[From _History of Kentucky_ (Covington, Kentucky, 1882, v. ii)]
Twenty-seven years, 1847 to 1874, have elapsed since _Collins's
History of Kentucky_ quietly and modestly claimed recognition among
the standard local histories in the great American republic. That has
been an eventful period. Death, too, has been busy with the names in
the Preface above--has claimed alike the author and compiler, Judge
Lewis Collins, and about one hundred and fifty more of the honored and
substantial names who contributed information or other aid towards
preserving what was then unwritten of the history of the State. The
author of the present edition (now nearly fifty years of age) is the
youngest of the forty-two contributors who are still living; while
several of them are over eighty and one is over ninety-two years of
age. Time has dealt gently with them; fame has followed some, and
fortune others; a few have achieved both fame and fortune, while a
smaller few lay claim to neither.
It is not often, as in this case, that the mantle of duty as a
state-historian falls from the father to the son's shoulders. It has
been faithfully and conscientiously worn; how well and ably, let the
disinterested and unprejudiced judge.
The present edition had its origin in this: When Judge Collins died, the
Legislature of Kentucky was in session. As its testimonial and
appreciation of his services and character, this resolution was
unanimously adopted, and on March 21, 1870, approved by Gov. Stevenson:
"_Resolved by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky_:
"That we have heard with deep regret of the death of Judge Lewis
Collins, of Maysville, Kentucky, which has occurred since the meeting
of this General Assembly. He was a native Kentuckian of great purity
of character and enlarged public spirit; associated for half a century
with the press of the State, which he adorned with his patriotism, his
elevated morals, and his enlightened judgment. He was the author of a
_History of Kentucky_, evidencing extended research, and which
embodies in a permanent form the history of each county in the State,
and the lives of its distinguished citizens, and is an invaluable
contribution to the literature and historical knowledge of the State.
His name being thus perpetually identified with that of his native
State, this General Assembly, from a sense of duty and regard for his
memory, expresses this testimonial of its appreciation of his
irreproachable character and valued services."
This touching, and tender, and noble tribute to the departed author
and editor, was but the culmination of a sympathy broader than the
State, for it was echoed and sent back by many citizens from a
distance. He had lived to some purpose. It was no small comfort to his
family, to know that their bereavement was regarded as a public
bereavement; and that his name and works would live on, and be green
in the memory of the good people of Kentucky--the place of his birth,
the home of his manhood, the scene of his life's labors, his grave. In
a spontaneous tribute of praise and sympathy, the entire newspaper
press of the State, and many in other States, announced his decease.
* * * * *
That action of the State, and those generous outpourings of sympathy and
regard, started fresh inquiries for the work that had made him best
known--_Collins's History of Kentucky_. It had been _out of print_ for
more than twenty years! It was known that I had been associated with my
father as an editor, and then his successor, and had assisted him with
his _History_. Hence, many applications and inquiries for the book were
made to me; always with the suggestion that I ought to prepare a new
edition, enlarged, and bring down to the present the history of the
State. It was an important undertaking--as delicate as important. I
shrank from the great responsibility, and declined. But the urgency
continued, for the necessity of a State history was felt. The great
State of Kentucky, the mother of statesmen and heroes, the advance guard
of civilization west of the great Appalachian chain, had no published
_History_ of the last twenty-six years; and no _History_ at all in book
form, _now accessible_ to more than a few thousand of the intelligent
minds among her million-and-a-third of inhabitants. The duty of
preparing this _History_ sought _me_, and not I _it_. It has been a task
of tremendous labor, extending through the long weary months of nearly
four years. But it has been a sweet and a proud task, and the _destiny_
that seemed driving me on is almost fulfilled. I wish I could know the
verdict of the future upon my labors, but that is impossible. The
carping and noisy fault-finding of the dissatisfied and ungenerous few
are far from being pleasant; but the consciousness of duty done, with an
honest heart, and the praise of the liberal ones who will appreciate the
work, will be a noble and a proud satisfaction, and a joy ceasing only
with my life.
[Then follow three pages of names of persons whom he thanks for
assistance.]