Jeremiah Weldon South
June 10, 1805 - April 15, 1880
Sentinel Democrat, 23 April 1880, Montgomery Co., Ky
COL. JERRE SOUTH
A SKETCH OF HIS LIFE
Jeremiah Weldon. South was born in Madison County, Kentucky July 10, 1810, and came with his father to Frankfort about the year 1817. In the year 1820 he moved to the area now known as Breathitt County. Here he was married shortly afterwards to Mary Magdalene Cockrell.
Known as Father of Breathitt Co. He was Colonel of the Kentucky Volunteers during the Mexican War, the first postmaster of Breathitt Co., the first school Supt., one of first magistrates and also city councilman.
In 1840 he was elected to the Lower House of the Legislature from Morgan and Breathitt counties, and in 1843 he was elected to the Senate from the counties of Estill, Clay, Owsley, Harlan, Letcher, Perry and Breathitt. Previous to his race the district had a Whig majority of 1,000, but he defeated Dr. Daniel, a popular Whig, by over five hundred majority. In 1858 he was first elected keeper of the Kentucky Penitentiary, and served until March, 1863. He then retired to a farm in Woodford County, Kentucky. In 1870 he was elected the second time as keeper, and again in 1874 and 1878, his term not expiring until March, 1882. He served in many other public capacities. In fact, he was never defeated for any position to which he aspired. He was a true and unswerving Democrat, and was a hard worker for his party and his friends. He was idolized by the mountain people, and had a wonderful influence with them, and was a power in Kentucky politics.
Jeremiah Weldon South married Mary Magdalene Cockrell about 1829 in Estill Co, Kentucky. Mary was the daughter of John Cockrell and Amelia Alley. From this marriage,15 children were born in Breathitt County, Kentucky between 1830 and 1859.
Mary Elizabeth South married Steven Asbury Trimble
Ellen South married Thomas Perrian Cardwell, Sr.
Samuel South married Malvery Blackwell Jett
Andrew Jackson South married Mary Jane Strong
Martin Van Buren South married Sophronia Hockensmith
John Glover South, died young
Celia South married John Watkins Cardwell
Jeremiah Weldon South, Jr. married Caroline Cope
William Tyler Barry South married Anne Mary Jones
James Knox Polk South married Eudora Gray Lindsey
Martha Pattie South married Edward Harrison Shaw
Thomas Jefferson South, never married
Judith South married John Alexander Holton Bowen
Narcissa South married James Thomas Young Fitzpatrick
Lewis Cassius South married Alice Hughes
Death of Jerry South
The Lexington Daily Press
Sunday April 18, 1880
Vol. XL No.97
Jerry South, the well known keeper of the Penitentiary, died suddenly in the Senate Chamber at Frankfort yesterday morning about half past ten o'clock. At the time of his death he was sitting alone on one of the divans in the hall reading a newspaper. But a few minutes before he had been conversing with friends, who having left him, he opened a paper to read. A moment later he was heard to gasp, and before he could fall to the floor he was caught and every exertion made to restore life, but in vain. Death was instantaneous. His body was taken to the rotunda where physicians were called and every attention rendered. Immediately after the announcement reached the House an adjournment was made to Saturday morning at nine o'clock.
Weekly Yeoman.
Tuesday April 20, 1880
(From the Daily of Saturday)
The funeral of Col. J. W. South took place at the appointed hour yesterday. It was one of the largest and saddest that ever occurred in this city. The services, very eloquent and impressive, were by Rev. Jos. D. Pickett and Rev. George Darsie, of the Christian Church.
The remains were followed to the cemetery by immediate friends of the deceased, by the Governor and staff, public officers, members of the Senate and House of Representatives and a large concourse of citizens generally.
Both Houses of the General Assembly had adjourned and all the public offices had been closed by order of the Governor, and there was a general sadness and depression over the community.
