A Brief History of Burlington

A Brief History of Burlington As Compiled by Members of the Local Library Association

A Brief History of Burlington As Compiled by Members of the Local Library Association This work was originally published as a series of articles in the Boone County Recorder newspaper during February 1911. The articles were written by prominent members of the Burlington, Kentucky community. They were transcribed from the microfilm located at the Boone County Public Library. Irregularities in spelling and capitalization have been retained from the original. The images are those originally published with the articles, and were scanned from the newspaper microfilm. The quality of these microfilmed images was not very high, and the resulting scans are also of low quality. Unfortunately, the original newspapers are not available for scanning. About the Authors Laura Porter Laura Porter was born in Burlington, Boone County, Kentucky in 1892 to Alfred and Mary Porter. At the time of the publication in 1911, Miss Porter had been Burlington s school teacher for five years. She married Howard Huey in 1912 and the couple had eight children over the course of their lives. Robert Gaines Robert (William) Gaines was born in Burlington, Boone County, Kentucky to Absalom T. and Mary C. Gaines. Mr. Gaines was employed as a printer in nearby Kenton County by 1920. He died in Kenton County in 1962 at 70 years of age. Mrs. C. C. Hughes Mrs. C.C. Hughes, known as Henrietta, was born in Ohio in 1865. She married Charles C. Hughes in 1891 and ran a store in Burlington at the time the article was published in 1911. Wilbur Kelly Wilbur Kelly was born in Kentucky to James and Nettie Kelly in 1892. Nothing else is known at this time. Jo. C. Revill Jo. C Revill was born to Rankin R. and Eliza Gale Revill in Frankfort, Kentucky in 1846. He served as Lieutenant in the 4th Regiment Kentucky Cavalry during the Civil War. In 1869, Joseph Cooper Revill married Monette Runyan and had several children. At the time of publication in 1911, Mr. Revill served as bank cashier at the bank in Burlington. He died in Burlington at the age of 70 in 1917.

A Brief History of Burlington As Compiled by Members of the Local Library Association NOTE: The following articles were originally published in the Boone County Recorder on February 9, 1911, p.6, columns 1-2. [Paper by Miss Laura Porter] As this history takes us back to many, many years ago, I think it well to begin this story as the writers of old begun theirs: So, once upon a time, several years before 1800, a man by the name of John Craig, who came from Virginia, with men to help him, came to this part of Boone county, to enter a grant of land for ownership. To do so, it was necessary he should survey and stake it off. He found this a wilderness, and upon looking around for a place to camp, he struck a fine spring which is now a well, located on what is now the lower lot of W. L. Riddell's residence property. He drove forks and covered them with the boughs of trees for his camp, and thus at that early day and for years afterwards, this location was known as Craig's Camp. Early in the year 1801, John Craig and Robert Johnson, conveyed seventy-four acres to the town of Wilmington, hence, we conclude that was the date of the beginning of this town. It is said that one of the first buildings in the town of Wilmington, was a long double log hotel, occupying the site where W. L. Riddell lives. Even at that early date they held court here. While there was no court house it was held in the different residences. On such a day, the landlord of the hotel was wont in lieu of a bell, to mount a stump at 12 o'clock, and in a loud voice call, "Gentlemen, gentlemen, dinner is ready; the bar's meat and bread is now on the table." In the year 1815, Craig and Johnson, thinking seventy-four acres was not enough for the town, gave fourteen acres more. The next year, there being another town of the same name in another part of the state, it was deemed best to exchange the name of Wilmington to Burlington. As Burlington had grown to a sufficient size, in 1817, the first Court House was built, since which time justice has been dealt out to the people of Boone county here.

