While doing a search on a John Allen I made the most unusual discovery.  I have posted several blogs about Russellville, Logan County – Linton’s from my line lived there.  When the newspaper search came up with articles on John Allen included was an article from The Mirror, a very early newspaper in Russellville – from 1808!  On www.newspapers.com if I search for Kentucky newspapers 1787-1823, there are five that come up – The Argus of Western America, in Frankfort; Farmer’s Friend, Russellville; Kentucky Gazette, from Lexington; The Mirror, Russellville; and The Olive Branch and Western Union, Danville.  I was amazed to see the small town of Russellville included in this list – and with two newspapers.  I do realize this is what is available on the newspapers.com website, and that more papers were printed than the five listed, but I am still very impressed.

As per the time period, the letter ‘s’ is sometimes represented by what looks like an ‘f’.  This can make reading very difficult.  I have typed the ads for your convenience.

The following are ads from The Mirror, except the first which is an obituary.

Friday, November 14, 1806

Died on Monday night last, Mr. William McWirter [McWhirter], of this town.

Thursday, June 5, 1809

James H. Davidson Respectfully informs his friends and the public, that he has opened a house of entertainment, in the town of Russellville, Logan County, in the house formerly occupied by Col. Samuel Caldwell, and from his experience in that business, he flatters himself to be able to render general satisfaction to those who will favor him with their custom.  He will be furnished with a large commodious table, and an attentive ostler.

The cabinet making business will in future be carried on under the firm of Davidson and Miles, and for the convenience of their customers they will receive in payment for any article in their line, cotton, beef, pork, oats, flour, butter and poultry, at cash prices.

November 24, 1808

Thursday, June 5, 1809

Strayed from the subscribers some time in November last, three cows, one a red unmarked cow, a large, white and red, and a white cow without horns.  Any one having seen or taken up such cattle, by giving information of them to Mr. James H. Davidson, of Russellville, shall be handsomely rewarded by Henry C. Gist.

Saturday, June 27, 1807

William Scott & Robert Grimes wish to inform the public, that they intend to commence the Brewing and Baking businesses next fall, near Mr. Weller’s Tan Yard, and will give a high price in cash for Barley and Hops.  From their acquaintance in the said businesses they flatter themselves they will give generous satisfaction.

Russellville, June 13, 1807.

January 5, 1809

J. Y. & R. Hiter, Clock and Watch Makers, have settled in Russellville, and will attend to any calls in their line of business. They have on hand, and will keep a constant supply of the following articles:

Mourning and Fancy Lockets and Rings, Ear Rings of different fashions, Breast Pins, Ladies Combs ornamented and plain, Gold Seals and keys for watches; gilt for the same, a few elegant field officer’s Swords, Dirks of various descriptions, with a constant supply of Plate.

They will give the highest prices for old Gold, Silver and Pewter.

July 31, 1808

Just a little information on Ninian Edwards.  He was born March 17, 1775, in Montgomery County, Maryland, the son of Benjamin Edwards and Margaret Beall.  In 1794, at the age of 19, Ninian was sent to Nelson County, Kentucky, to manage his father’s land.  It is said he moved to Russellville in 1803, but this evidently is a mistake since he was elected a Trustee of Russellville in 1799.  The Illinois Territory was created in 1809, which included the state of Wisconsin, as well as parts of Minnesota and Michigan.  At the age of 34 Ninian was appointed Territorial Governor of the area by President James Madison.

November 7, 1806

Cheap Bargains Offered

Being engaged in building a saw and merchant mill, erecting a distillery, and building a large dwelling house, I have much need of active funds and will therefore give great bargains in the following tracts of land:  viz.

About 1,000 acres, including my Wolf Lick Farm and half of the Lick lying about nine miles from Russellville.  I will sell on a liberal credit, with interest on the money, at five dollars per acre; to be paid in cash or Negroes.  On this tract there are fine peach, apple, several bearing pear trees, together with about forty acres of cleared land.  This is unquestionably one of the best situations in the Western Country for raising stock of any kind, there being an extensive wood range on the one side and barrens on the other; and no necessity for incurring the expense of salt for stock; and it is confidently believed that a thousand head of hogs might be annually raised at it without giving them more corn than would be necessary to gentle them.  On the Lick I made a small experiment, by making about 300 bushels of salt, and was prevented from progressing it in by bad health, which rendered it impossible for me to attend to it; but I am well convinced it could be worked to great advantage.

3,000 acres adjoining the lands of Col. Baylor and Mr. Washington, commencing about six miles from Russellville; it is fine farming land, is well watered, lies as handsomely as any land in the county, in a very agreeable neighborhood, and has sufficient proportion of barrens and timber for several good farms.  Of this I will either sell the whole or a part – if I sell the whole I will take one dollar per acre, and give a very liberal credit for all except five or six hundred dollars, provided I can get the interest paid annually.  Mr. Presley Morehead, who lives adjoining, can shew this land.

200 acres on Elk Fork of Muddy River, about two miles below Mr. Morehead’s Mill.  This I am confident is as good a tract as I have ever seen in this county; I gave for it in ’99 [1799] two dollars per acre, and I would now take that sum for it if I could get cash down, or 500 dollars upon credit.  Mr. Henry, who lives adjoining, can shew the land.

200 acres adjoining the land on which John Butler formerly lived, now in the possession of Henry Anson, about ten miles from Russellville, in the richest part of this county, and is itself one of the richest tracts in the county; at least one half of it fine rich barrens, and on the balance a sufficiency of excellent timber.  For this tract I will take 400 dollars in cash, or 500 dollars upon credit, or 600 dollars in breeding mares, at cash price.

About 400 acres on the South Fork of Red River, at the crossing of the Nashville Road; about 40 acres of this are cleared, tolerable good buildings on it, several bearing apple trees and a peach orchard, and the greater part of the land as rich as any on Red River, and has a sufficiency of timber and two good mill seats on it, as I am informed.  For this tract I will take 1,000 dollars.

I have several other tracts for sale, and will sell the farm on which I live; but for any of the above I will not take less than I have stated, and I have actually stated the price as an inducement to purchasers.  None need apply who expect it lower.

Ninian Edwards

Collina, November 4, 1806