DE3DQ A HISTORY OF THE DANIEL BOONE NATIONAL FOREST A HISTORY OF THE DANIEL BOONE NATIONAL FOREST 1770- 1970 BY ROBERT F. COLLINS U.S. FOREST SERVICE - RETIRED WINCHESTER, KENTUCKY 1975 Editor Betty B. Ellison Lexington, Kentucky CHAPTER CONTENTS PAGES I Early Exploration 1 II Daniel Boone's Inspiration 1 1 III The Search 1 5 IV Through the Gap 19 V Exploring Kentucky 24 VI Kentucky Settlement Attempt 32 VII Judge Henderson's Plan 39 VIII The Treaty of Sycamore Shoals 43 IX The Boone Trace 57 X Judge Henderson Travels to Kentucky 67 XI The Transylvania Colony Established 73 XII The Transylvania Legislature 80 XIII Trouble in Kentucky 86 XTV The War Comes to Kentucky 94 XI Capture of the Salt Makers 98 XVI The Great Siege of Boonesborough 105 XVII Kentucky A State 118 XVIII More Indian Troubles 127 XIX Princess Cornblossom & "Big Jake" 136 XX The Early Iron Furnaces 146 XXI Early Traces and Roads 151 XXII Civil War Action on the Daniel Boone 164 National Forest XXIII The Rowan County War 168 XXIV Early Forests & Forest Industry in 1 74 Eastern Kentucky XXV National Interest in Kentucky's Forest 183 Lands - 1900-1930 XXVI The New Deal - Cumberland NF Established 200 XXVII Naming the New National Forest 204 XXVIII The Cumberland National Forest in 1937 210 XXIX The CCC Program on the Cumberland 215 XXX The Sublimity Project 219 XXXI The Federal-State Cooperative Wildlife Program 225 XXXII The Forest Name Change 242 XXXIII Forest Expansion - The Redbird Purchase Unit 251 XXXIV Natural Resource Controversy in Kentucky 259 ii CHAPTER CONTENTS PAGES XXXV Forest Administration - 1950-1970 280 XXXVI Continuity 324 References Consulted 325 Appendix A-G 330-349 iii INTRODUCTION This history of the Daniel Boone National Forest, and of the early settle ment of the part of Kentucky in which it lies, has been prepared primarily as a source of information for Forest Officers of the U.S. Forest Service assigned to the Daniel Boone National Forest. The development and administration of the resources of the Daniel Boone National Forest, over the years since it was established, has had a tendency to overlook the rich historical resource of the region in which it is located. To some extent, this has been due to a lack of awareness on the part of Forest personnel as to the extent of this historical resource, its direct connection with specific areas on the Forest, and the interest of the public in this phase of the area. It is hoped that this history will serve to inform the personnel, who administer the Daniel Boone, of the interesting early history of eastern Kentucky, as well as to record the establishment of the Cumberland National Forest, its name change, and development and administration during the first 40 years of its existence. This history should also serve to refresh the memory of the public as to the circumstances leading up to the settlement of Kentucky and of the heroic efforts of those early pioneers to hold and settle this beautiful land in which we live today. It will also serve to inform the readers of the establishment of the National Forest in Kentucky and of the efforts of its administrators to develop and utilize its natural resources for the benefit of the people and communities of Kentucky. It is hoped that the readers of this history enjoy it as much as the author enjoyed its research and writing. iv DEDICATION It is fitting and proper that this history be dedicated to those individuals, each a pioneer in the interest of development and conservation of the natural resources of the forested country where today is located Kentucky's great Daniel Boone National Forest, whose actions stand out as milestones in this continuing effort. In thankful recognition of their contributions to the establishment of the Daniel Boone National Forest, this history is respectfully dedicated to: DANIEL BOONE, he first explored this part of Kentucky in 1769 - 1 770. His glowing report of the country resulted in the establishment of the Transylvania Colony here in 1 775. GIFFORD PINCHOT, as the first forester, Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, his foresight and perception resulted in a study of eastern Kentucky in 1907 as a basis for the recommendation for a proposed Southern Appala chian Forest Reserve. MARY BRECKENRIDGE, the founder of the Frontier Nursing Service, and a pioneer in her own right. Her all-out effort to convince the U.S. Forest Service of the importance of including the headwaters watersheds of the Kentucky and Cumberland rivers within the Purchase Unit boundary of the Cumberland Purchase Unit stands out as a pioneer effort in Kentucky to secure recognition of the importance of protection of the headwaters water sheds of major streams. Had her effort been successful, Kentucky today would have been the better for it. WILLIAM E. HEDGES, his acquisition studies and recommendations were the basis for the establishment of the Cumberland Purchase Unit. As the