The Pan Handle

By Blanche Haddix Landrum

This section of the county was settled by Old Braxton McQuinn, who lived there for many years, and when he desired to sell the farm, he went to his neighbor, Old William Haddix, who lived just above the mouth of Troublesome on the Kentucky River; ten miles above the "Pan Bowl." His proposition was as follows: "I will sell you my Pan Bowl farm upon these terms, that you give me: A pair of buckskin breeches; your black horse; your old flintlock gun named Danger; your shot pouch and hunting knife; and your bear dog, and I will give you my farm." Old William Haddix said, "I will give you all you ask for your farm, except my bear dog; there isn't enough land in Kentucky to buy him."

Old Thomas Sewell bought the farm and gave it to his son, William Sewell. Old Thomas Sewell was the first to own Jackson, and he sold the farm to John Hargis. John Hargis sold it to Si Cockrill, who already owned practically all the land in Breathitt County from just below Jackson, down both sides of the Kentucky River to the Si Bend, and taking in practically all the land on Frozen Creek.

Old John Haddix owned practically all of Cane Creek, and Old Wylie Cope and Old Jimmie Cope, his brother, owned up Quicksand Creek for about eight miles, or about 33,000 acres.

There was a Mr. Meyers that owned South Jackson. Old Andy Wilson owned the Hiram D. Bach farm, and Old Henry Hurst owned the land down to where the Cope brothers owned; extending up to the Andy Wilson farm.