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Authors: Rusty Williams
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was a fixture in Bath County with a statewide reputation. Like his grandfather and father before him, he had served terms in the state legislature, but he was most widely known as a successful stockman. Bascom bred and sold the finest specimens of Bates shorthorn cattle in Kentucky. He was a generous man, and he shared his wealth with the Owingsville Christian Church, the Ladies Memorial Association, and any down-on-his-luck neighbor who needed help. A short, solid fireplug of a man, A. W. Bascom was a plain speaker who was as straightforward and honest as the manure on his boots. 11
When A. W. Bascom rose to speak about plans for a Confederate home, he spoke of his concern for indigent veterans whose wives were still living. What will happen to the wives of veterans who might be left without care if their husbands were to enter a home? At the very least, Bascom urged, we might build modest cottages in different parts of the state so the old vets would not have to live apart from their needy wives.
Apparently unprepared for the objection, Young glibly assured Bascom that the committee would consider the matter, then called for a vote. Rebel yells from the crowd cut off any further discussion, and Young's motion was passed. The Kentucky Confederate veterans were committed.
The next day Major General Poyntz named members of the Committee of Twenty-Five, a steering committee responsible for raising $25,000 and securing favorable legislation. Ex-governor J. B. McCreary, State Supreme Court Chief Justice J. H. Hazelrigg, and State Senator William O. Coleman brought political sway; Walter N. Haldeman, founder of Louisville's Courier-Journal , and Lot D. Young of Lexington assured a favorable press. Geographic balance came from T. M. Barker (Christian County), Judge R. H. Cunningham (Henderson County), Charles L. Daughtry (Warren County), and James B. Rogers (Bourbon County). John W. Green represented Kentucky's Orphan Brigade. In a nod to his dissent, A. W. Bascom, the plainspoken stockman from Owingsville, received a seat on the committee. 12
Altogether, Poyntz appointed twenty-four of the most recognizable names in Kentucky politics, commerce, and societyâex-Confederates allâto join him on the committee. Bennett Young was named chairman, and he chose John Leathers as treasurer.
At its first meeting the Committee of Twenty-Five discussed how its members were going to raise $25,000.
Amid the frenzy at the statewide meeting, $25,000 seemed like an easy goal.
The Louisville camp had Parr's house, and it was estimated that the Chestnut Street property would bring $7,000 to $10,000 at sale. Half a dozen veterans at the state meeting pledged $50 or $100 on the spot. One camp pledged thirty acres of land on which to build the home. Everyone seemed to know someoneâsome prosperous benefactor back homeâwho would be proud to lay out $500, $1,000, maybe $5,000 for the old boys in gray. 13 Surely it would be snap to raise $25,000.
But Bennett Young and the Committee of Twenty-Five knew better. Seasoned fundraisers for political campaigns, monument drives, and charitable institutions, the committee members knew they would likely have to scratch for every dollar. John Leathers opened an account book where he would record firm promises (âsubscriptionsâ) by individuals to collect or pay a specific amount toward building and equipping the veteransâ institution.
Returning home to Bourbon County, committee member James Rogers provided his local newspaper editor a printed letter signed by all committee members. This âAppeal to Kentuckiansâ described the intention of ex-Confederates to build a home and asked âsuch people in Kentucky or elsewhere as sympathize in this movement to aid it by early and liberal contributions.â 14
The appeal was printed in the Bourbon News and a score of other newspapers across Kentucky in the first weeks of November 1901, and it aroused a favorable response
When A. W. Bascom rose to speak about plans for a Confederate home, he spoke of his concern for indigent veterans whose wives were still living. What will happen to the wives of veterans who might be left without care if their husbands were to enter a home? At the very least, Bascom urged, we might build modest cottages in different parts of the state so the old vets would not have to live apart from their needy wives.
Apparently unprepared for the objection, Young glibly assured Bascom that the committee would consider the matter, then called for a vote. Rebel yells from the crowd cut off any further discussion, and Young's motion was passed. The Kentucky Confederate veterans were committed.
The next day Major General Poyntz named members of the Committee of Twenty-Five, a steering committee responsible for raising $25,000 and securing favorable legislation. Ex-governor J. B. McCreary, State Supreme Court Chief Justice J. H. Hazelrigg, and State Senator William O. Coleman brought political sway; Walter N. Haldeman, founder of Louisville's Courier-Journal , and Lot D. Young of Lexington assured a favorable press. Geographic balance came from T. M. Barker (Christian County), Judge R. H. Cunningham (Henderson County), Charles L. Daughtry (Warren County), and James B. Rogers (Bourbon County). John W. Green represented Kentucky's Orphan Brigade. In a nod to his dissent, A. W. Bascom, the plainspoken stockman from Owingsville, received a seat on the committee. 12
Altogether, Poyntz appointed twenty-four of the most recognizable names in Kentucky politics, commerce, and societyâex-Confederates allâto join him on the committee. Bennett Young was named chairman, and he chose John Leathers as treasurer.
At its first meeting the Committee of Twenty-Five discussed how its members were going to raise $25,000.
Amid the frenzy at the statewide meeting, $25,000 seemed like an easy goal.
The Louisville camp had Parr's house, and it was estimated that the Chestnut Street property would bring $7,000 to $10,000 at sale. Half a dozen veterans at the state meeting pledged $50 or $100 on the spot. One camp pledged thirty acres of land on which to build the home. Everyone seemed to know someoneâsome prosperous benefactor back homeâwho would be proud to lay out $500, $1,000, maybe $5,000 for the old boys in gray. 13 Surely it would be snap to raise $25,000.
But Bennett Young and the Committee of Twenty-Five knew better. Seasoned fundraisers for political campaigns, monument drives, and charitable institutions, the committee members knew they would likely have to scratch for every dollar. John Leathers opened an account book where he would record firm promises (âsubscriptionsâ) by individuals to collect or pay a specific amount toward building and equipping the veteransâ institution.
Returning home to Bourbon County, committee member James Rogers provided his local newspaper editor a printed letter signed by all committee members. This âAppeal to Kentuckiansâ described the intention of ex-Confederates to build a home and asked âsuch people in Kentucky or elsewhere as sympathize in this movement to aid it by early and liberal contributions.â 14
The appeal was printed in the Bourbon News and a score of other newspapers across Kentucky in the first weeks of November 1901, and it aroused a favorable response
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