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Into Adair County, Pioneer Style By Mike Watson Coming into Kentucky and Adair County-- A major trail from the Bluegrass into Tennessee passed through what is now Adair County. Early pioneers followed the well-defined natural roads made by the North American bison. Two bison trails crossed near where the Town Branch crosses Jamestown Street in present day Columbia. The town reputedly sprang up where it did due to the close proximity to the trails. Where the trails crossed creeks and rivers, there were natural fords useful for pioneers. Fords across the Green and Cumberland Rivers and larger creeks like Russell and Crocus were used by the pioneers and their descendants and some are likely in use today. David Doak and Vandiver Banks ran ferries across the Green River at an early date. William Caldwell owned a ferry that crossed Russell Creek, probably in the vicinity of Columbia and prior to the building of the first bridges. One of the DeMoss brothers operated a ferry across Russell Creek somewhere near present Milltown in the early 1800s. The permanent occupation of present Adair County was led by Col. William Casey and about thirty other men, some of whom had families, who formed together on the Hanging Fork of Dick's--now Dix--River, in Lincoln County, and moved as a group to what is now Adair. These men made history, but did not write it. They did not keep records, facts about them and their history is meager. In a deposition given by William Casey, on file in the case of Thomas Montgomery vs. Tyree Statton, he made under oath the statement that he came to Lincoln County in 1779 and remained there for ten years when he removed to Adair County. This would make the year 1789, or the early part of 1790. Col. William Paxton, who had the distinction of having been a member of the legislatures of Kentucky, Missouri and Texas, a grandson of Col. Casey, once told Judge Rollin Hurt that the year 1789 was the date of Casey's arrival in Adair County. The names of the thirty men who accompanied Casey into Adair have nearly all been forgotten. One of this group was Rev. John Tucker, a Methodist minister, and his family. Capt. John Butler, Capt. William Butler, Isaac Butler, Major Nathan Montgomery, Buck Lawson, John Fletcher, Robert "Robin" Fletcher, William Dudley, Isaac Farris, Champness Farris, Isham Tally and a Mr. Stuart or Stewart were also in the company. Other persons who bore the names of Harvey, Dudley, Butler, Lawson and Montgomery, besides the persons named above, were also members of the company. The company consisted of men, women and children, but there is no definite data preserved as to the exact numbers. Leaving Lincoln County, Casey and his associates journeyed along Casey's Creek, which took its name from him, to where it emptied into Green River at Plum Point. Here they crossed to the south side of Green River and at a large spring on a farm which was long known as the Settles farm, and later the James Callison farm, and the Braxton Massie farm, they pitched their camp. Here they erected two blockhouses, one on each side of the springs, and each surrounded by a stockade. Thus was the beginnings of Casey's and Butler's Station. The people were divided into two groups, one of which took up its residence in each of the stockades. Casey commanded one group and Capt. John Butler the other. At this time, Casey was about 33 years of age, while Butler was not more than 21 years of age. Under the leadership of Casey and Butler, they successfully maintained and defended themselves against all the assaults. When the residents of the station established homes nearby, they would soon experience a visit from the Indians. During the first five years, the people at this settlement suffered many attacks from the Indians and five were slain during the first year. Buck Lawson, brother of Mrs. Nathan Montgomery, was killed; and Mr. Stuart or Stewart was killed at a spring not far from the station. This story was posted on 2023-03-26 13:27:39
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Have comments or corrections for this story? Use our contact form and let us know. More articles from topic Mike Watson - History:
A history of the Male and Female High School Chasing items with an educational theme A cold day, once upon a time... Adair County's birthday celebrated quietly by many Word of Pearl Harbor Bombing in Adair County... Names may be strange things... The Best of Times--The Worst of Times? Faces on the Courthouse Columns Let it Rain or Make it Rain Doom Awaits Those Who Ignore Plain Instructions View even more articles in topic Mike Watson - History |
 
115 Jamestown St. Columbia, KY. 270-384-2496 
  
   
 Provided by the Adair Co Fiscal Court and the Adair Co. Emergency Mgt. Agency 
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