Maysville-A Vision Into Past and Future



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Elks Fair 1901


Corner of 3rd & Market - Elk's Fair 1901"
Crowd gathered at daredevil's high ladder and Old Plantation minstrel show.

Confederate Cavalry Captured Maysville

Col. R.M. Gano
Seventh Confederate Cavalry Captured Maysville, KY
Colonel R.M. Gano, withdraws squadron from 2nd Kentucky Cavalry as nucleus for new regiment - September 2, 1862 - Seventh Kentucky Cavalry Regiment organized, Colonel R.M. Gano Commanding (the new regiment now a part of 2nd Kentucky Cavalry Brigade commanded by Brig. Gen. John Hunt Morgan.) VI. Brig. Gen. John H. Morgan's brigade, including Col. R.M. Gano's Seventh Kentucky Cavalry assigned to Gen. E. Kirby Smith for invasion of Kentucky - Sept. 4, 1862.

September 5-7, 1862 – Capture of Lexington, KY
September 11, 1862 – 7th Kentucky Cavalry, Col. R.M. Gano, commanding, captures Washington, KY
September 15, 1862 – 7th Kentucky Cavalry, Col, R.M. Gano, commanding, captures Maysville, KY
Don't recall ever reading about much of a fight in Maysville.


Editor’s Note: My great grandfather, Thomas McConnell Downing, was a private in Company F of the 7th Confederate Cavalry under Col. R. M. Gano. Don't know how popular he was in Mason County. He was captured and released at the Battle of Buffington Island. Family legend has it that he came home, bare footed, riding on a mule. My guess is that he stole the mule

Ghost Signs


Superimposed signs on the side of a building in downtown Maysville, Kentucky. "J. Wesley Lee Clothing Tailoring - Men's Furnishings & Shoes." and "Delicious and Refresghing Drink Coca-Cola" plus a partially obscured sign below.


JOHN SHACKELFORD was born in Mason County, Kentucky, on the 27th of October, 1834. His paternal ancestors were from Wales; his maternal, from Ireland. His paternal grandparents came from Virginia, and his maternal, from New Jersey. His immediate parents were both born in Mason County, Kentucky.

At the time of his birth his mother was a member of the Presbyterian Church, but did not believe in infant baptism; consequently, he was never sprinkled. His father and mother united with the Christian Church when he was about ten years of age. His father soon became a leading member in the Church, and his mother was a deeply pious woman, who gave special attention to the religious training of her children. Surrounded by these influences, and having an earnest and impressible nature, JOHN soon became anxiously interested in his spiritual welfare. After carefully studying his Bible, and listening to much parental instruction, on the 5th of March, at the age of fourteen, he was immersed in the Ohio River by Elder JAMES CHALLEN.

His early school days were spent in Maysville, Kentucky, where he obtained a good rudimental education, and, at the age of eighteen, he entered Bethany College, Virginia. He remained there until July 4, 1854, when he graduated, and returned home, and taught a school in Mason County for two years.

During this time, he had constantly in view the calling to which he has since devoted his life. Those were years of calm but earnest preparation for the ministry of the Gospel, and, so soon as he felt the time had come to enter upon his chosen work, he at once gave up every thing else, and devoted himself exclusively to the preaching of the Word.

His first labors were in Mason County, and, for some time, he had charge of the Church in Maysville, the place of his father's residence, where he was greatly esteemed for his faithfulness and earnestness as a pastor and teacher. After having been instrumental in doing a good work in his native county, he removed to Paris, Kentucky, to labor for the [387] Church at that place. He remained there two years, and then accepted an invitation to the pastoral care of the Church corner of Eighth and Walnut streets, Cincinnati, Ohio. His health failing, in the spring of 1866, he gave up his position, and, for a few months, traveled for the American Christian Missionary Society, and, at the annual meeting of this society, the subsequent October, he was appointed its Corresponding Secretary, which position he has held ever since.

A few words in reference to his success in this last department of labor can not be regarded as improper or out of place.

When he took the Secretaryship, his friends had many misgivings concerning his adaptation to the work. The prospects of the Society were by no means flattering, and the labor necessary to make it a success fell mainly upon the Corresponding Secretary. Few persons had much faith in the ability of any one to turn the discouraging prospects of the Society into permanent success. One year of faithful labor has been expended, and we need only state the result: A larger amount of money was raised than ever before, while the prospects of the Society are better than at any other time since it was organized. A success like this is not achieved except by earnest, constant, and prayerful work.

Brother SHACKELFORD is of medium stature, has a delicate, feeble constitution, a highly nervous temperament, and a nature, on the sympathetic side, as tender and susceptible as a woman's. He has light hair, large blue eyes, a mouth which indicates great firmness, and a forehead, though high, less commanding than expressively benevolent. Every feature expresses what he really is--a man of large conscientiousness, deep spiritual longings, and great purity of thought and action. He has very little of the sensuous in his nature, and, so vivid are his intuitions, that he is almost a prophet. As a speaker, if we except his active sympathy with all kinds of suffering, he has few of the elements of a popular orator. His illustrations are generally apt and forcible, but his powers of rapid generalization are not equal to the requirements of a first-class extemporaneous speaker. When, however, the subject of discourse is one that deeply touches his sympathies, he is always impressive, and often truly eloquent. [388]

