The Long Rifleman Louisville-Thruston Chapter

Volume 2, Issue 2 March 2011 The Long Rifleman Louisville-Thruston Chapter

Gen. George Rogers Clark Founder of Louisville Kentucky Society of the Sons of the American Revolution

INSIDE THIS ISSUE President’s Remarks

George Washington’s Birthday Meeting 2 I want to sincerely thank you for the opportunity to serve as your president during the 2010-2011 term, the 50th anniver- Kentucky’s “Humble” sary year of our chapter’s existence. It has been a memorable Gunsmiths 4 and exciting time in which to lead the Louisville-Thruston Chapter. Color Guard Report 8 At the chapter level we have seen a steady improvement in In Memoriam 10 meeting attendance, which was one of our goals for the cur- rent chapter year. I hope we can continue that trend, and one Upcoming Events 10 way will be for us to continue to schedule good speakers. Mel Hankla gave an excellent presentation on the Kentucky Rifle at last month’s meeting, and coming up on April 19th, Gary Falk will talk about “The Industrial History of Louisville.” In addition to scheduling good speakers, the recent on-line survey has helped give us (the Board) a better understanding of what our compatriots want and expect from their local society.

This past year has seen the return of our chapter newsletter, “The Long Rifleman,” so ably edited by VP Jon Huffman. Thanks, Jon. Another important addition has been our new chapter web site (http://www.louthrustonsar.org) where everyone can keep abreast of chapter news and activities. Compatriot Del White of the Lafayette Chapter is acting web master, and we are most appreciative of his help. In addition to regularly scheduled meetings, the Louisville-Thruston Chapter participated in over thirty special observances and ceremonies during the past year, most of these attended by members of our own Dr. V. Edward Masters Memorial Color Guard, commanded by Dan Klinck. Thank you, Dan.

On the national level, Compatriot David J. Sympson, past president of our chapter, was elected SAR National President General, the third time that situation has occurred since our chapter was founded fifty years ago. I should also mention that the SAR Genealogy Library recently moved to its new location on Main Street in downtown Louisville. It’s a beautiful facility, and if you haven’t visited the new library, you really should do so.

Finally, I want to especially thank the members of our Board of Governors for their steady hand in guiding the affairs of the chapter and stepping forward with their help when I was “under the weather.” If you have never served as a chapter officer, you should give it a try. You will enjoy it! There’s really not that much work required…..except, perhaps for the secretary, treasurer or newsletter editor!

It is amazing to look back and realize how fast the chapter year has passed us by. Let us work together with renewed interest and participation for the coming year.

“Thanks for the memories!”

Henry Head, Chapter President Volume 2, Issue 2 Page Two George Washington’s Birthday Meeting

Approximately fifty compatriots and their guests attended the George Washington’s Birthday Luncheon held on February 19, 2011 at Owl Creek Country Club in Louisville. After the Call to Order by President Henry Head and prior to posting the colors, a duet was performed on drums by color guard members, Hayden Fuller and Christopher Woo.

Presentations for the annual Youth Awards ceremony took place following lunch. James Andrew Bartholomai won first place in the Eagle Scout Competition and was awarded a certificate, patch, medal and a check for $200. First place in the Knight Es- say Contest went to Jacob William “Jake” Sims, who received a certificate and a check for $500. Both of these young men will represent Louisville-Thruston Chapter in their respective categories in the state-wide competition.

The nomination of chapter officers for 2011-2012 was announced, there being no nominations from the floor, a motion was made, seconded and unanimously approved to accept the slate presented. The installation ceremony will take place at the annual meeting on April 9, 2011. Four new compatriots attended their first chapter meeting and received lapel rosette pins from Secre- tary David Head. They were James W. Jackson Jr., John E. Jackson, William B. Jackson and Richard Lane.

