TODAY IN KENTUCKY HISTORY

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On February 11, 1820, the General Assembly passed a law of replevin, or “stay law,” that prevented creditors from seeking a court order to make individuals pay a debt for one year.  They hoped that this would provide time for an economic recovery, allowing debtors to save their investments.  This law was the start of the infamous Old Court – New Court Controversy.

Localtonians wish a Happy Birthday to Danville native Theodore O’Hara, born in 1820.  He is best known for the poem “Bivouac of the Dead.”  Theodore wrote the poem to honor his fellow Kentucky soldiers who died in the Mexican-American War.  The poem’s popularity increased after the Civil War, and its verses are on many memorials in the Arlington National Cemetery.

On February 11, 1828, the General Assembly passed “an act to regulate civil proceedings against certain communities having property in common,” enabling citizens to sue communities such as the Shakers.

On February 11, 1849, the General Assembly approved “an act to incorporate the Boone Monumental Association.”  The eight members, including Orlando Brown and James Harlan, were empowered to erect a monument for Daniel Boone’s grave.

February 11, 1867, Kentucky charted the Lynnland Female Institute, a private women’s liberal arts college in Glendale, a small community in Hardin County.  It is one of the oldest women’s colleges in the Commonwealth but closed in 1915.

February 11, 1914, Kentucky State University (UK) hosted and defeated the University of Tennessee, 21-14, in the Woodland Avenue Auditorium.  Covington native Ralph Morgan was the only player to score in double digits, racking up 10 points for Kentucky.

February 11, 1920, a banquet honoring Kentucky legislature members, at the Phoenix Hotel in Lexington, took place.  The poem, In Kentucky, was read by the author, James H. Mulligan.

February 11, 1930, a delegation of Mammoth Cave National Park enthusiasts from Louisville and Bowling Green spoke to the General Assembly.  They asked to move $1,500,000 from the road fund to assist in making the cave a National Park.  They succeeded 11 years later.

February 11, 1933, Judge Hardin, in Inez, ordered John H. Mills, a 36-year-old cult leader, jailed for the strange “sacrifice” slaying of his mother at the height of a fantastic cult ceremony.  Police also detained six other members of the mountain cult.

February 11, 1937, Patrolman Willis Arthur Coy, Louisville Police Department, succumbed to injuries sustained four months earlier when he was involved in a motorcycle accident while on patrol.  He was thrown to the ground when his motorcycle struck a hole in the pavement.

February 11, 1942, token fares on Louisville street cars and buses increased from 3 tokens-for-20 cents to 2 tokens-for-15 cents.  The cash fare remained at 10 cents.

Localtonians wish a Happy Birthday to Benham native Bernard Tyrone Bickerstaff, born in 1944.

February 11, 1951, Army CPL Johnny W. Gibson from Pulaski County, Army CPL Allie C. Jones from Daviess County and Army PVT Howard J. Stewart from Fayette County, died in the Korean War.

February 11, 1953, the government announced they discovered a rare photograph of President Lincoln at Gettysburg in their archives.  At one time, it was thought no picture existed of the President on the day of his famous speech.

February 11, 1960, the Army announced that for the first time a supersonic missile killed another supersonic missile in mid-air on purpose. Star Wars had begun.

February 11, 1967, Army SP4 Marcus D. White from Berea died in the Vietnam War.

February 11, 1968, Army SP4 Given W. Bradley from Paducah died in the Vietnam War.

February 11, 1968, Navy PO3 Stephan L. Bechtel from Harrodsburg died in the Vietnam War.

February 11, 1969, Army SP4 Kirk A. Woolley from Louisville died in the Vietnam War.

February 11, 1971, Lt. Gov. Wendell Ford told the Sierra Club that he would enforce the 1966 federal strip mining law if elected governor.  He then indirectly accused Governor Nunn of strip-mining violations.

February 11, 1979, Trooper Clinton Eugene “Clint” Cunningham, Kentucky State Police, died in a Franklin County ambush.  He was shot in the back while investigating a false report of a burglary at a grocery store.

February 11, 1984, Kentucky’s Sam Bowie and Auburn’s Charles Barkley battled for position at Rupp Arena.  #6 UK won 84-64 even though 7-foot-1 Bowie scored only eight points while 6-foot-6 Barkley scored 18 for the #16 Tigers.

February 11, 1988, UK History Professor Mark Summers balanced an antique chair atop his head as he pedaled home near the UK campus.  “I purchased the chair at a downtown antique dealer,” Summers said, “and this was the only way I had to get it home.”

February 11, 1989, Kenny Walker won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest competing three days after his father’s death.

February 11, 1993, the James M. Lloyd House, a historic home located in Mount Washington, was placed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

Feb 11 500px Lloyd house
By Jennifer Mansfield-Jones

February 11, 1995, Cigar returns to graded competition in the Donn Handicap (GI) at the classic distance of 1 1/8M.  This was Cigar’s 4th win on his 16 win streak and Holy Bull’s last race.

February 11, 1996, the Lexington Herald-Leader spotlighted Governor P. Patton’s son.  After a successful information technology career in the private sector, Chris Patton ushered Kentucky government into the computer age.  He received $1.00 a year for his services.

February 11, 2000, Kentucky tobacco farmers tell the world they are taking their fight directly to the White House after facing record quota cuts, slow sales of a drought-stricken crop, and the threat of contract farming.

February 11, 2006, Maysville native and Tennessee Volunteer Christopher Franklin “Chris” Lofton made a school-record nine three-point shots en route to a career-high 33 points in an 83–78 win over Georgia.

February 11, 2010, Army SGT 1st Class Matthew S. Sluss-Tiller, 35, of Catlettsburg, died in Pakistan, fighting in Operation Enduring Freedom.

February 11, 2010, Kentucky became the first state to adopt Common Academic Standards (CAS).  The Kentucky Board of Education approved the substitution of the CAS in Mathematics and English/Language Arts.

February 11, 2016, newly ex-Governor Steve Beshear aggressively attacked Governor M. Bevin’s new healthcare policies, stating, “Governor Bevin will be held accountable.”

February 11, 2020, Detective James Traver Kirk, Stanton Police Department, suffered a fatal heart attack following a struggle with an armed subject.

February 11, 2020, Maysville native Charles Young received a promotion posthumously to Brigadier General by Governor A. Beshear.

February 11, 2021, Governor A. Beshear declared a state of emergency after an ice storm battered most of the Commonwealth, leaving 70,500 people without power.  He also unveiled dozens of new locations where people can “sign-up” for the vaccine.  To date, close to 500,000 people received their first dose.  Meanwhile, in D.C., the 2nd Trump impeachment trial continues.