Editor’s Note: We are republishing excerpts from the 1917 Woodford Sun. The  United States entered the First World War by declaring war on the German Empire on April 6, 1917. The Clippings will tell how Woodford County responded and was impacted by “The Great War.” We will return to 1891, where we have been since November, for a few weeks in July and August for the ratification debate and vote on the 1891 Kentucky Constitution. For historical purposes, we reprint the Clippings “warts and all,” and so the presence of derogatory and racist stereotypical words are reprinted. 

 

The Woodford Sun

June 14, 1917

[FARM NEWS – Tobacco Out] The torrential rains last week did quite a bit of damage. Some plowed fields were so badly washed it will take several years to repair the injury. Tobacco plants were washed entirely out of the ground and hemp was damaged. Considerable injury was done to roads in the southern part of the county hampering farmers from accessing their fields. About one-half of the Woodford County tobacco crop had been set out already. A few farmers got out their entire crop.

[Woodburn Cottage Farm] Mr. Kenneth Alexander sails for France this week to join the war effort as an ambulance driver. He has directed his trainer, William Young, to sell at once all of his race horses except Escoba, the stake-running son of Broomstick and Christmas Star. Mr. Alexander is saving the brilliant Escoba in hopes of sending him to the post next spring in the Kentucky Derby. Already having won the Idle Hour and Rashford Manor stakes, this colt has shown himself to be the best of this year’s crop having already won more than $5,000. (Ed. Note – Escoba did go on to run in the 1918 Kentucky Derby, finishing second to long-shot Exterminator by a length on a track described as “deep mud.”).

[Pershing in England] Major General John G. Pershing who has been selected to lead the first division of American soldiers in France is known in the Army as “Black Jack.” He is a native of Missouri, thirty-seven years of age, and was graduated from West Point in 1890. He served in many campaigns against the Indians, and was named a captain for his gallantry in Cuba. He has served in the Philippines where he was made a Major General before being named to his current post.

[Bluegrass Clipper sold] Midway’s long-standing newspaper, the Blue-Grass Clipper, has been sold by J.O. Cooper to John G. Brown, who  for some time has been its business manager, and Frank Walter, who has been a reporter there for several months. 

[Democrat and Farmer’s Union Fish Fry] The Farmer’s Union and Democratic Party was a great success with nearly 75 in attendance despite the foul weather. It was held at Graddy’s River Camp in Clifton. The fish were delicious and everyone was happy. Speeches were made by Gov. Stanley, President Harrison of the State Farmer’s Union and Gen. Tandy Ellis sang several negro melodies and accompanied himself on banjo.

[Versailles High School Commencement] The commencement was held at the Versailles Y.M.C.A., and was a great occasion. The graduating class was composed of six respectfully bright and handsome young ladies, and the attendance was large and respectful.

[Patriotic Meetings} Several patriotic meetings, under the auspices of the National Council of Defense, and are being held throughout the county.