Kentucky
Kentucky names 2 different subjects across the 6 encyclopedias on this shelf. Each is set out below. 1 of them is described by more than one encyclopedia.
Kentucky a State in the South State in the Sout
Described by 2 of the 6 encyclopedias.
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
a State in the South State in the Sout Central Division of the North American the North America Union; bounded by Illinois, Indiana, Illinois, Indiana Virginia, Ter Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, and Missouri; area, 40,000 square ri; area, 40,000 squar miles; admitted to the Union, June 1, Union, June 1792; number of counties, 119; pop. counties, 119; pom 2 (1890) 1,858,635; (1900) 2,147,174; (1910) 2,289,905; (1920) 2,416,630; capital, Frankfort. Topography. The surface of the State is in general a plateau, sloping from the mountains in the E. to the rivers on the N. and N. W. The mountains in the S. E., the Cumberland and the Pine, run parallel and include the valley of the Cumberland river. This valley is 75 miles in length, 15 miles in width and has an elevation of 1,000 to 1,500 feet above sea-level. The mountain peaks bounding the valley often reach a height of 2,500 feet and give it more picturesque beauty than in any other part of the Appalachian system. The Mississippi, Ohio, and Big Sandy rivers form over one-half the boundary line of Kentucky, and besides these the Licking, Kentucky, Salt, and Green lie entirely within the State. The Tennessee and Cumberland rivers rise in Virginia and Kentucky respectively, the Tennessee running through Tennessee and Alabama, and the Cumberland through Tennessee alone, enter the State and cross it in parallel courses and empty into the Ohio within 15 miles of each other. These rivers are all navigable. Geology. The principal geological formations of the State are the Upper and Lower Silurian, Devonian, and sub-Carboniferous, with extensive coal measures. The entire State was at one time a great Lower Silurian lake, which has been pushed up by some subterranean force to a position 5,000 feet above that which it originally occupied. The sub-Carboniferous limestone areas in the Green river region, contain numerous gigantic caverns, of which MAMMOTH (q. v.) is the largest. Mineral Production. The chief mineral production of the State is coal. In 1919 there were produced about 25,500,- 000 tons. The production of petroleum in 1918 was 4,367,768 barrels, valued at $11,286,162. Other products are clay products and fluorspar. Soil. The soil is as a rule exceedingly rich and fertile, especially in that part known as the Blue Grass section, an area of over 10,000 square miles. The fertility of this region is due to the constant decay of a rich sub-stratum of lower Silurian limestone. It is said that there are not over 200 square miles of irreclaimable land in the entire State. There are quite extensive forests in the mountain regions. The principal trees are the ash, elm, pine, tulip, hickory, sweet gum, black walnut, maple, oak, honey locust, cottonwood, pecan, catalpa, cypress, apple, and beech. Agriculture. The great fertility of the river bottoms and the Blue Grass section makes Kentucky one of the foremost agricultural States in the Union. In 1919, the acreage, production and value of the leading agricultural products were as follows: corn, 3,300,000 acres, production 82,500,000 bushels, value $127,875,000; oats, 440,000 acres, production 9,900,000 bushels, value $9,009,- 000; wheat, 1,046,000 acres, production 12,029,000 bushels, value $25,381,000; tobacco, 550,000 acres, production 456,- 500,000 pounds, value $174,380,000; hay, 1,115,000 acres, production 1,561,000 tons, value $39,649,000; potatoes, 72,- 000 acres, production 5,040,000 bushels, value $10,584,00. Manufactures. In 1914 there were 4,184 manufacturing establishments in the State, employing 64,586 wage earners. The capital invested amounted to $193,423,000, the wages paid were $31,- 830,000, the value of the materials used was $114,829,000, and the value of the finished product was $230,249,000. Transportation. - The total railway mileage in the State in 1919, was 4,118. About 50 miles were constructed during the year. The principal industries were in connection with tobacco, liquors, flour and grist mill products, lumber and timber products, iron and steel, slaughtering and meat packing, and foundry and machine-shop products. Banking. On Oct. 31, 1919, there were 125 National banks in operation. There were also 426 State banks, with $15,155,000 capital, and $7,891,000 sur plus; and 20 trust and loan companies, with $4,551,000 capital and $1,348,000 surplus. In the year ending Sept. 30, 1920, the exchanges at the United States clearing house at Louisville aggregated $993,855,000. Education. The total school population of the State is about 560,000, and the enrollment in the elementary schools in the various sub-districts is about 356,- 000 white, and about 35,000 colored. The average daily attendance is about 280,000 white and about 25,000 colored. There are about 3,600 male white teachers, and about 5,000 female. The average monthly salary