CANA BAKER'S POETRY

Jason Walker Bowling, Benge, Ky., June 15, 1898 (as told to Rev. Dickey)

     I think old Cana Baker made the rhyme on the "Cattle War" I have always heard it that Way.

Old Julius Bob Baker and William Neal were in St. Clair's defeat.  Baker held a Major's Commission.  They were both buried on Buffalo, Owsley County.  Neal requested to be buried beside Baker.

William Eversole to Rev. Dickey:

     I have heard the following line on the "Cattle War".

John Amy and others went out to kill Elks

They came across a group of cattle

And there they made their slaughter

And killed some more than twenty head

And sunk them into the water

Peter Stacy punched a woman

Which caused the blood to run

I would have like it better

If it had not been done

     This was in reference to Peter Stacy of the North Fork crowd, who punched a woman in the face with his gun.

(Catherine Bowling Amis, wife of John Amis). 

     The Amos crowd sent for Gen. Hugh White to come with his militia and protect them and This was his reply:

You have got yourselves in trouble

Get out if you can,

I'll neither come to your assistance

Nor send a single man

     The North Forkers came in force to the Middle Fork to take stock from the Amoses(Amis) to make good their loses for the song goes on to say:

They took Jugie and Frogie

Burnt three fodder stacks

And broke some rifle guns

There was one Capt. John Gilbert

As I have heard them say

He fed his men or run down venison

Till Porter ran away (Porter, a dog that ran over to the other side)

John the Captain did miss killing

All met with homely fare

And he who came in last of all

Is apt to lose his share

John Lewis on July 27, 1898 related to Rev. Dickey,

     I have heard my grandfather Lewis tell about the cattle war; the North Fork people composed of William Strong, Stacys, Lewis's, Davidsons, Bowlings and perhaps others drove their cattle to Middle Fork to winter them at "Cattle Rock."  The North Forkers hearing of this went to see about it.  They wen to Amis's killed some of his cows, and had a quarrel with Amis' wife.  As they started back Amis' Negro man followed them supposed to have been sent by Amis' wife, for the purpose of shooting at them.  At a turn of the road Peter Stacey concealed himself and as the Negro came in sight fired and struck his head.  Stacey broke the gun, they brought back what cattle they could find.  Them Amis solicitated a company of 30 men and started to the North Fork for revenge.  William Callahan brought news to the North Forkers that they were coming and assembled at the mouth of Lick Branch concealing themselves in the ivy on the top of the cliff opposite the mouth of the branch, as Amis' men came across the river William Callahan fired at Amis and missed him.  There was a general firing in which several horses were killed and Nicholson and Cox were wounded.

Nicholson hid behind a log

And hid just like a fox

And presently came shivering & shimming along

This poor half drowned Cox

     Amis spurred his horse under the cliff to protect himself from the bullets.  John Gilbert rode up the bank to the company and they took him prisoner.  Some of the party wanted to kill him but Strong saved his life.

     The plan was for Strong and Callahan to shoot Amis first which was to be the sign of attack.  Strong was the best rifle shot in the county.  Callahan shot before Strong which prevented Strong from getting a bead on him.  Callahan was accused of treachery for this act.  The North Forkers had 18 men, William Strong, afterwards a preacher, Peter Stacey, James Lewis, William Callahan, John Bolling, Samuel Davidson and Jesse Bowling.

     William Strong was Captain of the North Forkers and John Gilbert of the Middle Forkers, They agree to quit fighting and settled it in the courts.

     This is a long story and there is a different version from many people as to what occured.

     This is all I have found on Cana Baker's poetry.  This is supposed to have many more verses and I we will continue looking for them and posting them as we find them.

This information was submitted by Harley T. Bowling.