|
|
|
Pogue historical highway marker dedicated
|
By MISTY MAYNARD Staff Writer
|
Rudolph "Bud" Tully was only 20 years old when he went to work at the Pogue Distillery in Maysville.
Tully will turn 83 years old this month, and though he only worked at the distillery about a year, he remembers the work he did there, and the impact the distillery had on the community.
"It was a pretty big place," he said. "They had quite a few employees."
Tully said he secured a job with the distillery with the assistance of a friend, Ralph Thomas, who also worked there. Tully worked odd jobs in the distillery, but remembers most how employees would roll out about 25 barrels of whiskey, which Tully would then have to pour into a trough. Then, 250 gallons of water would be added to it to reduce it to 86 percent proof.
"Of course I just fooled around and worked everywhere in that place," he said. "I done just about a little of everything."
Tully was born in a house near the Pogue house and distillery, and lived in that area most of his life in a house built by his grandfather. He walked to work each day while employed at the Pogue Distillery.
 |
| Phillip Breen Jr. and Henry E. Pogue unveil the highway marker for the Ryan-Pogue House Friday afternoon at the Limestone Landing.
The unveiling ceremony was held at Limestone Landing Friday with a sizable crowd on hand to witness the special event.
Terry Prather/Staff |
Tully said he worked during the days most of the time, but did occasionally do some night duty, cleaning up around the place. He said the whiskey had a strong smell to it, and described tanks of what he called "slop," which were especially potent.
"If you put your head over that thing, it'd knock your socks off," he said.
Tully said a job at the Pogue Distillery was a good job to have, paying fair wages to its workers.
Friday afternoon, many members of the Pogue family gathered at Limestone Landing in Maysville for the dedication of a highway marker that told a brief history of the Ryan/Pogue house and the Pogue Distillery. Tully's wife of 54 years, Geraldine Tully, said the dedication was important because the Pogue house and distillery were landmarks in the community.
"It's well known," she said. "When you mention the Pogues, and the distillery, everybody's ... interested."
At the dedication ceremony, John Pogue Sr., Dr. Paul Pogue and Henry E. Pogue V all had the opportunity to speak briefly before the unveiling of the marker, while Peter H. Pogue acted as master of ceremonies. Joining the Pogues to address the crowd gathered at the dedication were Maysville Mayor David Cartmell, Louis Browning with the Kentucky Gateway Museum Center, Jim Wallace of the Kentucky Historical Society and Phil Mauney of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
Philip Breen Jr., current owner of the Ryan/Pogue house, also addressed the crowd to speak about the restoration efforts he and a team of professionals made to restore the home to its original splendor.
Breen said the Ryan family lived in the house for 35 years, when it was named "Riverside." In 1890, however, the house was purchased by the Pogue family, who renamed it "Star Terrace."
"I am clearly the newcomer in this situation," Breen said.
Breen passed around a brochure he had made with a history of the Ryan and Pogue families inside, which also contained an insert with a listing of the 45 businesses involved in helping restore the house. The heading of the insert read, "It takes a village to restore an old house."
Breen said those businesses and professionals were an asset to the community.
John Pogue Sr. was the first of the Pogue family to speak, following Cartmell. He introduced the various members of the family present, and thanked everyone for taking the time to attend the dedication, as well as thanking those involved in making the historical marker a reality.
The marker is one of more than 2,000 in Kentucky, and Wallace said that it was "no small task to get one." The marker cost $1,700, and took numerous hours of research.
On one side of the marker is information on the distillery, which was operated from 1876 until dismantled in August 1973. It was registered as Distillery No. 3, 7th District, and offered three brands of bourbon and three brands of rye, wheat and malt whiskey. It was a large employer until closed by Prohibition. The whiskey produced there helped make the bourbon industry important to Kentucky's commerce, according to the text on the marker.
On the other side of the marker the history of the Ryan-Pogue house is listed. It was built in 1845. After sold by the Ryan family, it remained in the Pogue family for several generations. The 161-year-old house is important not only historically, but also architecturally.
"We are grateful to be a part of Maysville's proud history," Henry Pogue said.
Contact Misty Maynard at 606-564-9091, ext. 274. |
|
|
Reader Comments
Comments are limited to 200 words or less.
Add your own comments:
|
Copyright © 2008 Maysville Newspapers, Inc., A Lee Enterprises Publication
This site is protected by applicable copyright laws and no part may be reproduced, transmitted or used in any way other than its intended purpose without the prior written permission of The Ledger Independent. Click here to view The Ledger Independent's privacy policy. |
|
|
Jobs
Homes
Cars