Henderson County, Kentucky

 

EARLY OUTLAWS

 

The first white people of whose history anything is known, connected with the prestine settlement of Henderson County, were a set of graceless outlaws noted for their wicked deeds and incomparable attrocities. It cannot be said that they claimed the "Red Banks" as a permanent home, for their lives were devoted to wild adventure, thievery and murder in all their manifold sins and wickedness. These men were the MAYS, MASONS and WILSONS, headed by the notorious John A. MURRELL and Samuel MAY. Their rendezvous was on the bank of the river, and frequently, murdering the crews. This was their headquarters, and robbing boats their occupation up to the time Captain YOUNG and his company (who had organized for the purpose of driving them out of the country) appeared in the neighborhood. For a number of years John A MURRELL camped at times upon the identical spot where the residence of A. J. ANDERSON now stands, opposite Diamond Island, and gave to that place a poetic name it yet retains - "Forest Home." After the appearance of Captain YOUNG, the clan then located at or near Cave-in-Rock, Ill, where they continued to pursue their nefarious avocation.

History of Henderson County, Kentucky, Page 26

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Contributed by Netta Mullin, HCH&GS
Copyright 2005 HCH&GS