The first legal hanging in Boone county was along about 1820, when a man named Clutter, was hanged for the murder of a man on a flat-boat on the Ohio river. The scaffold on which the execution took place was erected near the northeast corner of the Boone County Deposit Bank building. Three other persons have been hung on a scaffold near Burlington, while Judge Lynch, without jury or license, has taken men from the jail and hung them on a walnut tree, on the edge of the Burlington and Florence pike. THE FIRST COURT HOUSE. Built in 1817. In the year 1818 and for years afterwards Burlington was quite a trading town, the people coming from miles to trade at this point. In operation were two tanyards, two or three tobacco factories, three blacksmith shops and wagon makers, two cabinet makers, a hatter, a woolen mill, besides several grocery and dry goods stores, supplies for which were bought at Philadelphia, shipped by the way of the river to Cincinnati, and hauled from there to Burlington in wagons, which practice of hauling goods from Cincinnati is still kept up. [Where the three Lynchings Were Pulled Off]

On account of Burlington being inland, and having no railroad nor river facilities, I am sorry to say it has retrograded in every branch of business. No healthier place can be found or a more law-abiding citizenship than there are in Burlington. "THE STREETS OF BURLINGTON." [Paper by Robert Gaines] Burlington, the county seat of Boone, is located near the center of the county, consists of 11 streets, fourteen alleys and is divided into one hundred and thirty-six lots. The streets run north and south, east and west, while the alleys run only east and west. The two main streets are Washington and Jefferson, Washington running east and west, Jefferson north and south. These two streets are each 70 feet wide. The alleys are 30 feet wide. The most northern street is Temperate street. This street is sixty feet wide as are all the other streets of the town except Washington and Jefferson streets. South of Temperate running east and west, in order are Gallatin, Washington, Torrid and Water streets. The streets running north and south, beginning at the most eastern street, are Orient, Garrard, Jefferson, Nicholas and Ohio streets. These are all the streets of the town, except the street around the public square, which is called Union street. The street is 40 feet wide. Ohio street, a part of Orient and Torrid streets and a good many alleys are not in public use. If the streets and alleys were divided off and fenced it would give the town a better and larger appearance. If one wishes to see the streets of Burlington when they are in their beauty they should visit the town in the summer months when the large maple trees are in full leaf. These trees furnish an abundance of shade which make the streets a pleasant place to rest and to have a chat with your friends. While the streets of our town are not so large and beautiful as those of Cincinnati and other large cities, they have had many interesting and exciting events to happen upon them which will long be remembered by the inhabitants of Burlington. (To be continued next week.)

NOTE: The following articles were originally published in the Boone County Recorder on February 16, 1911, p.3. [Paper by Mrs. C. C. Hughes] Burlington, county seat of Boone county, was first known as Craig's Camp. A court house was ordered built at that place. The name was soon changed to Wilmington and in 1816 again changed to Burlington. Our little village has been in existance more than a century. Many of the houses now occupied as homes and as places of business, have been here nearly as long awhile. Our first Court House and Jail were of log structures. They were both situated on the lower corner of the F. A. Hall property. The old house standing there at the present time has always been known as the Woodward property and was built early in the past century. These old log buildings were in use from the year 1799 until the first brick Court House was erected. The date of this is a little uncertain; some tell us in 1814 and others contend the date to have been 1817. That building was situated just where our present temple of justice rears its head. It was conceded to be one of the handsomest of its kind in Northern Kentucky. (A Type of Pioneer Architecture in Burlington)

(The 1817 Court House as Remodeled) County Court days were gala days, persons, both men and women coming from all parts of the county to meet and greet each other. (Present Court House)

Eighty years ago there was not a church building in Burlington, all public religious services being held in the Court House. The religion of that period was of much more emotional nature than at this time. However, it was practical enough to build five churches. The members of the Presbyterian faith were the first to have a church building of their own. It was built in 1833 and is the house we now occupy as a Library. The ground for both this and the Methodist church was deeded to those denominations by Mr. Joseph C. Foster, father of Mrs. Laura Riddell, who died a few years since in Burlington. The Methodist congregation succeeded in building its church about the same time. Both of these houses are very much as they were when first constructed. Both, however, have been remodeled to a certain extent. (Present Baptist Church) In the year 1843 a brick church was erected where the present Baptist church stands. This was considered a very fine church in its day. In it was a gallery for the negroes, the only church in the town that ever afforded one. In the 80's this was torn away and the present pretty building soon occupied the old site. The Christian church here was erected in 1848, but was condemned and taken down during the 70's. Last of all the church buildings to be erected was that of the Universalists, which was built some where about 30 years ago. At least three-fourths of the houses that compose the town occupy the same sites first made use of as a building points, many being almost as they were when first built. These were substantially put up and have furnished comfortable homes for the generations. Our town is not progressive. If we have one really destructive trait, it is contentment.

