Paducah, Kentucky

“View of the town of Paducah, Ky., at the confluence of the rivers Ohio and Tennessee, the Northern terminus of the Mobile and Ohio railroad. This flourishing city, the capital of McCracken County, is situated at the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers, and is connected with Mobile by railroad. It had a fine range of warehouses fronting the river, contained five churches, two banks and two newspaper offices; it had also a marine hospital. Its position had given it many commercial advantages, which were fast operating to make it one of the most progressive cities of the West. When, however, the confederates took possession of the Columbus and Hickman, two important points in Kentucky on the Mississippi, it became necessary to hold them in check and to prevent their flanking the Federal stronghold of Cairo; and with his usual sagacity and promptitude, General Grant immediately occupied Paducah. This step, although an apparent invasion of the sacred soil of Kentucky, received the entire approval of that loyal and gallant Sate as expressed through her Legislature; and Paducah was of course retained while the necessity for its occupation existed. Paducah contained about 8,000 inhabitants, very few of whom were tainted with the secession treason. It is 47 miles east from Cairo, and 225 from Louisville. It is named after a famous Indian chief who formerly lived in its vicinity."— Frank Leslie, 1896

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