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100 years ago: The Unlamented Death of Sam C. Lawrence, And an account of the Celebrated Sand Lick Spring, & a Question for the Sages By "Jim" The most sensational (and perhaps least factual in detail) story in the February 23, 1910 News concerned an unlamented death: Sam C. LawrenceThe dead body of Sam C. Lawrence at Sand Lick, the location being where Adair, Cumberland and Russell counties corner, was found dead, near his shack, shot through the body, last Thursday morning. He had been a disturbing element for several years. Not a word as to who did the killinghas come to light. Later:--Parties who saw the body of Lawrence state that he was not shot, but had been struck in the head. It is also reported that when he left his home he had considerable money on his person, but when found he had no money.For those CM readers who have far fewer wrinkles than Ye Contributor, a "blind tiger" was a place where illegal spirits were sold. Wikipedia, that fount of knowledge indisputable, states that "The operator of an establishment (such as a saloon or bar) would charge customers to see an attraction (such as an animal) and then serve a 'complimentary' alcoholic beverage, thus circumventing the [local option] law."This place of business had been brought to the attention of News' readers a year and a half earlier in this report in the August 12, 1908 edition: "Deputy [Tax] Collector J.H. Judd, the latter part of last week, run across a regular saloon near the Sand Lick Spring. The house was located in the corner of three counties, Adair, Cumberland and Russell. The parties who were running the shop were notified that they would have to take out government license, which they did, and proceeded with their business. It is said they are having a fine trade."The March 2, 1910 News carried the last two mentions of Mr. Lawrence and the blind tiger. The first stated that There is no doubt as to the death of Sam C. Lawrence, of Sand Lick fame. Mr. E.V. Miller, who lives at Crocus, sold and delivered the coffin and also saw the body. We understand that an inquest was held and that the jury decided that he was thrown from his horse and killed.Edward V. (E.V.) Miller was the son of James Preston and Sarah McClure Miller. On March 18, 1910, scarely a month after Mr. Miller delivered the above-mentioned coffin, he himself "closed his eyes in death," a victim of paralysis of the brain. The other March 2nd report, this one in the Creelsboro newsletter, reported that Mr. Shipley, adm'r. of Sam Lawrence's estate, was at this place a few days ago. He announces that there will be no more liquor sold at the Sand Lick Blind Tiger. We echo amen. That bedamnable thing has certainly been a menace to this section.In May, 1906, the News printed, under the headline "Trip to Sand Lick Spring," an account of Dr. J.N. Page's visit there, an excerpted version of which follows: Dr. J.N. Page in company with Mr. Harry Chilson, visited the noted Sand Lick Spring recently. The doctor was perfectly delighted with the water and the scenery along the route...When he reached the top of one of the tallest hills he could see the place of his destination in the far distance. he became so elated, knowing that he would soon reach the health-giving water, he was thrown into one of his poetical moods, and there in the presence of Mr. Chilton, he sent these words to the breezes:Another entry in the same edition noted that Dr. J.T. Jones and wife, of Montpelier, had been recent visitors of the Spring. As we shall see, this most likely was not the good Doctor Jones' first visit there. The Spring received yet more attention in the News edition of July 8, 1908: The healing waters of Sand Lick Springs, 13 miles South of Columbia, is gradually but certainly claiming the attention of many people in this section and some remarkable results have been placed to its credit. Louis Young, son of John Young, is one of the latest to be blessed by its healing properties. For nearly four years he has been compelled to use crutches, due to rheumatism, but only a stay of two or three weeks has enabled him to throw his crutches aside. He feels that he will soon be entirely well.The July 20, 1904, News described the Spring waters thus: ...The water has a taste like no other. The doctors who have tasted the water say that the medical properties are sulphur, salts, magnezier (sic) and oil...Dr. James Thomas (J.T.) Jones, mentioned above, was a frequent contributor to the Adair County News from the late 1890s until well past 1910. As stated in the Introduction to "The Wit & Wisdom of Dr. J.T. Jones of Montpelier, Kentucky," his poetic efforts were "sometimes sly social commentary, sometimes poignant, sometimes rib-tickling funny, and always witty." Such is the case with the poem below, which appeared in the July 15, 1903 News. Having established that Mr. Lawrence's business was (perhaps not uncoincidentially) in close proximity to the Sand Lick Spring raises a question for the sages. In this poem, does Dr. Jones refer to the waters of the spring, or is it but a sly metaphor for the distilled spring water of the blind tiger? It's a question far beyond the ken of your humble contributor; in fact, it's worthy of contemplation by the Greatest Minds of Adair County. Water Cure(The information about the Sand Lick Spring and the transcription of "Water Cure" is from The Wit & Wisdom of Dr. J.T. Jones of Montpelier, Kentucky; the material is used with permission.) This story was posted on 2010-02-28 04:12:00
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Have comments or corrections for this story? Use our contact form and let us know. (AD) - Many Reunion organizing efforts are also advertised in our REUNIONS category in our CM Classifeds. These are posted at a very low cost. See RATES & TERMS More articles from topic Local History:
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