Kentucky

A kidnapping, a brutal murder, an international manhunt, and a diabolical priest… This is the true story of the murder of eight-year-old Alma Kellner.

On a bitterly cold day in December of 1909, young Alma Kellner simply disappeared from the altar of St. John's Church in Louisville. Her body was found four months later near the site of the church, and news of the murder rocked the city. The manhunt for the suspect Louisville police Captain John Carney eleven thousand miles across the country, and even to South America, to return the killer to justice. While a man was tried and convicted to life in prison for the crime, suspicion lingers that the true culprit was the murderous and maniacal Catholic priest Hans Schmidt, the only priest to have ever been executed in the United States. Author Shawn M. Herron details the fascinating story of a tragedy that still remains a source of mystery to this day.

Hickman County was known to early French explorers as the ""Iron Banks,"" to Chickasaw Indians as ""the Dark and Bloody Land"" or ""Happy Hunting Ground.""

It was, to early settlers, ""the Promised Land,"" and finally to one and all who live here as ""God's Country"" or ""home."" Organized in 1822, Hickman County was named for Capt. Paschal Hickman, a hero of the War of 1812. From gently rolling knolls, abrupt hills, and deep ravines, to the rich bottomlands next to the river, all can be found in this 225-square-mile county. Visitors and residents enjoy camping and touring the Civil War museum at the Columbus-Belmont State Park, the beautiful scenery from the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River, hiking at Murphy's Pond, or walking back in history at the Hickman County Museum.

Explore the fascinating history of Owensboro, Kentucky through its rich postcard heritage.

Postcard History Series: Owensborois a window into our past, offering a fascinating pictorial view of this city and some surrounding areas in earlier, simpler times of Sunday afternoon picnics in Chautauqua Parkand May Dayparades down Main Street.

Refreshing the long forgotten and illustrating the legendary, this book reveals details about the rich social tapestry unique to this thriving rivertown community. Captured in these precious pages are the faces, places, buildings, and buggies of Owensboro's past. This is a place where much is the same but little remains of our grandparents' day.

Author Terry Blake shares a sample of his vast postcard collection, previously seen by only a very lucky few. With the help of David Edds Jr., Blake details the historical significance of each panel, providing entertainment and enlightenment to eager readers.

Long associated with fine Thoroughbred horses, Kentucky's Bluegrass region is also home to America's oldest indigenous breed: the American Saddlebred horse.

A composite of several breeds, the Saddlebred was developed by 18th century colonists who sought a good looking, sensible, adaptable, and comfortable animal to ride and drive. These traits made it the mainstay of the Confederate cavalry during the Civil War and the choice mount of many generals on both sides. As the Industrial Revolution replaced the need for working horsepower, the Saddlebred evolved naturally into recreational activities. Affectionately known as ""peacock of the show ring,"" the Saddlebred's beauty, expression, and athleticism epitomize the essence of a show horse. In many ways, the breed's history parallels that of America and unfolds in pictures in Kentucky's Saddlebred Heritage.

After the American Civil War, many African Americans found a new life in ""River Town,"" later to become a major city in Kentucky.

Louisville became a historic marker for freed men and women of color who bought acres of land or leased shotgun cottages and lots from whites to begin their new emancipated life. Smoketown is the only neighborhood in the city of Louisville with such continuous presence. By 1866, Smoketown was settled by these freemen, and by 1871 the first public building, the Eastern Colored School, was erected. By the 1950 census, 10,653 people lived in Smoketown, and other historic black neighborhoods--such as Petersburg/Newburg, Parkland, California, Russell, Berrytown, Griffytown, and Black Hill in Old Louisville--were thriving. As these new neighborhoods sprang up, another historic event was taking place: in 1875, the first Kentucky Derby convened, and 13 of the 15 jockeys were black. Such astounding history embraces this city, and Images of America: Louisville's Historic Black Neighborhoods relives its magnificent and rich narrative.

Paducah: Frontier to the Atomic Age tells the story of a community torn apart from the start between Chickasaw and American claims, then Confederate and Union invasions. Exploring the expanding city streets and the ever-busy waterfront, readers will meet natives Quintus Quincy Quigley, chronicler of events on the eve of the Civil War; the "Dean," Dr. Robert Gordon Matheson, who revolutionized two-year colleges; and Mrs. Houston "Dolly" McNutt, among the first female mayors in Kentucky.

