In Victorian Frankfort, Kentucky, high society held washtub boat races on the Kentucky River. In once race, Campbell E. James took his competing craft Bashi-Bazouk to victory. From the Turkish, Bashi-bazouk translates as “damaged head,” and as “disorderly,” and as “leaderless.” The term originated when applied to different soldiers in the Ottoman Army who fought as irregulars. The intent of Campbell E. James to characterize his prospects for victory was evident in his irrepressible humor.
In her book Filling the Chinks, Ermina Jett Darnell wrote about everyday life in Frankfort at the time. As a descendant of the Cole family ancestors of Frank & Jesse James, Darnell was their 3rd cousin. Campbell Edmundson James, or C. E. James, was the son of Judge A. J. James & Mary Allison Beatty, and also a relation. In Filling the Chinks, Darnell recorded the following story of Campbell E. James taking his Bashi-Bazouk to victory.
_______________________________________
But of the twenty entries, only sixteen started, and of these, only three reached the goal. The Bashi-Bazouk, paddled by Campbell James, came in full two tub lengths ahead of Ocean Wave, paddled by Dudley Watson. The Undine No. 2, by Albert Crutcher, was capsized, alas, about ten feet from the string!
******************************
RELATED
C.E. James Authors a History of Franklin County
A. J. James, father of C. E. James
Dr. Samuel Evans James, brother of C. E. James
None of this surprises Stray Leaves. We exist for stories like this.
fb.watch/35cQELTPLC/
Stray Leaves updated their info in the about section.
One of our highlights from 2020 was watching the progress of the Harmon family global home school. James Milton "Jamie" Harmon and his wife Ashley Hubbard took their children on an around the world tour, making every worldwide location where they stopped a schoolhouse for their children. Jamie is a 3rd great-grandson of Thomas Martin "T.M." James.
Now, the Harmons have published a website of their travels. The highlight of this outstanding website is the inclusion of daughter Hazel Harmon's first published book. Hazel is 9 years old!
Have a look at our James family cousins, and enjoy.
www.300summerdays.com/
Jennifer James-Sepaniak reminds us that one of these daughters is not a James family descendant.
Hallmark Cards provided lifetime employment to Lawrence Henry Barr and his daughter Elizabeth Ann "Betty" Barr, grandson & great-granddaughter of Jesse Woodson James respectively. Progressively, the company moved on from the divisions wrought by the Civil War. Today, it appears Hallmark is prepared to move forward again by withdrawing support for political insurrectionists.
www.usnews.com/news/best-states/missouri/articles/2021-01-11/hallmark-cards-asks-hawley-marshall-...
Hallmark Cards Asks Hawley, Marshall to Return Donations
www.usnews.com
Hallmark Cards is asking U.S. Sens. Josh Hawley of Missouri and Roger Marshall of Kansas to return donations that company employees made to their campaigns.