Cool and/or weird facts about Kentucky

[Rebelfreedomeagle]

I don’t think that’s accurate but would be open to evidence to contrary.

From what I understand, a pro south governor, Beriah Magoffin, was in office at beginning of civil war. It was his goal to make Kentucky join the confederacy. Over two thirds of the house and senate elected were pro union, however. This is what led to Kentucky being neutral and led Magoffin to be a supporter of neutrality.

Eventually, it was apparent Magoffin could not govern due to pro southern sympathies. So, he stepped down and appointed his successor.

As I recall, a confederate invasion in southern Kentucky (I believe BG area), led the Kentucky legislature to petition the union for military support. It was really from that time where Kentucky’s neutrality was just a formality.

My mistake, I got two different things mixed up. The confederate version of the state government convened in Russellville. Frankfort was held by confederate forces in 1862 for a month, but they didn't claim it as the capital. They claimed BG as the confederate capital.

https://www.americanhistorycentral....er 3, 1862, the,capital during the Civil War.

 

[vhcat70]

But Louisville was an interesting case. Most people didn’t own slaves obviously and started pro union, but city was occupied by union soldiers who declared martial law. So, you had largely innocent people living in a police state.

That's what happens in war.

 

[vhcat70]

I could see that. There’s a pretty interesting book called Louisville in the Civil War. Louisville at one point was trading upstream with Cincinnati and downstream with slave states. Eventually union was like, “you can’t do that, guys.”

US Grant's father lived in Covington at beginning of CW. He began trading leather goods with KY Confed sympathizers down state. USG had to step in & tell him to stop that crap. You might think he would have known better. But $$ at stake.

 

[J_Dee]

Jereboam Orville Beauchamp was the first person legally executed in Kentucky, for the murder of Congressman Solomon Porcius Sharp. Beauchamp committed the murder at the request of his wife, Anna Cooke, who had felt slighted by Sharp. The couple attempted to commit suicide together in Jereboam's cell right before Jereboam was hanged, but only she succeeded. The Beauchamps are buried in the same grave in Nelson County, commemorated with a poem that she penned.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beauchamp–Sharp_Tragedy

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7456387/jereboam-orville-beauchamp

 

[FtWorthCat]

A UK grad student won an Olympic gold medal in fencing.

 

[Tskware]

No longer true but it used to be that Christian County was wet and Bourbon County was dry

 

[Backer cutter]

<> Bourbon barrels outnumber citizens 2-1 in the state of Kentucky.

<> Both leaders of the Civil War were born in Kentucky: US President Abraham Lincoln was born in what is now Hodgenville, KY and the confederate president, Jefferson Davis, was born in Fairview, KY.

<> Duncan Hines (yes, the cake mix guy) was born in Bowling Green, KY.

<> Although thoroughbred race horse Man O’ War was born in Kentucky...he never actually ran a race in the state of Kentucky.

<> The nation's first commercial oil well was actually not in Texas, but was drilled in 1819 along the banks of the Cumberland River in McCreary County.

<> The melody of the song “Happy Birthday” was composed in 1893 by Patty and Mildred Hill, two Louisville sisters.

Not true. At least according to the signs. Nations first oil well
Is just outside of Burkesville Ky,

 

[vhcat70]

A UK grad student won an Olympic gold medal in fencing.

NBD, but I think she and husband both in UK med school. He's also on Olympic fencers' team.

 

[Tskware]

NBD, but I think she and husband both in UK med school. He's also on Olympic fencers' team.

I heard they don't get along too well, always sparring.


Thank you, thank you very much, I will be here all weekend, be sure to tip your waiters.

 

[Punkin Puss]

KY has the largest elk herd east of the Mississippi.

 

[lex cath]

KY has the largest elk herd east of the Mississippi.

Is that true PP ? Where they at ? Never seen elk except TV

 

[Punkin Puss]

Is that true PP ? Where they at ? Never seen elk except TV

Up in dem thar hills.
Think some state parks like Jenny Wiley does elk tours. Maybe cool to see(more like hear) them during the rut.

https://fw.ky.gov/Hunt/Pages/Elk-Info.aspx

Actually there was one hit by a semi on I64 near Winchester a few years ago.

 

[Kooky Kats]

Kentucky is the only state in the Union to believe it’s optional to switch lanes without the use of a turn signal.

Kentucky has the most fast food restaurants per capita. Just guessing, but likely true.

The reason why Kentucky residents are ardent lovers of their state culture and history is because the surrounding border states are so terrible.

Jebediah Chestnut is still waiting for his food order at Tolly Ho. It is a standing, active world record spanning 37 years.