This unique volume also recounts the story of the city's central role in nineteenth-century history, thanks to its strategic location at the mouth of the Tennessee River on the Ohio. At that time, the Civil War struggle for control of border states tested Paducah's loyalty even while the rest of Kentucky fought to remain neutral, and Reconstruction brought new challenges in race relations to a region deeply divided by the ghosts of slavery. In the twentieth century, the city developed tremendously with the advent of new industry and was the adopted home of President Truman's pioneering Vice President Alben Barkley, among the most effective and groundbreaking statesmen to fill that office.

Rare and vintage photographs provide a glimpse into the history of Paducah, from its development to its unique annual events.

Located in the westernmost area of Kentucky known as the Jackson Purchase, Paducah has witnessed tremendous change since its beginnings in the early 19th century. Founded by William Clark of the Lewis and Clark expedition, Paducah officially became a town in 1830 and gained the McCracken County seat a year later. Thanks to the area's river resources, the arrival of the New Orleans and Ohio Railroads, and the installment of the telegraph line, Paducah experienced considerable growth, despite the occurrence of natural disasters, before the Civil War when Grant seized the town. Since then, Paducah has become a bustling center of industry, education, and tourism.Images of America: Paducah contains a multitude of photographs that provide a glimpse into the city's period of growth, featuring the contributions of the rivers, the development of accredited Kentucky community colleges, and the unique events, such as the annual quilt show, which attracts 30,000 visitors.

Louisville's African-American community dates back to the early 1800s. Before the 1850s, many Black churches such as the Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church were founded in the area.

Prominent African Americans, including Whitney M. Young, Woodford Porter, Frank Stanley, and Calvin Winstead, became Louisville's pioneer families in modern business and politics. Within the pages of this volume are many of the families who worked to become institution builders and leaders--in Louisville and around the world. African-American Life in Louisville covers the period from the late nineteenth century to the 1960s and focuses on the people and places in the Greater Louisville area, including Shelbyville. Author Bruce Tyler, Associate Professor of History at the University of Kentucky, Louisville, has created this unique collection of vintage photographs as a tribute to his community.

Through hundreds of scarcely-seen images, follow authors John E. Findling and Tom Morton as they take you around the booming neighborhood that was once a small agricultural community.

St. Matthews, once a prominent neighborhood of Louisville, is now a fourth-class city within metro Louisville. The first settlers came to the area in the 1780s, and for more than a century St. Matthews was largely an agricultural area where farmers specialized in growing potatoes. By 1900, a commercial district had grown at the intersection of several roads, known locally as the Point, and the land devoted to farming was gradually taken over by new commercial and residential development. After the great flood of 1937 and World War II, Shelbyville Road, the principal east-west street in St. Matthews, was the site of a commercial boom that included malls and other shopping centers, automobile dealerships, and a wide variety of other businesses. Today, the town of St. Matthews is a vibrant economic and cultural center that attracts people from all parts of metropolitan Louisville.

Vintage and historical postcards document the fascinating history of South Central Kentucky.

Postcards from the early twentieth century reveal much about America's past, portraying almost every subject imaginable and offering modern readers a snapshot glimpse of life in days gone by. The collection within these pages explores the history of Adair, Barren, Green, Hart, and Taylor Counties, documenting the people and places, the lifestyles and landmarks of the South Central region of the Bluegrass State. From the evolution of transportation in Kentucky to such varied activities as wheat threshing, molasses production, and even ""moonshining,"" the images captured on these cards are of great social and historical significance. Rare glimpses of churches, schools, hotels, and businesses that no longer stand make this a must-see for present-day residents of the area.

This volume's nostalgic photographs and recent snapshots highlight Georgetown's worlds of academia, athletics, student life, and religious activity.

The mighty columns of historic Giddings Hall reflect the rich traditions of Georgetown College. With ties stretching back to 1787, Georgetown College offers a liberal arts education ""providing students with a climate for achievement with a Christian context."" As the first Baptist college west of the Alleghenies, the school survived not only the turmoil of war but also a devastating fire in the midst of economic depression. Because of the faith and endurance of dedicated trustees, faculty, and local citizens, Georgetown College developed into an institution that celebrates a legacy of scholarship and Christian principles.

A variety of vintage images of long-forgotten treasures are included in this book. Some of the rare snapshots show the Interurban, which ran between Paris and Lexington; the Paris Opera House; early stores; church buildings and church groups; as well as many early schools. While time has changed many of the physical sites pictured in this volume, some-like the Cane Ridge Meeting House and the Bourbon County Courthouse-live on. Also showcased are the many people who contributed to the unique character of Bourbon County and its towns and hamlets, including renowned author John Fox Jr., Confederate soldiers, African-American church deacons, and lots of "everyday folks."