Lexington, KY - On a hot summer day I walked through Gratz Park, just a block from Christ Church Cathedral where I am an associate. I sat for a while in the shade beside the fountain, which author James Lane Allen gave to the children of Lexington. When I was a boy, children weren't allowed in - like a toy you couldn't play with.
I did jump in one summer night. I don't remember making the decision, but I do remember the walk home; I sloshed, but I was cool.
My family used the park as a rest stop on hot weather walks to and from downtown. The public library was at the south end, the fountain at the north, and in the middle, blessedly, a drinking fountain. A lot of history here.
Kentucky remained part of the Union during the Civil War, but a sizable part of the population was in favor of secession. The Gratz Park neighborhood was divided. For instance, Confederate General John Hunt Morgan's home was on Mill Street, and across the park on Market was the home of the Peter family, Unionists.
During the war, the park became a campground for troops, sometimes Confederate, sometimes Union. Frances Peter, who was 18 when the war began, and physically handicapped, spent her days watching what went on in "The Little College Lot," as it was called then, and kept a diary from January, 1862 - April, 1864. "A Union Woman in Civil War Kentucky: The Diary of Frances Peter" was later published by University Press of Kentucky.
Here is her entry for Sunday, Sept. 13, 1863: "I have been looking from Ma's window at the soldiers in the lot. How prettily they are grouped, some standing some sitting around their campfire, where their evening meal is cooking. If I were but artist enough what a nice sketch in colors it would make. The soldiers in their blue uniforms, surrounded by the white tents, the blazing fire with its column of blue smoke rising up amid the tall black stemmed locust trees, against some of which a shining rifle or two is leaning, and the carpet of 'Blue' grass looking so fresh and green after the rain and contrasting with the bare brown space around the fireÖ" This young woman needed no paints.
The war brought about an end to slavery, at least legally. Frances' diary reveals a picture of how and why attitudes changed among some northern sympathizers in Kentucky as the war went on. She and her family and many others she mentions were for keeping the Union. A person or group supporting the Confederacy intent to secede from the Union she labeled "secesh."
At the beginning of the war, neither Frances' Unionists nor the secesh population wanted the abolition of slavery. She had no kind words for abolitionists; they were an enemy of another sort, a common enemy. Northern sympathizers, as well as southerners, owned slaves and intended to keep them. Then someone discovered that it was more economical to free the slaves and hire them back as cheap labor. No housing, clothing or food to provide.
Slaves were free, but not very. I remember when I was a kid seeing the park policeman chase black children from the park.
So a good thing came from a self-serving motive. But like my cooling off on a hot summer night by breaking the rules and jumping in the fountain, it was short-term relief at best. Slavery ended, but servitude went on for most.
As I left the park I walked by the Peter house. A poor man sat on the step. On this hot day he appeared to be wearing several layers of clothing, maybe all he owns. He didn't acknowledge my greeting or my presence, but seemed to be living somewhere entirely within himself. A century and a half ago he might have belonged to the family who lived here. I wondered if he knew he was free.
Editor's Note: The Lexington History Museum exhibit "Window on the War" features more information, including diary entries, about Frances Peter. Call 254-0530 for more information.