Original Peter Tuttle


PETER TUTTLE MASON CO., KENTUCKY CHERRY SERPENTINE FRONT CHEST

Original Peter Tuttle, Mason County, Kentucky cherry serpentine front chest on frame with cabriole legs. Dovetailed case with five graduated cherry drawers and secondary woods of poplar and pine. The apron is scalloped with a large central lobe and the side aprons are shaped as deep double-cyma curves. The chest is in "as found" condition with original finish. Veneer chips, missing cock-bead, replaced pulls, and larger hole at key escutcheon in bottom drawer. A museum quality piece of Kentucky furniture. 44 1/4" w. x 23 1/4" d. x 47 1/2" h. Peter Tuttle was born in Prince William County, Virginia in 1782 and arrived in Mason County, Kentucky, some time before 1810 when he married Elizabeth Calvert. He was working in Fleming County in 1828 and later worked in Nicholas County. He died in Missouri in 1859. Ref: "Antiques in Kentucky" reprinted from "THE MAGAZINE ANTIQUES" March & April 1974, 551 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10017. Sold for $74,250

The Maysville Jockey Club


An act approved December 1, 1821, outlawed horse racing on public highways. This law resulted from complaints to the General Assembly that "divers citizens are in the habit of assembling themselves together on public highways for the purpose of running horses, which tends greatly to the annoyance of many of the good citizens thereof, and frequently tends to the disturbance of travelers." The act provided for a fine of ten dollars for every such offense.
Believe the track was located at present day Deerfield Village

Photo Taken At Duke Farm 1956-1957


L to R; Tommy Duke, Tommy Verville, Bob Verville, Barbara Verville,
Vettie Lou Verville and Bobby Cochran

Maysville Female Institute 1855




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Ancient Mason County


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Charles C. Clarke


CHARLES C. CLARKE--On a fine homestead of four hundred and forty acres, in Bourbon county, resides this well known and highly esteemed representative of the agricultural industry in this section of the state and he is a prominent factor in connection with public affairs in the county, where he is now serving as chairman of the Bourbon County Democratic Committee. He is signally alert and progressive as a citizen and his influence and cooperation are given in support of all measures and projects tending to enhance the general welfare of the community. Charles C. Clarke was born in Mason county, Kentucky, on the 27th of December, 1868, and is a son of John and Nannie (Fitzgerald) Clarke, both of whom were likewise born in that county and both of whom are representatives of sterling pioneer families of that section of the state. John Clarke was a son of Charles Clarke, who likewise was born in Mason county and who became one of the prominent and influential citizens of that section. He served several years as county sheriff and was also called to other local offices of public trust. He married Miss Caroline Hoard and they became the parents of four children: John, Charles, Seth and Caroline. John Clarke was born in the year 1835 and his entire active career was one of close and successful identification with agricultural pursuits. He was one of the representative citizens of Mason county and was a particularly successful business man, having been known as one of the best financiers of Mason county. He was primarily instrumental in the organization of the First National Bank of Maysville, this county, and served on its board of directors until his death, which occurred in 1833. His wife, now venerable in years, resides in the city of Maysville. She is a devout member of the Christian church, with which her husband also was actively identified for many years prior to his demise. Of the four children the following data are given: Caroline is deceased, Anna P. is the wife of Charles C. Hopper, of Maysville; Charles C., of this review, was next in order of birth; and John remains on the old homestead farm in Mason county, where he is serving his second term as sheriff. Charles C. Clarke gained his early experiences in connection with the practical affairs of life through his close association with the work of the old homestead farm, on which he was born. His early educational advantages were those afforded in the graded schools of Mason county and he was but fifteen years of age at the time of his father's death. He then assumed the practical charge of the home farm, to whose supervision he continued to give his attention until he had attained to his legal majority. In 1890, shortly after his first marriage, Mr. Clarke removed to Bourbon county and purchased his present fine homestead, which is located about seven miles east of the city of Paris, on the Paris and North Middletown turnpike. Everything about the place indicates thrift and prosperity and Mr. Clarke is recognized as one of the most progressive and successful farmers of the county, besides which he raises high-grade live stock, and he has built up a successful enterprise in the buying and shipping of cattle. In politics he is recognized as one of the leaders of the Democratic party in his county and this fact is evidenced in his incumbency of the office of chairman of the Democratic committee of Bourbon county. He is a member of the board of trustees of the Kentucky Classical & Business College, at North Middletown, and both he and his wife hold membership in the Christian church. In Mason county, this state, on the 5th of February, 1890, Mr. Clarke was united in marriage to Miss Florence Fox, who was born and reared in that county and who was a daughter of Andrew and Amanda (Daugherty) Fox. She was summoned to the life eternal in August, 1907, and of the four children the following brief data are given--John F. is deceased; Claude remains at the paternal home; Harry D. is deceased; and Charles C., Jr. remains at the homestead. On the 10th of November, 1909, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Clarke to Miss Sadie H. Young, who was born in Bourbon county, on the 4th of December, 1881, and who is a daughter of James W. Young, a sketch of whose career appears elsewhere in this volume, so it is not necessary to enter further review of the family history in this connection. Mr. and Mrs. Clarke have one child--Sallie Young Clarke, who was born on the 5th of October, 1910.

A Slave From Maysville

GEORGE WILLIAMS.
I was from Maysville, Ky., but belonged in Fairfax county at first. Left Virginia at fourteen years old,--am now fifty-three; have lived in Sandwich about fourteen years. When we removed from Virginia, my mother left her husband and two sisters behind. She was much grieved at leaving her husband: the children were taken from her before. This separation of families is an awful thing. At ten or twelve years old, the thought grew in me, that slavery was wrong. I felt mad every day when I thought of being kept a slave. I calculated on buying myself, and offered my master two hundred and fifty dollars. He wanted me to work a year first, going with me to another town. I did not want to go, and came off peaceably.

I remained about six years in the free States. In some respects, I suffered in them on account of my color. Many looked on me with contempt because I was a colored man. My oath was not taken as a white man's. I had a farm in Ohio, and was doing well, but a law was then passed requiring security for good behavior.

Flossie Jones Ring


Miss Flossie impacted many who attended school in Maysville.
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Article courtesy of Johnny Kirk
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