No event has transpired at Frankfort since the melancholy death of Judge Elliott which has produced such a marked effect. The time, place and peculiar circumstances attending the death of Colonel. South were all calculated to inspire a feeling of sharp disaster. The private character of the man and the many close ties by which he was bound to Frankfort rendered it an event of unusual disturbance.
Those who followed him to the grave were for the most part persons who had been brought in personal contact with him and who recognized his virtues and deplored the public and private calamity.
From the History of the Kentucky Penitentiary:
1859: Jeremiah W. South is elected by the General Assembly to serve a four year term as Lessee.
1870: Legislature elects Jeremiah W. South to a second four-year term as Lessee and he remains in power until his death in 1880. South gains a reputation by providing 25 legislators with cheap boarding, cheap washing, and free drinks, and as many as 50 guests for meals. One third of the legislators are reported under his control and he is considered the most influential man in eastern Kentucky.
1873: Governor Preston H. Leslie sends a committee to the Prison Reform Congress in Baltimore. The committee's report is strongly critical of the lessee system and recommends use of the warden system. Governor Leslie joins with his committee calling the lessee system a "reproach to the Commonwealth." The General Assembly rejects these recommendations and re-elects Jeremiah South to another four year term as lessee.
1878: Lessee Jeremiah South uses his influence to interfere with all legislation relating to the penitentiary until the Democratic Caucus agrees to appoint him to another four-year term.
1880: Two weeks after the death of Lessee Jeremiah South, the General Assembly adopts the Warden System and state government re-accepts responsibility for prisoners. Warden is to be elected by the General Assembly for a 4 year term and is forbidden to have any financial interest in the convicts or the penitentiary. William S. Stone, who had been a strong supporter of South, is elected Warden.
1886” Warden Barry South (son of the late Jeremiah South) is replaced because Mason and Foard threatens to cancel the prison labor contract. South had been accused of lax enforcement of prison discipline by failing to whip the prisoners enough.
Col. South entered the Senate Chambers Shortly [sic] after 10 o'clock, April 15th, and took a seat on the sofa. A few minutes afterwards he fell back in his seat. Several Senators who saw him carried him out into the rotunda, and Senator Shackleford and Representative Yants, both of whom are physicians, were quickly summoned, and rendered all the medical assistance within their power, but the unfortunate old gentleman expired in less than five minutes, without uttering a word, the cause of his death being apoplexy. He was then carried into the cloak-room of the House of Representatives [sic], and shortly afterwards he was taken to his residence on High street, just opposite the Penitentiary. Immediately after his death both branches of the General Assembly adjourned.
It is not known what the Legislature will do with the Penitentiary, but it is generally believed that the State will take charge of the Institution, and the warden system will be established. Governor Blackburn and Auditor Hewitt, this evening appointed Mr. Samuel South to take charge of the prison and feed their prisoners until some provision is made by the Legislature.
Kentucky Weekly Yeoman
April 27, 1880
Death of Col. J. W. South
The following are the remarks of Senator Bertram in the Senate Thursday, on the adoption of the resolution of respect to the memory of Colonel. J. W. South:
Mr. Speaker: I can scarcely hope to add anything of value to what has been so well said by the honorable Senator from Campbell. We can say, sir, that the King of Terrors and terrors of kings has stolen silently once again into our midst, and has laid his paralytic stroke upon one of the best citizens of this country, hurrying his soul into eternity and leaving his body to enjoy the tranquility of a tomb. This serves, sir, but to remind us of the fact that e're long we too will be called on to submit to the grasp of his insatiable fangs, and be offered up a prey to satisfy a thirst that was not assuaged though he drank the blood of an antediluvian world, and will not be until he shall have mowed down the last descendant of the apostate Adam. But it is so written in the Book, that man must die, together with the assurance that, under certain conditions, he may enjoy a bliss far beyond this world's alloy; but, sir, I will not stop here to discuss the mysterious problem of human destiny; neither will I pause to attempt to explain what the life of man is. Much has been written on this question, and more has been said. I now remember to have read of an ancient philosopher who explained what the life of man is, by going into a room, turning around and walking out, as if to say, it is coming into the world and stepping out. Again, this world has been compared to a theater, and mankind to so many actors, each appearing in his turn, acting his part, and then disappearing from the scene. If this is a fair representation, sir, Col. Jere South has appeared upon the stage of time, and in the great drama of human life he has acted his part nobly, not in the character of in tragedian or a comedian, but in the