(L to R) Mrs. Margaret Wells, Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Scott, Mr. and Mrs. Color Guard members Hayden Fuller and Doug Collins, Mrs. Bruce Zimmerman and Mrs. Janet Sims. Christopher Woo performed a drum duet.

President Henry Head looked on as Secretary David Head pinned rosettes on the lapels of four new members, all attending their first chapter meeting. From left: Richard Lane and brothers, John Jackson, William Jackson and Dr. James Jackson, all sons of Compatriot James Jackson Sr. Volume 2, Issue 2 Page Three George Washington’s Birthday (cont.)

James Andrew Bartholomai was awarded First Place in the Eagle Scout essay competition and received a medal, patch, certificate and a check for $200 from Jake Sims is congratulated by 3rd VP Jon E. Huffman for 1st VP John H. Huffman Sr. his First Place finish in the Knight Essay Contest. He was awarded a certificate and a check for $500.

Compatriot Mel Hankla was the featured speaker and gave an excellent talk entitled “The Kentucky Rifle, - America’s Excali- bur.” He discussed the evolution of the long rifle in America and different theories on their development. By the early 1800’s, the vast majority of flintlocks were converted to percussion rifles, and today less than one thousand rifles exist that were made before 1800. Mel brought along several examples of the long rifle as well as a flintlock pistol, some early Kentucky powder horns, an authentic 18th century tomahawk, George Rogers Clark’s dag- ger, and numerous old surveyor’s instruments.

Mel Hankla is a recognized expert on the Ken- tucky Rifle and has spent much of his life shooting and building traditional flintlock rifles. Volume 2, Issue 2 Page Four George Washington’s Birthday (cont.)

In addition to flintlock rifles on display at the meeting, Mel also brought along a flint-lock pistol, an authentic 18th century tomahawk, several Kentucky powder horns and various other accoutrements.

Kentucky’s “Humble” Gunsmiths

Mel Hankla is widely known for his portrayal of historical figures such as Simon Kenton, George Rogers Clark and Isaac Shelby. He is also a leading authority on the Kentucky Rifle and one of the founding members of the Contemporary Long Rifle Association, which is comprised of artisans who study and recreate 18th century rifles and accoutrements. In 2007, he formed the company, American Historic Services, which is geared toward the education and entertainment of both young and old. Currently, one of his main interests is research on early Kentucky gunsmiths, and in the following article he tells about two brothers, Conrad and Michael Humble, who lived in frontier Kentucky and built high quality and artistic long rifles. A lifelong resident of Jamestown, Kentucky, Mel has been an active member of Louisville-Thruston Chapter for the past eight years. Mel Hankla

Volumes have been written about the origin and development of the American long rifle. Ironically, this style of American firearm has long been dubbed the Kentucky Rifle, although from a lack of known examples it is generally assumed that high quality artistic long rifles were not made in 18th century frontier Kentucky.

The article New Light on an Old Name: The Origins of the Term Kentucky Rifle, by Alan D. Gutchess, discusses at length the origin of the moniker, Kentucky Rifle, revealing that the name was well established in American gun jargon by 1806. Stating, “It [Kentucky Rifle] was being used to designate a type or style of American rifle, one primarily associated with the frontier, regardless of its actual place of original or intended region of use, exactly as the term is used today.”

Until recently, the name Conrad Humble was not associated with the Kentucky rifle; however, his younger brother, Michael is well documented and for years has been considered the earliest gunsmith in the Kentucky region. He established a gun shop at the “Falls of the Ohio” (now Louisville) as early as 1777.

Conrad Humble, his wife, Hannah (Adams) and their children, Uriah, Jane, Charity, Noah and Janet settled in Bourbon County, just across the Licking River from Ruddle’s and Martin’s Stations acquiring property from John and Margaret Hinkston on February 9, 1783. Conrad is buried on top of an Indian mound near the location of his home and shop. His will was probated January 5, 1791, a Volume 2, Issue 2 Page Five Kentucky’s “Humble” Gunsmiths (cont.)

little over a year before Kentucky achieved statehood in June of 1792. His estate inventory contained 20 gun barrels, 10 gunlocks, 22 assorted files, a full set of smithing tools and a vast array of what would have been considered in that day lux- ury household items; as well as 4 slaves, 5 horses, 18 head of cattle, 8 sheep, 8 hogs, 50 chickens, a watch, a rifled gun, tomahawk and a knife.

