Tag: Carroll

No Destination: Gen. William O. Butler

Born in Jessamine County, General William Butler was a Mexican War hero who practice law and ultimately died in Carrollton.

The Presidential election of 1848 was full of Kentucky connections and is evidence of Kentucky’s political prowess of old. In the race, Zachary Taylor (interred in Kentucky) defeated Kentuckian Henry Clay for the Whig nomination. In the general election, Taylor/Filmore defeatedthe Democratic ticket of Cass/Butler.

Significantly, Butler represented Kentucky in the oft-forgotten 1861 peace conference which took place in Washington, D.C. as an attempt to stave off civil war. Another Kentuckian, Senator John J. Crittenden, emphasized his crazy proposals for six Constitutional amendments to prevent war. Of course, Crittenden would have permanently recognized slavery in the U.S.

Kentucky Historical Marker #634, the only state historic marker on the Carroll County courthouse lawn, reads:

Gen. William O. Butler, born Kentucky 1791, died here, 1880. War of 1812: River Raisin, Pensacola, and New Orleans. Gen. Andrew Jackson’s staff 1816-17. Cited for heroism in Mexican War 1846-48. Practiced law here. Congressman 1839-43. Defeated as candidate for Governor 1844, Vice President 1848 and US Senate 1851. A Kentucky Commissioner to Peace Conference in Feb. 1861.

Named after General Butler is a state park just southeast of Carrollton, as well as counties in both Iowa and Missouri.

No Destination: Carrollton

Carrollton, as viewed from the Observation Deck at General Butler State Park

Port William, Kentucky became the county seat of Gallatin County when the county was formed in 1799. In 1938, the county was divided to create Carroll County. At that time, Port William was renamed Carrollton with the new county and its seat being named after Charles Carroll (a signer of the Declaration of Independence from Maryland). Upon the death of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams (both died on July 4, 1826), Carroll was the last remaining signer. He died in 1832. [cite and cite]

Carrollton is a nice river town with a beautiful courthouse. The walk approaching the courthouse is tree-lined and quite stately. Much of Carrollton/Port William’s early history centered on Water Street. This street, located between Main Street and the Ohio River, is largely washed away due to changes in the path of the river.

In fact, much of downtown Carrollton was submerged during the flood of 1884: “[t]he swelling continued, and by Thursday evening the north half of the Court house yard was deep enough to row a boat in.” [cite] For those who haven’t been to Carrollton, let me give some perspective. The remains of Water Street are perhaps 18 inches above the river; Main Street runs parallel to Water Street but is probably twelve feet higher in elevation. The ground rises across Main Street, on the south side of which rests the courthouse. And the lawn is large. This was a big ol’ flood.