Dycusburg Police Docket (1874-1902)

In 1999, I transcribed the Dycusburg police docket. At the time, the docket was in Carlon Howard's possession.

You can download the 116 pg. transcription by clicking here.

Seeking Brad Hunt

I would like to get in touch with Carlon Howard's grandson, Brad Hunt, or his daughter Ann. If anyone knows how I can do that, please e-mail me at matthewtpatton@yahoo.com. Much appreciated.

Dycusburg Baptist Has Roots at Caldwell Springs

(Editor's Note: The following is reprinted from a 1976 publication, The Churches in Our County, printed by the Crittenden County Ministerial Association, Marion, KY.)

Nestled in a peaceful little valley, surrounded by hills and trees, Caldwell Springs Baptist Church has been the center of this community for 130 years. Nearby is the spring from which the church was named.

The church was organized in 1844 by a group of Christians from New Bethel Baptist Church in what is now Lyon County. This is the fourth building to house the church. The first two were log structures, and the third a brick building. The present building was constructed about 1890 with educational facilities added later. Within the last five years, the auditorium has been completely remodeled.

In 1874, letters of dismissal were granted to 17 of its members who, under the leadership of this church, joined together to form Dycusburg Baptist Church.

Five country roads lead out from our church, and through the years, the message of God has traveled down these roads and influenced many lives.

As we think of the work carried out by this church over the past 130 years, we remember the promise of God, “My Word shall not return unto me void.”

A Thriving Town in the 1800s

(Editor's Note: This article was written in May 1978 by Greg Travis. I am not sure of the exact publication location, but am tracking it down.)

By Greg Travis

The following is a brief look into the history of a town that once filled the air with a strange magnetism. A town that at one time the mere mention of its name brought excitement to the faces of all. A town that once could ask for nothing more. This is Dycusburg. Special thanks to Mrs. Leon Dycus for much of the history of the community.

August 4, 1804 (Editor's Note: I question this date), Dycusburg, the second largest city in Crittenden County, rested peacefully on the east banks of the massive Cumberland Ricer at a point where Livingston, Lyon, and Crittenden Counties converged. Nestled among the native forests of the vicinity Dycusburg would rapidly become a first class city for many of the markets of the world.

The first known settlers in this new wilderness was a family called Scyesters, who set up housekeeping on the farm now owned by the widow Jane Branum.

In 1835, a Mr. Shelby opened the first ferry at this location on the Cumberland thus the progression of this small Kentucky town began to take shape. The next man we find entering the scene is Berry Dycus (after whom the “Village of Dycusburg” as it was referred to in the early 1800’s census records, was named).

Dycus opened the first warehouse at this location and initially Dycusburg became the prime shipping point for the towns of Providence, Princeton, Madisonville, and Shady Grove. The Cumberland River, this small town’s greatest asset, was the number one means of shipping tobacco from these warehouses to the surrounding cities.

In 1844 Dycusburg was incorporated and it seemed that nothing would stop the cheerful little community. (Note: This was in 1847). With the growth of the city came the flow of many new thriving businesses. One of the first assemblages for the village was the Masonic Lodge charted the same year as the town’s incorporation.

Two beautiful new church buildings could only add to the splendor that hovered about the atmosphere of Dycusburg like a cloud.

The Baptist Church was first built on Commercial Street, but was later moved to a new building on a lot overlooking Dycusburg from the south side of town. This land was donated by William Bennett for the building of the new church.

The Methodist church, first recognized as the community church, stood on the corner of Walnut and Commercial.

In 1851, Jackson & Cobb were selling goods along with shipping tobacco. Cobb & Cobb would succeed this firm.

A large mercantile business was operated at the pen of Smith & Head. Much of the credit for the growth of Dycusburg belongs to the large tobacco warehouses, handling up to 4 million pounds annually. Much of this was shipped to Liverpool, England.

Some of the other names one might recall in the history of this pleasant community would be, David Moore & Bros., M.L. Smith, J.N. Flanagan, William Bennett & Co., T.T. Martin, The Yancey’s, I.L. Lenell, Cobb & Gillathy, Prichett & Cardin, William Dycus, and Dr. W.J. Graves. These men were known for their admirable business methods, integrity, and entertainment, giving Dycusburg much of its splendid trade.

