Literary Cadet, And Saturday Evening Bulletin

The Kentucky Gazette.—This publication, the oldest west of the Alleghany Mountains, is published and edited by John Bradford, Esq. a venerable gentleman now about eighty-four years of age, who was among the first settlers of Kentucky. Mr. Bradford, is by birth a Virginian, and carried with him to the west all of the native feelings of pride, enterprise, and political energy which is so common to the citizens of the ancient dominion. He had not long been in Kentucky before he determined to establish a press to disseminate light and knowledge among a people, who were then rude in their manners, and acquainted with few other pursuits than those which the aborigines followed; and although he was entirely ignorant of the art of printing, he succeeded in establishing the Kentucky Gazette. All the types he could collect were far from sufficient to get out the paper, he contemplated establishing, but as his inventive genius was always ready to assist him, he carved out of wood a sufficient quantity of letters to enable him to complete his undertaking. The Gazette was then established, and from that day to this, the copy right has always remained in his hands, though the privilege of publishing has often been enjoyed by others. The Gazette has been published by John Norvell, (now of the Philadelphia Franklin Gazette, and Aurora) by Norvell & Cavins, by Daniel Bradford, Joseph Ficklin, and John M'Calla, but at this moment it is printed, published and edited by its original founder, the venerable Bradford.

Mr. Bradford, at the age of eighty, submitted to an operation of lithotomy, and is now in the perfect enjoyment of good health. He was distinguished in the wars of the Indians, when the settlement of the west commenced, and has sent to the field in later days, several sons, who distinguished themselves in the battles of the last war. He is President of the Board of Trustees of Transylvania University, a member of the Common Council of the town of Lexington, and has filled several civil offices with much credit.

He has made numerous discoveries in Astronomy and Electricity, and may justly be called the Franklin of the West.

We have been led to these remarks, by receiving from him a paper, on the margin of which is written, "If you wish to exchange, you will please to do so. I have received but one of yours."—In reply to which, we have to say:—"Venerable Sir, we have sent you all our numbers, but they may have escaped you."