In endeavoring to learn of the earlier times we find that from the 20's to 50's Burlington was quite a business center. Many industries were at that time conducted here, of which nearly every trace is extinct. There was a carding mill on the creek below Mr. Cyrus Cowen's place. A large cabinet maker's shop on the spot Orrin Phipp's barn occupies. The John Kirkpatrick property was the property of Mr. James Frazier, a wheel wright who manufactured chairs. The Cecil Gaines property was a large tobacco factory. There were three large stores. The Post office was the store building of Mr. Benjamin Sherrill. Mr. N. E. Hawes occupied the Kelly corner and Mr. Tousey erected the red brick occupied by Mr. Hume in the 30's. It was a store house as well as a dwelling. These men did thriving business and went twice a year to New York to buy their stock, which consisted of fine articles of merchandise as well as staples. (Where N. E. Hawes Sold Goods) We are told that the Cowen property, the Westbay home, the old Red house lately razed by Chas. McKim and the Big Jim Calvert house of which but one room is left standing, are the oldest dwellings in the community. The Calvert house is on the property of W. L. Riddell, and is known to be 125 years old. It was built by Mr. Robert Chambers, a grandfather of the late Joseph C. Chambers, of Cincinnati. (The Erastus Tousey House)

The oldest brick dwellings are the Sandford house and W. L. Riddell's home. They are fully a century old. The first bank in Burlington was established on the Sandford property. A vault was built in the wall for the bank's use. It is still there, though but few know its original purpose. This bank was moved to the W. L. Riddell property [about] 1818. A three dollar bill issued by the Burlington bank, dated June 5th, 1818, may be seen at the Boone County Deposit Bank. It and several other bills were found between the walls when repairing the house the bank once occupied. The house occupied by Marcellus Riddell and the old house torn away by Mr. Tolin, a few years since, were with the old Hamilton house, now occupied by Dr. Peddicord, built in 1817. Two of them were built by the older Riddell men from brick which had been burned for the first Court House but were condemned and they bought them. The first occupant of the old house on the Tolin corner, was Thomas Campbell, the father of Alexander Campbell. The first hotel in the town was a long, low, log structure, occupying the Buckner corner. The court at that time fixed all rates of charge for both man and beast when there accommodated. The house now owned by Mrs. Fount Riddell was erected in the early 20's by General Fowler, the great grandfather of Miss Mamie Hawes. It was then considered as fine a hostelry as was in this part of the state. The Collins place now owned by Mr. Revill, the Chas. Chambers place, where W. J. Rice lives, the Kirtley home, built by Mr. Joel Kirtley, and now owned by Everett Hall, the J. M. Runyan place these with the property owned by Homer and Roy Clutterbuck, are called the old houses of Burlington and were all built by 1835. The stairway in the last named is considered even today to be a grand piece of architecture, and was built by the late Henry Mallory. (The Collins Place) Burlington's first school [building] of which we have heard mention was a one room log building on the old Morgan Academy lot. It stood near the road. Morgan Academy, the first school of note, was founded in 1847 with quite a fund for its support. Students came to this school even from neighboring states, the very finest teachers being employed there. A few years since it was leveled to the earth.

