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Archiver > KYCLAY > 1998-08 > 0903210895
From: "Jess Wilson" <>
Subject: Re: [KYCLAY-L] Dickey Diary Index - Letter A
Date: Sat, 15 Aug 1998 15:54:55 -0400
Kelly, You ask about the Rev. John Jay Dickeys diary. He was a Methodist
preacher. He came to Jackson, Breathitt County, about 1883, for his health.
Why he thought his health would improve in Breathitt County, I could never
discover. He seemed to suffer from a nervous disorder. He would be on Cloud
9 one day and in the depth of Despair the next.
In Jackson he was instrumental in creating what became Lee's Junior
College. For a while he published The Jackson Hustler, a county newspaper.
He was one of a half dozen preachers that baptized Bad Tom Smith before he
was hanged for killing Dr. John Rader, who came from Jackson County. Most
everyone in this area attended the hanging. Dr. Raders wife was a d/o
Delaney Bowling of Terrills Creek in Jackson County.I was told that someone
held Dr. Raders 9 year old do
aughter over the heads in the crown so that she could see her fathers
killer, hanged.
Dont confuse Jackson County with the city of Jackson, which is in
Breathitt County.
About 1896, Dickey attended a conference of the Methodist Church where he
met the Bennett sisters. I have been told that he was smitten by the beauty
of Sue Bennett. Shortly thereafter, he moved to London, in Laurel County
where he was instrumental in establishing Sue Bennett Junior College.
In the latter part of 1897, he was read out at the Methodist Conference as
a supernumerary. (Look it up yourself) HE moved TO Manchester in Clay
County and became a semi permanent resident in the Lucas Hotel which was
located on the square where the Cumberland Valley National Bank is now
located.
>From here he visited various Methodist churches from Wyatts Chapel in
Laurel County to churches in Harland, Leslie, Breathitt and Perry counties.
In Clay County and particularly in Manchester he became involved in the
doings of the day. During all these days he kept a diary. In what has been
refered to as Reel #3, he began recording interviews with individuals as to
what they remember of their family origin. His daily entrees also recorded
the news he heard about the various killings that were taking place during
this dreadful feuding time that involved most of the principle families in
the area.
He preached the funeral of Baldy George Baker, when Baker was killed by
James Howard. He also preached Deputy Will Whites funeral when White was
killed by Baldy Bakers son, Tom Baker. Then when Tom Baker was killed
while being held a prisoner for killing White, Dickey also preached Tom
Bakerss funeral. All the while he made several mentions of the whiskey
saloon that the Bakers ran in the store across Anderson Street from the
Lucas Hotel.
{ If you want more information on the Clay County feud of that time ask me
for a copy of A Latter Day Look at Ky Mtn Feuds and Baker Stories, $5.00,
if you think it worth it. Dont send money until you receive the booklet.}
One of Dickeys comments about Clay County people was that they were the
finest people and the men most handsome and rode the finest horses.
Another comment was that they were the danceingest people on earth, of
which he did not approve. He wrote, If it was given out that Judgement Day
was to be on Saturday, they would announce a dance for Friday night, and
they would dance, dance, dance.
Jess Wilson, Possum Trot Road, Manchester, Ky 40962
----------
> From:
> To:
> Subject: Re: [KYCLAY-L] Dickey Diary Index - Letter A
> Date: Saturday, August 15, 1998 11:06 AM
>
> Hello all ,Please excuse my lack of knowledge here , But would someone
tell me
> what the Dickey Diaries are about?? Thank you,Kelly
>
>
> ==== KYCLAY Mailing List ====
>
> Post your queries, someone may have that missing link!
> To post:
>
> Clay Connections:
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Ranch/8032/clay.html
>
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