, and it is hard to get good hands, as the negroes are all too idle and lazy to work. If good work-hands could be sent into this part of the country, I think it would be a great help to us Our lands raise corn, hemp, wheat, oats, barley, rye, and all cereals, in great abundance; most of the corn is used in distilling.

This is a great beef county, as the finest cattle that go to your market are from this county—Bourbon. There is plenty of good water-power.

        Mr. J. F. STEWARD, Postmaster at Paintsville, Johnson County, thus writes:—

        The general character of this section of the State is mountainous; valleys fertile, worth from $25 to $40 per acre, creek lands much cheaper. Price of labor about 75 cents per day or less, and the supply exceeds the demand. Climate good and healthy. The population is composed chiefly of native mountaineers.

        Coal is very abundant, varies from 2 to 7 feet. Iron ore plenty. The kidney iron contains some lead in the center. Surface oil in this county about 16 miles west of Paintsville, and the show is greater than in any other known place; many springs produce it —two in abundance. The coal is often near to the river, Big Sandy, and of excellent quality. Our river is not large, and is navigable for about half the year. Coal has been marketed to Cincinnati often, by several companies, but not with success, though I believe it could be profitably worked if managed properly.

        The coal of this valley, especially in Floyd and Pike counties, as well as in this, Johnson, will be very valuable when the market demands it, for it is inexhaustible.

        The timber of this valley, oak and poplar, has hardly any superior, but near the river it is nearly all taken out. The timber business has long been carried on here, and it is the main source for money—bark and staves, also logs.

        Corn is the principal crop, and is used for bread here; 50 cents is the usual price.          ‑

        We are 65 miles from Catlettsburg Ky., the mouth of Big Sandy River; it is 1.50 miles from Cincinnati, Ohio. Our river is our only means of transportation, we have no road. Our schools are bare excuses, religious advantages limited.

        Sorghum is raised here successfully and profitably ; will produce 5 barrels molasses to acre.

        The lands here are all taken up, but being mountainous are not settled, and are not capable of culture for steepness. Mountain lands can be bought for $1 to $1.50 per acre, out from the river, and will have some, farming lands on the branches and hillsides.

        Northern men here are treated respectfully, but if they are radicals they will be treated more coolly than if they are confederate democrats. There are no inducements for migration into this section; many are going West.

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.