for white teachers is about $45.00, and for colored teachers, about $43.00. The total expenditure for the year for school purposes is about $8,500,000. Charities and Corrections. The State institutions which are governed by the State board of control include the Reformatory at Frankfort; penitentiary, at Eddyville; houses of reform, at Greendale; Eastern Hospital, at Lexington; Vol V-Cyc-V KENTUCKY RESOLUTIONS 334 Central Hospital, at Lakeland; Western in the library, 37,000 Hospital, at Hopkinsville; and the president, Frank Feeble-minded Institute, at Frankfort. Among the colleges and universities leg an KENYA COLONY. See the most noted are Central University at are Centra Richmond, Berea College at Berea, Ken- College tucky University at Lexington, Georgetown College at Georgetown, Center College at Danville, and the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Kentucky at Lexington. Among the women's colong leges are Potter College at Bowling Librarian in British Museum. He was Green, Hamilton Female College at Lexborn in London in 1863 and was edu- Female ington, Caldwell College at Danville, College and Jessamine Female Institute at Nichcame assistant in the British Museum in olasville. 1889 and later keeper of MSS. He has Churches. The strongest denominahad many honors from universities. be strong tions in the State are the Regular Bapte are the His works include: tist, S.; Roman Catholic; Methodist an Cathol Episcopal, S.; Disciples of Christ; Reguisciples of from Papyri"; "Hyperides"; "Catalogue lar Baptist, colored; Methodist Episcoof Greek Papyri"; "Brownings for the ored; Met pal; African Methodist; and Presby- Young"; "Our Bible and the Ancient Methodist: terian, S. Manuscripts"; "Facsimiles of Biblical State Government. The governor is MSS.". "Handbook to Textual Criti ement Th elected for a term of four years. Legcism of the New Testament." m of fou islative sessions are held biennially, and are bel are limited to 60 days each. The Legislature has 38 members in the Senate and institution in Gambier, O.; founded in 100 in the House. There are 11 repre- 1824 under the auspices of the Protessentatives in Congress. tant Episcopal Church; reported at the History. With the earliest history of close of 1919: Professors and instruc- Kentucky is associated the name of tors, 15; students, 164; volumes in the Daniel Boone, whose exploits in huntlibrary, 32,000; president, Rev. W. F. ing and Indian fighting in the then dis- Pierce, M.A., LL.D. tant and unexplored wilderness dates as far back as 1769. He founded Boones- United States Senator from Iowa, born borough in 1775, and Harrodsburg bein Elyria, Ohio, in 1869. He was eduand Ha ing settled about the same time, these cated at Iowa College and studied law at the sam two towns are, with the exception of the with the ex at the State University of Iowa. He French settlements, the oldest in the ents, the was prosecuting attorney for five years W. Soon after Kentucky was made a Kentucky and for two years was district judge of county of Virginia, and the first court nia, and 't the eleventh judicial district. From held at Harrodsburg in 1777. In 1790 1910 to 1911 he was assistant to the Atburg in 1 Kentucky became a separate territory, torney-General of the United States. and in 1792 was admitted into the Union. He was elected Senator in 1911. He was adantted Since then, with the exception of the inre-elected in 1913 and in 1918. Senator terruption occasioned by the Civil War, Kenyon was identified with the Liberal oned its progress has been very rapid. been ver wing of the Republican Party and was active in the passage of liberal and pro-
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
Kentucky a river of Kentucky
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
a river of Kentucky, formed by two forks which rise in the se in the Cumberland Mountains, and, after a winding N. W. course of about 250 miles, Madison 250 miles enters the Ohio, 12 miles above , Ind. The river runs through part of its part of it course between perpendicular limestone limeston walls. It is navigable by steamboat berable by steamboat be yond Frankfort.
What Has Changed in the Last Century
Collier's in 1921 counted 2,416,630 Kentuckians; the 2020 census found 4,505,836, with Louisville and Lexington now holding a large share of them, though Frankfort remains the capital. The two industries the entry leans on have both been upended: the 25,500,000 tons of coal mined in 1919 grew to roughly 180 million tons at the 1990 peak, then collapsed back to something near the 1919 figure as Appalachian mining wound down, and the 550,000 acres of tobacco shrank drastically after the federal quota system was bought out in 2004. The separate counts of "white" and "colored" pupils, and the sharply separate schools behind them, ended with desegregation following the 1954 Brown decision; Kentucky's Day Law mandating segregation had been on the books since 1904. Mammoth Cave, mentioned in passing, became a national park in 1941 and is now the longest known cave system on earth, with more than 400 mapped miles.
Written for this edition, 2026.