Forest Officer in charge of the Purchase Unit establishment, he selected the boundary location, initiated land purchase and organized the entire operation. The skill and wisdom with which he accomplished these actions contribute to the administration of the Daniel Boone National Forest to the present day. His sincerety of purpose and objective thinking impressed the Kentucky people to the extent that it created a public image of the U.S. Forest Service in Kentucky which still exists. He is truly the father of the Daniel Boone National Forest. THOMAS R. FRAZIER, he was the first District Ranger of the Redbird Purchase Unit with the responsibility of its on-the-ground establishment. His sound judgement, administrative ability and personal leadership resulted in a coordinated operation which was a major factor in the success of the opera tion. The establishment of a new Purchase Unit in eastern Kentucky, the first since the early 1930's, was a pioneer effort in a new country. The smoothness and efficiency with which this was accomplished is a tribute to the ability of this fine Forest Officer. V ACKNOWLEDGEMENT To acknowledge by name the many people who have contributed to the assembly of information on which this history of the Daniel Boone National Forest is based is beyond the capability of this brief statement. To all of these people, I offer my sincere thanks and express my appreciation of their interest and encouragement. Among the major contributors whom I wish to acknowledge by name are: Dr. E. E. Curry, Winchester, Kentucky, whose willing loan of books and manuscripts, long out of print, provided the historical base for the early history of Kentucky. Col. James H. French, Winchester, Kentucky, a direct descendent of Colonel Richard Callaway who accompanied Daniel Boone in marking the Boone Trace in 1 775, made a major contribution to the accuracy of the early history by the loan of books and manuscripts from his personal library and by sharing personal information of that period passed down through his family. Mr. Lucien T. Robinson, Mount Olive, Kentucky, who provided vital infor mation relative to the early land laws and the formation of the counties of Kentucky at the expense of much travel and personal effort on his part. His interest and encouragement contributed much to the completion of the project. Mr. Elmer Boggs, Whitley City, Kentucky, County Agent for McCreary County, Kentucky of the University of Kentucky Co-operative Extension Service. His contribution of information on the Indian history of that area during the early settlement period served to provide information not readily available. The personnel of the Daniel Boone National Forest were of the greatest assistance in researching the Forest Service records for the basic foundation of information on which this history is based. The highest order of assistance and cooperation was furnished by the following: John E. Alcock, Forest Supervisor, Daniel Boone National Forest. The full cooperation and favorable encouragement of Supervisor Alcock throughout the project was a major factor in its successful completion. Jack Hatfield, Administrative Officer, Daniel Boone National Forest. Again the full cooperation of this Forest Officer and his section, together with his personal assistance and encouragement, contributed highly to the full completion of the project. Evelyn S. Powell, Supervisory Resource Technician, Daniel Boone National Forest. Her full knowledge of the files and other reference material vi in the Supervisor's Office, together with her willing assistance, contributed greatly to the completeness of the history. Janet C. Tapp, Supervisory Clerk, Daniel Boone National Forest. Her work, and the work of her section, contributed highly to the final form and assembly of the history. The high standard maintained throughout the project was a major factor in the quality of the final product. Hilda Riley, Engineering Draftsman, Daniel Boone National Forest. Her understanding of map preparation and skill in cartography has greatly simpli fied the understanding of the early traces, stations and counties cited in the text. Her personal interest in this project contributed much to its success. To all of the above people, and to the many others who contributed in any manner to this history of the Daniel Boone National Forest, I offer my acknowledgement of their assistance, contributions and encouragement, and my grateful appreciation of their interest. vii ABOUT THE AUTHOR The author of this History of the Daniel Boone National Forest was born and grew up in southern Michigan. Bob Collins' professional forestry education was acquired at Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, and at the Yale Forest School of Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut. His professional service began with the Michigan Department of Conservation followed by 40 years of service as a member of the U.S.