French Tipton Papers, 1780-1901 | Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives

By Neil Kasiak

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Collection Overview

Title: French Tipton Papers, 1780-1901

Predominant Dates:1880-1895

Primary Creator: Tipton, French (1848-1900)

Extent: 3.42 Cubic Feet

Date Acquired: 07/30/1932

Subjects: Boone, Daniel, 1734-1820., Civil War, 1861-1865., Clay, Cassius Marcellus, 1810-1903., Fee, John Gregg, 1816-1901--Correspondence., Fremont, Jessie Benton, 1824-1902--Correspondence., Kentucky--History--To 1792., Land titles--Kentucky., Madison County (Ky.)--History--18th century., Madison County (Ky.)--History--19th century., Richmond, Battle of, Richmond, Ky., 1862, Smith, Z. F. (Zachariah Frederick), 1827-1911--Correspondence., Tipton, French, 1848-1900--Correspondence., Young, Bennett Henderson, 1843-1919.

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The French Tipton Papers include correspondence, scrapbooks, and personal notes by French Tipton of Madison County, Kentucky. Overall, the collection captures Tipton's interests in history, journalism and local and regional events, as well as, to a lesser extent, national and global affairs. In particular, the collection contains the remaining notes and correspondence that Tipton had compiled while researching Madison County for his unpublished History of Madison County Kentucky. The scrapbooks that are included in the collection contain enough information to reconstruct the public identity that Tipton maintained, whereas the surviving correspondence can be used to unravel Tipton's research methods and personal interests. French Tipton's tragic end during an altercation in downtown Richmond terminated his research and left many questions about his personal and professional life unanswered.

Collection Historical Note

French Tipton was born in 1848 and died during a relatively tragic incident on September 1, 1900, when he sustained a gun-shot wound during an altercation in downtown Richmond, Kentucky. Tipton's life and public career was one that left lasting impressions on Richmond, Madison County, Kentucky and the national newspaper culture. Tipton was not only an able editor, lawyer, judge, IRS Revenue Agent, and journalist during his lifetime, he was also an amateur archaeologist, a well-trained historian, and community leader who was either revered for his talents or despised for his facetious and sometimes insulting tones and attitude. Overall, Tipton was a well-rounded gentleman, who possessed genuine traits that emphasized honesty and sarcasm, alongside compassion, and, perhaps his most revealing trait, a sense of humor that was envied by most, despised by some, and too complicated to unravel by all.

Little is known about Tipton's early years. He was born to Mr. and Mrs. Darius B. Tipton of Richmond, KY. Based on the available records his family lineage can be traced through the Mitchells and Harfords. The narrative that the French Tipton Papers reveal begins with his respective graduation in 1875 from Central University with a law degree; the first to be awarded from Central University. After Tipton graduated he briefly practiced law before he found his calling in journalism and print media. Tipton had an incredible knack for creative and entertaining news reporting, however, he also demonstrated a genuine talent for objective and investigative journalism. He was a candid newspaper aficionado who either edited or reported, or, at certain times, performed both tasks, for a variety of Kentucky newspapers, including, but not limited to, the Kentucky Registry, Lancaster Letter, Lexington Courier Journal, Lexington Transcript, Midway Sun, Richmond Climax, Richmond Register, and the Pantagraph. He also wrote pieces for other well-known newspapers such as the New York Times. His continued migrations between the papers that he worked for can be traced within the scrapbook series in the French Tipton Papers, and is also testament to his talented contributions to local and regional newspaper circles. Tipton's journalism career took him all across Kentucky, the South and even across the Atlantic, where he attempted to report on the Russo-Turk conflict of the 1880s.

French Tipton was often described as being a "long lost" relative of Joe Mulhatton, an infamous journalist who often bent truths to the point that he had whole towns on edge with droll reporting and long lasting practical jokes. For instance, Tipton once reported egregiously about the interesting development of Kentucky bluegrass going to seed in the middle of a tough winter spell in February. Even though Tipton was often referred to as "the wittiest & most successful paragraphist in the State...a general favorite among his craft", and a "high toned clever fellow," his combative attitude, blunt honesty, and, somewhat offensive writings and opinions did place him in some rather threatening circumstances. In many ways, the French Tipton Papers underscore his tendencies to be a bit of a rabble rouser. When considering his involvement in political and personal mudslinging, researchers will uncover a confident and ardent political mind that was dead set on following through with his political convictions; and his personal feelings. His personal and political convictions often poured over into the columns that he wrote, leading to both personal and professional feuds. The feud that would eventually lead to his end took place during 1900 when he and Clarence E. Woods, who was later elected to the position of mayor in Richmond, had a public feud that first began in the lines of their respective newspapers. The volatile exchanges ended in the downtown streets of Richmond, with Tipton receiving a gunshot wound in the stomach that proved fatal.

