KY:Historical Society - Historical Marker Database

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"Sue Mundy's" Grave
(Marker Number: 562)

County: Simpson
Location: Franklin, North Main & Finn Sts.

Description: Marcellus Jerome Clarke enlisted in the Confederate Army, 1861, at age 17. Attached to Morgan's Cavalry in 1863. Captured on March 12, 1865, taken to Louisville, hanged three days later, court-martialed as guerrilla "Sue Mundy." His last words: "I believe in and die for the Confederate cause." In 1865 body brought here, reburied 1914 two blocks east by CSA veterans.

(Subjects: Sue Mundy)

1869 "Cut-Off"/Bowie Land
(Marker Number: 1947)

County: Simpson
Location: Turnertown Rd. [KY 1170], on north side at Terrapin Cr.

Description: In 1869 Ky. legislature changed original 1819 line dividing Simpson and Logan counties. Relocation of boundary brought new territory to Simpson County. This addition, extending from Tennessee to Warren County, Ky., included communities of Price's Mill, Middleton, Locust Grove, and some "Shaker Lands." Presented in memory of James Bowie, born in this area (see other side).

(Reverse) James Bowie Birth Site - The adventurer-soldier of knife fame, Colonel James Bowie, who died 1836 at the Alamo in Texas, was born near this site in Logan, now Simpson Co., 1796. Family moved here, 1794, where his father Reason established mill, 1795; was issued a land warrant for 200 acres, 1796. Reason sold land, 1800; tract is in area later known as the "Cut-Off." Presented in memory of James Bowie.

(Subjects: Bowie, James)

Beverly L. Clarke
(Marker Number: 1271)

County: Simpson
Location: Main St., Franklin, Courthouse lawn, US 31-W

Description: Born in Va., 1809. Came to Simpson County in 1827. Studied law under the noted Kentucky lawyer George Robertson. Served in the Kentucky Legislature, 1841-42; US Congress, 1847-49. Delegate to Kentucky Constitutional Convention, 1849. US Minister to Guatemala, 1857 until his death, 1860. State legislature authorized reinterment in the Frankfort Cemetery in 1868.

(Subjects: Constitutional Convention (1849) | Frankfort)

Birthplace of T. O. Chisholm
(Marker Number: 2132)

County: Simpson
Location: Franklin, Simpson Co. Tourism Office, US 31-W & Steele Rd.

Description: Thomas Obadiah Chisholm, born in log house, Lake Spring community, taught in local school at age 16. Became associate editor of Franklin Favorite; later edited Pentecostal Herald, Louisville. Under influence of evangelist Henry Clay Morrison, founder of Asbury College (Ky.), he was ordained to Methodist ministry and served in nearby Scottsville. Presented by Simpson Co. Historical Society.

(Reverse) Noted Hymn Writer - Chisholm's unstable health caused his work to vary from journalism to insurance to evangelistic pursuits. He wrote poems through the years; some 800 were published and many set to music. With musician William Runyan, Chisholm wrote "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" (1923); with C. H. Lowden, he wrote "Living for Jesus" (1917). These hymns continue to provide inspiration and comfort.

(Subjects: Poets | Music)

County Named, 1819
(Marker Number: 912)

County: Simpson
Location: Franklin, Courthouse lawn, W. Cedar St.

Description: For Capt. John Simpson, one of the nine officers killed at Battle of River Raisin, Jan. 22, 1813, for whom Ky. counties named. Fought under "Mad Anthony" Wayne, Battle of Fallen Timbers, 1794. Settled in Shelby Co., Ky. Speaker of Ky. House, 1811. U.S. Congressman. County formed from Allen, Logan, Warren. "Cut-Off" three-mile strip along Logan Co. added in 1869. Over.

(Reverse) Franklin - When Legislature formed county, it authorized commission to purchase site for county seat. Three owners of land sought to sell site. Water source essential. William Hudspeth dug well here, but it was dry. He hauled water secretly to fill well, sold 62 acres. Water primed well and it was used many years. Town surveyed, 1819, and made county seat by Legislature, Nov. 1820. Over.

