Benjamin Franklin Thomas 1860-1914

Chattanooga businessman and industrialist Benjamin F. Thomas pioneered the development of the Coca-Cola bottling industry in America. A native of Maysville, Kentucky, Thomas began his business career as a bank clerk, stone quarry operator, and manager of a hosiery mill. In 1887 he graduated from the University of Cincinnati law school and moved to Chattanooga at the encouragement of a fellow Cincinnati graduate, E. Y. Chapin. While serving in the Spanish-American War, Thomas was inspired by a popular bottled Cuban fruit drink with the idea of bottling a similar carbonated beverage in America. In 1899 he and partner Joseph Brown Whitehead convinced Asa Candler, president of the Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta, to give them the exclusive rights to bottle Coca-Cola, then widely available only as a drugstore fountain drink. John T. Lupton of Chattanooga became a third partner, and the first bottling plant opened later that summer.

Bierbower & Co, Market St

A 6 gallon crock, salt glazed & marked Bierbower & Co Manufact's of & Dealers in Stoves, Tinware & Stoneware, 30 Market St Maysville KY.

WFTM - World's Finest Tobacco Market

Ever wonder how WFTM got these call letters. Click the title and read in Mr Jim Finch's own words how they got the FCC license and how they got the call letters

Maysville Republican Newspaper Article 1879 - Click On Title To Read

Reminiscences of Fifty Years ago by Dr. M. F. Adamson.
Learning we were to have a re-union of the old citizens of Germantown and vicinity I thought it would not be amiss to give some recollections of those who resided in said village fifty years ago.

Frozen Ohio River ca 1902

Crowd gathered along bank of frozen Ohio River.
Description Railroad tracks and horse-drawn wagons in foreground.
Date ca. 1902
Places Maysville (Ky.)
Mason County (Ky.)
Ohio River

A Kentucky Tradition Lives - Click Arrow To Play

Sept 28, 1861 Harper's Weekly

The Rebel General Albert S. Johnston, Commanding on the Mississippi.

THE telegraph announces that ALBERT SYDNEY JOHNSTON, late Colonel United States Army, and commander-in-chief of the army of Utah, has been appointed by Jeff Davis to command the rebel forces on the Mississippi. We publish his portrait herewith.

Albert S. Johnston was born in Mason County, Kentucky, in 1803, and is consequently fifty-eight years of age. After the usual school training young Johnston was adopted by the United States, and educated at their expense at their Military Academy at West Point. On graduating he entered the 6th Infantry, and was ordered to the West. During the Black Hawk war he acted as Adjutant General, President Lincoln being at the time a captain of volunteers.. At the close of the war he resigned his commission, and resided first in Missouri, next in Texas. War breaking out in the latter State, he entered the Texan army as a private, and rose to high distinction. He afterward filled the post of Secretary of War. On the annexation of Texas to the United States Johnston raised a partisan troop, which he commanded, and accompanied General Taylor to Monterey. At the close of the Mexican war he returned to his plantation ; but being in embarrassed circumstances, was glad to accept from the United States the post of Paymaster, which was generously bestowed upon him by the Government. Under Pierce, Mr. Jefferson Davis, then Secretary of War, made Johnston Colonel of the 2d Cavalry, and he subsequently received the command of the Southwestern Military District. At the outbreak of the war with Utah he was chosen, over many more skilled officers, to command the expedition which crossed the plains. He continued to fill that post—being, in fact, dictator in the country which he occupied–until the rebellion took place, when he traitorously abandoned his flag. He is believed to have made energetic attempts to induce California and Oregon to join the rebels, but to have been foiled by the common sense of our Pacific brethren and the sagacious measures adopted by Government.He is now, as we stated, in command of the rebels on the Mississippi, and will have to deal with General Fremont.

Hayswood Hospital Children's Ward Art

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Harper's Weekly, October 12, 1861

Having attended the Grand Union Barbecue recently held near this place, I seized the opportunity to make a sketch of the beautiful little city. It was necessarily a hasty one, but will serve to give you an idea of the scenery and situation. It was through Maysville that the Government arms were first introduced into Kentucky which had so marked an effect in preventing "precipitation;" and near here, in the lovely woodland just behind the lofty, precipitous hill on the extreme right of the picture, around which you may see winding the magnificent Macadamized road that leads to Lexington, and within sight of La belle Riviere, was held the barbecue of which I spoke. This was the largest gathering I have seen for years. There were speakers from Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee. Among those from the last-named State was Hon. Horace Maynard. Colonel Charles Marshall, a prominent citizen of this comity (Mason), contemplates the establishment of a camp in the vicinity of this place.

Published in the Hopewell, NJ Herald 1901

A.M. January - 1846

James H. Hall Company

Eagle Plow Works, circa 1880
2nd Street, between Lexington and Walnut

Maysville ca. 1899

The Central Presbyterian Church is left center with a round window. It was torn down so that the Simon Kenton Bridge could be built (1931/32). The long trestle in the back ground is for the C&O to get across the bottoms and Limestone Creek. An elevated train passes over the river bank. Date ca. 1899

Joshua Baker, Gov of Louisiana

Born: March 23, 1799 in Mason County, Kentucky
Political Affiliation: Democrat (Unionist)
Religious Affiliation: Unknown
Education: Lexington Academy; U.S. Military Academy at West Point
Career Prior to Term: Army Officer; engineer; planter; lawyer; parish judge.
How He Became Governor: Appointed Military Governor by President Andrew Jackson
Career after Term: Planter; businessman.
Died: April 15, 1886 in Lyme, Connecticut

James Arthur Kehoe

Adjutant General of Kentucky: 1924 - 1927. Born: 1 November 1893, Maysville, Mason County, Kentucky. Assigned to position: 19 March 1924. Served under Governor(s): William J. Fields. Died: 29 November 1983, Maysville, Mason County, Kentucky. Buried: Section H, Lot 74, Maysville Cemetery, Maysville, Mason County, Kentucky.

Maysville In Pics

Fremont Vaudeville Show in Maysville

Crowd of people on Market Street between Second and Third Streets. View is of east side of Market St. Dancers on stage in street, surrounded by crowd.
Date ca. 1899

Mason County Connection To Bourbon

Read how " bourbon whiskey " really got it's name

January 16, 1938

Appointment of Stanley F. Reed to the Supreme Court will not change him from being a regular dirt farmer, his friends in this Northeastern Kentucky town of 8,000 said today. They pointed out that only last week-end he came "back home" to arrange for the sale of the burley tobacco crop grown on his 300-acre Mason County farm.