Even though Tipton appeared rather arrogant and troublesome at times he did lead a productive life that contributed to his community in a variety of ways. In particular, Tipton was writing a History of Madison County Kentucky shortly before his death. In the months preceding the Woods incident Tipton had begun to introduce his findings in presentations and readings at such prestigious places as Berea College. His surviving papers and notes are most definitely incomplete and it appears they passed through many hands before being donated to EKU. However, the Scrapbook Series and the correspondence that remains highlight an intriguing mind that was dedicated to community. When all humor and facetious attitudes are set aside, a different side of Tipton's personality is revealed; a personality that would have potentially produced one of the finest and most complete histories of Madison county to date. The French Tipton collection represents a genuine Madison County leader who came from little, amounted to much and, unfortunately, died before his greatest contributions to his community could be understood.

Biographical Note

Tipton was a newspaper editor in Richmond and was writing a book on the history of Madison County.

Subject/Index Terms

Boone, Daniel, 1734-1820.
Civil War, 1861-1865.
Clay, Cassius Marcellus, 1810-1903.
Fee, John Gregg, 1816-1901--Correspondence.
Fremont, Jessie Benton, 1824-1902--Correspondence.
Kentucky--History--To 1792.
Land titles--Kentucky.
Madison County (Ky.)--History--18th century.
Madison County (Ky.)--History--19th century.
Richmond, Battle of, Richmond, Ky., 1862
Smith, Z. F. (Zachariah Frederick), 1827-1911--Correspondence.
Tipton, French, 1848-1900--Correspondence.
Young, Bennett Henderson, 1843-1919.

Administrative Information

Repository: Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives

Acquisition Source: Tipton, Nachie Stuart (through her sister Susie Gay Stuart)

Acquisition Method: gift

Processing Information: Most letters are missing envelopes.

Other Note: Photographs were initially numbered with the accession number; however, a decision was made to change to collection number. The database was changed, but the numbers written on the images were not changed.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Correspondence],
[Series 2: Documents, Clippings and Notes],
[Series 3: Daniel Boone Research Materials],
[Series 4: Notebooks],
[Series 5: Photographs],
[Series 6: Scrapbooks],
[Series 7: Oversize],
[Series 8: Reading Room Access Copies],
[All]

Series 2: Documents, Clippings and Notes

Box 1

Folder 11: Tipton Awards, Appointments, and Certificates: The materials found in this folder include numerous awards, appointments and certificates that Tipton received and subsequently saved for his records.
Folder 12: Green Clay Suits, 1816-35: The materials found in this folder pertain to the lawsuits that Green Clay and heirs filed against numerous defendants including, but not limited to, Richard Gentry, Samuel and James Estill, and James Kincaid. Legal announcements and manuscripts that relate to the cases are included.
Folder 13: Court Records, Legal Announcements, and Trial Records, 1795-1884: The court transcripts, legal announcements and trial records that are included in this folder detail multiple Madison County legal disputes that spanned from 1795 to 1884. Items in the Tipton Papers that can be identified as credible legal documents, such as an undated Hood family genealogy document at the beginning of the folder, are also included. All materials are arranged chronologically by the first date that appears on the primary court records from each document set. Of special interest to the French Tipton Papers is a copied, undated court record for a case that D.B. Tipton filed against John and Annie Tipton, and fifty other Tipton relations.
Folder 14: Surveys, Land Records and Deeds, 1779-1890: The land records, surveys, deeds and titles in this folder account for multiple land transactions in Madison County between 1779 and 1890. As a whole, the materials in this folder capture a slice of the early Madison County land transaction culture. Documents that represent Tipton family land possessions are included in this folder. Some of the Tipton land documents included in this folder may relate to the family dispute that is represented in the previous folder of this collection. All materials, including identified copies, are arranged chronologically by the first date that appears on each set of documents.
Folder 15: Richardson Family Records, 1797-1889: Documents that address the Richardson family of Madison County are included in this folder. Materials are arranged alphabetically by each Richardsons' first name. The folder contains tax receipts for Bailey, Mahala, Sarah, Thomas and William, as well as slave receipts for Aaron and Bailey. The last will and testament for Aaron and William Richardson are also included. A probate record and deed for Aaron Richardson's estate is also included.