Grand hotels like the Clifton House, The Yancey House, and the riverfront Dycusburg Hotel with their exquisitely decorated interiors once filled the town with many traveling salesmen, or drummers as they were called at that time.

Other businesses included, three general stores, two groceries, one hardware store, one drygoods store, one drug store, three saloons, and the Bennett Bros. Distillery, known for their Cooksey Spring Whiskey.

Large steamboats, handsome and sleek, like the J.P. Douileard were in a common sight at the landing in Dycusburg. Usually three or four at a time were moored at the riverbank awaiting the loading of another shipment bound not only for cities within the United States, but various foreign countries now.

Exuberant stages shows, elaborate and breath-taking, aboard many of the riverboats were a major drawing card for many of the young at heart.

Other steamers serving Dycusburg included the B.S. Thea, the W.H. Cherry, the Edgar Cherry, the H.W. Buttarf, the W.K. Phillips, R. Dunbar, Bob Dubley, and the J.B. Richardson with its melodious whistle. Most of these boats ran from Evansville to Nashville and New Orleans. In later years boats like the Will J. Cummings, the J.S. Lowery, and the Southland made their appearance in Dycusburg.

The last of the shinning beauties to emerge were the Nashville, the Grace Devers, and the Queen of Dycusburg.

The Grace Devers and the Queen of Dycusburg were two excursion boats owned and operated by F.O. Devers of Dycusburg. Devers arranged to have his steamers built there in his home town.

As the town progressed, thus did the need for the education of the children. So it was decided a building be erected for holding classes. A commodious school house was built atop the hill from Haywood Hollow.

A daily mail run from Kuttawa supplied the town with its quota of letters and papers. A river stage from Dycusburg to Paducah ran year round.

Then people of Dycusburg prided themselves on having their business run by such wonderful people. One of those being Miss Ida Harris who received the position as head of the Post Office from her father who had previously been Postmaster for Dycusburg.

Miss Harris, who also ran the millinery shoppe, was able to stay abreast of all the latest fashions and meet all competatory prices by being involved with the management of the Post Office.
Another of the interesting characters associated with the history of Dycusburg is Dr. W.J. Graves. Graves came to reside in this new community from Lebanon, Ky., where he had previously practiced medicine for a number of years. The good doctor practiced in Dycusburg for over forty years building a reputation second to none. Like most doctors of his time, his day was filled with caring for all imaginable illnesses, seeing to the needs of the community, and even amidst the hustle one might hear the cry of a newborn.

Dycusburg was continually prospering and business booming when suddenly in 1906 fire destroyed the majority of the quiet little village.

As the flames subsided and the smoke cleared, only the ruins of some 39 businesses remained standing. Damage was so extensive the rebuilding the town as it had once stood seemed almost impossible. The final hopes of ever relishing the memory of this peaceful community were scattered in 1907 when a second fire demolished the only businesses not hindered by fire the previous year.

Major losses included in the second fire were the Dycusburg Bank and The Yates Hotel. In 1908, Night Riders burned what tobacco warehouses were still intact and The Bennett Bros. Distillery. Beaten unmercifully during this ordeal were Henry Bennett and W.B. Graves for the buying of tobacco against the orders of the Night Riders.

While businessmen again attempted to revive the dissolute community, Charlie Smith, president of the Dycusburg Bank announced his intentions of moving the bank to its present location in Tiline, just across the river in Livingston County.

With the advent of the railroad and the decline of river transportation, Dycusburg would never regain the vigor that once filled the streets with the laughter of children, traveling salesmen packing the local hotels to the brim, or the echoing of the loan whistle atop the hastening steamboat as it rolled down the river like a song.

While young and old stood spellbound.

Crittenden Circuit Court of June 1907

(Editor's Note: Among old papers I have is an original copy of the flyer distributed for the Crittenden Circuit Court term of June 1907. I have included the text from the nearly 101-year-old flyer below. My ancestor W.L. Bennett brought a case against the Dycusburg Canning Co.)

