Special Wolfe County Queries

This special query section is to provide an arena dealing with Wolfe County history questions that are not genealogical in nature. To add a special query to this page, email your query directly to me at SPECIAL QUERY I will try to paste your query onto the page the same day I receive it. Please phrase your query as clearly as possible. When I paste your query to this page I will automate the e-mail response so anyone wishing to reply can just click and type. If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me. This page is here for you!

CURRENT SPECIAL QUERY TOPICS:

CALEB KASH - CIVIL WAR STORY

CHALYBEATE SPRINGS SCHOOL

ECONOMIC STATUS SINCE GOING "WET"

WHERE IS LANE, KY?

O & K RAILROAD

MYSTERY TOMBSTONE

OIL FIELD INFO NEEDED

SPRUCE GROVE * SWIFTSVILLE

TORRENT TUNNEL

UNKNOWN AILMENT

WOLFE RANGERS * WOLFE GRAYS

SPECIAL QUERIES

LaJeania Holland Moore [email protected]

I am a descendant of John and Charity Brewer Holland and understand that he operated a Fur Trading Post in the area. I would like to know more about the Trading Post and where I might find such information. Thank you.

Posted on 28 February 2002

Unknown [email protected]
My gfather, George T. SEWELL, (b.1885, Wolfe Co.), son of James SEWELL and Lucinda HOLLON, enlisted in the Army in 1904. On these papers he indicated that he was from "Lane", Kentucky. This held true for a number of years and then it was listed as "Wolfe County". I know of several others who are also trying to find "Lane". Nothing certain to date but a couple of guesses include "somewhere near Stillwater" to "near Pence/Pence Branch". I have also found brief reference to "Lane" in a 1895 Atlas, as having a post office, no railroad, and an "Express Office" (whatever that is), but no location. Would appreciate any help on this one.
Posted on 19 September 1998
Carletta Shupe [email protected]
I am interested in learning all that I can about the oil fields of Kentucky. Where can I find records? How were the mineral rights handled? When did the first companies start work? What counties were the most active for this type of extracting? Any information at all would be greatly appreciated!
Posted on 14 February 1998
Darlene Mihaloew [email protected]
Do you have any idea what an ailment called "the gaps" would have been? My mother remembers hearing about it in Wolfe County, probably in the 1930's, but we have no idea what it is.
Posted on 15 June 1997
Charles Gillespie [email protected]
Was wondering if you heard or could find out about a story that happen during the Civil War around or in Wolfe County of a band of southern solider from possible Powell Cty. raided the home of a Caleb Kash around 1862. He had a wooden leg but was able to run and hide out from them until his dog lead them to him. Was wondering who this Caleb was since my 3 great grandfather was a Caleb Kash.Thanks. Charles Gillespie
Posted on 11 May 1997
Ben Trent, Jr [email protected]
In the late 1930's until 1951 I lived in wolfe county mostly, along what is now highway 205; then it was called tunnel fork road. I dont remember the name of the railroad that ran through there. The railroad started or ended at Helechawa ran through Lee City, Trent, Rosefork, (Breathitt County)Boone Fork, Willhurst, Simpson, Vancleve and on to Jackson where it connected to the major rail road of the day. I certainly would like an information on this railroad that any can provide. I believe the railroad was taken up in the early or mid 1930.
Posted on 4 May 1997
Lynn Pass [email protected]
I am so fortunate to have found your website! Does someone happen to have some information on the state of Wolfe County's economy since it has been voted as wet territory? I am hoping to find that it has improved dramatically... it certainly seems like there has much development in the area. Please send any and all info you have my way. Thanks in advance. (Please respond by May 4, 1997)
Posted on 1 May 1997
Ken Bush [email protected]
In the 1880s, the Kentucky Union Railroad Company began building a railroad through Torrent in Wolfe County. It was determined that a tunnel needed be built through the hill that obstructed the way to Walker�s Creek. Digging soon began on the tunnel, and the labor was provided entirely by convicts. According to local legend, the more troublesome prisoners conviently fell victim to rock slides. Enough laborers lost their lives to warrant a convict graveyard on a nearby hillside. Any information on the construction of this tunnel would be appreciated. Thanks.
Posted on 17 April 1997
Ken Bush [email protected]
The 1850 and 1860 Owsley Co., KY censuses lists the enumeration districts of Swiftsville and Spruce Grove which were in areas that are now Wolfe County. I would like to know the boundaries of these districts. Any information would be of help. Thanks.
Posted on 17 April 1997
Ken Bush [email protected]
On 13 Aug 1873, Rev. John D. Spencer donated one acre of land to School District #8 for the purpose of constructing a one room school to educate the children of the area. The school was constructed on Big Andy Ridge between Rogers and Zachariah in southwestern Wolfe County shortly after the land was donated. It was named Chalybeate Springs School because of a nearby spring. Classes ended circa 1945 and the school was torn down circa 1947. The site is presently located on the farm of Frank Profitt. Would like to find a picture of the old school and also any information about it. Thanks.
Posted on 17 April 1997
Ken Bush [email protected]
The 18 April 1997 issue of the Wolfe County News ran a story about a tombstone that has been recently unearthed. The stone was found in the back of the home of Mary Clair at Lee City while a ditch was being cleaned out. The foot square stone bears the inscription, Eddy Lee Nickell, Mar. 10, 1887, May 9, 1892, He carries the lamb in his bosom. It is not known if the child was actually buried here or elsewhere. If you have any information on this child, his burial location or information about his family, please send it to me. Thanks.
Posted on 17 April 1997

Jeff Weaver, author of several Civil War unit books, is working on a book about Kentucky's Confederate military organizations. His webpage lists all the state units he is interested in but here we list the individuals and units he is looking for information about from WolfeCounty. He would appreciate any additional information, such as full names,birth and death dates, subsequent military service, place of residence,occupations, etc. that any reader might have on any of these people. Please respond directly to Jeff Weaver

Wolfe Rangers, Blackwater, Wolfe County, Kentucky, commissioned on June 9, 1860. Officers were: John C. Lewis, Captain; William Bristow,1st Lieutenant; James R. Lawson, 2nd Lieutenant; and Caleb May, 3rd Lieutenant.

Wolfe Grays, Campton, Wolfe County, Kentucky, was commissioned on December 1, 1860. Officers were: George W. Cox, Captain; John G. Asberry,1st Lieutenant; John T. Fortner, 2nd Lieutenant; Thomas Steel, Brevet 2nd Lieutenant.

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