So much for the old Burlington, and now just a touch of the new. How proud we all are of our new High School building just completed on a beautiful site in the suburbs of the town. We think we can say with those people who have ever loved education, "It is the house of many hopes." May the work there done make for Burlington many educated, true and progressive citizens, and that thru its wide spreading influence the world of business prosperity will be brought to Burlington. (Paper by Wilbur Kelly.) A large mob took Smith Williams, a strong burly negro, from the jail with great difficulty, as the negro was so strong he knocked the men down as fast as they came to him. The mob succeeded in getting into the jail by using hammers. Williams got away from the mob and, would have escaped had he not fallen over the court house steps, when a man struck him on the head with a hammer. Some people think this lick killed him. He was taken to a walnut tree on the Florence pike about one and one-half miles east of Burlington and hanged. (The Jail from which The Prisoners Was taken by Mob) A negro named Scales was also taken out of the jail by a drunken, disgraceful mob, supposed to be organized by the Cincinnati daily newspapers, a reporter of one of which was indicted by the grand jury of this county, but was never arrested. This negro was hung on a walnut tree five miles east of Burlington. A mob secured the keys and took Lafedette, a white man, from the jail and hung him on a large Oak tree on the North Bend road, one-half mile north of Burlington. This mob was so well organized and proceeded so quietly that scarcely anyone knew of its work until the next morning. This act was very severely criticised by the citizens in general, as they thought it was very questionable as to whether the man committed a crime for which the law would have taken his life, or whether he committed any crime at all, for a number of people thought he acted in self defense.

The fights on the streets of Burlington have been numerous, not so much, however, since the people of the county cast their votes prohibiting the sale of liquor in Burlington. While liquor was being sold openly in the town there was scarcely a court day or any other public affair that there was not one, or more fights. Only two however, were serious, one by which a man received an ugly cut that did not prove fatal. The other was a killing committed nearly in front of the Temple of Justice, when Weaver killed Merchant. The trouble that caused the murder originated during the time of the Civil War. Some Union soldiers in their ravage thru the country went to the residence of Weaver, assaulted his old mother and turned on him and beat him with a gun and left him unconscious, thinking he was dead. Weaver knew the leader of this band of soldiers, and made the threat that he would kill Merchant the first time he saw him. The first meeting of these two men after the war, was in Burlington, April court day, 1866, when the killing took place. It was shown on the trial that Merchant jostled or brushed against Weaver, who turned, saw who it was, and drew his pistol and shot him dead. Weaver was indicted, and tried in the Boone county court, and acquitted by the jury. NOTE: The following article was originally published in the Boone County Recorder on February 23, 1911, p.3, columns 1-2. [List of Old Citizens, Paper by Jo. C. Revill] Attorneys: The following were at one time prominent lawyers in Burlington: Edward S. Armstrong, E. F. Vauters, James W. Calvert, James M. Preston, Reuben C. Green, Milton Hamilton, Fountain Riddell, A. G. Winston, James M. Preston was president of the Northern Bank of Kentucky at Covington. Robert Coleman was County Judge at one term. Reuben C. Green was County Attorney several times. Milton Hamilton was County Clerk, circuit clerk and master commissioner. Fountain Riddell represented the county in the legislature in 1859 and 1860, and declined further political preferment. A. G. Winston was circuit clerk and master commissioner.

Ministers of the Gospel. James A. Kirtley, Perry Andrew C. Scott James A. Brookin Mr. Kirtley was born May 26th, 1822, and died February 13th, 1904. He was pastor of Burlington Baptist church for about forty years. Perry Andrew C. Scott was born July 13th, 1823, and died April 3d, 1852, being a victim of the disaster when the Ohio river steamer Red Stone was destroyed by the explosion of her boilers just above Carrollton. Physicians. Mr. Brookin was known as the Methodist circuit rider. James Grubbs, B. W. Chamblain, Dr. Corn, Dr. Collins, Dr. Pollard, B. F. Stevenson, I. R. McKenzie, J. F. Smith, H. B. Gale, Adolphus Sayre. Dr. Grubbs was a graduate of the Ohio Medical College, and a few years before he died, being the only living member of his class, a Medical Society in Cincinnati chartered a steam boat and sent it to Taylorsport to convey the doctor to Cincinnati to attend a banquet given by the society. Dr. Chamblain represented the county in the legislature in the session of 1857-8. Hotel Keepers. Willis Calvert, Jerry Foster, Thomas Sandford, Benjamin Bandford, J. O. Campbell, Nat Campbell, Morgan Campbell, Samuel Butts. Archibald Thompson and Arthur Blyth, cabinet makers, and the finest workmen in the West. Many pieces of furniture made by them are in use in Burlington at this time.

