Outstanding Citizens of Bullitt County

This is one of the recollections written by Wallace A. McKay and published in The Pioneer-News. Follow the "Recollections" link above to find others of his writings.

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The Pioneer-News, April 7, 1933, pages 1-2

Some of The Outstanding Citizens of Bullitt County Just Before The Period of Invention, Development, and Modern Conveniences

A few of the outstanding citizens of Bullitt County at the time of the writer's earliest recollection, were included in the following list: Judge Wesley Phelps; Judge Wilhite Carpenter; Judge James Caswell; Judge John L O'Brian; Judge James F. Smith; William G Hays; James H. Hays; Henry Trunnell; James Croan, Sr., James H. Shepherd, Sr, Hardin Holsclaw; William Phelps; Austin Hough and Samuel Carrothers, Mt Washington; Dr. Samuel A. McKay; Dr. Joseph F. Birkhead, William Dawson, Sr, of Pitts Point; W. B. M. Brooks; S. Neil Brooks, Sr.; Samuel Brooks, James Y. Pope; Chas. C. Lee; William Simmons; George W. Simmons; Henry C. Maraman; Judge William R. Thompson; Anderson Rouse; J. Vard Crenshaw; Casper Herps; Frank Troutman; Lee Troutman and C. Fillmore Troutman; Richard McConathy; E. W. Hall; Orleans Lee; W. Jeff Lee; J. Lan Lee; Alden Barrall; Christ Barrall; Nace Hoagland, Loyd Friddle and W. Peyton Simmons.

These are only a few of the names recalled at the instant by the writer. There are a number of others who, no doubt, will be recalled later on.

It is the purpose of the writer, if time permits, in later articles to say something of each of the men named above. Several of then have already been mentioned in former articles. Each of them deserve special mention and it is to be hoped that the time will be found to do this. The names of the men above comprise a galaxy of strong, independent, and sturdy Kentuckians-men whose ancestors were the path finders, the brave pioneers who fought their way through the mountains and forests and established the foundation of a civilization which has been the pride of the Nation for the three generations that are behind us. These splendid men inherited many of the virtues of their pioneer ancestors.

In all the writer's experience and contacts with men in various States, and in different portions of Kentucky, he never knew a finer type of men than those which composed Bullitt County's leading citizen at the time of his earliest childhood. During those days men were hardier and stronger and more endured to hardship and hard work. They were head-strong virile, honest and industrious and loyal to their friends and ready to fight for them, if need be.

There were no good roads in the county of any consequence, no telephones, no houses heated with gas or lighted with electricity. Coal was scarcely used at all. Luxuries were not known. Nearly every family had a large, old-fashioned fire-place and used wood almost exclusively for heating and cooking. Nearly every family put up their own ice in the winter for summer use, and killed their own hogs and beef for their winter food supplies.

There were no Banks in Bullitt County. When a man wanted money if he was honest and worthy, he could always obtain a loan from one of his neighbors or his village store, There was a spirit of co-operation and neighborliness and friendship among the people which could well be emulated at the present time.

In future articles, the writer hopes to be able to give his viewpoint of life as it was in that most interesting period in our Country's history and incidentally, sketch some of the men who contributed to its romantic and idealistic features, as well as to its business and material side.

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