Kentucky

Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)

a state of the American Union. The name is thought to be Cherokee, signifying a prairie or open country, having reference to the grassy glades. It is popularly known as "The Blue Grass Country," and as "The Dark and Bloody Ground," the latter having reference to numerous conflicts between the early settlers and the Indians. The state is exceedingly irregular is outline. It lies on the southern shore of the Ohio River, extending from the Mississippi eastward to the Big Sandy. The southern boundary is straight, with a peculiar jog at the crossing of the Tennessee. The area is about 40,400 square miles. TOPOGRAPHY. The general surface is a limestone plateau sloping gently toward the north or northwest. The drainage is almost entirely into the Ohio. The Licking, Cumberland, and Tennessee are the chief rivers. The surface of the state would be undulating or level, were it not that the limestone has been cut through by numerous rivers, forming bold bluffs. The general altitude is about 800 feet above sea level. The valleys have a deep alluvial soil. They were originally occupied by dense forests. The uplands are more open. Owing to a disintegration of limestone rock, the soil is remarkably fertile. The so-called Blue Grass Region occupies over thirty counties and is one of the finest farming regions in the world. It is the natural home of the blue grass. It is noted for fine stock, especially horses. AGRICULTURE. As in other Western states the chief industries of Kentucky are agriculture and stockraising. It is the leading state in the Union in the production of tobacco and hemp. Tobacco is the leading money-making crop in 85 out of 119 counties. Louisville, the metropolis, is the leading tobacco market of the world. The most important field crop, however, is corn. Perhaps no other state in the Union is more dependent on this cereal for food for man and beast. The chief fruit growing region lies along the Ohio River from a point above Cincinnati to a point considerably below Louisville. Apples, pears, plums, and peaches are cultivated extensively. Grapes do well some years, but the industry has been checked by rot. The winters are so mild that cattle live without stabling on blue grass pasturage the year around. A few corn stalks or a run in a corn field in frosty weather are of advantage, but are not absolutely necessary. Kentucky bred horses have the highest reputation in the United States . It is claimed that three-fourths of the American records for speed have been made by Kentucky horses. MINERALS. The chief mineral wealth is coal. There are also deposits of iron. Limestone is quarried extensively for building purposes. The clays make excellent brick. Petroleum is found in the Cumberland districts. The state was originally one of the best timbered regions in the Union. The lumbering interests are still of importance. Kentucky is not preeminent as a manufacturing state. There are, however, many large manufacturing industries. Bourbon whiskey, from the county of that name, is made from corn. There are between three and four hundred establishments engaged in the manufacture of tobacco. The distilleries and cigar factories of the state pay the general government internal revenue taxes in excess of $20,000,000 a year. HISTORICAL. The territory of the present state was originally part of Virginia, but was ceded to the general government in 1790. In 1776 it was known as Kentucky County, Virginia. Kentucky was the second new state, Vermont being the first. It was admitted in 1792. Colonel Boone led the first settlers to the state. He found a country famous for wild game, including the bear, deer, and raccoon. The conflicts of the early settlers with the Indians are of thrilling interest. Though a slave holding state, there was always a strong sentiment in favor of emancipation. Henry Clay was for decades the representative of the Kentuckians in Congress. At the opening of the Civil War, Kentucky assumed a neutral attitude, but having the early support of the Northern troops adhered to the cause of the Union. Although strictly Democratic the state has always regarded itself as Western, rather than Southern in its affiliations. The capital is Frankfort. The governor and other state officials hold office for four years. The senate meets every two years, the sessions being limited to sixty days. The population in 1900 was 2,147,174. The colored element numbered 284,865. Separate schools are maintained for colored children. STATISTICS. The following statistics are the latest to be had from trustworthy sources: Land area (square miles) 40,000 Population 2,320,298 Louisville 236,688 Covington 51,715 Newport 31,345 Lexington 30,690 Paducah 22,464 Henderson 15,401 Owensboro 14,461 Frankfort 10,447 Bowling Green 8,428 Number counties 119 Members of state senate 38 Representatives 100 Salary of governor $6,000 U. S. representatives 11 Presidential electors 13 Assessed valuation of property $702,000,000 Acres of improved land 13,000,000 Agricultural Products-- Corn, bushels 85,000,000 Wheat, bushels 9,000,000 Oats, bushels 4,000,000 Rye, bushels 150,000 Grass seed, bushels 270,000 Potatoes, bushels 2,667,000 Tobacco, pounds 195,000,000 Hemp, pounds 15,000,000 Wool, pounds 3,000,000 Fruits, value $25,000,000 Butter, pounds 30,000,000 Eggs, dozens 35,000,000 Manufacturing establishments 3,734 Capital invested $147,000,000 Operatives 51,000 Wages $24,000,000 Output of manufactured goods $160,000,000 Output of grist $18,000,000 Output of whiskey, etc $14,000,000 Lumber products $14,500,000 Tons of coal mined 10,000,000 Barrels of petroleum 820,000 Output of pig iron 127,000 Clay products $2,600,000 Quarry products $1,000,000 Domestic Animals-- Horses 391,000 Mules 201,000 Milk cows 398,000 Other cattle 714,000 Sheep 1,071,000 Swine 1,274,000 Goats 12,000 Fowls 8,000,000 Miles of railway 3,432 Teachers in public schools 9,245 Pupils enrolled 501,000 Percentage of male teachers 22.1 Average annual expenditure per pupil, $13.07 See Louisville; Boone ; Clark ; Clay ; Hemp ; Tobacco ; Pigeon ; Kenton