Box 2

Barcode: 31234013796428

Folder 1: Biographies: Most of the materials in this folder are handwritten biographies and genealogies for certain Madisonians that Tipton was researching for either his History of Madison County, or other newspaper related pieces. A few are typed or published documents, some are written in Tipton's hand, however, most are, presumably, written by interested family members. The Aultz, Davis, Demaree, Downey, Field, Goodloe, Hart, Henderson, Johnson, Jones, Lewis, McClanahan, Miller, Peyton, Rice, Ruble, Smith, Taylor, Tevis and Turner lineages are represented, and, much like the correspondence from Box 1, the majority of the materials are valuable genealogical resources. At one time, some materials in this folder may have accompanied the correspondence found in Box 1, but for one reason or another they were separated during earlier processing projects. Documents related to the Tipton genealogy are found in the next folder in this collection.
Folder 2: Tipton Family Papers: This document set helps make sense of French Tipton's family relations. The documents found in this folder contain Tipton family materials, such as obituaries, funeral announcements, genealogical sketches, biographies and other family related information. Undated genealogies are arranged first, where as the remaining materials are processed chronologically.
Folder 3: Programs and Invitations: The Programs and Invitations folder contains multiple invitations and event programs. The "Catalogue of Central University (1874-5)" is of special interest since it contains detailed information about Tipton's Senior year in law school, including his class load and course descriptions.
Folder 4: Church Materials: The materials contained in this folder are related to the Baptist Church in Chadsmoor, England, Madison County Baptist Church, Cane Spring Church and the Old Madison Seminary. The materials are arranged alphabetically by document titles.
Folder 5: Battle of Richmond: The contents of this folder include Tipton's personal notes on the Battle of Richmond and a news clipping that contains a detailed account of the battle. Presumably, Tipton used the clipping as a primary source for his History of Madison County.
Folder 6: Military Documents, 1794-1864: The materials in this folder are arranged chronologically, with the undated materials being filed first. The documents in this folder are military related, with most items coming from the antebellum period. However, there are a few Civil War era documents and a news clipping that lists the names of those men from Madison County who chose to sign up with the CSA. The documents include: delinquency notices, KY General Orders from 1839 and 1841, Requisitions, and the interesting TN Special Orders No. 199, which details a political prisoner exchange during the Civil War. A list of the soldiers and officers who lost their lives at the Battle of Blue Licks, a drawing of an unknown 1788 fort, and documents that relate to "Old Fort Twetty" are a few other items of interest.
Folder 7: Climax Related Materials: The documents in this folder are all related to The Climax, the Richmond newspaper that Tipton created in agreement with William White. A copy of the original articles of agreement, a Climax broadside, financial materials, and news clipping that trace Tipton's active career as an editor and journalist are included. The clippings are especially interesting because they trace Tipton's political and editorial transformations between the Richmond Register and The Climax. Both papers changed ownership repeatedly throughout their existence.
Folder 8: B. L. Yates Sr. Papers: Tipton corresponded with Yates Sr. quite regularly, something that this collection of documents underscores. A War of 1812 Madison County soldier list, an original, and whimsical, Yates Sr. poem, and, genealogical sketches for the Ballew, Kavanaugh and Yates families are included in this document set. There is also a detailed biography of Nancy Howard Irvine.
Folder 9: Railroads: There are two documents housed in the Railroads folder. The first is an article that details the specifications for building the Lexington and Big Sandy Railroad, whereas, the second is a rough sketch of Lake Reba and its corresponding Railroad line.
Folder 10: French Tipton Notes: Be warned that this folder contains some very interesting, yet nearly illegible, notes that Tipton scribbled for a variety of events that took place in and/or around Madison County. They can be read as both locally related fact sheets or actual primary source accounts of the events that took place. The included documents, just to name a few, detail the Battle of Little Mountain (Estill's Defeat), the Richard Calloway Ferry, the C.K. Doty Courthouse gunfight, early marriages in Madison County, church histories and Pott's Mill. Unidentified miscellaneous document sets in Tipton's shorthand can also be found in this folder. A small notebook that lists the political affiliations and names of prominent Kentucky politicians is also included. Presumably, this little notebook served as one of Tipton's many reference materials.
Folder 11: Madison County Clippings: The materials contained in this folder are all news clippings that detail Madison County History. There is a great wealth of information contained in these clippings, which cover social, economic and political developments in Madison County. Presumably, Tipton saved them so he could add their content into his own manuscript. It should be noted that Brown Lee Yates Sr. (see Box 2, folder 8) authored a few of the articles.
Folder 12: News Clippings: French Tipton: Clippings by or about Tipton. Some of these also document local newspapers and several talk about the revenue business.
Folder 13: News Clippings: John Y. Brown: These clippings talk about Governor John Y. Brown and the Mason & Foard Company lease of the Kentucky State Penitentiary.
Folder 14: News Clippings: Miscellaneous: These clippings include subjects such as Milton Barlow, the Broaddus family, Col. Robert Johnson, mound diggers, the Century Club, the Filson Club, the Gaitskill family, Col. J.E. Peyton, and pioneer Kentucky.
Folder 15: Notes and Receipts, 1797-1855: Includes marriage license, slave receipts, tax receipts, receipts for payment of notes and IOUs.
Folder 16: Envelopes
Folder 17: Forest Grove Herd: A history of the Shorthorn cattle herd owned by T.S. Moberly.
Folder 18: Madison County Militia, 7th Regiment, 1830-1840: The delinquent lists for the 7th regiment. These records named all the men who were considered delinquent when the militia conducted regular musters.
Folder 19: Thirteen Decades of Madison County Chronology: Tipton highlights events throughout the history of Madison County.
Folder 20: Jabez Tipton Ledger, 1787-1794: Tipton was a freight hauler and this ledger documents his business. He also documents purchases for his horses and clothing and noted recipes for treatments 'to cure bots or any kind of worm' in his horses. There are also occasional signed IOUs on the ledger pages.
Folder 21: Madison County Postmasters, 1802-1891