The Crittenden Circuit Court
June Term, 1907

Hon. J. F. Gordon, Judge
Jno. G. Asher, Clerk
Jno. L. Grayot, Comth. Atty.
Carl Henderson, County Atty.
J. G. Rochester, Master Commissioner
J. F. Flanary, Sheriff
A. H. Travis, Jailer

Commonwealth Docket

SECOND DAY, Tuesday June 25.
Comth. of Ky. vs Wm. Manard, charged with burning a house.
Same vs G.W. York, false swearing.
Same vs Willis Clark, c.c.d.w.
Same vs Caroline Plumlee, keeping bawdy house.
Same vs Marion Rine, assault and battery.
Same vs Bird Cline, seduction.
Same vs Ed Young, fraudulently converting money, etc,
Same vs Jim Hogan (col.) maliciously shooting and wounding.
Same vs Robt. Heath, same
Same vs Ezikill Terry, detaining a woman against her will, etc.
Same vs Will Kirk, maliciously cutting and wounding another, etc.
Same vs Fred Kemp, horse stealing.
Same vs Almond Teer, and others, a rout.
Same vs Fred Hughes and others, d.r.w.
Same vs Fred Lemon, selling liquor without a license.
Same vs same, same.
Same vs same, an appeal from magisterial court.
Same vs same, appeal, quarterly court.
Same vs John and Henry Riggs, hog stealing
Same vs Henry Hamby, disturbing r.w.
Same vs Harvey Gass, c.c.d.w.
Same vs Brown McWhirter, cutting another in sudden heat of passion.
Same vs same, breach of peace.
Same vs Laurence Tackwell, c.c.d.w.
Same vs Ira Sullivan, selling liquor to minor.
Same vs Charley Clark, cutting another in sudden heat of passion.
Same vs Fred Gains, c.c.d.w.
Same vs same, breach of peace
Same vs Henry Hamby, disturbing religious worship.
Same vs Earl Farmer, flourishing a deadly weapon.
Same vs International Harvester Co., of America, failing to have word “incorporated” on advertising matter.
Same vs Kohinoor Laundry Co., failing to file statement in office Secy. of State.
Same vs same, doing foreign laundry business in State without license.
Same vs Earl Farmer, flourishing a deadly weapon.

THIRD DAY, Wednesday, June 26.
Same vs Ellis Akers, rape.
Same vs Shade Holder, breach of peace.
Same vs Evansville, Paducah and Tennessee Transportation Co., failing to have word “incorporated” on advertising matter.
Same vs R.M. Peak, injuring a mare not his own.
Same vs W.W. Millikin and others, aiding a prisoner to escape.

FOURTH DAY, Thursday, June 27
Same vs Lee Salyers, et al, disturbing a lawful assemblage of people.
Same vs Charley Bennett, furnishing liquor to a minor.
Same vs Charles Rice, trespass.
Same vs Lee Line Steamer, transacting business under assumed name without filing certificate in county clerk’s office.
Same vs Crowder Fox, buggery
Same vs Roe Hughes, adultery
Same vs Will Long, breach of peace
Same vs Ben Capps, J. J. McGee, gaming
Same vs J.J. McGee, furnishing liquor to a minor.
Same vs same, same.
Same vs Lillie Jones, adultery.
Same vs Mattie Wooten, keeping a bawdy house.
Same vs John Brantley, shooting fire arms in incorporated city.
Same vs Frank Young, Cecil Baker and Hewey Baker, injuring a school house.
Same vs Joe Dollar, fornication.

FIFTH DAY, Friday, June 28
Same vs Ed Rutter, willful murder.

Common Law Docket.