Mr. Thompson was born in New York and lived to be 93 years of age. Mr. Blyth was born in Scotland in 1817 and died in 1898. Judge Andrew Boyle married the widow Leib, who was noted for the excellent meade and cakes she made and sold. Phillip Bush was cashier of the Bank of Burlington, a bank of issue, some of the money it issued yet being in existence, and in possession of some of the citizens of Burlington. Cave Johnson was assistant cashier of the bank of Burlington. Joedan Beall was a tanner. John Cave was for a long time clerk of the circuit court. James Calvert, known as "Big" Jim, was sheriff of the county at one time, and was provost marshal during the civil war. Joseph Chambers, Isaac Cooper, Chiles Coleman, Hubble Foster, Seth Foster, Churchill Gaines, Edwin M. Gaines, John Gaines. The latter was sheriff of the county under the old constitution. John Glen was a native of Scotland. James Frazier, Joel Kirtley, E. A. Hughes. Jesse Kirkpatrick was a wagon maker, and did excellent work. I. G. Hamilton, a native of Virginia, was county clerk for thir[ty]-five years. Sackett Meaade taught school. Mr. Lloyd was the father of John Uri Lloyd, author of Stringtown on the Pike, as well as several other interesting volumes. Benjamin Rouse, whose father came from Virginia in 1850 and was more than a month on the road. At that time there were few houses in Cincinnati, and Covington was an orchard.

James Perkins was jailer for several years. Spencer Runyan was born in Trenton, New Jersey, and died near Williamstown, Grant county, in 1866, aged 85. Reuben Runyan, James M. Runyan, Benjamin Runyan, Mary Runyan, Georgia Runyan, Robinson Runyan, Neal Riddell, John Riddell, Mat Riddell, Vol Riddell, James Riddell, Margaret Rice, Benjamin Rice, Jackson Rice, James M. Riddell for many years engaged in the saddlery and harness business. He moved to Williamstown, where he died. Moses S. Rice was for many years county surveyor. John Riley, Paschal Rucker, Robert Sandford, John P. Scott, Francis Saxton was a native of Pennsylvania. William Reed was a tobacconist. Robert Buchanan, Ephraim Porter was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was wounded. Samuel Westbay, Mrs. Prentis, John Osmond, James Hughes, H. H. Hand, William Wilkie, Josiah Brookbanks, Willis Graves,

Julia Cave, Squire G. Scott, S. P. Brady, A. O. Hall, Cyrus Riddell was county judge one term. Among the old citizens who lived near Burlington and were often seen on the streets of the town were: W. T. Smith, Mills Wilkes, Randall Latimer, G. H. Scott. Charles Chambers, was a lawyer and represented the district in the State Senate in 1857-8. Victor Chambers, Joseph Chambers, Chiles Coleman, William Collins, Samuel Delph, Mr. Murdock, William Dickinson, Arch Dickinson. The following were in the organization of the Baptist church at Burlington on the 13th of December, 1842: Randall Latimer, Squire G. Scott, G. H. Scott, Perryander C. Scott, Ben Cave, Mills Wilkes, Lucy Wilkes, Sarah Ann Webb, Nancy Latimer, Felicia Garnett, Harriet Scott, Margaret J. Scott, Mary A. E. Scott, Clarissa Hamilton, Catherine Karrack, Elizabeth A. Randall, Maria Armstrong, Lucinda Berkshire.