Scott County, Kentucky
Lytle's Fork
Pages 207-208
The unheeded lapse of time is the greatest enemy of the historian. The events of one moment are so closely crowded by those of the next, and so much occupied are we in performing the duties of the present that, almost unawares, we literally fulfill the Scriptural injunction, "Take no thought for the morrow." History is commonly defined to be a record of past events, but shall we wait till the events must be recalled by defective human memories before we record them? Then we get no perfect history for no memory is perfect; often he who is most sure is least to be relied upon.
The record of events, however, is simply chronology; the field of history is wider and more varied, comprehending the effect of daily transactions upon the progress and civilization of the human family. That division of Scott County knows as Precinct No. 4, or Lytle's Fork, as it is most generally called, adjoins the Owen County line on the northwest. The Stamping Ground Precinct touches its southwestern border; Georgetown Precinct on the south, and Turkey Foot on the east, complete the boundary.
Lytle's Fork of Eagle Creek, with its tributaries, Indian Creek, Lake's and Hess' Branch, takes a tortuous northerly course through the center of the precinct. The general slope of the great majority of the land is with the course of this creed, the watershed between it and the waters of Elkhorn being near the southern border of the precinct. The surface in the northern part is considerably broken and hilly. In the south the land is still uneven and rolling, but the breadth of the ridges afford arable fields of larger size. The soil, though subject to the usual washing away of a hilly country, is yet fertile in character, being a part the Silurian formation, and is admirably adapted to the culture of tobacco, wheat, corn and other staple products. The timber growth consists of pine, chestnut, the usual varieties of oak, linn, sycamore, white and black hickory, beech, sugar-tree and persimmon, the last, as its name (Diospyros-fruit of the gods) implies, being much valued for its fruit. Little is knows of the settlement of this precinct prior to the year 1790. Near that time a settlement was made on Little Eagle Creek, by Col. John Stone, on land now owned by William Wigginton. One of Col. Stone's grandchildren, Mr. B. Hall, is still a resident of the county. About the same year (1790), Daniel Gano, settled on the farm now owned by Mr. Emison. On a branch of Little Eagle, and near Salem Meeting-House, may still be seen the remains of his old house. He was the youngest Captain of the Revolutionary war, having command of a company of artillery. He lined many of the guns used in the siege of Quebec. When they were making their assault, he remarked that there was one cannon left loaded. An old drunken Irish soldier, hearing him, said, "Give her one more kick." By its discharge, Gen. Richard Montgomery was killed, and so great was the dismay caused in the American ranks by this fatal disaster that the success of the assault was frustrated. Among the early settlers may also be mentioned John Harwood, William Boyce (from Delaware), and Obadiah Ellis (from Baltimore), Paris and William Griffith (from Delaware); all of the above came out and settled here not far from the year 1790. Perhaps the oldest church in this precinct is Salem. It is the property of the Methodist Society of Christians, and was first organized about 1823. Among those who were present and identified with its organization were William Banks and wife, William Boyce, Obadiah Ellis, Squire John Rollins. Among the pastors who have administered to the congregation from time to time, we give the names of Dr. Rhoton, Josiah Whittaker, S.S. Deering, H.H. Kavanaugh, W.W. Chamberlain, and W.W. Spates, W.C. Atmore and others. The building was originally a log structure, 25x30 feet, but to subserve the wants of an increasing membership, this old building was replaced by a frame of nearly double the capacity, and far more pretentious in appearance. There is a good Sunday school in connection with the church, having an average membership of about fifty pupils, under the superintendency of Mr. James Warren. The church roll now contains about ninety names.
Corinth Christian Church, situated near the head-waters of Lytle's Fork, was organized about 1836 by Robert Whitton. Among the early preachers were Joshua Willhoit, Pleasant Whitton, Hiram Ford, Henry Edmonson and others, whose names we are unable to determine. In 1838, the house was remodeled and enlarged to meet the demands of an increasing congregation. The first schoolhouse was built on Col. Stone's land, of logs, in 1825. Martin Brent was first teacher. There are at present, ten well-regulated schools in this precinct, called, respectively, Skinnersburg, Long Lick, Bradley, Harvey Risk, Warnock, Gorham, Griffith, Warren, Robinson and Whitton. There is on distillery located in this precinct, which was built in 1874 by R.H. Risk. It has a capacity of sixteen bushels of grain per day, and the brand manufactured is noted for its superior qualities. There is a saw and gristmill located on Lytle's Fork, known as Beatty's Mill. It was built by George Beatty in 1812, and is now owned by William Rice. The first road in the precinct was called the Mountain Island road, and runs from the Georgetown & Dry ridge pike to Mountain Island in Owen County. The first bridge over Lytle's Fork was on the Long Lick road.
The County Poor House, located in this precinct, is mentioned under the general county history.
Source:
History of Bourbon, Scott, Harrison
& Nicholas Counties,
Kentucky, Edited by William
Henry Perrin, 1882
Previously submitted by Jo Thiessen
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