The last will and testament of Conrad Humble, dated January 5, 1791, states: “I, Conrad Humble, of the County of Bourbon and District of Kentucky, Gunsmith; being sick and weak in body but of perfect mind….” This type of document along with a signed rifle is rare and provides much credibility. This nota- ble rifle is well made, has pleasing architecture and is long and graceful. The .56 caliber, tapered and flared rifled barrel is 45 1/4 inches long. The flintlock is marked “Ketland” on the inside and dates from the 1780’s. The stock is sugar maple and is relief carved around the breech pin and behind the cheek piece. C. Humble signature on the first discovered rifle, along with It retains the original wooden patch box cover which is deco- his younger brother’s Mic’l Humble on a relic barrel. rated with two wedding band type moldings.

The mounts are brass, including the engraved feather-hole inlay on the toe of the rifle. Legend tells us this was used to hold a Blue- Jay feather; a bird the pioneers hated and killed at every opportunity as their squawking alarm often warned the Natives of an en- croaching white intruder.

Michael Humble is first found as a member of the party laying out Kentucky’s first permanent settlement on June 6, 1774. Temple Bodley, wrote in his History of Kentucky, “1774 was a year of outstanding importance in the history of Kentucky for it was then that the first attempt was made to found a settlement there. Among the men who had been members of Bullitt’s party surveying lands along the Ohio two years before was James Harrod. He then learned of the rich Bluegrass region of central Kentucky and deter- mined to settle there. On his return to the Monongahela region, he gathered a party of about 50 frontiersmen and in the spring of 1774 went down the Ohio and up the Kentucky to a point afterward called Harrod’s Landing, and thence a short distance overland to the head of Dick’s River. There they laid out lots and began building log cabins for a town, which they called Harrodstown”

Early map of the Rapids of the Falls of the Ohio, location of Louisville, Ky. Volume 2, Issue 2 Page Six Kentucky’s “Humble Gunsmiths (cont.)

Michael Humble was a Captain in Colonel John Bowman’s Company of the Kentucky County, Virginia Militia in 1777. He was under the command of General George Rogers Clark and on the muster roll of Captain James Harrod’s company in 1779. On May 1, 1780, the Virginia General Assembly and then Governor Thomas Jefferson approved the town charter of Louisville. Early Kentucky surveyor, Colonel John Floyd was placed on the town’s board of trustees and given the responsibility to plan and lay out the town. Jefferson County, named after Thomas Jefferson, was formed at this time as one of three original Kentucky counties from the old Kentucky County, Virginia. Louisville was the county seat. Humble’s gunsmith shop was near 12th and Main Streets on Lot # 91 under the protection of the guns of Fort Nelson. He was an armorer in the forces of General Clark and not only made and repaired ordinary rifles but made Fort-Guns and wall pieces for the protection of the frontier posts in the vicinity of Louisville. Michael Hum- ble took on James Stewart as an apprentice on February 18, 1782. This indenture reads, “….James Steward of the County of Jeffer- son of the one part and Michael Humble of the county of Lincoln of the other part…,” making it obvious that Michael had left Louis- ville and moved to Mercer County (then Lincoln County) by 1782.

Fort Nelson - est. 1780 - now Louisville, Ky.

In reading, Petitions of the Early Inhabitants of Kentucky to the General Assembly of Virginia - 1769 to 1792 by James Rood Robertson, we find that Michael Humble signed the 1785 petition to the Virginia Assembly for the request of an Act to establish- ing a town in Lincoln County, Harrodsburg, Kentucky’s first permanent settlement. And in August 1787, he signed the act con- cerning the erection of the district of Kentucky into an independent state.