character of a philanthropist as great as Kentucky ever produced. He seemed to be impressed early in life with this Masonic and Christian duty, to do whatever he could to lessen the wills and miseries which are consequent upon fallen humanity; and in this benevolent work the magnanimity of a great soul developed itself in educating the orphan, supplying the widow's wants, and arching the mourner's sky with a rainbow of hope. In short, sir, we can say Col. South was justly regarded the benefactor of a large class of persons in the Commonwealth, who knew him best and loved him most for his great kindness, with which he surrounded them in the dark hours of misfortune and anguish. Wherever and whenever he found his neighbor dejected by oppression, debilitated by disease, or pining under the loss of family or friends, Col. South was the first to fly to his relief and throw the mantle of charity around him, and do whatever else was necessary to give comfort and consolation in the hour of distress. He was a benevolent man--this was the crowning glory of his life. Full of years, he descends into the grave, leaving a large family of orphan children and numerous friends to mourn his loss. But, in conclusion, let me say to these, let him sleep until the archangel and the trump of God shall break the seal and rend the sepulchre, whereat immortality will spring into newness of life to forever glow in the image of a world's Redeemer, who has said: "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."
Below we give remarks made by gentlemen in the House upon the passage of the Senate resolution in respect to the memory of Col. J. W. South:
Mr. Lilly's Remarks.
Mr. Speaker: Pursuant to a resolution adopted by the two Houses of the General Assembly, a committee was appointed to draft resolutions with regard to the late Col. J. W. South; and as chairman of that committee, I rise to ask the adoption of the resolution, and to pay a last humble tribute to the memory of a distinguished citizen. Jeremiah W. South was born in Madison county, Kentucky, on the 6th day of July, 1810. His father, Gen. Samuel South, emigrated from the State of Maryland to Kentucky during the early history of the State, and was engaged with Boone in some of the severe contests with the Indians, notably at the battle of the Blue Licks. Gen. South was for several years State Treasurer, and was one other most cultivated men of that day. His brother, Lieut. Thos. South, whose name is inscribed on the marble shaft in your beautiful cemetery, fell at Estill's defeat.
Col. South's early training and education were not neglected. He was for some time the pupil of Keene O'Hara, a distinguished educator of his time, and thus had the advantages of a practical and literary education enjoyed by but few at that day. Col. South, at an early age, removed from his native county to the mountainous region of Kentucky, where a large portion of his early life was spent. He was always a firm believer in the principles of the Democracy, and cast his first vote for Gen. Andrew Jackson. He was married at an early age to a most estimable lady, a descendant of one of the first families of Virginia. Col. South has been in the service of the State for more than forty years--many more than my age numbers. He served with ability and distinction in both branches of the General Assembly. Later in life he filled other more prominent State offices. He was always an earnest and able advocate of the principles of the party with which he was identified, and was, at the time of his death, a member of the State Central Committee. In 1840, at the head of a regiment of valiant Kentuckians, he tendered his services to the General Government, then at war with Mexico. Peace, however, was declared before he was called into active service. During the recent cruel struggle in the United States, his sympathies were allied with the "Lost Cause," to which seven of his sons at one time united their destinies. Five of these returned to gladden the hearts of their family and friends; two were left on the bloody battlefield. The soil to which they offered their life's blood, and the foliage of that sunny clime waves in luxuriance over their last resting place. It is not my purpose nor desire, upon this mournful occasion, Mr. Speaker, to indulge in the language of laudatory discourse with reference to the virtues of the distinguished dead. My respect for the memory of the dead, and my regard for the obligations of the living, would equally condemn such a course. The strictness of truth is at once our plain duty and its severity our best consolation. Born during a period of eventful history of the State, our deceased associate was one of the few remaining public men who connect the present with the past, and whose deeds and names will soon be known only in the history of their country. That he exercised a powerful influence within the sphere of his action throughout his long career as a public officer and citizen, we all feel and know. Frank and fearless in the expression of his opinions, warm in his attachments, faithful to his friends, with an ardent love for his country, together with great decision of character and purity of purpose; these were the elements of his power and success. This is an occasion, Mr. Speaker, when words fail to express the deep emotions of the heart, or to pay to the distinguished dead the most eloquent tribute. The tears of friends and countrymen, flowing so freely and spontaneously over the grave of this illustrious and philanthropic citizen, is a more eloquent testimonial of his worth and of the affection and veneration of the people of his native State, than the most highly wrought eulogium of the most gifted tongue. I know, Mr. Speaker, how unequal I have been to the apparently self-imposed task of presenting in an appropriate manner some of the history and merits of the illustrious deceased. I would that I could have spoken fitter words; but, such as they are, they are uttered by the tongue in response to the promptings of the heart. Mr. Speaker, I am done, and now introduce the resolution, which has already been adopted by the Senate of Kentucky.
