Near Jackson in Breathitt County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Bitter Antagonism
Photographed By J. J. Prats
1. Bitter Antagonism Marker
Erected 1964 by Kentucky Historical Society and Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 669.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1863.
Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 37° 34.821′ N, 83° 23.52′ W. Marker was near Jackson, Kentucky, in Breathitt County. Marker was on Old Kentucky 15 (Kentucky Route 205) 3 miles Jackson. Measure the 3 miles along the old alignment of Route 15, which continued straight where Route 30 turned left (west) outside of town. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Jackson KY 41339, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. Breathitt Volunteers (approx. 1.9 miles away); "Bloody Breathitt" (approx. 1.9 miles away); Korean War Memorial
this page online
More about this marker. Kentucky Historical Society reports that immediately after erection in 1964, it was “knocked down twice, repaired twice, not replaced after being broken in 1966.” Marker was erected near the track to Jesse Spencer Cemetery, which is about three road miles (1.9 miles as the crow flies) north of town on what is now Route 205.
Also see . . .
1. Capt. Bill Strong and the Death of Lt. Jerry South. Article in First Kentucky “Orphan” Brigade by Stephen Bowling with contributions by Ed O’Rear. Excerpt:
During the Civil War, Jackson, Kentucky, County seat of Breathitt, in many instances, became the rendezvous of guerrilla bands whose depredations became forerunners of the County feuds, and thus Jackson became the capital of that inherited cognomen, “Bloody Breathitt.” Law and order was usually that imposed by the strongest, most unscrupulous faction in the County.(Submitted on March 10, 2020, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.)
Many prominent landowners (for the most part Confederate sympathizers) were owners of much live stock and fertile bottoms of corn and other grain. Since there was no active organization of those who were in sympathy with the South, at that particular time, they became the target and easy prey of the organized Union raiders, who invariably cried out “Rebel Scout” as they charged upon a defenseless home. ...
... The Union forces under the leadership of Captain “Bill” Strong set out that night for the home of Hiram Miller. They killed Mr. Miller and then mounted their horses and started for the home of Sarah Haddix on Cane Creek on the North Fork of the Kentucky River about three miles from Jackson. Here they planned the raiding of three other Confederate homes in Breathitt County. Sarah Haddix hearing the plot slipped away from her house and managed to find a small boat which she used to carry her across the river to the home of Jesse Spencer and his wife, Elizabeth (my great grandfather and great grandmother).
William Spencer, then about the age of 33, fled for his life into the hills but Jesse, then over 65 years of age, preferred to stay with his wife, rather than leave her alone, she thought the “Raiders” would not kill an old man of 65. When Captain Bill and his men came riding up to the Spencer home they shouted for the Spencers to come out. Jesse and Elizabeth came to the door and the Union Raiders searched their home looking for William.
Then they told Jesse they would kill the “Rebel scout.” Elizabeth pleaded with Strong and his men for her husband’s life. She said that he was an old man and was not active with either side in the war. Strong insisted that Jesse Spencer was a "Rebel Scout" so he was taken out to the fence gate, stood up against the fence, and shot to death in the presence of his wife.
They then drove away most of Spencer’s livestock, went into the house, split open the featherbeds with their knives, and poured jugs of “sorghum” (molasses) into the “feather ticks.” Hams, middlings, and shoulders were taken from the smokehouse. They also destroyed what other property they could not take with them and carried away one of Jesse Spencer’s slaves. ...
2. Kentucky Historical Society Website. Originally erected in May 1964. Knocked down twice, repaired twice. Not replaced after being broken in 1966. [User must enter the county name and marker name to view this information.] (Submitted on March 2, 2021, by Frank Profitt of Georgetown, Kentucky.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 2, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 10, 2020, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 205 times since then and 20 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on March 10, 2020, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo of the missing marker from the brief time it was standing in 1964-1966. • Photo(s) of the Spencer gravesite. • A wide shot of the marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?