Not only was Michael Humble a gunsmith, but he was also a gaming sportsman with one of the first “race paths” in the region. Lincoln County court records report that: “April 1, 1783; The first horse race took place at “Humble’s Race Paths” near Harrods- burg, and for betting on a mare worth 12 pounds at the later, Hugh McGary was tried at Oyer and Terminer Court in August and found guilty. The opinion of the court was that said Hugh McGary, gentleman, be deemed an infamous gambler and that he shall not be eligible to any office of trust or honor with in this state.” It should be mentioned that Hugh McGary was accused of provok- ing the disaster at the Battle of Blue Licks, rightfully considered one of the worst defeats of the Revolutionary War. This judgment may have had more to do with the politics of his actions in that event, than betting on a friendly horse race.

No evidence is found suggesting that Michael Humble ever left Kentucky after his arrival in the early 1770’s, and he died there in 1818. His grave is at the site of his home, race path, and gun shop on Mock’s Branch near the Mercer/Boyle County line.

The posthumous notoriety of Michael Humble as a gunsmith was first brought to light by Theodore Roosevelt in 1889 when he wrote his famous work, Winning of the West describing the backwoodsman rifle. “His weapon was the long flint-lock rifle, clumsy and ill-balanced, but exceedingly accurate. It was heavy, and when upright, reached to the chin of a tall man; for the Volume 2, Issue 2 Page Seven Kentucky’s “Humble” Gunsmiths (cont.)

The grave site of Michael Humble and his second wife, Nancy. barrel of thick, soft iron was four feet in length, while the stock was short and the butt scooped out. Sometimes it was plain, sometimes it was ornamented….” This excerpt has a footnote reference that reads, “The above is the description of one of Boon’s rifles. According to the inscription on the barrel it was made at Louisville (Ky.) in 1782 by M. Humble. It is perfectly plain; whereas one of Floyd’s rifles, which I have also seen, is much more highly finished, and with some ornamentation.” Then seven years later in 1896, J. Stoddard Johnson writes in his Memorial History of Louisville from Its First Settlement to the Year 1896, “On lot No. 91, owned by James Harris, on Twelfth below Main, the gunsmith shop of Michael Humble was situated, and on No. 92, owned by Henry French, the blacksmith shop of William Spangler. Humble made and mended guns and did the finer work in metal, while Spangler turned out agricultural implements and did the coarser work. In the shop of Humble pewter spoons and plates were molded, scalping knives made and many kinds of hardware repaired. Humble made a rifle for Colonel John Floyd which yet exists, and another for Colonel Daniel Boone, which is preserved and belongs to the writer. In the shop of Spangler implements were made, horses shod, nails wrought and all kind of tools repaired. Scarcely anything in metal was needed by the pioneers which could not be made or mended in one or the other of these shops.” These two documents provide a good description of the overall work of Mic’l Humble, the location of his early shop, and the names of the well-known owners of two of his rifles.

Synopsis

The signatures of the Humble brothers make these the only two 18th century Kentucky made rifles known. In all probability, the majority of their work was repair or the re-stocking of barrels, locks and hardware of broken but cherished weapons that had fed and protected the pioneers pouring into the mythical land called Kain-tuck-ee. There is record of Conrad Humble buying: 500 acres on Clear Creek in Jefferson County, June 21st, 1780 and 1,285 additional acres 5 miles down river from the mouth of the Licking River and on the banks of the Ohio River, August 9th, 1784. Rockingham County, Virginia personal property tax records show that Conrad Humble left Brock’s Gap moving to Bourbon County, Kentucky between 1782 and 1783. From comparing this rifle to others that are dated, it is unlikely that Conrad’s wood box rifle will pre-date 1782, and safe to assume that it is a product of frontier Kentucky. As there is no record of Michael Humble ever leaving the Kentucky region after his arrival as early as 1774 and his death and burial in Kentucky in 1818, there is no doubt that his rifle was produced either in Louisville at the Falls of the Ohio, or in Mercer County between Danville and Harrodsburg.