SEVENTH DAY, Monday, July 1st
R.R. Pickering vs Western Union Telegraph Co.
J.E. Stevenson vs W.H. Locket, et al.
M.C. O’Hara vs W.C. O’Bryan
Ada Robinson vs I.C.R.R. Co.
Wm. Birchfield vs Royal Fraternal Union
R.H. Kemp, etc. vs W.S. Kemp, Jr.
Same vs same
Sullivan Machine Co. vs Adams & Pierce.
Marion Coal Co. vs T.R. Troundle.
John Tinsley vs Marion Mineral Co.
Annie E. Rhodes vs J.A. Graves, et al.
Same vs S.H. Cassidy, et al.
Theodore R. Troundle vs Crittenden Coal & Coke Co.
Thompson Wilson Co. vs T.H. McReynolds, et al.
John G. Martin vs I.C.R. Co.
Alf Doom vs M.A. Cassidy, et al.
Eskew Bros., vs J.W. Wilson
A.H. McNeely, et al. vs I.C.C.R. Co.
Elzie Clement vs W.E.Boaz
Griffin & Wells vs O.H. Scott, et al.
Dow Little vs Iley Lofton
C.E. Grady et al vs Harth Bros.
J.M. Samuels vs Andrew J. Hartzell, etc.
P.C. Howerton vs I.C.R.R. Co.
J.W. Taylor vs J.W. Simpson
W.R. Cruce, et al., vs I.C.R.R. Co.
W.L. Bennett vs Dycusburg Canning Co.
Walter A. Wood Mowing and Repairing Machine Co. vs Jas. Writtenbery, etc.
Will Gibbs vs. J.J. McGee and I.C.R.R. Co.

Appearances, Eighth Day
Geo. M. Crider vs. Geo. H Crider
J.G. Rochester vs W.R. Hodges, et al
Same vs C.E. Lamb
Eliza Phillips vs B.M. George
Sallie McMican vs Lewis A. Sliger
A.J. Baker vs. C.W. Allen
Mary R. Snow, etc., vs Johnnie Towery, etc.
America E. Hill, etc. vs Annie C. Hill
R.L. Moore vs E.J. Travis, et al.
T.C. Gilliand vs W.B. James, et al.

Equity References.
Henry M. Daniels vs John G. Daniels.
J.W. Bettis vs H.A. Hodge
Annie L. Orme vs Prince Pickens
J.M. Swansey vs Robt. Belt, et al.
Mary J. Black, admrx. Vs Alice Towery, etc.
C.J. Pierce vs L.F. McCage
Sophia A. Sexton vs Daniel Sexton
Thomas J. Jones vs Malisa Jones
M.G. Jacob vs R.H. Enoch
Rasella Saunders vs John Saunders
Ellis Pool vs Arlander Pool
Samuel S. Brown vs Ed E. Squirer
Alto Moss vs Will Moss
J.L. Turley vs J.C. Alexander
Alice Myres Beavers vs Tom Myers, et al.
Wm. W. Plumlee vs Sopha Plumlee
Boston & Paris vs J.E. Chittenden, et al.
C.S. Nunn, Admr. Vs Ruth Guess, et al.
Jas. T. Skinner, et al. vs Farmers & Merchants Bank
R.W. Wilson vs Mary Fowler, et al
Frank Jackson vs Louisa Waddell, et al
Geo. B. Simpson vs D.T. White vs A.J. Grant (consolidated)
Bigham Masonic Lodge vs Electa M. Frisbie
Cochran & Pickens vs Willis H. Thomas
Judy Hoover vs J.H. Bettis, et al.
W.B. Yandell vs Mary Hill, et al.
Lucy Flanary vs Dock Flanary
J.C.B. McMican vs H.S. Gilbert
J.W. Blue, Jr. vs Jas. P. Simpkins
J.A. Wheeler, et al. vs J.H. Bettis, et al.
Burt Crayne, et al. vs Linnie Dorrah, et al.
W,H. Clark vs W.H. Mann
M.E. Mayes vs Emma Scott, et al.
J.T. Lanham vs Joseph Hurst, et al.
Joe L. Clinton vs Jas. F. Cook, et al.
Grand Detour Plow Co., vs J.E. Pilant, et al.
S.S. Sullenger vs L. Bloomfield

Equity References, Continued.
Walter Thurman vs Nora Thurman
Effie Scott vs Thomas Scott
Wm. Fowler vs Robt. Fowler
B.J. Crowell vs F.P. Gobin
J.A. Graves, et al vs Virginia Graves, et al.
R.S. Paris vs Red Hill Mining Co.
J.F. Son vs Mary E. Vinson, et al.
W.L. Bennett vs Dycusburg Canning Co.
W.W. Kimball Co. vs J.W. Givens