(Subjects: Fallen Timbers, Battle of | Raisin River, Battle of | War of 1812)

Forrest Foraged
(Marker Number: 598)

County: Simpson
Location: Gold City, KY 265

Description: In September 1862, Gen. N. B. Forrest's CSA cavalry camped for three days on the farm of Union sympathizer, Stephen T. Barnes, near here. The famished men and horses consumed all food, feed and water in sight. Assigned to harass the Union army moving north to the west of here, Forrest's force was part of CSA invasion under Gen. Braxton Bragg ending at Perryville Oct. 8, 1862.

(Subjects: Bragg, Braxton | Civil War | Forrest, Nathan Bedford)

Goodnight Memorial Library
(Marker Number: 1369)

County: Simpson
Location: Franklin, South Main St., US 31-W

Description: Mrs. Goodnight (1858-1935), wife of I.H. Goodnight, in her will made possible the erection of this municipal building containing library, auditorium, assembly room, museum, kitchen. With aid of federal funds, WPA did the work. Assembly room used by Ella Hoy Goodnight Music Club. Sen. Alben W. Barkley, later Vice President, dedicated building in 1937. Over.

(Reverse) Isaac Hershel Goodnight - State representative, congressman, circuit judge. Born Allen County 1849, he came here in 1870 and began practice, 1873. Served as state representative, 1877-1878, U.S. Congressman from 1889-95. Chairman of the Democratic State Convention of 1891. Elected judge of Kentucky's seventh circuit in 1897, serving till his death here in 1901. See over.

(Subjects: Barkley, Alben W.)

Noted Dueling Ground
(Marker Number: 611)

County: Simpson
Location: Near Tennessee State Line, US 31-W South

Description: 1819-27, known as Linkumpinch. Tennesseans fought two famous duels here. General Sam Houston, in September 1826, severely wounded General William White. Houston later Gov. of Tenn., U.S. Sen., and Gov. of Texas. March 1827, attorneys R. M. Brank and C. M. Smith dueled. Brank was killed. Smith disbarred by Tenn. court action which brought end of dueling here. See other side.

(Reverse) Sanford Duncan Inn - Built about 1819, as stage coach inn, by Sanford Duncan, a large land owner and leader in forming Simpson County. Most of original structure remains. Linkumpinch, a famous dueling ground on Duncan's land, one mile south. Tennessee had outlawed dueling and during 1819-27 Inn was frequently host to notable antagonists, including General Sam Houston. See other side.

(Subjects: Duels)

Octagon Hall
(Marker Number: 503)

County: Simpson
Location: N. of Franklin, US 31-W

Description: An antebellum landmark built by Andrew Jackson Caldwell, an ardent advocate of the southern cause. Many Confederate soldiers found shelter here. Bricks were made, wood cut and finished, stone quarried on the place. The house erected by Caldwell and his men. Three floors, with four large rooms, hall and stairway. Large basement provided hiding place.

(Subjects: Civil War)

Triangular Jog
(Marker Number: 1850)

County: Simpson
Location: Ky.-Tenn. State Line, US 31-W South

Description: The Simpson County jog in Kentucky-Tennessee boundary was error of Dr. Thomas Walker's 1780 survey party. Luke Munsell and James Bright resurveyed region fifty years later, but the controversy continued until survey by Austin P. Cox and Benjamin Peebles in 1858-1859. This stone-marked line set official boundary between the two states and ended an 80-yr. dispute.

Virgil Munday Chapman
(Marker Number: 978)

County: Simpson
Location: Middleton, KY 100

Description: U.S. Congressman and Senator for a quarter century, born here, 1895. Acclaimed as champion of Kentucky farmers; promoter of legislation to aid tobacco growers. Sponsored revision of food, drug, cosmetic laws. Attended Franklin schools and University of Kentucky. Practiced law, 1918-25; Congressman, 1925-29; 1931-49; Senator, 1949 until his death, 1951. Interred Paris, Ky.