Study of the Kentucky rifle together with numerous other cultural studies, is helping bring about better understanding of the early American frontier. Awareness of the utilitarian nature of America’s early settlers revealed by their rifles and companion powder horns give great insight into the spirit of the daring and brave who settled our nation, winning the liberty and freedom we are blessed with today. Personalities of these pioneers, and signs of the times, are ingenuously expressed and recorded in their artwork. The Ken- tucky rifle is an all-important tool, made and used to forge our very existence. Borrowing words of John G. W. Dillin, “it was a model often slightly varied but never radically changed.” Yet, the intrigue and study of the subtle artistic variances by these count- less early American artists and craftsmen has brought to many much contentment and pleasure.

Mel Hankla Louisville-Thruston Chapter Volume 2, Issue 2 Page Eight Kentucky’s “Humble” Gunsmiths (cont.)

Bibliography

Lloyd DeWitt Bockstruck, Virginia’s Colonial Soldiers (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co.. Inc., 1988) Temple Bodley, History of Kentucky (Chicago: Clarke Publishing Co., 1928) T. K. Cartmell, Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants (Salem: Higginson Book Co., 1908) Lyman Chalkley, Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1980) R. S. Cotterill, History of Pioneer Kentucky (Cincinnati: Johnson & Hardin, 1917) Maria T. Daviess, History of Mercer and Boyle Counties (Harrodsburg: The Harrodsburg Herald, 1924) Hamilton J. Eckenrode, Virginia Soldiers of the American Revolution (Richmond: Library of Virginia, 1989) John J. Gwathmey, Historical Register of Virginia in the Revolution 1775-1783 (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1979) Charles B. Heinemann, “First Census” of Kentucky 1790 (Baltimore: Southern Book Co., 1956) Willard Rouse Jillson, Old Kentucky Entries and Deeds (Louisville: Filson Club Publication, 1926) J. Stoddard Johnston, Memorial History of Louisville from Its First Settlement to the Year 1896 (Chicago: American Biographical Publishing Co., 1896) J. Stoddard Johnston, First Exploration of Kentucky (Louisville: J. P. Morton and Co., 1898) Constance A. & Louise C. Levinson, Rockingham County, Virginia, Minute Book, 1778-1792 (Harrisonburg: Greystone Pub., 1985) Judy R. Liskey, When This You See Think of Me (Fulks Run: by author, 1990) Cecil O’Dell, Pioneers of Old Frederick County, Virginia (Westminster: Heritage Books, Inc., 1995) James Rood Robertson, Petitions of the Early Inhabitants of Kentucky to the General Assembly (Louisville: J. Morton & Co. 1914) Theodore Roosevelt, The Winning of the West (New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1889) E. M. Sanchez-Saavedra, A Guide to Virginia Military Organizations in the American Revolution, 1774-1787 (Richmond: The Library of Virginia, 1978) Elizabeth Jane Sherman, Augusta County, Virginia Earliest Will Index (Baltimore: Gateway Press, 2008) James F. Sutherland, Early Kentucky Landholders - 1787-1811 (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1986) R. G. Thwaites & L. P. Kellogg, Frontier Defense of the Upper Ohio, 1777-1778 (Madison: Wisconsin Historical Soc., 1912) John W. Wayland, The German Element of the Shenandoah Valley (Bridgewater: C. J. Carrier Co., 1907) John W. Wayland, A History of Rockingham County, Virginia (Dayton: Ruebush-Elkins Co., 1912) John W. Wayland, A History of Shenandoah County, Virginia (Strasburg: Shenandoah Publishing House, 1927)

Color Guard Report

Louisville-Thruston Color Guard Commander Dan Klinck pictured here with DAR members from Fincastle and John Marshall Chapters in a joint program held on January 27, 2011 at historic Selema Hall in Louisville. Volume 2, Issue 2 Page Nine Color Guard (cont.)

