This article, written by Todd Preston, President of the Magoffin County Historical Society, was taken from the September 1, 2011 issue of THE SALYERSVILLE INDEPENDENT newspaper.

            Well, HAPPY FOUNDERS DAYS, everyone!  Here we are right in the middle of the 33^rd such event for Magoffin County and Salyersville.  If you are reading this in Magoffin, we are happy to have you here with us.  If you are reading from afar, we hope you will come visit when you can.  We continually strive to help preserve our history and genealogy for the future. We feel that we become better and more productive citizens by knowing “from whence we came.”

            We have worked on planning Founders Days for a year now and we would like to take this opportunity to stop and remember all those who have labored right along beside us.  We especially thank the members of the Joseph family who have worked so tirelessly to bring this celebration to fruition.  The city and county offices and officials have been wonderful with their help and cooperation.  We appreciate the help of the Coca-Cola company and Speedway-Super America for getting the Founders Days street signs for us.  Thank you, Howard Cable Company, for getting them hung for all to view.  These signs add a festive touch to our celebration and also provide a good backdrop for photos and there are a great many pictures taken!  Speaking of pictures, we appreciate the volunteer help of Jack Sizemore for helping us out once again, so, if you see him with that camera, be sure and SMILE!

            We know that parking is at a premium here in our town so we encourage all who can to use the Ramey Park for parking. It is just a short walk across the ridge to the Pioneer Village.  I try to walk a mile in the park every morning at day break and use this bridge daily.  We are glad to have such a wonderful access way from the park to the town.

            My family caught me out on another mission recently and came in to trim, mow, and generally clean up in and around the log cabin complex to the extent I was bewildered when I saw the results.  Toddie and Lisa Preston, Jessica and Jarrod Howard, Abbie and Brian Conley really know how to help Ole Dad out!

            I received a phone call and took the man’s name and information but have misplaced it so want to ask your help, in the event you might be able to help. The man called as I am a member of the local cemetery board and reported a tree had fallen near his home and it seems what was thought perhaps to be a casket was partly exposed and he wanted to investigate. From the description of the area I take it this might be the Sam Keeton Cemetery. I had plans in mind to set a metal cemetery sign at this cemetery. It is located on Route 2222 near the area that was formerly called “Negro Branch” at Pricey.  I can picture the place in my mind but when I went to where I thought it was, I failed to find it. If the caller or anyone else can help me find the Sam Keeton Cemetery, I would appreciate it!

            Several years ago I had copied this cemetery and at that time described it as being in an abandoned condition.  Those known to be buried there were Sam Keeton b. ca. 1858, Bill Keeton, George Keeton and Charlie Wilson b. 1865.  Several unidentifiable graves were also there.

            The 1850 Morgan and 1860 Magoffin census records list Sam Keeton as a dealer in cattle and livestock.  He became a legend in this area as he traveled far and near buying livestock from local people and taking it on to Mount Sterling to market. He amassed a small fortune in his time. It is said he couldn’t read or write but could recognize the value of coins by sight and feeling with his fingers.  He is yet remembered and respected today by some of our older citizens. 

            When we can relocate this cemetery, it will be on our list to get a memorial marker placed. Dorothy and Connie have already started researching. 

            A younger Samuel Keeton who was born in 1871 and died in 1944 is interred in the Cooper Cemetery at the mouth of Buffalo Creek as were his wife Lula Gardner Keeton b. 11 Nov 1877 and died 2 Oct 1928, along with Ermil Keeton and Winford Keeton. This Samuel’s sons were also livestock dealers.

            Among the many visitors to the historical society in the last few days was Catherine Pierce, 582 Jefferson Valley, Coatsville, IN who was researching her family. She is the daughter of Chester Caudill. Chester was a son of Benjamin Lewis Caudill b. 1869 and gr/son of John Reid Caudill. John Reid was born in 1846 to Benjamin Caudill and Abigail Pennington.  Benjamin was a son of Stephen Caudill and Sarah Adams.

            John Reid Caudill married Elizabeth Conley b. 1849, dau of John Conley and Elizabeth Powers.  Elizabeth was born in 1818 to Lewis Power and Elizabeth Prater. Elizabeth was a dau of Archibald Prater and Sarah Fugate.

            Chester Caudill was born in 1895. He married Abbie Lemaster, dau of Isaac Lemaster b. 1843. Isaac was a son of Ambrose Lemaster b. 1810 and gr/son of Eleazor Lemaster.  Ambrose married Frances “Granny Fanny” Shaver b. 1822, said to have been of Indian heritage.

            Isaac Lemaster married Sarah Sparks, the dau of Matthew Sparks.  Matthew (son of Henry Sparks) was born around 1810 in NC and married Alsey Osburn, dau of Jerry Osburn.

            Another visitor was Danny Gene Salyer and his wife Glenda, Box 3003, Sommers, AL 36575.  Danny is a son of Paul Gene Salyer b. 1931 and grandson of Jesse Earl Salyer b. 1901 KY and died 1931 in Ohio.  His wife was Olive Gardner b. 1902 Castlewood, VA.

            Jesse Earl Salyer was a son of William Salyer b. 1867, and grandson of Peter Salyer b. 1841/43 KY and Maranda Blankinship b. 1848.

            Peter Salyer was a son of Samuel Salyer b. 1801 Greenville, Co. SC and Malinda Mullinax. This Samuel Salyer was a son of James Salyer who died in 1858 Marshall Co. KY.