(by Don Meador)
Long before walkers enjoyed a stroll across the rolling hills of Dumont Hill or mountain bikes challenged riders at Dugas Park, US soldiers encamped the fields on the northwest side of the city of Scottsville. In a small southern Kentucky city---less than 50-years old---locals lived day to day with uncertainty as the Nation was engaged in a civil war---a conflict pitting neighbors against neighbors and brother versus brothers.
With battles raging across the southwestern portion of a broken nation, Scottsville residents would see the war reach the small town in 1862. Confederate John Hunt Morgan led a raiding party into Allen County, taking what they needed for their troops. Late in 1862, Union soldiers camped on Dumont Hill, bringing thousands of troops to a prominent high-ground location. Just over a year later, Confederate guerrillas captured the town, defeating Capt. J. D. Gillum’s Company of the 52nd Kentucky Regiment representing the Union.
On Monday, April 27, third grade students from the Allen County Primary Center visited Dumont Hill to catch a glimpse of the way things were during the Civil War. Welcoming the youngsters and presenting the day’s program were the AC-S Patriot Pathfinders---students with the Gifted and Talented program in the Allen County School District.
The Pathfinders----under the leadership of G/T Educator Heather Pierce---began exploring Allen County’s Civil War history earlier this year. Pierce reached out to the Allen County Historical Society for assistance on a learning endeavor that not only benefited her students but also educated younger learners. The Pathfinders were introduced to the project in January. Since, the students visited the Historical Society, researching documents, journals, and manuscripts to discover the stories of the Civil War days. The results were showcased on April 27 with the Dumont Hill Expedition.
“I am excited to see the students learning so much about Allen County,” Pierce said. “Our Pathfinders have learned more about the park, they have learned about the Historical Society and what it can be used for, and how to share that with others. It was wonderful to see this project come to life.”
Pierce adds that her Pathfinders plunged into the project---some more in depth than others.
“We had kids that were really excited about being an actor,” Peirce pointed out. “They were excited about the research and writing the script. They were excited about getting the clothes to be in character. Two students are hoping to help out with the Graveline Tour this fall.”
Pathfinder students encamped at Dumont Hill in character---portraying seven figures associated with the camp or US history at the time. As students walked from site to site, the characters introduced themselves and shared a five to10 minute presentation as students listened or took notes. Other Pathfinders served as guides, supporting cast, or greeters.
The first stop on the journey was Ebenezer Dumont for which the hill is named. Portrayed by Xzavier Whitlow, Dumont gave a brief overview of the history of the countryside now known as Dumont Hill. After meeting the park’s namesake, students encountered John Hunt Morgan, a Confederate general during the Civil War. Morgan’s character was played by Greyson Wheat who explained how Morgan’s Raiders would come into Scottsville and take whatever they could to help the southern cause.
The next station along the way was a visit with Sally Porter Edmonds, portrayed by Amayah Garcia. At this location, Garcia and her friends Lily Middleton and Brinley Staten explained how Edmonds was one of Scottsville’s first historians. Youngsters also learned that Edmonds opened Scottsville’s first library prompting some to wonder why the current library isn’t named after her.
The next station was Alzira Stak Heeter with Kaydance Finley delivering information on Mrs. Heeter’s role. Students learned that Heeter was the wife of a Scottsville merchant Joseph Warren Heeter. She explained how a devastating robbery in the Civil War had forced the couple to later move from Allen County to Louisville.
Just up the trail was Aurora Strain in the role of Elizabeth Burton Follis. As the students stopped by, Strain introduced the term boarding house to the visitors. Follis was the operator of a local boarding house while raising six kids. Students also learned that a descendant of Follis’ married into the Crow family---the family which operates T.W. Crow and Son Funeral Home to this day.
An introduction to the grim reality of the Civil War followed. Students met Robert S. Young, portrayed by Lemuel Simmons. Here, Simmons explained how Young was a private in Company D of the 98th Illinois Infantry Regiment. His unit camped on Dumont Hill. Students learned that Young became ill---as many soldiers did---and passed away in Scottsville.
The final stop was that of President Benjamin Harrison. Portraying the role of the 23rd president of the United States was Keegan Hesson. The Pathfinder explained how Harrison had served during the Civil War as a Union soldier prior to his venture into the political arena, a road that carried him to the White House.
Supporting the lead portrayers were Lily Huff and Margaret Morgan who gave an introduction to the overall tour. Christian Hood, Ty Blankenship, and Sawyer Neblett were the project's mapping specialists and props management. Gannon Cahill, Noah Moro, Parker Perkins, and Lucas Harrison were supporting actors to Young and Morgan. Ranger Garrett and Will Carter were guides with Qatada Adrian and Carson Fields also serving as guides and working with props.
The Dumont Hill Expedition was supported by the Allen County Historical Museum and Genealogical Society, the City of Scottsville Historic Preservation Commission, Dugas Community Park, Friends of Dumont Hill, Scott Dobler GIS, the City of Scottsville, the JROTC at AC-SHS, and the Allen County Board of Education.