Mr. Speaker: On the resolution before us I have but few words to add. Col. South needs no eulogy. His kindness of heart and uprightness of character has become proverbial in all the Commonwealth. The story of his good deeds, his acts of kindness to the poor, will survive him many and many a year. It has been claimed by some of his most ardent and intimate friends, that his death was hastened by the action of this House in passing the resolution looking to his removal as Lessee. As to this I have no opinion to offer. I only beg leave to say, that it is a matter of supreme gratification to me, now that he has gone forth forever, returnless to these halls, that I was one of those who, in my weak way, defended him while living against what seemed to me the madness of the moment, and in the defense I am glad to say that, so far as the law of the case is concerned, I was afterwards sustained by the report of the special committee appointed in the Senate to inquire into the legality of that resolution. That committee was composed of gentlemen from the two leading political parties of our beloved State, men of learning, men of integrity, men of character, characters above suspicion, men of whom it will not be asserted that either the hope of reward of the fear of punishment could swerve one iota from the path of right. And being able to say this, I can well afford to leave the praises of Col. South to the tongues of those abler far than mine to pronounce them. It may be truly said that Rob Roy upon his native heath was never more fondly loved by the Clans McGregor than was the brave old man we mourn by the people of our mountain counties. The mountain people of Kentucky are a brave and good people; they are true to their friends and stern with their enemies, remarkably so, yet magnanimous to a fallen foeman who has proven himself worthy of their steel. The mountains have ever, in all ages and in all climes, been the home of brave and chivalrous spirits, and when the liberty-loving of the lower countries have been forced to flee from oppression and wrong, they have ever found food, shelter, and protection among the warm hearts and stout arms of those who dwell among the mountains. Even the steel clad legions of Caesar, when he invaded Britain, were not wholly able to conquer the daring devotees of liberty that, no longer able to resist him on the plains, defied him and laughed to scorn the power of "almighty Rome" amid the wild passes of the Welch and Caledonian mountains. Mr. Speaker, I have in heart naught buy charity for that which may have been construed by some into defamation of the official character of him who sleeps upon his dusty pillow in yonder beautiful cemetery, 'neath which the waters of the Kentucky river float mournfully past. They would, if they had the power, prompted by the better parts of their nature, command the dead to walk forth in health once more; once more they would make "the limpid life-tide leap and laugh through the shrunken veins and shriveled arteries of the spectral sleeper." Some hoped, perhaps, by their actions to walk into place and power over the ruins of Col. South's good name; and now that death has removed him from their several pathways, "we shall see what we shall see." For the present, I leave the dead and his detractors to the Judge of all hearts, a Judge that will make no mistakes, either of law or fact. It was not my fortune to have known Col. South personally but a short time. I can, therefore, only surmise the morning glories of his earlier life by the autumnal splendors of his ending days. It is a happy saying of the Orientals: "May you die among your kindred." This was not permitted in the Providence of God. We all would die in peace. Even this was denied the good old man; and I know of no public man in Kentucky to whom Biddle's eulgoium on Jefferson more appropriately applies. He says: "There lies in the depths of every heart that dream of our youth, and the cherished with of manhood, which neither cares nor honors can ever extinguish, the hope of one day resting from pursuits which absorb us; of interposing between our old age and the tomb some tranquil interval of reflection, when, with feelings not subdued but softened, with passions not exhausted but mellowed, we look calmly on the past without regret, and on the future without apprehension. But in the tumult of this world, this vision forever recedes as we approach it; the passions which have agitated our life disturb our latest hour, and we go down to the tomb like the sun into the ocean, with no gentle and gradual withdrawing of the life back to the source which gave it, but sullen in its beamless descent, with all its fiery glow, long after it has lost its power and its splendor."