Compatriot Will Schrader. Posting the colors at the February 19th Luncheon are (L to R) Compatriots Dan Klinck, David Head, Dick Bierman and Will Schrader.

Louisville-Thruston Memorial Color Guard meeting held on January 30, 2010 at the Preparing to retire the colors at the home of Dick Bierman. Seated are Christopher Woo and Hayden Fuller. Standing, L George Washington’s Birthday to R: Dan Klinck, Paul Whittey, J. B. Hitt, Bill Carrell, Will Schrader, Jim Vaughan, luncheon meeting on Feb. 9, 2011. Dick Bierman, David Head, Jon Huffman and Terry Brown. Volume 2, Issue 2 Page Ten In Memoriam National Society William Burnes Hornback Jr., 86, of Louisville, died Monday, Feb- Sons of the American ruary 7, 2011, at Baptist Hospital East. He was a U.S. Army veteran of Revolution the Battle of the Bulge, having earned a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. He graduated from the University of Kentucky, where he was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity. He was a former English professor at http://www.sar.org Butler University and Eastern Kentucky University. He was self em- ployed, having worked for Cardinal Media Associates, sales manager for Continental Press in Elizabethtown, PA and managing editor for Zaner-Bloser in Honesdale, PA. Bill was an active member of Louis- Louisville-Thruston ville-Thruston Chapter for seven years. Chapter Newsletter is Published Five Times Annually Wayne Martin Whittle, 76, passed away quietly and gracefully at his Jon E, Huffman, Editor home in Kansas City, MO on Wednesday, February 23, 2011. Consid- 6605 Falls Creek Road ered by his children and many who knew him to be the most interesting Louisville, Kentucky 40241 man in the world, long before that phrase became popular, he will be deeply missed. He attended the University of Missouri and later joined Phone: (502) 429-8906 the U.S. Army, where he was stationed in France and traveled the world. Whether searching out the next great international business op- Email: [email protected] portunity or brainstorming a new invention, he always found time for family and friends. His later years were devoted to spending time with his family and tracing the Whittle family genealogy. Wayne was an active member of Louisville-Thruston Chapter for five years.

Visit our Web Site at:

http://louthrustonsar.org Gary Falk to Speak at April 9th Meeting

Compatriots! If you have an interest in local history, you won’t want to miss the upcoming Annual Meeting Luncheon scheduled for April 9th, 2011, at the Louisville Country Club. Gary Falk of the Louisville Historical League will be the featured speaker, and his talk will be “The Industrial His- tory of Louisville.” Everyone is encouraged to attend. Meet- ing announcements including the reservation form will be sent to members shortly.

Announcements and Upcoming Events

Saturday, March 19, 2011 - Tea Party Gathering: L.T. Color Guard members will post the colors at a Tea Party meeting scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Evangel Center, 5400 Minors Lane, Louisville, located between Preston Hwy and I-65.

Saturday, April 9, 2011 - Annual Meeting: Louisville-Thruston Chapter luncheon at Louisville Country Club, 40 Mockingbird Valley Dr., Louisville, KY. The agenda includes the installation of 2011-2012 officers and commendation awards for police and fire safety. Featured speaker is Gary Falk of the Louisville Historical League.

April 16, 2011 - St. Mathews Little League Opening Day Ceremony: St Mathews Community Center located off Shelbyville Road on Ten Pin Lane behind the bowling alley; L.T. Color Guard will post the colors and fire muskets.

Thursday, May 5, 2011 - Pegasus Derby Parade: Last year, color guard members from Louisville-Thruston Chapter joined with compatriots from ten other states to represent SAR in the Kentucky Derby Festival Pegasus Parade.