Equity Appearances
Gettye Franklin vs John W. Franklin
F.S. Gass, admr. Vs Mrs. M.F. Slayton, et al.
Mary E. Hancock vs Walter A. Hancock
Cora A. Nesbit vs H.E. Nesbit
Nannie Brightman vs Barney Brightman
America Hill vs Noble Hill
Amanda B. Clark vs Sallie McMican, et al.
Dixie Buckhannan vs Wm. Buckhannan
Judie C. Griffith, et al. vs Lilly M. Turley, et al.
Georgia Jessup vs David Jessup

Dycusburg Book Reprints for 2008

I am ordering another round of Dycusburg books ... as I've said in the past, I never would have guessed how amazingly popular this book would have become.

More than 400 copies of Dycusburg, Kentucky: A Glance at Her Past have been sold since it was published in 1999. The book, 443 pages, is hardbound with gold-embossed lettering and is out of print. If you're interested in ordering a copy at $70, e-mail matthewtpatton@yahoo.com. Sections of the book include:

• Dycusburg history
• Dycusburg school records
• Dycusburg Methodist church records
• biographies of prominent Dycusburg citizens
• anecdotes and photographs
• Masonic Lodge records
• Dycusburg cemetery listing
• Yancy cemetery listing
• Federal census records
• Dycusburg police docket (1874-1902)
• Dycusburg newspaper abstracts.
  

Seven Springs Provided Name for Community

(Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the Sept. 25, 1931 issue of The Crittenden Press. It is used here with permission).

Row of Springs, A Few Feet Apart, Have Since Disappeared

ON AXLEY CREEK

The Seven Springs Church, according to J.A. Guess, clerk of that church, was so named because when it was first built it stood close to seven large springs, which with the exception of one have since disappeared.

The first Seven Springs Church was on Axley Creek about two and a half miles from the church in use by that congregation today. The new building is only a few yards away from the Boax school house near the junction of the Dycusburg-Salem road, the Dycusburg-Marion road and the Dycusburg-Emmaus road.

On a high bank near Axley Creek were seven springs in a row some few feet apart. This was once a popular picnic spot. High water from the Cumberland River deposited enough sediment to entirely cover these springs which later again came to the surface as one large spring about 100 yards down the creek

Thick Woodland
In the early days the seven springs were surrounded on all sides by a thick woodland and cane breaks, the natural habitat of wild turkeys, squirrels and wildcats. In 1886, Rev. Jim Benton, a Methodist minister, held a revival in a brush arbor at Seven Springs. In 1894 Thuse Jeffords built another brush arbor where Rev. Job Hollaway, of Lyon County, preached regularly until cold weather. That winter a little log church was built and Rev. Hollaway was holding a meeting there when the Ohio River Association sent Rev. J. A. Lockhart, in August, 1895, to organize a Baptist Church in the community.

The charter members were Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Greenlee, Plenic Reynolds, Mrs. and Mrs. J. L. Jeffords, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Sparkman, Willie Hill, Lee Travis, Mr. and Mrs. J.G. Jeffords.

Two Other Churches
Since that time two other churches have been built at that place. At the present the church is located over two miles away from the old location of the seven springs the church still goes by that name. It now has 180 members. Rev. J.T. Cunningham has been pastor for the past fourteen years. Former pastors were, in order: Rev. John Lockhart, Rev. G.F. Waters, Rev. J.C. Kinsolving, Rev. G.S. Summers, Rev. E. M. Eaton, Rev. U.G. Hughes and Rev. W. W. Crouch.

The surrounding country is now known as the Seven Springs Community.

Boaz school house nearby was named for George L. Boaz, a prominent citizen of the community.

Sold Out: Frances Book Reprints

As of Feb. 1, the Frances, Kentucky: Days Gone By book reprinting has sold out. Thanks to everyone who was interested and to those who purchased the reprints. I was really surprised how quickly the books went. If you'd like to add your name to an ongoing list for another printing in a few months, please send me an e-mail at matthewtpatton@yahoo.com.