Mr. Speaker: To the resolution just reported, I beg leave to add a few remarks. Sir, on a previous occasion, this House has been called upon to record the death of one of its own members, and now death again has called from among us one who has for years been prominently connected with affairs of State; and it is fitting and proper, Mr. Speaker, that the living should thus honor the memory of the dead; and these sad passing events may well remind us of the uncertainty of life, and how slender are the chords which hold us here.
"Our lives are rivers, gliding free
To that unfathomed, boundless sea,
The silent grave!
Thither all earthly pomp and boast
Roll, to be swallowed up and lost
In one dark wave."
Mr. Speaker, although I have known Col. South by reputation a number of years, I never had the pleasure of a personal acquaintance with him. Indeed, sir, the first and only time I ever saw him to know him was when he lay in this Capital in the sad embrace of death. Uninfluenced, then, Mr. Speaker, by personal friendship, and never having been solicited by any one to espouse his cause, when the serious charges brought against him on this floor were being considered, I felt that I could act the part of an unbiased juror; and after hearing or reading the testimony, and listening attentively to the arguments on both sides, I could not believe that Col. South was wholly or chiefly to blame for the horrible condition of the penitentiary, and the sickness and unusual suffering that had existed there. Mr. Speaker, I do not mean by these remarks to reflect on those who differed with me upon the issue, but, that in justice to the memory of the deceased, and for the satisfaction of the living, I may state in this public manner what my convictions were; and it is because I was a stranger to the deceased, and am a stranger to the family, that I desire to hear this testimony; but, Mr. Speaker, whatever differences of opinion, whatever contentions, whatever strife, may exist on the theatre of action, death, the great leveler, settles all; and when the grave is closed over the mortal remains of a fellow-being, hard, indeed, must be the heart that would cherish an unkind thought of such an one; and a man who had lived as had Col. South, who had, by so many ties of friendship, endeared himself to so large a portion of the citizens of his native State--the memory of such a man must long remain sacred; and, though the beautiful flowers strewn over his grave will wither, yet loving hands will place fresh ones there, and hundreds and thousands of friends in his mountain home, and all over the State, will reiterate, in sentiment, the beautiful lines of the poet:
"Green grow the grass above thee,
Friend of my better days;
Few knew thee but to love thee,
None will name thee but to praise."
At a meeting of the Democratic State Central Committee, held at the Yeoman Office April 23rd, 1880, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:
Whereas, Death has removed from our midst our fellow-member, J. W. South; Resolved, That we deeply deplore the sad dispensation of Providence by which his family have been deprived of an affectionate parent and head, the State of a patriotic citizen and faithful officer, and the Democratic party of a life-long and devoted member.
Resolved, That the secretary be, and is hereby, requested to furnish to the family of the deceased a copy of these resolutions with the assurance of our profound sympathy.
J. Stoddard Johnston, Chairman
J. W. Tate, Secretary